Eyewitness accounts, once considered a gold standard, have faced increasing scrutiny due to their susceptibility to memory errors and biases. Forensic evidence, while highly valuable, comes with its own set of limitations, such as the time-consuming nature of analysis and the potential for contamination. Enter the age of technology, which…
Articles Posted in Commentary and Opinion
A Gruesome Spectacle: Failed Execution Attempts In the United States
The death penalty remains a highly contested issue in the United States, with arguments raging on both sides. However, beyond the ethical and legal debates lies a lesser-known aspect: the phenomenon of failed executions. These attempts, often characterized by prolonged suffering and technical difficulties, raise serious concerns about the very…
Combating Fraud and Deception: Medicare’s Strategies and Initiatives
INTRODUCTION: Medicare, the federal health insurance program in the United States, serves millions of Americans, providing essential healthcare coverage for seniors and certain individuals with disabilities. However, with its vast reach and substantial funding, Medicare is also a target for fraud and deception. Fraudulent activities not only drain taxpayer dollars…
A Collection of Essays on the Future of AI
Microsoft has sponsored and published a valuable collection of essays on the future of AI written by a group of experts, with specialties encompassing a broad spectrum—spanning the fields of business, economics, education, engineering, healthcare, history, law, mathematics, medicine, mental health, psychology, and the sciences—to explore the capabilities of GPT-4…
Understanding Political Polarization in America
Introduction. The polarization of American politics has become a prominent and concerning trend in recent years. This post aims to explore the multifaceted factors contributing to the polarization of American politics, analyzing historical, social, economic, and institutional elements. By understanding the roots of this polarization, policymakers, scholars, and citizens can…
New Taskforce to Study the Interplay of AI and the courts of the Appellate Division, Second Department of the State of New York
Presiding Justice Hector D. LaSalle and the Justices of the Appellate Division, Second Department on January 11, 2024, announced the creation of a Task Force to study the interplay of artificial intelligence and the courts of the Appellate Division, Second Department. The Task Force will meet with experts in the field…
FTC Launches Inquiry into Generative AI Investments and Partnerships
The Federal Trade Commission announced today, January 25, that it issued orders to five companies requiring them to provide information regarding recent investments and partnerships involving generative AI companies and major cloud service providers. The agency’s 6(b) inquiry will scrutinize corporate partnerships and investments with AI providers to build a…
AI Predictions for 2024: A Glimpse into the Future
The year 2024 promises to be a pivotal year for Artificial Intelligence (AI), with advancements across various sectors and a growing focus on real-world applications. Here are some predictions taken from various sources including my own expressing a variety of opinions as to what we can expect in the near…
New York’s Economic and Budget Outlook: Post Pandemic Reckoning for the City and the State
A Report by James A. Parrott and George Sweeting, City of New York Affairs, The New School, January 11, 2024.* Posted by David Badertscher Overview: “The past four years not only brought unprecedented economic upheaval to New York City and state related to the pandemic and its aftermath, but also…
CBO: Implementing the Statutory Limits on Discretionary Funding for Fiscal Year 2024
In this document, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) provides information concerning implementation of the caps on most discretionary funding for fiscal year 2024 as established by the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023. Summary of Document: In this document, a letter from Philip L. Swagel, Director of the Congressional Budget Office, The…