Learning the syntax of a programming language – for example, where to place colons and where indentation is required – takes a lot of time for many students. Spending time at the level of syntax is a waste for students who simply want to use coding to help solve problems rather than learn the skill of programming.

New AI reports suggest the impact of the technology on work and society in general will be significant and geographically distributed, with patterns differing from previous waves of technological change.

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Microsoft announced a major partnership with Spark for cloud computing that will also see Copilot rolled out to an additional 1,800 staff. Meanwhile a quantum computing breakthrough at Microsoft could accelerate the roadmap for useful quantum computers.

In our final Fireside Chat of 2024, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Engie Martine, a powerhouse in Māori tech, digital identity, and community-led digital infrastructure. Engie’s career spans software development, digital identity, and Indigenous tech sovereignty, with a deep commitment to ensuring data and technology serve the people who need it most.

Can generative AI make us better at critical thinking? Maybe – if we are careful, we might be able to use generative AI to challenge ourselves and augment our critical thinking.