Teachers have a lot of teaching to catch up on from the pandemic. AI can help: Some schools in the US are tapping into artificial intelligence by partnering with online tutoring platforms, such as Varsity Tutors, that use AI to serve students’ academic needs, according to the Connecticut Mirror. Since students missed out on regular, in-person classes when the pandemic hit, their adjustment to the school system, alongside their numeracy and literacy, have taken a blow. Seeing this, parents and school administrators have pressured teachers to fill in the gap, who are now turning to AI to help address these needs without pushing themselves to the point of burnout.

AI bridges the gap between a student's need and their tutor. The technology can assist in identifying struggling students, monitor progress, and tailor lesson plans accordingly. They can also work with pupils outside of school hours, answering their questions and reteaching concepts they may have missed. Moreover, AI tutoring can bridge educational inequities by providing equal access to high quality instruction, particularly for students from underserved communities or those facing socioeconomic challenges according to Antonio Salcito, the Chief Institution Business Officer of Varsity Tutors. Thus, leaving teachers to focus on mentorship, cultivating stronger relationships, and focusing on their behavioral and psychological readjustment to school.

North Korean hackers stole USD 200 mn in crypto this year to allegedly fund their nuclear weapons programs, CNBC reported. Cybercriminals affiliated with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) found a way around the UN sanctions imposed on the nation since they tested their nuclear weapons in 2006. Through online scamming by phishing and infrastructure hacking they were able to acquire mns that can be used for their nuclear weapons or to support their regime, an intelligence analyst told CNBC.

The DPRK has stolen over USD 2bn in digital currency over the past 5 years, according to the same report by blockchain intelligence firm TRM Labs. And it seems the trend is on the rise. Last year was the worst in terms of hacking as USD 3.8 bn were snatched from crypto businesses, the article reports. This year, they nabbed over 20% of the digital currency embezzled worldwide between January 2023 and August alone, according to TRM Labs.

“Vanity drugs” Ozempic and Wegovy could potentially cure dementia and aid in substance abuse recovery, CNBC reported. After Danish pharma company Novo Nordisk published data showing reduced risk of heart failure among animals in successful preclinical trials, scientists are now testing whether semaglutide can also lower the risk of drug and ethanolic beverage consumption in humans. Semaglutide is a hormone that, when injected in the body, helps curb appetite by emulating the same effects on the brain as natural gut hormone ​​GLP-1. Researchers speculate that, if food cravings can be curbed, perhaps so too can the desire for other substances.

Scientists are going even further with potential applications: Ozempic and Wegovy were initially designed for type 2 diabetes patients — but now scientists are exploring whether they can curb the formation of dementia-causing proteins in the brain: Amyloid and tau, a leading clinical researcher heading an Oxford University trial was quoted as saying. Another trial is testing whether the same drugs can help alleviate polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women, the article adds.

But there are limitations. Firstly, there is the issue of affordability as the drugs are expensive. Also, as demand is on the rise for a number of different needs — diabetes and obesity being the frontrunners — availability is also problematic. From a medical standpoint, there is additional concern about the potential side effects of the medication — including the risk of depression and self-harm — as it impacts the reward system and its regulation within the brain.

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