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“There’s still relatively little actual empirical data or research on the effects of generative AI, particularly on children and adolescents’ development and learning and other health outcomes,” said Nagata, professor of pediatrics at the University of California San Francisco, in an interview. But there are lessons from prior research on technology and kids that may be applicable, he said. In some ways, ChatGPT is a lot like earlier screen-based technologies, from social media to video games and even television programs, Nagata said. One obvious harm when teens spend too much time watching screens is losing the benefits of sleep, exercise, or socializing with friends. “We have a finite amount of time, and so the time that we spend on these technologies means that you’re spending less time on other healthful activities,” he said. “Even if the content that you’re viewing or engaging with on AI is not harmful, just the fact that it’s replacing other beneficial aspects of your daily life, like sleep or connection or activity, can have this indirect effect.” On the other hand, chatting with an AI bot may take time away from doomscrolling on social media, cyberbullying, or other known harmful behaviors. “It’s possible time spent on generative AI could crowd out some of those bad things,” Nagata said. More research is needed to shed light on exactly how teens are using chatbots and how the activity fits into their lives, Nagata said. “It’s a double-edged sword with many of these areas,” he said. Some studies have found social media can harm adolescents self-esteem, by offering a false picture of what other kids are doing and what they look like. Generative AI could have a similar harmful impact if kids use the apps to create artificial pictures, or could perhaps have a beneficial impact if kids produce pictures that make them feel better about themselves. “Teens actually are often early adopters,” Nagata said. “They’re actually pretty tech savvy, and sometimes even more tech savvy than adults. So it will be interesting to see just how they’re using it and for what purposes.” Nagata is also concerned that teens, like many adults, may be using the chatbots as surrogate therapists. That could be somewhat helpful to a teen that couldn’t otherwise see a therapist, but the chatbots are not designed to replace a trained therapist, Nagata said. OpenAI has said its app has guardrails to protect users from dangerous advice, but the company is facing seven lawsuits claiming ChatGPT contributed to suicides. Ultimately, further research should help guide parents, teens, and policymakers. “AI is not inherently good or bad,” Nagata said. “My goal as a pediatrician and parent is to try to help kids navigate it so that they can optimize the benefits while minimizing the harms and risks. And I think we still have a lot to learn about doing that.” 📓 Teachers are battling AI cheating in school. Is help on the way? Read more from enterprise education reporter Mariana Simões. ✂️ Tripadvisor to lay off 20 percent amid major business reorganization. Read more from Globe contributor Yogev Toby. 🔄 Vertex’s CEO was an AI skeptic. But not anymore. Read more from business reporter Jon Chesto. 🤑 Design software firm PTC in Boston is selling its ThingWorx, and Kepware businesses to private equity firm TPG for up to $725 million.🪑 Online furniture seller Wayfair in Boston raised $700 million of debt through the private sale of senior notes. 💸 Venture capital firm J2 Ventures in Boston, which specializes in startups developing dual-use technology with military and civilian applications, raised $250 million for its second fund. 🤝 Drone and wireless tech firm Ondas Holdings in Boston is buying Israeli drone defense company Sentry CS for $225 million. 🪽 Venture capital firm Glasswing Ventures in Boston raised $200 million for its third fund. 🍽️ Andover-based Streetlight Ventures, which owns and operates restaurant chains including Anna’s Taqueria and B.Good, is raising $200 million for a special purpose acquisition corporation with VC firm Launchpad Capital. 🏛️ Legal tech company Firm Prospects in Boston received an investment from private equity firm The Brydon Group. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. As part of the investment, the company named Adam Braveman as chief executive. Braveman previously was partner and director of global risk at McKinsey & Co. Prior CEO and founder Adam Oliver shifts to president. 🖼️ Boston-based Cuseum, which makes software for museums and non-profits, was acquired by private equity firm BID Equity. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. 💼 HR software firm UKG in Lowell started a strategic investment unit called UKG Ventures, which has already acquired three companies. Terms of the deals were not disclosed. 🔐 Cybersecurity firm Rapid7 in Boston hired Rafe Brown as chief financial officer. Brown previously was an operating partner at Francisco Partners. Current CFO Tim Adams is retiring. ♻️ At the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, chief executive Emily Reichert is stepping down. Jennifer Le Blond, managing director of emerging climate-tech, will become acting CEO on an interim basis. ➕ Software firm HubSpot in Cambridge added Clara Shih, head of the business AI group at Meta, to its board of directors. 🔌 Woburn EV company Indigo Technologies hired former Somerville mayor Joe Curtatone as vice president of government affairs and strategy. 🛒 Online furniture seller Wayfair in Boston added Hal Lawton, chief executive of Tractor Supply Co., to its board of directors. 👋 Pioneering AI researcher Yann LeCun plans to leave Meta, where he is chief AI scientist, to found his own startup, the Financial Times reported. 💰 Tesla shareholders voted to approve a new pay package for chief executive Elon Musk that could be worth $1 trillion if the company reaches certain milestones over the next 10 years, including delivering 20 million electric vehicles and deploying 1 million human-like robots. Flock haters cross political divides to remove error-prone cameras (Ars Technica) NY school phone ban has made lunch loud again (Gothamist) Work, After Work: Notes From an Unemployed New Grad Watching the Job Market Break (Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed blog) 👋 Thanks for reading. We’ll be will be back next Tuesday. ❓ Have a tip? Email Aaron at aaron.pressman@globe.com. ✍🏼 If someone sent you this newsletter, you can sign up for your own copy.
