Austin Z. Henley learned the hard way that users mean what they say, but what they say shouldn’t be taken at just face value. As an intern at Microsoft, he was assigned to a team that aimed to create an automated code reviewer that would give feedback on developer’s code. However, he hit many bumps along the way, the first of which being the fact that nobody wanted to use his tool because it disrupted workflow, despite it being the solution to his users’ problems. Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
