The article argues that the Federal Reserve's recent rate hike decision, while justifiable on inflation grounds, highlights a critical lack of an underlying, transparent policy framework. The core problem is that the Fed's decisions appear discretionary, leading to market uncertainty because the committee's judgment, rather than clear data, dictates policy shifts. The author proposes that the Fed adopt a formal monetary policy rule—an algebraic formula linking the target rate to indicators like inflation and unemployment—to replace subjective guidance. Implementing such a rule would provide market predictability, enhance transparency, and shield the Fed from political attacks by making deviations from the standard easily quantifiable.
More Students Use AI for Homework, and More Believe It Harms Critical Thinking: Selected Findings from the American Youth Panel
English Summary
The RAND American Youth Panel reveals a notable increase in students using AI for homework, rising from 48% in May 2025 to 62% in December 2025. This surge is accompanied by growing concern, with 67% of students believing AI harms critical thinking skills by late 2025. Although students widely use chatbots for tasks like brainstorming and explanations, they perceive significant ambiguity in school policies regarding AI, leading to increased worry about being accused of cheating, especially among older students. The report emphasizes the need for schools to engage students in discussions about AI's impact and establish clear, consistent guidelines for its appropriate use.
中文摘要
美國蘭德公司青年小組的調查顯示，學生使用人工智慧（AI）完成家庭作業的比例顯著增加，從2025年5月的48%上升至2025年12月的62%。伴隨此一增長的是日益增加的擔憂，截至2025年末，有67%的學生認為AI損害了批判性思維能力。儘管學生普遍使用聊天機器人進行諸如腦力激盪和解釋等任務，但他們認為學校在AI政策方面存在顯著模糊性，這導致了對被指控作弊的擔憂增加，尤其是在年紀較大的學生中。該報告強調學校需要與學生討論AI的影響，並為其適當使用制定清晰一致的指導方針。
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