In response to Cody Combs's op-ed What the outrage over Google’s AI Olympics ad is really about (August 5): Google had a great idea to combine a young girl's running aspirations with an inspirational Olympic star. Combs says that "in a conversational manner, a father simply asks Google to help his daughter write a letter" to Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, a US track star and Olympic medallist.
I take issue with the word "helps". If AI's purpose is to "help" the girl write a letter, it would suggest only phrases, key words, or ideas that she could develop on her own, such as answers to these questions. Doing the entire letter for her (as Gemini AI did in the ad) is writing it, not helping her write it.
I agree with Combs that "perspective is needed before we start dismissing AI tools as dehumanising and job killing." As a teacher, my five-decade perspective on writing tools informs me that AI promoters are tricking us by their claim to "help" writers.
Also, Gemini 's AI response is subtle: "Here's a draft to get you started." But it's not a "draft" since the entire letter is completely finished for her. The chances are great that the girl will follow her father's lead and she'll copy and send it. Unfortunately, the girl, her father, and other promoters of AI fail to realise this one important point: effective letter writing is always personal, never generic.
Janet Larsen Roberts, Abu Dhabi
Student protest and the value of all human life
In reference to Taniya Dutta's report Sheikh Hasina: Bangladeshi PM resigns and flees country (August 5): We have seen similar situations play out in history – former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf's power ended also due to students killed at Lal Masjid. Now, most recently, Sheikh Hasina's reign has ended in Bangladesh due to, in part, students killed while protesting against the quota system, and other state issues. In witnessing all the political turmoil in the world, I wish the value of human life in every country was truly respected at all levels, without any kind of discrimination, violence or bloodshed.
Khalid Mustafa, Islamabad, Pakistan
Food safety protocols must be taken seriously
I am writing to bring to your attention an incident at a hotel in Business Bay, Dubai two weekends ago. As a long-time vegan with severe allergies to animal products, I experienced food poisoning after being misinformed about the contents of my meal by the hotel's chef.
Despite clearly communicating my dietary restrictions, I was assured that certain dishes were plant-based and vegan-friendly. However, these items actually contained chicken and beef. I had informed the chef that I will get extremely sick if the food isn't as per the dietary restrictions and he confirmed the dishes were vegan. The consequences for me were severe, resulting in food poisoning that required hospital treatment.
Upon reporting this incident to the hotel management, I was met with a concerning lack of accountability.
Even after reviewing CCTV footage that corroborated my account of the chef's erroneous allergen verification, both the general manager and the restaurant's operations manager refused to accept responsibility. I believe this incident raises important questions about food safety protocol, staff training and corporate responsibility in the hospitality industry.
Omar Mendes, Dubai
Tales of Yusuf Tadros
Adel Esmat (translated by Mandy McClure)
Hoopoe
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The%20Specs
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North Pole stats
Distance covered: 160km
Temperature: -40°C
Weight of equipment: 45kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 0
Terrain: Ice rock
South Pole stats
Distance covered: 130km
Temperature: -50°C
Weight of equipment: 50kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 3,300
Terrain: Flat ice
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
Company%20profile
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Porsche Taycan Turbo specs
Engine: Two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors
Transmission: two-speed
Power: 671hp
Torque: 1050Nm
Range: 450km
Price: Dh601,800
On sale: now
How to improve Arabic reading in early years
One 45-minute class per week in Standard Arabic is not sufficient
The goal should be for grade 1 and 2 students to become fluent readers
Subjects like technology, social studies, science can be taught in later grades
Grade 1 curricula should include oral instruction in Standard Arabic
First graders must regularly practice individual letters and combinations
Time should be slotted in class to read longer passages in early grades
Improve the appearance of textbooks
Revision of curriculum should be undertaken as per research findings
Conjugations of most common verb forms should be taught
Systematic learning of Standard Arabic grammar
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Rebel%20Moon%20-%20Part%20One%3A%20A%20Child%20of%20Fire
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How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
The specs: 2018 Genesis G70
Price, base / as tested: Dh155,000 / Dh205,000
Engine: 3.3-litre, turbocharged V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 370hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 510Nm @ 1,300rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 10.6L / 100km
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The National in Davos
We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
Engine: 80 kWh four-wheel-drive
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 402bhp
Torque: 760Nm
Price: From Dh280,000
Schedule for show courts
Centre Court - from 4pm UAE time
Johanna Konta (6) v Donna Vekic
Andy Murray (1) v Dustin Brown
Rafael Nadal (4) v Donald Young
Court 1 - from 4pm UAE time
Kei Nishikori (9) v Sergiy Stakhovsky
Qiang Wang v Venus Williams (10)
Beatriz Haddad Maia v Simona Halep (2)
Court 2 - from 2.30pm
Heather Watson v Anastasija Sevastova (18)
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (12) v Simone Bolelli
Florian Mayer v Marin Cilic (7)
MATCH INFO
Southampton 0
Manchester City 1 (Sterling 16')
Man of the match: Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City)
Your Guide to the Home
- Level 1 has a valet service if you choose not to park in the basement level. This level houses all the kitchenware, including covetable brand French Bull, along with a wide array of outdoor furnishings, lamps and lighting solutions, textiles like curtains, towels, cushions and bedding, and plenty of other home accessories.
- Level 2 features curated inspiration zones and solutions for bedrooms, living rooms and dining spaces. This is also where you’d go to customise your sofas and beds, and pick and choose from more than a dozen mattress options.
- Level 3 features The Home’s “man cave” set-up and a display of industrial and rustic furnishings. This level also has a mother’s room, a play area for children with staff to watch over the kids, furniture for nurseries and children’s rooms, and the store’s design studio.
Confirmed%20bouts%20(more%20to%20be%20added)
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The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
RESULTS - ELITE MEN
1. Henri Schoeman (RSA) 57:03
2. Mario Mola (ESP) 57:09
3. Vincent Luis (FRA) 57:25
4. Leo Bergere (FRA)57:34
5. Jacob Birtwhistle (AUS) 57:40
6. Joao Silva (POR) 57:45
7. Jonathan Brownlee (GBR) 57:56
8. Adrien Briffod (SUI) 57:57
9. Gustav Iden (NOR) 57:58
10. Richard Murray (RSA) 57:59
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
Favourite things
Luxury: Enjoys window shopping for high-end bags and jewellery
Discount: She works in luxury retail, but is careful about spending, waits for sales, festivals and only buys on discount
University: The only person in her family to go to college, Jiang secured a bachelor’s degree in business management in China
Masters: Studying part-time for a master’s degree in international business marketing in Dubai
Vacation: Heads back home to see family in China
Community work: Member of the Chinese Business Women’s Association of the UAE to encourage other women entrepreneurs
AGL AWARDS
Golden Ball - best Emirati player: Khalfan Mubarak (Al Jazira)
Golden Ball - best foreign player: Igor Coronado (Sharjah)
Golden Glove - best goalkeeper: Adel Al Hosani (Sharjah)
Best Coach - the leader: Abdulaziz Al Anbari (Sharjah)
Fans' Player of the Year: Driss Fetouhi (Dibba)
Golden Boy - best young player: Ali Saleh (Al Wasl)
Best Fans of the Year: Sharjah
Goal of the Year: Michael Ortega (Baniyas)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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RIVER%20SPIRIT
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The Bio
Amal likes watching Japanese animation movies and Manga - her favourite is The Ancient Magus Bride
She is the eldest of 11 children, and has four brothers and six sisters.
Her dream is to meet with all of her friends online from around the world who supported her work throughout the years
Her favourite meal is pizza and stuffed vine leaves
She ams to improve her English and learn Japanese, which many animated programmes originate in
The%20specs
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EMIRATES'S%20REVISED%20A350%20DEPLOYMENT%20SCHEDULE
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ENGLAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Jack Butland, Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope
Defenders: John Stones, Harry Maguire, Phil Jones, Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Gary Cahill, Ashley Young, Danny Rose, Trent Alexander-Arnold
Midfielders: Eric Dier, Jordan Henderson, Dele Alli, Jesse Lingard, Raheem Sterling, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Fabian Delph
Forwards: Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy, Marcus Rashford, Danny Welbeck