Molly Callahan - News @ Northeastern

‘Bad when it’s inaccurate, but even worse when it’s accurate’

Facial recognition technology can be wildly inaccurate and prone to replicating the racial or gender-based biases inherent in the data that goes into it, says Woodrow Hartzog, a professor of law and computer science at Northeastern.

by Molly Callahan May 21, 2019

Here’s what’s next for the Alabama abortion law

The most restrictive anti-abortion bill in the nation has been signed into law in Alabama, but stands little chance of overturning a person’s constitutional right to abortion established by Roe v. Wade, say two legal scholars at Northeastern University.

by Molly Callahan May 17, 2019

Here’s what kids and parents can learn from the marriage of two gay characters on Arthur

The wedding of two gay characters on Arthur, the long-running children’s cartoon on PBS, provides parents and their children an opportunity to explore complex topics such as race, sexuality, and love, says Northeastern professor Tracy Robinson-Wood.

by Molly Callahan May 16, 2019

‘When do adults ever blow bubbles?’

A new painting that swirls and dives along a formerly gray entrance to Ruggles Station on Northeastern’s Boston campus is designed to remind commuters to pause for a moment and enjoy life, says artist Silvia López Chavez.

by Molly Callahan May 15, 2019

How does fake news spread on Facebook?

Four Northeastern professors have been selected to receive access to closely guarded Facebook data that could shed light on how people share fake news on social media.

by Molly Callahan May 14, 2019

Does artificial intelligence deserve the same ethical protections we give to animals?

John Basl, an assistant professor of philosophy at Northeastern, proposes that we create oversight committees to carefully evaluate research involving artificial intelligence. “The nightmare scenario,” he says, “is that we create a machine mind and, without knowing, do something to it that’s painful.”

by Molly Callahan May 9, 2019

‘Now the world belongs to you’

At Northeastern’s 117th Commencement, President Joseph E. Aoun urged graduates to use their most human qualities in order to succeed in a world that is continuously being reshaped by rapidly advancing technology. Bestselling author Tara Westover warned members of the Class of 2019 that they should look beyond the facile images that define them on social media. And student orator Rebecca Leeper celebrated the diversity of experience among her peers.

by Molly Callahan May 3, 2019

‘It was a memorable ending to four remarkable years’

Passing around a quart of iced tea to stay hydrated. Corralling a loose cat. Getting drenched by torrential rain. We asked five faculty members from across the university’s schools and colleges to reflect upon their commencement ceremonies.

by Molly Callahan May 1, 2019

A safer way to transmit personal data? Use your body like a wire.

Smart watches. Pacemakers. Internet-connected glasses. These are devices designed to make life easier. And yet, the airwaves that all this wearable technology use to communicate can be hacked, meaning our personal health information is vulnerable. So researchers at Northeastern have a better, more secure idea: Send data through your body.

by Molly Callahan April 26, 2019

Do you know the warning signs of human trafficking?

The first step to fighting human trafficking is the ability to spot when it’s happening. But identifying someone who is caught in the web of a trafficking scheme requires an eye for nuanced details, says Amy Farrell, an associate professor of criminology and criminal justice at Northeastern who studies human trafficking.

by Molly Callahan April 25, 2019

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