Since our January 2026 problem has two distinct, cautionary essays on the incursion of synthetic intelligence chatbots into our lives, colleges, and portfolios, it’s necessary so that you can perceive the function of AI at MFO.
Each single article is conceived and written by one in all three human beings: Snowball, Lynn Bolin, or The Shadow. All of them are reviewed, cleaned, edited (and infrequently snickered at) by one in all two human beings: Raychelle and Chip. Whether or not the argument or the writing is classy or execrable, it’s human.
Snowball makes use of AI at school prep, teaches about it in courses and workshops, and has proposed a considerable Mellon Basis grant on the cultural diffusion and results of AI. For his functions, probably the most acceptable assistants are Claude.ai (who has the best moral requirements and most polished writing, give or take a predictable fetish for em dashes and an oddly formal phrasings) and Perplexity.ai (which has an unparalleled coaching overlay that focuses on educational {and professional} analysis). For educating and analysis functions, I’ve explored greater than a dozen fashions in all.
Snowball makes use of and pays for 2 AI instruments in refining his articles right here. Right here’s the division of accountability:
- Snowball (aka “I”) is chargeable for ideation, argument construction, voice, and conclusions. I learn lots, speak with of us within the business lots, and typically surprise issues like “how’s Aegis Worth doing (splendidly, fyi) and why haven’t individuals seen?” At that time, I begin poking round by checking the Aegis web site, taking a look at Morningstar’s take, and working analyses at MFO Premium. If I believe I’ve one thing to say (which is “typically however not all the time”), I draft, am appalled by, and redraft an article.
- Perplexity.ai typically surveys educational {and professional} analysis to verify (sharpen or problem) my sometimes-suspect recollection. “My imprecise recollection is that home microcap shares have a peculiarly excessive correlation with junk bonds. Please may you examine the educational {and professional} literature, stressing analysis carried out since 2000, to find out whether or not that’s true; in that case, to what diploma or underneath what situations; and, what explanations students have supplied for the obvious correlation of two unrelated property.”
- Claude.ai, particularly Claude Sonnet, which is way much less compute-intense than Claude Opus, serves as an interlocutor: the one who weighs in on “does this make sense? what am I lacking? how may we be clearer?” – and supply the occasional nag – “fall asleep, Snowball, you’re having bother finishing your sentences and this file can wait.” I will even share Perplexity’s claims with Claude, with the request to double-check the validity of the claims or summaries Perplexity proposes.
Determine 1: The writer and his AI assistants.
Should you occur to identify any spectacularly implausible photographs – oh, Warren Buffett wielding a battle axe whereas driving his dragon Charlie in Elon Musk’s basic course – that probably signifies that Chip received bored, then received playful, and used instruments far past my restricted ken to generate whimsy in your behalf.
Should you’ve received questions or reservations, be at liberty to drop me a word, and I’ll assume issues by with you.
