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UCLA's 2025 Comp Lit Class Uses AI-Generated Materials

2024-12-08

In winter 2025, a remarkable event is set to take place at UCLA. A comparative literature class will introduce a unique approach by utilizing textbooks, homework assignments, and TA resources crafted by AI. This class focuses on a comprehensive survey of literature spanning from the Middle Ages to the 17th century. The materials are generated by Kudu, an "evolved" textbook platform founded by Alexander Kusenko, a renowned professor of physics and astronomy at UCLA. It is claimed to be the first class in the humanities division to incorporate such materials developed by Kudu.

Unlock the Potential of AI in Comparative Literature Education

Class Overview and Materials

In this comparative literature class, the integration of AI brings a new dimension. The textbooks, homework assignments, and TA resources are not your typical ones. They are the result of advanced AI technology, providing a fresh perspective and a wealth of information. The materials cover a vast time period, from the Middle Ages to the 17th century, offering students a comprehensive understanding of literary works during this era. The use of AI ensures consistency and accuracy in the delivery of course materials, which is crucial for a meaningful learning experience.

Professor Zrinka Stahuljak played a vital role in this process. She provided Kudu with her previous class notes, PowerPoint presentations, and YouTube videos. This data served as the foundation for the AI to generate the new materials. The course creation process typically takes three to four months, but the time commitment for professors is limited to 20 hours. Kudu compensates them for their efforts, making this a mutually beneficial collaboration.

Benefits for Students and Instructors

One of the significant benefits of this approach is the time it frees up for both the instructor and the TAs. Professor Stahuljak can now focus more on working closely with students, providing individualized attention and guidance. This enhanced interaction leads to a more engaging learning environment and better student outcomes. For the TAs as well, they can contribute more effectively to the teaching process, as they have more time to assist students and provide additional support.

Students also benefit from this setup. They can ask Kudu questions about the material, and the answers are drawn solely from the professor's provided materials. This ensures that the students receive accurate and relevant information, without being exposed to the vast and sometimes unreliable information on the internet. It helps them develop a deeper understanding of the literature and enhances their critical thinking skills.

Impact on Comparative Literature Education

The use of AI in comparative literature education marks a significant milestone. It opens up new possibilities for teaching and learning, allowing for a more efficient and effective delivery of course materials. By leveraging AI technology, universities like UCLA can stay at the forefront of educational innovation and provide students with a unique learning experience. This approach also has the potential to inspire other disciplines to explore the use of AI in their teaching methods.

However, it is important to note that AI is not a replacement for human instructors. It is a tool that can enhance the teaching and learning process. Professors still play a crucial role in guiding students, facilitating discussions, and providing valuable insights. The combination of human expertise and AI technology creates a powerful educational synergy.

The Golden Globe nominations this year have brought a wave of excitement to the TV world. With a mix of new and returning shows vying for recognition, it's an exciting time for television enthusiasts. Performers like Cate Blanchett, Meryl Streep, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Jodie Foster are all in the running, adding star power to the small screen.

Uncover the Golden Globe Nominees and Their Stories

Best Television Series – Drama

Prime Video's Fallout takes center stage with its gripping narrative. HBO/MAX's House of the Dragon continues to captivate audiences with its epic world. HBO/MAX's Industry showcases the behind-the-scenes of the business world. CBS's Matlock remains a classic with its legal drama. Prime Video's Mr. and Mrs. Smith brings a unique twist. FX's Shōgun is set to dominate in the drama category.

And don't forget AppleTV+'s Slow Horses, a hidden gem that could surprise with its nominations.

Best Television Series – Comedy or Musical

ABC's Abbott Elementary brings laughter with its relatable characters. FX's The Bear combines comedy and drama in a unique way. FX's English Teacher is a comedy to watch out for, with its creator Brian Jordan Alvarez's unique promotions. MAX's Hacks is a hit with its witty writing. Netflix's Nobody Wants This offers a fresh take on comedy. FX's What We Do in the Shadows is in its final season and could grab some final nominations.

Disney+'s Agatha All Along and AppleTV+'s Shrinking are also in the mix, adding to the comedy competition.

Best Miniseries or Motion Picture

Netflix's Baby Reindeer stands out with its unique story. AppleTV+'s Disclaimer features Cate Blanchett and is sure to make an impact. HBO/MAX's The Penguin is a must-see. HBO/MAX's The Sympathizer offers a different perspective. HBO/MAX's True Detective: Night Country has Jodie Foster in a leading role. Netflix's Ripley is another contender.

FX's Feud: Capote v the Swans and Netflix's The Perfect Couple are also worth mentioning.

Best Actor in a Television Series – Drama

Prime Video's Walton Goggins shines in Fallout. Prime Video's Donald Glover brings his charm to Mr. and Mrs. Smith. AppleTV+'s Jake Gyllenhaal is likely to be nominated for Presumed Innocent. Netflix's Lee Jung-jae steals the show in Squid Game. AppleTV+'s Gary Oldman is a force to be reckoned with in Slow Horses. FX's Hiroyuki Sanada is a lock in Shōgun.

FX's Jeff Bridges in The Old Man and AppleTV+'s Colin Farrell in Sugar are also in the running.

Best Actor in a Television Series – Comedy or Musical

FX's Brian Jordan Alvarez is the heart of English Teacher. FX's Matt Berry is a comedic genius in What We Do in the Shadows. Netflix's Adam Brody is hilarious in Nobody Wants This. Hulu's Steve Martin and Martin Short bring their comedic talents to Only Murders in the Building. FX's Jeremy Allen White is a standout in The Bear.

AppleTV+'s Jason Segel in Shrinking and Vince Vaughn in Bad Monkey add to the comedy actor competition.

Best Actress in a Television Series – Drama

CBS's Kathy Bates is a force in Matlock. HBO/MAX's Emma D'Arcy is making waves in House of the Dragon. Prime Video's Maya Erskine is charming in Mr. and Mrs. Smith. HBO/MAX's Myha'la is a rising star in Industry. Netflix's Keri Russell is a force to be reckoned with in The Diplomat. FX's Anna Sawai is a definite lock in Shōgun.

AppleTV+'s Sharon Horgan in Bad Sisters and Prime Video's Ella Purnell in Fallout add to the drama actress competition.

Best Actress in a Television Series – Comedy or Musical

Netflix's Kristen Bell is a comedic delight in Nobody Wants This. ABC's Quinta Brunson is a breakout star in Abbott Elementary. FX's Ayo Edebiri is a rising comedy star in The Bear. HBO/MAX's Bridget Everett brings her unique style to Somebody Somewhere. Disney+'s Kathryn Hahn is a force in Agatha All Along. HBO/MAX's Jean Smart is a comedic icon in Hacks.

AppleTV+'s Maya Rudolph in Loot and Kristen Wiig in Palm Royale add to the comedy actress competition.

Best Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture

Netflix's Nicholas Alexander Chavez is outstanding in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. HBO/MAX's Colin Farrell is a standout in The Penguin. Netflix's Richard Gadd is memorable in Baby Reindeer. Netflix's Cooper Koch is also in the mix. AppleTV+'s Kevin Kline shines in Disclaimer. Netflix's Andrew Scott is a force in Ripley.

FX's Tom Hollander in Feud: Capote v the Swans and Prime Video's Michael Sheen in A Very Royal Scandal add to the miniseries/motion picture actor competition.

Best Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture

AppleTV+'s Cate Blanchett is a force to be reckoned with in Disclaimer. HBO/MAX's Jodie Foster is a veteran in True Detective: Night Country. Netflix's Nicole Kidman is a star in The Perfect Couple. HBO/MAX's Cristin Milioti is captivating in The Penguin. Starz's Julianne Moore is a powerhouse in Mary & George. Netflix's Sofia Vergara is a presence in Griselda.

FX's Naomi Watts in Feud: Capote v the Swans and HBO/MAX's Kate Winslet in The Regime add to the miniseries/motion picture actress competition.

Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television

FX's Tadanobu Asano is a standout in Shōgun. Netflix's Javier Bardem is powerful in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. HBO/MAX's Paul W. Downs brings humor to Hacks. FX's Ebon Moss-Bachrach is a scene-stealer in The Bear. AppleTV+'s Peter Sarsgaard is excellent in Presumed Innocent. ABC's Tyler James Williams is a rising star.

AppleTV+'s Jack Lowden in Slow Horses and HBO/MAX's Ken Leung in Industry add to the supporting actor competition.

Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television

FX's Liza Colón-Zayas is a highlight in The Bear. HBO/MAX's Hannah Einbinder is a comedic force in Hacks. Netflix's Dakota Fanning is captivating in Ripley. Netflix's Jessica Gunning is memorable in Baby Reindeer. Netflix's Nava Mau is a rising star. Hulu's Meryl Streep is a legend.

FX's Kali Reis in True Detective: Night Country and Chloe Sevigny in Feud: Capote v the Swans add to the supporting actress competition.

Best Stand-Up Comedy Performance

HBO/MAX's John Early brings his unique style to Now More Than Ever. HBO/MAX's Nikki Glaser is hilarious in Someday You’ll Die. Netflix's Jacqueline Novak is a comedic force in Get On Your Knees. Netflix's Adam Sandler is a comedy icon in Love You. Netflix's Ali Wong is a standout in Single Lady.

HBO/MAX's Ramy Youssef is also making waves in More Feelings.

The Fisker Ocean, a vehicle that initially held great promise with its Toyota Highlander-sized frame, 350 miles of range, and a base price below $40,000, made its debut in American showrooms. It combined a well-appointed design with the allure of cutting-edge technology. However, as time passed, a series of challenges emerged.

Unraveling the Fisker Ocean's Parts Fallout

Initial Success and Subsequent Struggles

After selling more than 7,000 units in the U.S., the Fisker Ocean faced a series of issues. Faulty technical releases, reported financial mismanagement, and delivery problems plagued the vehicle. This led to the implementation of bankruptcy plans, which received federal approval in October. For collision shops and customers in need of repairs, dealing with the aftermath has been a difficult journey. 1: The initial success of the Fisker Ocean was evident with its mass-market appeal. Customers were drawn to its features and price point. But as problems started to surface, it became clear that the journey was far from smooth. The vehicle, which once seemed like a game-changer, was now facing a crisis. 2: The impact of these issues was felt across the board. From the inability to turn on the car to locked doors and unresponsive key fobs, Ocean drivers faced numerous problems. With Fisker in bankruptcy, there was no clear way to address these issues or get the necessary repairs done.

The Parts Distribution Nightmare

Since the bankruptcy, parts distribution has been a major headache. Windshields, for example, are virtually unavailable. Only 36 windshields were released post-Chapter 11, with 18 going to the public and 18 to American Lease. Collision shops with three Oceans awaiting window repairs have no replacement timeline. 1: Customers have turned to alternative sources like eBay as dealer parts ran out. This has driven up prices, with bumpers listed for up to $2,800 and hoods for $1,800. Even a damaged hood can cost $500 plus a $375 delivery fee. The scarcity of parts has created a difficult situation for both shops and owners. 2: Not all parts require full replacement, as pointed out by Ed Rios. The bumpers, fenders, and rear quarter panels of the vehicle are made of plastic, and refurbishing them can save money. However, ADAS cameras and radars, which are mostly mounted on bumpers, need to be recalibrated using Fisker's proprietary FAST tool, which is currently in short supply.

The Knowledge Gap

Fisker struggled to disseminate critical vehicle maintenance information to certified parts repairers. In some cases, the maintenance playbook was not completed before the Chapter 11 filing, leaving repairers in the dark. Rios also noted that the current iterations of the body repair manual do not include specifications for frame and jig machines. 1: This lack of information has created a knowledge gap among repairers, making it difficult for them to properly make certain repairs. The cars were not built with service in mind, as one technician at an FOA-appointed shop pointed out. This has added to the challenges faced by the repair industry. 2: Without the necessary information, repairers are left to figure things out on their own, which can lead to mistakes and delays. It is essential for Fisker to address this knowledge gap and provide repairers with the tools and information they need to do their jobs effectively.

The Tsunami Forms

Fisker owners banded together to form Tsunami Automotive, a for-profit company that is working to secure parts for Ocean owners. The company employs four key strategies to achieve this goal. 1: It salvages parts from closed Fisker dealerships and U.S. locations, partners with refurbishing companies to create molds for remanufacturing, collaborates with original parts manufacturers, and plans to leverage California's right to repair laws. These efforts are aimed at creating a steady pipeline of vehicle parts. 2: Tsunami is also in talks with American Lease to build more robust parts supplies. The company has located 77 windshields in an insurance warehouse in Europe and is optimistic about the future. With these strategies in place, Tsunami hopes to restore insurers' confidence in the Fisker Ocean.

Regional Market Impact

Most Ocean deliveries occurred on the West Coast, with four states - California, Arizona, Washington, and Nevada - accounting for more than 50% of the market share. California alone represented about 33%. 1: This regional concentration has added to the challenges faced by the repair industry. With a large number of Oceans in these states, the demand for parts is high, but the supply is limited. It is crucial for Tsunami and FOA to focus on these regions and ensure that parts are available. 2: Rios hopes that these customers will continue to build supportive networks like the FOA. By working together, they can put pressure on Fisker and the relevant authorities to address the parts issues and restore the reputation of the Fisker Ocean.