June 5, 2023 - Portland News

Internships for High School Students in Portland

Portland News Staff on June 5, 2023

Internships can be an invaluable chance for high school students to gain hands-on experience, explore career paths, and build their resumes. With summer approaching, many teens in Portland may be wondering where they can find opportunities to intern. Fortunately, there are several programs available that offer internships for high school students.

StandOut Connect

StandOut Connect is a program backed by The University of Chicago’s Polsky Center for Innovation that matches high school students with paid internships in their area of interest. StandOut Connect is a remote program, meaning students can participate from anywhere. This program is a great option for students who are unable to commute to an internship site or who are interested in gaining experience in a field that is not readily available in their area.

Portland State University Invention Bootcamp

The Invention Bootcamp is a four-week intensive educational experience aimed at high school students from historically underserved and underrepresented populations. The program teaches students basic skills to design, develop, and create a prototype by completing class-wide projects and later applying those skills to create their own inventions. The Invention Bootcamp is a great option for students interested in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.

Haggerty Scholars Program

The Haggerty Scholars Program aims to give high school juniors a chance to participate in Oregon’s legal and civic community. Through guest speakers, field trips, and research projects, students can gain a deeper understanding of the legal system and civic engagement. This program is ideal for those who aspire to a career in law or want to learn more about the legal system.

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry

The Science Squad internship program at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is designed to provide teens with an opportunity to develop soft skills such as communication, leadership, and job readiness, which are valuable for any future job. This program was created to give teenagers a chance to obtain practical museum experience while also learning important skills that will be useful in any future employment. Students who want to work in museums, teaching, or other sectors that value leadership and excellent communication abilities may choose the Science Squad internship program.

City of Portland Cadet Program

Finally, the City of Portland Cadet Program, offered by Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R), aims to introduce young people between the ages of 16 and 20 to the fire service career and professional advancement opportunities. This program provides hands-on experience in firefighting, emergency medical services, and technical rescue and also offers opportunities for leadership development and community service. If you’re looking to further a career in fire service or improve your leadership and teamwork skills, the Cadet Program is an excellent choice for you.

Whether students are interested in STEM fields, law, museums, or firefighting, there is an internship program available to help them gain hands-on experience and develop valuable skills. As summer approaches, high school students in Portland should take advantage of these opportunities and explore the internship programs that are available to them.

AI-Generated Pentagon Explosion Photo–How to Spot a Fake

Portland News Staff on June 5, 2023

Image commercially licensed from: Unsplash

In today’s digital age, the proliferation of fake news and misinformation has become a growing concern. With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), the ability to create and manipulate images and videos has become more advanced, making it difficult to discern what is real and what is fake.

The recent circulation of a fake Pentagon explosion photo is a prime example of this issue. In this breaking news article, we will explore the implications of AI-generated images and provide tips on how to spot them.

The Pentagon Explosion Photo

In early June 2021, a photo of a supposed explosion at the Pentagon went viral on social media. The photo showed a massive explosion with smoke billowing from the Pentagon building.

The image was shared widely on Twitter and Facebook, with many people expressing concern and outrage over what they believed to be an actual event.

However, it was soon revealed that the photo was fake. The image was created using AI-generated technology known as GAN (Generative Adversarial Network). GAN is a machine learning algorithm that can create images that look real but are not based on actual events.

The technology creates two neural networks, one that generates images and another that evaluates them for realism. The two networks work in tandem to create images that are increasingly difficult to distinguish from real ones.

The Implications of AI-Generated Images

The Pentagon explosion photo is just one example of the potential dangers of AI-generated images. With this technology, it is possible to create compelling images and videos of events that never happened. This can lead to confusion and panic among the public and the spread of misinformation and fake news.

AI-generated images can also be used maliciously, such as creating fake evidence in legal cases or spreading propaganda. In addition, they can be used to manipulate public opinion and influence political outcomes.

The technology behind AI-generated images is advancing rapidly, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between real and fake images. As a result, it is essential to develop strategies for identifying and verifying images to ensure that the information we consume is accurate and reliable.

How to Spot an AI-Generated Image

While it may be challenging to spot an AI-generated image, there are some strategies you can use to help identify them. Here are some tips:

Look for Inconsistencies

One of the easiest ways to spot an AI-generated image is to look for inconsistencies. For example, if the image’s lighting is inconsistent with the location or time of day, it may be a fake image. Similarly, if the perspective or shadows in the image are off, it may be a sign that the image is not accurate.

Check the Source

Another way to verify the authenticity of an image is to check the source. If the image is from a reputable news organization or government agency, it is more likely to be accurate than if it is from an unknown or unreliable source.

Reverse Image Search

Reverse image search is a tool that allows you to upload an image and search for similar images on the internet. This can help you determine whether an image has been used before and whether it is associated with a particular event or location.

Check for Artifacts

AI-generated images may contain artifacts that are not present in natural images. These artifacts may include repetitive patterns or pixelation in some image regions. If you notice these artifacts, it may be a sign that the image is unreal.

Use Image Analysis Tools

There are several image analysis tools available that can help you identify AI-generated images. These tools use algorithms to analyze the image for inconsistencies and artifacts and can help you determine whether the image is real or fake.

Conclusion

The circulation of the fake Pentagon explosion photo highlights the growing concern over using AI-generated images for nefarious purposes. While it may be challenging to distinguish between real and fake images, there are strategies you can use to help verify the authenticity of an image. By being vigilant and using these strategies, we can help prevent the spread of misinformation and fake news in our society.

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