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New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

Technology

Opinion: NYU’s recent ad with AI art is an artistic failure

Opinion: NYU’s recent ad with AI art is an artistic failure

From copyright issues and energy consumption to loss of artistic value, the frivolous use of generative artificial intelligence violates several codes of ethics that NYU claims to follow.
Sam Kats, Deputy Copy Chief October 17, 2025

Late last month, NYU sent out an annual reminder asking repeat alumni donors to donate money again. The email’s accompanying image depicts a woman with a purple backpack walking...

(Maryam Lootah for WSN)

Off Topic: AI should not be used to exploit loneliness

Friend’s advertising campaign across New York City subway stations represents the dangerous reality of artificial intelligence.
Leila Abarca, Contributing Writer October 15, 2025

Content Warning: This article contains mention of suicide. Recently, a series of ominous advertisements characterized by futuristic-looking white pendants for an artificial...

A woman’s hand swipes a metrocard.

Opinion: Getting rid of the MetroCard is a loss for accessibility in NYC

As New York City goes tap-only, the city risks leaving behind the people who benefit from its transit system daily.
Elena Meves, Contributing Writer September 22, 2025

For nearly three decades and approximately 3.4 million New Yorkers every day, the act of swiping a MetroCard at a subway turnstile has been as much a part of New York City life...

(John Bush for WSN)

Opinion: Stop scrolling, before your attention span is worse than that of a goldfish

From Bobst Library to the classroom, attention spans are collapsing. Phone-free policies may help, but NYU students need more than a locked phone to learn — or care.
Annika Wilewicz, Deputy Opinion Editor September 17, 2025

Last week, NYU became the first major U.S. college to publicize its plans for device-free zones. Starting this year, classrooms across the university are becoming “phone-free,”...

(Alex Woodworth for WSN)

Off Topic: We can’t afford to prioritize AI in early education

The rise of private, artificial intelligence-powered schools pose a threat to the next generation of students and the development of their critical thinking skills.
Maggie Turner, Opinion Editor September 8, 2025

Stanford graduate MacKenzie Price founded the “AI-powered” Alpha School for her own children in 2014, bent on the idea that “education needed a revolution.” At the institution,...

(Charlie Dodge for WSN)

Opinion: Every NYU class needs a Zoom or recording option

Adding virtual attendance to regular classes would help alleviate the pressure and stress caused by mandatory attendance policies.
Shanay Tolat, Deputy Opinion Editor April 7, 2025

Most students have experienced rushing to class despite being physically and mentally drained, simply because attendance is mandatory and lectures are not recorded or available...

(Kiara Mujica for WSN)

Off Topic: The alt-right is lying about free speech

Despite its supposed commitment to freedom of speech, the Trump Administration’s actions reveal its commitment to stifling political opposition and controlling narratives.
Noah Zaldivar, Opinion Editor February 26, 2025

One of the biggest talking points of the alt-right has been the so-called destruction of free speech, which they often blame on the rise of politically correct speech, or wokeness,...

Off Topic: DeepSeek’s arrival is a wakeup call for AI regulation

Off Topic: DeepSeek’s arrival is a wakeup call for AI regulation

With a new, more cost-effective chatbot permeating the market and openly sharing the secrets to its success, we must question whether DeepSeek’s effects will be disturbing or democratic.
Shanay Tolat, Deputy Opinion Editor February 19, 2025

Just last week, DeepSeek, the latest competitor to ChatGPT, burst onto the scene, immediately causing an uproar among U.S. tech companies and the recently inaugurated Trump administration....

(Illustration generated with DALL-E, edited by Samson Tu)

Opinion: ChatGPT’s environmental destruction outweighs its benefits

While much of the discourse surrounding artificial intelligence concerns plagiarism, the significant environmental costs often go overlooked.
Serin Lee, Contributing Writer February 4, 2025

Artificial intelligence platforms have taken the world by storm. AI — referring to any technology that can process information and superficially mimic human thinking —...

Opinion: Trump's TikTok ‘solution’ is all about control

Opinion: Trump’s TikTok ‘solution’ is all about control

President Trump’s justification for and reaction to the ban on TikTok show his intent for strict control of discourse on social media.
Leila Olukoga, Deputy Opinion Editor January 27, 2025

On the evening of Jan. 18, over 170 million TikTok users in the United States, including myself, found themselves unable to open the app. Before the app went dark, I — like many...

An illustration of a tweet from user @A1exandraCohen with text “if i EVER get Twitter blue, just know it’s a cry for help.” against a blue background. The tweet has two likes.

Opinion: Students can save Twitter

Users await the fall of Twitter under Elon Musk. But students could be the solution.
Alexandra Cohen, Opinion Editor November 16, 2022

Billionaire Elon Musk bought Twitter for $44 billion — something that would be hilarious as a “Saturday Night Live” sketch, but is not funny in real life. Since his purchase...

An illustration of Google Classroom’s logo with a crown on top against a light blue background. The logo has three people in white against a green board framed in yellow.

Opinion: Brightspace is poorly designed

Brightspace is supposed to be an efficient way to keep track of your classes, but Google Classroom just does it all better.
Anuj Jain, Contributing Writer November 8, 2022

Last year, NYU announced it was going to transition from NYU Classes to Brightspace, a platform developed by software company Desire2Learn. The FAS Office of Educational Technology...