Field: AI
Google’s Gemini Ultra AI has been released
Google just made its most capable generative AI — Gemini Ultra — available to the public, while killing the “Bard” brand.
Arc Search aims to revolutionize browsing, AI, and search, all at once
Searching isn’t what it used to be, and chatbots can be clunky — will the Browser Company's Arc Search app replace both?
How to train your self-driving car
From loading the car with sensors to teaching its AI to “think” like a human driver, there's more than one way to train an autonomous car.
AI is here – and everywhere: 3 AI researchers look to the challenges ahead in 2024
AI scholars look ahead to 2024 and describe the issues developers, regulators, and everyday people are likely to face.
OpenAI is reportedly investing in humanoid robots
Microsoft and OpenAI reportedly plan to invest $100 million into Figure, a startup developing a humanoid robot for the workplace.
Will AI companions help or hurt the “loneliness epidemic”?
About a third of people are lonely. Three scholars consider whether AI can help, or if it'll just make things worse.
When the Mac was a “munition”
Macs were once deemed a threat to national security. Will today’s AI rules seem similarly outdated when we look back on them?
New AI detection tool measures how “surprising” word choices are
A new AI detection tool that measure how "surprising" text is reportedly delivers far fewer false positives than existing options.
DeepMind’s AI could accelerate drug discovery
A new study suggests that AlphaFold, DeepMind’s AI tool for predicting protein structures, could be useful for drug discovery after all.
See the humanoid robots that will build new BMWs
General purpose robots developed by robotics startup Figure are going to be deployed at a BMW Manufacturing plant.
10 must-see technologies from CES 2024
From super-hyped AI assistants to apps that translate babies’ cries, CES 2024 has given us a glimpse at the tech of tomorrow, today.
Data poisoning: how artists are sabotaging AI to take revenge on image generators
Artists unhappy with their work being used by generative AI have are using "data poisoning" to mess with the algorithm.
Microsoft launches Copilot Pro for “power users”
Microsoft has launched Copilot Pro, a premium subscription service that makes its AI companion accessible to more people in more contexts.
6 tech trends at CES 2024 that are shaping the future
From AI to health and the metaverse, these tech trends promise to change our lives long after the excitement of the newest TV wears off.
Microsoft AI discovers 18 new battery materials in two weeks
Using AI and cloud computing, Microsoft was able to quickly identify 18 promising battery materials for the Department of Energy.
AI and the future of work in 2024
Future jobs will rebalance technology with humanity, and lifelong learning to continually upgrade must replace outdated ideas of static careers.
Using AI, MIT researchers identify a new class of antibiotic candidates
Using a type of artificial intelligence, MIT researchers have discovered a class of compounds that can kill drug-resistant bacteria.
AI startup Rabbit’s R1 device sells out in 24 hours
Tech startup Rabbit has unveiled R1, an AI-powered consumer device designed to free you from app overload.
Cappella’s AI translates baby cries to help sleep-deprived parents
The startup Cappella has developed an app that translates baby cries and informs parents what is wrong alongside helpful suggestions.
Cyborg computer combining AI and human brain cells really works
A new biohybrid computer combining a “brain organoid” and a traditional AI was able to perform speech recognition.
AI robots are making burgers and fries at this new restaurant
The AI robots making burgers and fries at CaliExpress could help the restaurant industry address its persistent labor shortage.
Mercedes-Benz adds special blue lights when its self-driving cars are “on”
Mercedes-Benz has added turquoise lights to its self-driving vehicles to indicate when its autonomous driving system is engaged.
Vesuvius Challenge: Can AI decipher these mysterious ancient scrolls?
Herculaneum’s Villa de Papiri contains hundreds of ancient texts that were carbonized by Mt. Vesuvius. Now, they can only be deciphered by AI.
Watch amazing Meta AI translate language in near real-time
Meta has unveiled Seamless, a language translation AI that can quickly translate speech while preserving the original tone and emotion.
Google AI discovers 2.2 million new materials for a host of technologies
Google's AI GNoME has predicted 2.2 million novel inorganic crystal structures. If synthesized in labs, they may pave the way for new technologies.
Deep neural networks show promise as models of human hearing
In the largest study yet of deep neural networks trained to perform auditory tasks, researchers found surprising similarities to human hearing.
AI chatbots are coming to your workplace but are not necessarily coming for your job
AI chatbots might not be coming for your job after all, but AI fluency, the skill to understand and work with AI, will soon be essential.
The AI behind ChatGPT is bringing this toy to life
Pop artist Grimes and Silicon Valley startup Curio have created an AI toy that can understand and talk to kids.
New AI predicts cancer survival using epigenetics
Researchers from the UCLA train an AI to use epigenetics to predict clinical outcomes for cancer patients.
What does the future hold for generative AI?
Rodney Brooks, co-founder of iRobot, kicks off a symposium on the promise and pitfalls of increasingly powerful AI tools like ChatGPT.
Suckup software: How sycophancy threatens the future of AI
The biggest problem with AI right now might not be it defying humans but bending its answers to make us happy.
Supercomputer uses machine learning to set new speed record
Frontier, the ORNL supercomputer, used machine learning to set a new speed record of 9.95 quintillion calculations per second.
Google’s new Gemini AI beats GPT-4 in 30 of 32 tests
Tech giant Google has unveiled the multimodal Gemini AI, its “largest and most capable” AI model ever released.
Move over, agony aunt: study finds ChatGPT gives better advice than professional columnists
Researcher found that people preferred the AI-generated responses over those given by a professional advice columnist, and couldn't tell which was which.
World’s largest robots will help airlines cut carbon emissions
Norwegian startup Avinxt is building massive AI robots to help airlines reduce their emissions, save water, and inspect their planes.
Technology expert tells us why the AI “doomer” narrative is all wrong
Alex Kantrowitz believes “doomerism” is born of our misplaced and exaggerated human propensity for fear. Plus, fear sells.
You win this street game by getting “hit” by a self-driving car
A game that challenges pedestrians to avoid detection by an AI could help train tomorrow’s self-driving cars.
Breakthrough AI learns language with “human-like” efficiency
An new AI model learned to generalize language concepts with "human-like" efficiency and remix them to respond to novel inquires.
OpenAI launches a GPT Store for customized AI chatbots (Updated)
ChatGPT users will soon be able to create, share, and potentially monetize customized versions of the chatbot through OpenAI’s GPT Store.
This AI companion could forever change how you feel about tech
Silicon Valley tech startup New Computer has unveiled Dot, an AI companion that could forever change our relationship with tech.
How AI played an instrumental role in making mRNA vaccines
Years before Moderna created an effective mRNA vaccine against COVID, the company put into place AI systems to accelerate the research process.
Dumbing down or wising up: how will generative AI change the way we think?
Artificial intelligence tools are now managing huge swathes of information on our behalf, potentially changing what and how we think.
Rancid food smells and tastes gross − AI tools may help scientists prevent that spoilage
A group of chemists are using artificial intelligence to extend the life of food products, by teaching AI models about rancidity.
AI diagnoses brain tumors in 90 minutes or less
A new AI that can identify the type of brain tumor a patient has while surgeons are removing it could lead to better outcomes.
This bionic hand is fused to a woman’s bones, muscles, and nerves
A new way of merging the body with a bionic hand provided a woman with more control over her prosthetic and less phantom limb pain.
Robot painter lets smaller crews do jobs twice as fast
Tennessee-based startup PaintJet’s robot painter Bravo slashes the time it takes to complete painting jobs.
Disney’s new robot is a cartoon came to life
A highly expressive new Disney robot developed in a fraction of the time it usually takes could be the first of many expressive bots to come.
MIT study shows AI conversations are more positive if users think AI is empathetic, negative if they think it’s nefarious
Study shows users can be primed to believe certain things about an AI chatbot’s motives, which influences their interactions with it.
See inside a first-of-its-kind smart gym, staffed by AI personal trainers
Lumin Fitness's first-of-its-kind smart gym in Texas features AI trainers, motion-tracking sensors, and “gamified” classes.
New AI algorithm transforms 2D photos into 3D maps
A new method named MonoXiver uses AI to build up reliable 3D maps of a camera’s surroundings based only on 2D photos.
Is human uncertainty the key to improving AI?
AI systems assume humans are always certain. Teaching them to anticipate and understand uncertainty may help them reduce human error.
GPT-4 scores in the top 1% of test-takers for creative thinking
New AI tools are increasingly part of creative production, and are scoring surprisingly high in creative thinking tests.
ChatGPT forces us to ask: how much of “being human” belongs to us?
Large language models have been trained on massive amounts of “natural” human language — just like us. Does this make the robots part human?
You can now talk to ChatGPT and show it pictures
OpenAI is rolling out new features that let subscribers talk to ChatGPT and show it pictures, enabling more intuitive interactions.
AIs accurately predicted path of Hurricane Lee a week out
AI-based weather forecasting models developed by Google, Nvidia, and Huawei accurately predicted where Hurricane Lee would make landfall.
AI narrates 5,000 free audiobooks for Project Gutenberg
A new text-to-speech system developed by Microsoft and MIT was used to create nearly 5,000 audiobooks for Project Gutenberg.
Why Toyota is building a “kindergarten for robots”
Toyota is using a generative AI-based method to teach robots to peel veggies, prepare snacks, and perform other dexterous tasks.
UT med students can now get a dual degree in AI
The University of Texas at San Antonio has launched what it says is the US’s first dual degree in medicine and AI.
Self-driving cars can now tell passengers what they’re thinking
AV startup Wayve has given its self-driving cars the ability to explain their decisions in conversational language.
First-of-its-kind robot receptionist is like ChatGPT with a face
Engineers have combined the AI model powering ChatGPT with a humanoid bust to create a robot receptionist for the UK National Robotarium.
Meta’s first-of-its-kind AI can translate between any of 100 languages
Meta’s SeamlessM4T AI puts it a step closer to creating a universal translator that eliminates the language barrier for good.
NASA partner unveils the “iPhone” of robots
Texas-based robotics company Apptronik has unveiled Apollo, a humanoid robot that could revolutionize the workforce.
Why aliens are likely to be AI
Fundamental biological limitations will make long-distance space travel all but impossible for organisms. AI is more suitable.
Hackers get AI to share credit card info and endorse hate speech
At DEFCON 2023, ethical hackers targeted generative AIs by OpenAI, Google, and other tech leaders to aid responsible AI development.
With “thanabots,” ChatGPT is making it possible to talk to the dead
ChatGPT is making it possible to digitally resurrect the dead in the form of thanabots: chatbots trained on data of the deceased.
Study finds ChatGPT boosts worker productivity for some writing tasks
A new report by MIT researchers highlights the potential of generative AI to help workers with certain writing assignments.
Australian military is funding a computer chip merged with human brain cells
The Australian military is funding research into "organoid intelligence" that involves stimulating lab-grown mini-brains with electrodes.
Gliding, not searching: Here’s how to reset your view of ChatGPT to steer it to better results
To have a productive session with ChatGPT, think of it as a glider that takes you on journeys through knowledge and possibilities.
PhD student solves a mysterious ancient Sanskrit text algorithm after 2,500 years
For centuries, a grammatical problem surrounding a meta-rule in Pāṇini's Aṣṭādhyāyī has risked readers misinterpreting the text.
AI will soon tell doctors how to predict your future health
A new AI can can analyze X-rays for a important predictor of heart disease with a high degree of accuracy.
Apple has reportedly built its own ChatGPT
Apple is reportedly exploring the potential of generative AI, but hasn't decided how to incorporate the tech into its products yet.
New AI predicts who is most at risk of pancreatic cancer
An AI that identifies patients most at risk of pancreatic cancer could lead to earlier diagnosis of the deadly disease.
New AI translates 5,000-year-old cuneiform tablets instantly
Translating an ancient language is a time-intensive process, and only a few hundred experts are qualified to perform it. Could AI do the job?
AI-developed drug for deadly lung disease reaches phase 2 trials
AI-driven drug development has led to the launch of phase 2 trials of a drug to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
New AI-based theory explains your weird dreams
A new paper suggests that dreaming helps us generalize our experiences so that we can adapt to new circumstances.
NASA’s ChatGPT-like AI will let spaceships talk to astronauts
NASA is developing a ChatGPT-style interface for spacecraft, giving astronauts the ability to talk to the machines using natural language.
We are spectacularly bad at predicting the future
Forecasters say AI will either enslave or liberate us, but the history of prediction suggests we have little way of knowing who will be correct.
GPT AI will help teach the most popular course in the world
A Harvard professor is developing a GPT-based chatbot to help teach CS50, the most popular online course in the world.
AI predicts hit songs based on listeners’ heartbeats
A new AI predicts hit songs with 97% accuracy based on how a person’s heart beats while listening to the track.
These robots learn how to do chores from watching videos
A new method for training robots could help streamline the ways researchers teach robots to perform simple tasks.
Neuralink’s monkey can play Pong with its mind. Elon Musk says human trials are next.
If Neuralink’s monkey can play Pong with its mind, imagine what humans could do with the same technology in just a few years.
Farmers can fight invasive insects with AI and a robotic arm
As the invasive spotted lanternfly threatens to expand its range, Carnegie Mellon researchers are developing a robot to fight back.
Google unveils AI try-on feature for shopping
Google’s AI-powered virtual try-on feature lets shoppers see what an article of clothing would look like on a wide range of models.
GitHub CEO says Copilot will write 80% of code "sooner than later"
GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke goes in depth to answer questions about how AI-powered development will change the future of innovation itself.
No, AI probably won’t kill us all – and there’s more to this fear campaign than meets the eye
A dose of scepticism is warranted when considering the AI doomsayer narrative — there are commercial incentives to manufacture fear of AI.
AI is riding to the rescue on wildfires
AI-powered systems designed to detect, confirm, and detail wildfires at the earliest possible time may help firefighters tame infernos in the West.
New “AI doctor” predicts risk of death with 85% accuracy
A new AI was able to make accurate predictions about patients’ risk of death, readmittance, and more by analyzing medical notes.
AI is changing how Americans find jobs, get promoted, and succeed at work
AI-driven software has the potential to advance quickly and change how companies make strategic decisions about their employees.
What is an AI black box? A computer scientist explains
AI black boxes refer to AI systems with internal workings that are invisible to us. What are the implications of working without transparency?
Watch this autonomous drone deliver beer and peanuts in a baseball stadium
Guests at the opening of an autonomous systems conference witnessed a drone delivery at Denver's Coors Field.
If we’re going to label AI an “extinction risk,” we need to clarify how it could happen
AI comes with risks that we need to take seriously, but none of the claims that it is going to cause the extinction of humanity explain how.
Watch: Autonomous helicopter takes flight at sea
Airbus' VSR700, an autonomous helicopter designed for naval use, has successfully completed test flights at sea.
AI is already making “functional music” for major label artists
UMG has teamed up with an AI startup to turn its artists’ music into “soundscapes” designed to help listeners sleep, focus, and more.
Fully self-driving cars are finally available on Uber
Uber has teamed up with robotaxi operator Waymo to make rides in fully autonomous cars available to its customers.
Stanford study finds AI improves the performance of teachers and students
Stanford researchers have developed an AI that can provide useful feedback to teachers, helping them to increase student uptake.
AI is going to revolutionize the weather forecast
A tech startup in San Francisco is going to change how the world sees the weather.
Cancer treatment is about to get a reboot, thanks to AI
Techniques borrowed from astrophysics are helping to advance personalized cancer treatments beyond what genetics can tell us.
“Please do not assume the worst”: Students want colleges to teach them how to use AI the right way
Students want to work with their communities, universities, and governments to figure out how to engage productively and responsibly with AI.
Autonomous public transportation rolls out in Arizona
Sun City, Arizona has launched a free transit system featuring self-driving cars for its retirement-age residents.
The AI healthcare revolution has begun
The ability of AI to diagnose diseases, discover drugs, and even perform surgery is increasing rapidly — but will patients accept Dr. AI?