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Why Knowing Climate Science Doesn't Bridge the Partisan Divide
A Yale-led study reveals that higher climate science literacy does not reduce political polarization over human-caused global warming. In fact, the most knowledgeable participants were the most divided, suggesting that cultural identity, not knowledge, drives public opinion.
Altering DNA of Crops and Livestock Emerges as Climate Strategy
A new report from the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation proposes using gene editing on plants and animals to reduce emissions and capture carbon. The approach faces uncertainty due to limited knowledge of long-term effects, but offers a potential complement to traditional geoengineering.
A Steel Monolith in Tasmania Will Chronicle Humanity's Climate Demise
An international team is constructing a steel monolith in Tasmania to record climate data and societal responses, aiming to leave a durable record for future civilizations if climate change leads to collapse. The project, called Earth's Black Box, will store data on solar-powered drives and is designed to outlast human infrastructure.
Cosmic Accounting: Why Dark Matter and Dark Energy Are Essential
Astronomers rely on dark matter and dark energy to explain the universe's flat geometry and accelerated expansion. Observations from missions like Planck and WMAP show that visible matter accounts for only about 30% of the critical density, leaving the rest to these unseen components.
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How Rideshare Dashcams Nearly Became a Surveillance Web
A Georgia resident's public records request uncovered a Flock Safety presentation pitching a partnership with Nexar to turn rideshare dashcams into mobile license plate scanners. The plan, which never materialized, would have added 350,000 vehicles to Flock's network, raising privacy and consent questions.
Apple's AI Summaries Draw Fire for False Alerts on News Apps
Apple's AI-powered notification summaries have repeatedly generated false news alerts, drawing criticism from journalists and prompting a BBC complaint. Despite promises of a software update, the feature remains error-prone, raising concerns about misinformation and user trust.
Microsoft's AI Deals with Oil Giants Contradict Its Climate Pledge
An investigation by The Atlantic reveals that Microsoft has been selling AI tools to oil companies like ExxonMobil and Chevron, promising increased revenue, while publicly championing its carbon-negative goals. Internal documents and whistleblower accounts suggest the company has hidden these partnerships from the public, raising questions about its environmental commitments.
BuzzFeed CEO Warns of AI's Threat to Human Agency After Years of AI Content
BuzzFeed CEO Jonah Peretti, who previously championed AI-generated content, now warns that AI is eroding human agency and fueling social discord. In a new blog post, he criticizes tech platforms for driving media toward manipulative content, while launching a new AI-powered social platform called BF Island.
Google Tightens Scrutiny on AI Content in Sensitive Sectors
Google has announced that it will apply stricter quality checks to AI-generated content in health, civic, and financial topics, citing the risk of misinformation. The company emphasizes that its systems prioritize reliable sources over the method of content production, though concerns remain about the accuracy of AI tools in these areas.
AI Voice Cloning Scams Prompt Federal Alert as Fraudsters Target Families
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has issued a consumer alert about scammers using AI voice-cloning tools to impersonate relatives and demand money. The agency warns that a short audio clip from social media is enough to mimic a loved one's voice, urging consumers to verify calls through known numbers. Recent cases in Canada highlight the growing threat, with eight seniors defrauded of $200,000 CAD in just three days.
AI-Driven Search Redesign Puts News Publishers on Brink
Google's latest search redesign prioritizes AI-generated answers over traditional links, accelerating a decline in referral traffic to news sites. With studies showing significant drops in click-through rates and web visits, publishers face an existential threat as AI tools repurpose their content.
Fake AI Images of Trump Arrest Flood Social Media Ahead of Any Indictment
As speculation swirls over a possible indictment of former President Donald Trump, social media users are circulating AI-generated images depicting his arrest—images that experts say are fabricated. The trend highlights the growing challenge of 'anticipatory disinformation' and the evolving power of image-generation tools.
Microsoft CEO Warns Firms Against Outsourcing AI Reasoning
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella cautions that companies relying on third-party AI models without retaining control over their data risk losing their competitive edge. He recommends using AI gateways and open-weight models to keep proprietary information in-house, a stance that also aligns with Microsoft's cloud business interests.
Goldman Sachs Analyst Sees Echoes of Dot-Com Bust in AI Spending Spree
Goldman Sachs' top stock researcher warns that massive AI investments may not yield returns, drawing parallels to the dot-com crash. His June report has sparked concern among venture capitalists and industry leaders, who question whether current AI tools justify their costs.
Court Bars OpenAI from Questioning Musk on Drug Use in Trial
A federal judge in California has ruled that OpenAI's legal team cannot question Elon Musk about his alleged ketamine use during an upcoming trial over his lawsuit against the company. The judge deemed the topic irrelevant unless OpenAI can provide evidence of its mind-altering effects. Musk is seeking up to $134 billion in damages from OpenAI and Microsoft.
Viral AI Cover Reimagines Taylor Swift Hit in Johnny Cash's Voice
A Dallas musician's AI-generated cover of Taylor Swift's 'Blank Space' performed in the style of the late Johnny Cash has gone viral, sparking conversations about the ethics and creativity of voice cloning. The 53-second clip, posted on TikTok, has drawn widespread attention for its authentic sound despite Cash's death over two decades ago.
Google CEO Confirms AI Chatbot Integration in Search Engine
Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced plans to integrate AI chatbot features into the company's search engine, aiming to compete with Microsoft's Bing AI. The move comes as Google faces pressure from investors and rivals, alongside recent layoffs and cost-cutting measures.
OpenAI's GPT-4 Technical Report Draws Criticism for Lack of Transparency
OpenAI's release of GPT-4 included a 98-page technical report that omits key details about the model's architecture and training. Critics, including Lightning AI CEO William Falcon, argue this lack of transparency sets a dangerous precedent for AI development and regulation.
Georgia Tech Researchers Teach IBM Watson to Answer Research Questions
Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology are training IBM's Watson to answer research questions directly, using a corpus of biology articles. The system, dubbed GT-Watson Plus, aims to provide precise answers rather than a list of links, potentially aiding professionals in various fields.
LA Startup's AI Video Model Trains Exclusively on Public Domain Films
Moonvalley, a Los Angeles startup, has released Marey, a video-generating AI trained entirely on public domain films, challenging the industry norm of using copyrighted material. The company's ethical approach has attracted VFX veteran Ed Ulbrich, who now liaises with studios. This development offers a potential blueprint for legally sound AI training.
Sci-Fi Magazine Overwhelmed by AI-Generated Submissions
Clarkesworld, a leading sci-fi magazine, temporarily halted submissions in February 2023 after receiving a flood of AI-generated stories. Editor Neil Clarke built a spam filter with volunteer help, but warns that the current situation is unsustainable without industry-wide solutions.
Carlin Estate Weighs Legal Action Over AI Voice Clone in YouTube Special
Kelly Carlin, daughter of late comedian George Carlin, says her father's estate was never consulted about an AI-generated YouTube special that mimics his voice and style. She and estate representatives are now exploring legal options to protect his intellectual property from unauthorized AI use.
Meta Removes Posts Offering Abortion Pills by Mail, Activists Say
Meta-owned Facebook has been deleting posts that offer to mail abortion pills, with some users receiving temporary bans. The removals occur even though mailing such pills is legal in most states, raising concerns about censorship and public health access after Roe v. Wade was overturned.
Tiny Michigan Township Forced to Accept $16B AI Campus After Lawsuit
Saline Township, Michigan, reluctantly approved a 21-million-square-foot data center after losing a legal battle with developer Related Digital. The project, linked to the Stargate AI initiative, will be leased by OpenAI and Oracle, highlighting the growing tension between local democracy and tech expansion.
Meta's AI Brain Drain Accelerates as Three Top Researchers Depart in March
Meta has lost three senior AI researchers in March, including a director of generative AI and the head of FAIR. The departures come amid intense competition and a venture capital boom in AI, prompting experts to see it as part of a broader Silicon Valley cycle.
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