New Scientist - Technology https://www.newscientist.com/ https://www.newscientist.com/build/images/ns-logo-scaled.ed2dc11a.png https://www.newscientist.com daily 1 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2430508-ai-noise-cancelling-headphones-let-you-focus-on-just-one-voice/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Thu, 16 May 2024 19:20:03 +0100 You can blank out certain types of background noise and focus on just one conversation using prototype noise-cancelling headphones 2430508-ai-noise-cancelling-headphones-let-you-focus-on-just-one-voice|2430508 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2431083-surgeons-can-use-ai-chatbot-to-tell-robots-to-help-with-suturing/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Thu, 16 May 2024 07:00:37 +0100 A virtual assistant for surgeons translates text prompts into commands for a robot, offering a simple way to instruct machines to carry out small tasks in operations 2431083-surgeons-can-use-ai-chatbot-to-tell-robots-to-help-with-suturing|2431083 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2431012-cameras-inspired-by-insect-eyes-could-give-robots-a-wider-view/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Wed, 15 May 2024 20:00:23 +0100 Artificial compound eyes made without the need for expensive and precise lenses could provide cheap visual sensors for robots and driverless cars 2431012-cameras-inspired-by-insect-eyes-could-give-robots-a-wider-view|2431012 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2431326-openai-overtakes-google-in-race-to-build-the-future-but-who-wants-it/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Wed, 15 May 2024 17:27:11 +0100 With big announcements about the latest artificial intelligence models this week, tech firms are competing to have the most exciting products - but generative AI remains hampered by issues 2431326-openai-overtakes-google-in-race-to-build-the-future-but-who-wants-it|2431326 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2431464-quantum-internet-draws-near-thanks-to-entangled-memory-breakthroughs/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Wed, 15 May 2024 17:00:54 +0100 Researchers aiming to create a secure quantum version of the internet need a device called a quantum repeater, which doesn't yet exist - but now two teams say they are well on the way to building one 2431464-quantum-internet-draws-near-thanks-to-entangled-memory-breakthroughs|2431464 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2431131-buildings-that-include-weak-points-on-purpose-withstand-more-damage/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Wed, 15 May 2024 17:00:23 +0100 If a building is hit with an earthquake or explosives, the entire thing can collapse – but a design balancing strong and weak structural connections lets part of it fall while preserving the rest 2431131-buildings-that-include-weak-points-on-purpose-withstand-more-damage|2431131 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2430616-underwater-data-centres-could-be-destroyed-by-loud-noises/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Tue, 14 May 2024 13:00:30 +0100 Underwater data centres being installed off the coasts of China, the US and Europe could be disrupted by sounds from military-grade sonar on ships and submarines, or even whales 2430616-underwater-data-centres-could-be-destroyed-by-loud-noises|2430616 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2430926-chatgpt-got-an-upgrade-to-make-it-seem-more-human/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Mon, 13 May 2024 23:45:51 +0100 OpenAI's new ChatGPT model, called GPT-4o, provides more human-like interactions through a voice mode, and it is capable of conversations that incorporate text, audio and video in real time 2430926-chatgpt-got-an-upgrade-to-make-it-seem-more-human|2430926 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2430403-watch-a-mobius-strip-robot-move-and-climb-when-hit-by-light/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Mon, 13 May 2024 13:00:49 +0100 When light strikes a soft robot made from a twisted strip of hydrogel sheets, it moves in a predictable way and can climb a vertical rod or haul up a load 2430403-watch-a-mobius-strip-robot-move-and-climb-when-hit-by-light|2430403 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2430354-deepmind-is-experimenting-with-a-nearly-indestructible-robot-hand/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Thu, 09 May 2024 01:00:20 +0100 A new robotic hand can withstand being smashed by pistons or walloped with a hammer. It was designed to survive the trial-and-error interactions required to train AI robots 2430354-deepmind-is-experimenting-with-a-nearly-indestructible-robot-hand|2430354 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2429520-deepmind-ai-can-predict-how-drugs-interact-with-proteins/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Wed, 08 May 2024 17:00:18 +0100 The latest version of the AlphaFold AI can help biologists predict how proteins interact with each other and other molecules, which is a boon to pharmaceutical research 2429520-deepmind-ai-can-predict-how-drugs-interact-with-proteins|2429520 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2426533-hackers-can-steal-data-by-messing-with-a-computers-processor/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Tue, 07 May 2024 15:23:05 +0100 Software that has been blocked from connecting to the internet should be secure from hacking attempts, but now researchers have found a way to sneak data out by varying the speed of the computer's processor 2426533-hackers-can-steal-data-by-messing-with-a-computers-processor|2426533 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2429855-how-schrodingers-cat-could-make-quantum-computers-work-better/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Mon, 06 May 2024 17:00:36 +0100 A quantum bit inspired by Schrödinger’s cat can resist making errors for an unprecedentedly long time, which makes it a candidate for building less error-prone quantum computers 2429855-how-schrodingers-cat-could-make-quantum-computers-work-better|2429855 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2429653-ball-balancing-robot-could-assist-wheelchair-users/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Mon, 06 May 2024 18:00:06 +0100 A robot that moves around by balancing on a ball could prove a better assistant for wheelchair users than humanoid robots that walk on two legs 2429653-ball-balancing-robot-could-assist-wheelchair-users|2429653 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2429551-politicians-can-use-social-media-ads-to-buy-votes-for-e4-per-person/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Thu, 02 May 2024 13:22:08 +0100 An analysis of the 2021 German federal elections has found that for every 200,000 times a politician's social media adverts were viewed, their vote share increased by 2.1 per cent - a potentially low-cost way of swinging elections 2429551-politicians-can-use-social-media-ads-to-buy-votes-for-e4-per-person|2429551 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2429435-gps-jamming-traced-to-russia-after-flights-over-europe-suspended/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Wed, 01 May 2024 21:00:00 +0100 Finnair has cancelled flights to Tartu in Estonia this month because of an ongoing GPS jamming attack – and there is evidence that the attack is being controlled from Russia 2429435-gps-jamming-traced-to-russia-after-flights-over-europe-suspended|2429435 https://www.newscientist.com/video/2429432-ai-driven-race-cars-test-limits-of-autonomous-driverless-technology/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Wed, 01 May 2024 18:27:04 +0100 AI-driven race cars compete at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi, a showcase of driverless autonomous technology and an advanced test bed for AI research 2429432-ai-driven-race-cars-test-limits-of-autonomous-driverless-technology|2429432 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2428596-most-brain-monitors-sold-to-consumers-dont-keep-your-data-private/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Tue, 30 Apr 2024 13:00:38 +0100 A report found data privacy problems with the vast majority of 30 companies that sell neurotechnology devices to consumers. New US state laws aim to change that 2428596-most-brain-monitors-sold-to-consumers-dont-keep-your-data-private|2428596 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2428987-australia-places-a1-billion-bet-on-quantum-computing-firm-psiquantum/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Tue, 30 Apr 2024 11:10:49 +0100 A joint investment by the Australian federal government and the government of Queensland makes PsiQuantum one of the largest dedicated quantum computing firms in the world 2428987-australia-places-a1-billion-bet-on-quantum-computing-firm-psiquantum|2428987 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2428674-ai-that-determines-risk-of-death-helps-save-lives-in-hospital-trial/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Mon, 29 Apr 2024 11:00:54 +0100 An AI trained on the heart's electrical activity alerted physicians about patients at high risk of dying, significantly reducing deaths in a clinical trial with almost 16,000 patients at two hospitals 2428674-ai-that-determines-risk-of-death-helps-save-lives-in-hospital-trial|2428674 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2427826-image-generating-ai-creates-uncanny-optical-illusions/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Mon, 29 Apr 2024 07:00:58 +0100 Generative AI models designed to create images from text can be adapted to construct complex optical illusions - pictures that look like different things when viewed from far away or with motion blur 2427826-image-generating-ai-creates-uncanny-optical-illusions|2427826 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2427842-deepfake-politicians-may-have-a-big-influence-on-indias-elections/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Fri, 26 Apr 2024 09:00:16 +0100 Political campaigns are deploying AI-generated deepfake versions of politicians to reach hundreds of millions of eligible voters in India’s 2024 election – the world’s largest ever 2427842-deepfake-politicians-may-have-a-big-influence-on-indias-elections|2427842 https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26234881-200-why-curbing-chatbots-worst-exploits-is-a-game-of-whack-a-mole/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Wed, 24 Apr 2024 19:00:00 +0100 AI companies are trying to impose safety measures on their chatbots, while researchers are finding ways around them all the time. Where will this end, asks Alex Wilkins mg26234881-200-why-curbing-chatbots-worst-exploits-is-a-game-of-whack-a-mole|2427860 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2422985-can-india-build-a-world-leading-computer-chip-industry-from-scratch/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Thu, 25 Apr 2024 09:00:49 +0100 India currently has a fairly small chip-manufacturing industry, but prime minister Narendra Modi wants the country to become a dominant player in the sector in just a few years 2422985-can-india-build-a-world-leading-computer-chip-industry-from-scratch|2422985 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2428065-will-amazons-robotic-revolution-spark-a-new-wave-of-job-losses/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Tue, 23 Apr 2024 17:00:50 +0100 Amazon says it will create new jobs to replace roles taken over by machines, but it isn’t clear whether this will happen quickly enough 2428065-will-amazons-robotic-revolution-spark-a-new-wave-of-job-losses|2428065 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2427745-ships-smuggling-russian-oil-spotted-in-satellite-images-by-ai/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Tue, 23 Apr 2024 16:00:13 +0100 AI can analyse satellite images to reveal the movements of dark ships in a shadow fleet that smuggles oil and other cargo from sanctioned countries such as Russia, Iran, Venezuela and North Korea 2427745-ships-smuggling-russian-oil-spotted-in-satellite-images-by-ai|2427745 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2427647-has-the-us-finally-figured-out-how-to-do-high-speed-rail/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Mon, 22 Apr 2024 19:30:37 +0100 As work begins on building the US’s first high-speed rail service – linking Los Angeles to Las Vegas – analysts say the project could serve as a blueprint for similar projects across the country 2427647-has-the-us-finally-figured-out-how-to-do-high-speed-rail|2427647 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2424170-autonomous-e-scooters-could-ride-themselves-back-to-charging-points/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Fri, 19 Apr 2024 12:00:06 +0100 Teams of staff usually return e-scooters to where they will be needed, but adapted scooters that can balance and stop themselves, and be controlled remotely, are a step towards autonomous ones that can take themselves wherever they have to go 2424170-autonomous-e-scooters-could-ride-themselves-back-to-charging-points|2424170 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2427217-these-photos-show-ai-used-to-reinterpret-centuries-old-graffiti/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Wed, 17 Apr 2024 19:00:00 +0100 Artist Matthew Attard turned to eye-tracking technology to generate a fresh take on images of ships carved by seafarers on chapels in Malta hundreds of years ago 2427217-these-photos-show-ai-used-to-reinterpret-centuries-old-graffiti|2427217 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2427167-quantum-proof-encryption-may-not-actually-stop-quantum-hackers/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Thu, 18 Apr 2024 11:31:44 +0100 Cryptographers are scrambling to understand an algorithm that could undermine the mathematics behind next-generation encryption methods, which are intended to protect against quantum computers 2427167-quantum-proof-encryption-may-not-actually-stop-quantum-hackers|2427167 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2426523-intel-reveals-worlds-biggest-brain-inspired-neuromorphic-computer/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Wed, 17 Apr 2024 17:00:22 +0100 A computer intended to mimic the way the brain processes and stores data could potentially improve the efficiency and capabilities of artificial intelligence models 2426523-intel-reveals-worlds-biggest-brain-inspired-neuromorphic-computer|2426523 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2424745-watch-a-swarm-of-cyborg-cockroaches-controlled-by-computers/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Tue, 16 Apr 2024 11:49:39 +0100 Remote-controlled cockroaches with computers mounted on their backs can move as a swarm towards a target location, and could be used for search missions 2424745-watch-a-swarm-of-cyborg-cockroaches-controlled-by-computers|2424745 https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26234863-500-why-ais-that-tackle-complex-maths-could-be-the-next-big-breakthrough/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Wed, 10 Apr 2024 19:00:00 +0100 Research-level mathematics might seem an unlikely proving ground for artificial intelligence, but recent developments suggest it offers a route to automated human-like reasoning mg26234863-500-why-ais-that-tackle-complex-maths-could-be-the-next-big-breakthrough|2426264 https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26234863-300-how-ai-mathematicians-might-finally-deliver-human-level-reasoning/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Wed, 10 Apr 2024 17:00:00 +0100 Artificial intelligence is taking on some of the hardest problems in pure maths, arguably demonstrating sophisticated reasoning and creativity – and a big step forward for AI mg26234863-300-how-ai-mathematicians-might-finally-deliver-human-level-reasoning|2426113 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2426618-chatbots-can-persuade-conspiracy-theorists-their-view-might-be-wrong/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Fri, 12 Apr 2024 12:00:46 +0100 After a short conversation with an artificial intelligence, people’s belief in a conspiracy theory dropped by about 20 per cent 2426618-chatbots-can-persuade-conspiracy-theorists-their-view-might-be-wrong|2426618 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2426626-water-purifier-is-powered-by-static-electricity-from-your-body/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Fri, 12 Apr 2024 11:00:31 +0100 A 10-minute walk can build up enough static electricity to power a battery-free water purifier, which could be especially helpful during disasters or in regions that lack access to clean water and stable power supplies 2426626-water-purifier-is-powered-by-static-electricity-from-your-body|2426626 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2426237-ai-can-spot-parasites-in-stool-samples-to-help-diagnose-infections/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Thu, 11 Apr 2024 20:00:09 +0100 About 1.5 billion people worldwide carry a risk of conditions including malnutrition because of parasitic infection, and AI could help identify those affected 2426237-ai-can-spot-parasites-in-stool-samples-to-help-diagnose-infections|2426237 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2426328-watch-mini-humanoid-robots-showing-off-their-football-skills/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Wed, 10 Apr 2024 20:00:44 +0100 These soccer-playing robots can respond faster than ones trained in a standard way because they improved their skills via an artificial intelligence-based technique called deep reinforcement learning 2426328-watch-mini-humanoid-robots-showing-off-their-football-skills|2426328 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2423849-phone-batteries-could-last-50-longer-if-more-5g-towers-are-built/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Wed, 10 Apr 2024 07:00:58 +0100 Adding more masts could reduce the overall energy use of phone networks by two-thirds and boost handset battery life by 50 per cent 2423849-phone-batteries-could-last-50-longer-if-more-5g-towers-are-built|2423849 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2426007-ai-pop-ups-can-help-you-stop-doomscrolling-on-your-phone/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Mon, 08 Apr 2024 20:05:27 +0100 An AI program can learn from smartphone users' behaviours in order to send timely pop-up reminders about when to close attention-grabbing apps. The system effectively reduced how often people opened apps such as TikTok 2426007-ai-pop-ups-can-help-you-stop-doomscrolling-on-your-phone|2426007 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2425243-microsoft-and-quantinuums-quantum-computer-may-be-most-reliable-yet/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Wed, 03 Apr 2024 15:00:36 +0100 A quantum computer built by Quantinuum uses “logical quantum bits” designed by Microsoft to run simple computational routines with an unprecedented level of reliability 2425243-microsoft-and-quantinuums-quantum-computer-may-be-most-reliable-yet|2425243 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2425065-showing-ai-just-1000-extra-images-reduced-ai-generated-stereotypes/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Tue, 02 Apr 2024 21:06:36 +0100 Researchers made an AI image generator produce less offensive images by feeding it a tiny amount of additional training data 2425065-showing-ai-just-1000-extra-images-reduced-ai-generated-stereotypes|2425065 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2424678-unprecedented-gps-jamming-attack-affects-1600-aircraft-over-europe/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Fri, 29 Mar 2024 16:00:20 +0000 A 63-hour-long marathon of GPS jamming attacks disrupted global satellite navigation systems for hundreds of aircraft flying through the Baltic region – and Russia is thought to be responsible 2424678-unprecedented-gps-jamming-attack-affects-1600-aircraft-over-europe|2424678 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2425023-yell-at-your-robot-technique-teaches-robots-household-chores/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Mon, 01 Apr 2024 16:00:48 +0100 AI allows robots to listen to verbal instructions while learning to correctly perform household tasks. That could enable more natural interactions between humans and robots 2425023-yell-at-your-robot-technique-teaches-robots-household-chores|2425023 https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26134843-700-why-our-ageing-world-could-accelerate-progress-in-ai-and-robotics/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Wed, 27 Mar 2024 18:00:00 +0000 We are heading for a demographic crunch later this century, but might a workforce of intelligent machines compensate for a likely lack of human workers? mg26134843-700-why-our-ageing-world-could-accelerate-progress-in-ai-and-robotics|2424154 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2424856-ai-chatbots-beat-humans-at-persuading-their-opponents-in-debates/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Mon, 01 Apr 2024 07:00:33 +0100 When people were challenged to debate contentious topics with a human or GPT-4, they were more likely to be won over by the artificial intelligence 2424856-ai-chatbots-beat-humans-at-persuading-their-opponents-in-debates|2424856 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2424188-chair-for-gamers-boosts-player-performance-and-prevents-muscular-aches/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Thu, 28 Mar 2024 12:00:02 +0000 Gamers seemed to be more comfortable after playing in a specialist gaming chair compared with a standard office chair 2424188-chair-for-gamers-boosts-player-performance-and-prevents-muscular-aches|2424188 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2424545-this-robot-predicts-when-youre-going-to-smile-and-smiles-back/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Wed, 27 Mar 2024 18:00:05 +0000 An AI-powered robot named Emo watches people’s facial expressions and tries to match them, in an effort to make robots more relatable 2424545-this-robot-predicts-when-youre-going-to-smile-and-smiles-back|2424545 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2423217-implantable-battery-is-charged-up-by-the-bodys-oxygen-supply/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Wed, 27 Mar 2024 15:00:10 +0000 Many medical implants run on batteries that need to be recharged, but what if you could do so just by breathing? 2423217-implantable-battery-is-charged-up-by-the-bodys-oxygen-supply|2423217 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2424179-ai-chatbots-are-improving-at-an-even-faster-rate-than-computer-chips/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Wed, 27 Mar 2024 10:00:49 +0000 The large language models behind AI chatbots are developing so rapidly that after eight months, a model only needs half the computing power to hit the same benchmark score - which is much faster than the rate at which computer chips improve 2424179-ai-chatbots-are-improving-at-an-even-faster-rate-than-computer-chips|2424179 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2424121-ai-forecaster-can-predict-the-future-better-than-humans/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Tue, 26 Mar 2024 15:00:39 +0000 An AI forecaster based on the language model GPT-4 can predict the outcome of future events more accurately than single humans. In some cases, it can even outperform the “wisdom of crowds” 2424121-ai-forecaster-can-predict-the-future-better-than-humans|2424121 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2423858-paper-planes-made-by-a-robot-fly-better-than-ones-made-by-humans/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Tue, 26 Mar 2024 12:00:07 +0000 A robot that can design, build and test objects made from folded paper can make paper planes that fly further than ones made by a human having the same number of attempts 2423858-paper-planes-made-by-a-robot-fly-better-than-ones-made-by-humans|2423858 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2423793-why-giving-ai-a-robot-body-could-make-its-brain-more-human-like/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Thu, 21 Mar 2024 21:30:18 +0000 At its AI conference, Nvidia announced new software and hardware for AI-powered humanoid robots: a model called Project GR00T and a computer called Jetson Thor 2423793-why-giving-ai-a-robot-body-could-make-its-brain-more-human-like|2423793 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2423483-has-neuralink-made-a-breakthrough-in-brain-implant-technology/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Thu, 21 Mar 2024 13:14:31 +0000 Elon Musk's brain-computer interface firm Neuralink has released a video of its first patient, Noland Arbaugh, controlling a computer cursor with his thoughts - is this the future? 2423483-has-neuralink-made-a-breakthrough-in-brain-implant-technology|2423483 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2420991-flying-drone-can-roll-on-the-ground-to-save-energy-over-long-distances/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Wed, 20 Mar 2024 14:00:21 +0000 Researchers claim to have combined the benefits of rolling robots with those of flying drones by creating a device that rotates along the ground but hops over obstacles 2420991-flying-drone-can-roll-on-the-ground-to-save-energy-over-long-distances|2420991 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2423087-artists-who-use-ai-are-more-productive-but-less-original/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Wed, 20 Mar 2024 06:00:22 +0000 An analysis of work posted on a popular art-sharing website finds that users who adopted generative artificial intelligence tools increased their output, but saw a drop in novelty 2423087-artists-who-use-ai-are-more-productive-but-less-original|2423087 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2422562-deepmind-and-liverpool-fc-develop-ai-to-advise-on-football-tactics/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Tue, 19 Mar 2024 16:00:11 +0000 An AI model trained on data from Premier League matches can help football coaches devise tactics for attacking or defending corner kicks 2422562-deepmind-and-liverpool-fc-develop-ai-to-advise-on-football-tactics|2422562 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2422928-nvidias-blackwell-ai-superchip-is-the-most-powerful-yet/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Tue, 19 Mar 2024 09:59:37 +0000 A computer chip featuring over 400 billion transistors can train artificial intelligence models faster and using less energy, says Nvidia - but it is yet to reveal the price tag 2422928-nvidias-blackwell-ai-superchip-is-the-most-powerful-yet|2422928 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2422567-miniature-furniture-3d-printed-using-ink-made-from-recycled-wood/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Fri, 15 Mar 2024 18:00:17 +0000 Waste wood can be reconstituted into a form that can be 3D printed and used to produce furniture or other objects 2422567-miniature-furniture-3d-printed-using-ink-made-from-recycled-wood|2422567 https://www.newscientist.com/video/2421712-ai-orchestra-and-dance-combine-in-retelling-of-polish-folklore-tale/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Thu, 14 Mar 2024 10:00:31 +0000 New Wayne McGregor production combines AI, orchestral music and dance to breathe new life into a Polish folk story 2421712-ai-orchestra-and-dance-combine-in-retelling-of-polish-folklore-tale|2421712 https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26134820-900-combatting-deepfakes-is-an-evolutionary-arms-race/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Wed, 13 Mar 2024 18:00:00 +0000 Disinformation is far older than humans. Lessons from evolutionary biology can help defend against it today, says Jonathan R. Goodman mg26134820-900-combatting-deepfakes-is-an-evolutionary-arms-race|2421534 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2421955-watch-an-ai-powered-robot-dog-crawl-around-an-obstacle-course/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Wed, 13 Mar 2024 18:00:19 +0000 A four-legged robot can handle real-world obstacles that require scrambling up and down or leaping sizeable gaps. AI training lets it adapt to new terrain it hasn’t seen before 2421955-watch-an-ai-powered-robot-dog-crawl-around-an-obstacle-course|2421955 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2421970-us-legislators-vote-to-ban-tiktok-unless-it-severs-ties-with-china/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Wed, 13 Mar 2024 15:00:14 +0000 The US House of Representatives has passed a bill that will require TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app or risk a nationwide ban 2421970-us-legislators-vote-to-ban-tiktok-unless-it-severs-ties-with-china|2421970 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2422101-google-ai-learns-to-play-open-world-video-games-by-watching-them/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Wed, 13 Mar 2024 14:15:48 +0000 An artificial intelligence from Google DeepMind can play nine open-world video games like a human, by watching video from a screen and controlling a keyboard and mouse 2422101-google-ai-learns-to-play-open-world-video-games-by-watching-them|2422101 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2421745-us-government-wants-to-tax-bitcoin-to-reduce-its-environmental-impact/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Tue, 12 Mar 2024 16:15:11 +0000 The computers that secure cryptocurrencies like bitcoin consume large amounts of power, pushing up electricity prices and potentially contributing to climate change. Now, the US government wants to tackle the problem 2421745-us-government-wants-to-tax-bitcoin-to-reduce-its-environmental-impact|2421745 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2418740-could-an-ai-replace-all-music-ever-recorded-with-taylor-swift-covers/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Tue, 12 Mar 2024 08:00:50 +0000 A thought experiment in which all music is replaced with AI-generated "Taylor's Versions" should prompt us to find ways to protect data from AI corruption, warn researchers 2418740-could-an-ai-replace-all-music-ever-recorded-with-taylor-swift-covers|2418740 https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26134810-900-the-surprising-promise-and-profound-perils-of-ais-that-fake-empathy/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Wed, 06 Mar 2024 16:00:00 +0000 Millions of us are turning to chatbots for emotional support. But there are good reasons to think AIs will never be capable of genuine empathy, raising profound questions about their role in society mg26134810-900-the-surprising-promise-and-profound-perils-of-ais-that-fake-empathy|2420285 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2421134-snail-robot-excretes-sticky-mucus-that-helps-it-crawl-up-slopes/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Fri, 08 Mar 2024 20:00:29 +0000 A remotely controlled robot with an inflatable foot that oozes mucus can crawl across surfaces like a snail, and could inspire soft medical robots that move through mucus-lined cavities in the human body 2421134-snail-robot-excretes-sticky-mucus-that-helps-it-crawl-up-slopes|2421134 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2420664-quantum-memory-device-could-stop-unhackable-networks-from-failing/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Fri, 08 Mar 2024 18:00:19 +0000 A memory device that temporarily saves quantum information could become an important addition to quantum networks because it would allow users to salvage information if it fails to transfer properly 2420664-quantum-memory-device-could-stop-unhackable-networks-from-failing|2420664 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2420973-ai-chatbot-models-think-in-english-even-when-using-other-languages/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Fri, 08 Mar 2024 13:00:25 +0000 When answering questions posed in Chinese, French, German or Russian, large language models seem to process the queries in English, which could create cultural issues 2420973-ai-chatbot-models-think-in-english-even-when-using-other-languages|2420973 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2420543-d-wave-says-its-quantum-computers-can-solve-otherwise-impossible-tasks/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Thu, 07 Mar 2024 16:33:52 +0000 Quantum computing firm D-Wave says its machines are the first to achieve "computational supremacy" by solving a practically useful problem that would otherwise take millions of years on an ordinary supercomputer 2420543-d-wave-says-its-quantum-computers-can-solve-otherwise-impossible-tasks|2420543 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2421067-ai-chatbots-use-racist-stereotypes-even-after-anti-racism-training/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Thu, 07 Mar 2024 11:00:06 +0000 Large language models still demonstrate racial prejudice against speakers of African American English, despite the safety guard rails implemented by tech companies such as OpenAI 2421067-ai-chatbots-use-racist-stereotypes-even-after-anti-racism-training|2421067 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2420184-us-army-tests-ai-chatbots-as-battle-planners-in-a-war-game-simulation/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Tue, 05 Mar 2024 16:00:06 +0000 Researchers in the US Army are experimenting with commercial AI chatbots as battlefield advisers in war game simulations – but experts caution that such AI should not be used in high-stakes situations 2420184-us-army-tests-ai-chatbots-as-battle-planners-in-a-war-game-simulation|2420184 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2420137-google-launches-5m-prize-to-find-actual-uses-for-quantum-computers/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Mon, 04 Mar 2024 11:00:31 +0000 Existing quantum computers can solve some problems faster than any ordinary computer, but none of those problems has any practical use. Google and XPRIZE hope to change that 2420137-google-launches-5m-prize-to-find-actual-uses-for-quantum-computers|2420137 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2418742-smart-glasses-use-sonar-to-work-out-where-youre-looking/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Mon, 04 Mar 2024 06:00:33 +0000 Gaze-tracking devices normally rely on cameras, but a new system uses reflected sound to track where someone is looking based on the shape of their eyeballs 2418742-smart-glasses-use-sonar-to-work-out-where-youre-looking|2418742 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2420111-elon-musk-asks-court-to-decide-if-gpt-4-has-human-level-intelligence/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Fri, 01 Mar 2024 13:43:53 +0000 As part of a lawsuit against OpenAI, billionaire Elon Musk has asked a court to determine whether GPT-4 is an artificial general intelligence, capable of human-level tasks 2420111-elon-musk-asks-court-to-decide-if-gpt-4-has-human-level-intelligence|2420111 https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26134800-100-how-will-ais-like-chatgpt-affect-elections-this-year/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Wed, 28 Feb 2024 18:00:00 +0000 We are beginning to see the tip of the iceberg when it comes to threats from chatbots. In a huge election year, how will AI affect upcoming votes, asks Alex Wilkins mg26134800-100-how-will-ais-like-chatgpt-affect-elections-this-year|2418954 https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26134762-000-we-arent-addicted-to-our-phones-and-we-dont-need-a-digital-detox/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Wed, 31 Jan 2024 18:00:00 +0000 Describing ourselves as addicted to our phones is a counterproductive way to frame our overuse of technology, argues Pete Etchells mg26134762-000-we-arent-addicted-to-our-phones-and-we-dont-need-a-digital-detox|2414786 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2419531-ais-get-better-at-maths-if-you-tell-them-to-pretend-to-be-in-star-trek/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Thu, 29 Feb 2024 08:00:18 +0000 Chatbots vary their answers depending on the exact wording used to prompt them, and now it seems that asking an AI to answer as if it were a Star Trek captain boosts its mathematical ability 2419531-ais-get-better-at-maths-if-you-tell-them-to-pretend-to-be-in-star-trek|2419531 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2419033-youtube-has-managed-to-stop-its-algorithm-serving-up-extreme-videos/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Tue, 27 Feb 2024 18:00:47 +0000 YouTube's recommendation algorithm previously pushed users towards viewing ever more extreme videos, but now it steers people away from such content 2419033-youtube-has-managed-to-stop-its-algorithm-serving-up-extreme-videos|2419033 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2419065-is-battery-swapping-a-better-way-to-recharge-electric-cars/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Tue, 27 Feb 2024 15:00:20 +0000 With queues at public charging points getting longer, some companies are opening power swap stations where you can simply exchange your battery for a fully charged one 2419065-is-battery-swapping-a-better-way-to-recharge-electric-cars|2419065 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2416079-resurrecting-loved-ones-as-ai-ghosts-could-harm-your-mental-health/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Mon, 26 Feb 2024 08:00:40 +0000 It may soon be possible to recreate the persona of someone who has died by training an artificial intelligence on their emails and texts - but is it a good idea? 2416079-resurrecting-loved-ones-as-ai-ghosts-could-harm-your-mental-health|2416079 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2418762-bitcoin-creator-satoshi-nakamoto-dismissed-early-climate-concerns/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Fri, 23 Feb 2024 16:27:52 +0000 Newly released emails have revealed that the pseudonymous creator of bitcoin was aware of concerns over the potential energy use and carbon emissions of the cryptocurrency, but felt there was no alternative 2418762-bitcoin-creator-satoshi-nakamoto-dismissed-early-climate-concerns|2418762 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2418439-a-robot-dog-has-learned-to-open-doors-with-its-leg/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Fri, 23 Feb 2024 12:00:17 +0000 Four-legged robots typically need an arm to open doors or pick up objects, but this mechanical canid can carry out tasks with its front leg 2418439-a-robot-dog-has-learned-to-open-doors-with-its-leg|2418439 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2418045-lgbtq-people-seen-as-needing-more-protection-online-than-christians/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Fri, 23 Feb 2024 06:00:26 +0000 A study of around 9000 US adults has found that people are more in favour of removing toxic social media posts when they attack a member of the LGBTQ community than those targeting Christians or billionaires 2418045-lgbtq-people-seen-as-needing-more-protection-online-than-christians|2418045 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2418201-gpt-4-developer-tool-can-hack-websites-without-human-help/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Thu, 22 Feb 2024 17:00:59 +0000 The developer version of OpenAI’s leading large language model can be repurposed as an AI hacking agent, researchers have found. That could make it far easier for anyone to launch certain cyberattacks online 2418201-gpt-4-developer-tool-can-hack-websites-without-human-help|2418201 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2417747-bitcoin-halving-when-is-it-and-what-does-it-actually-mean/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Tue, 20 Feb 2024 11:26:04 +0000 The bitcoin halving, which occurs once every four years and is expected to take place this week, will reduce rewards for miners and some investors think it will push prices higher 2417747-bitcoin-halving-when-is-it-and-what-does-it-actually-mean|2417747 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2417639-realism-of-openais-sora-video-generator-raises-security-concerns/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Sat, 17 Feb 2024 00:30:28 +0000 The latest AI model capable of converting text into video is attracting praise from some AI researchers, while also raising concerns about the risks of video deepfakes during global elections in 2024 2417639-realism-of-openais-sora-video-generator-raises-security-concerns|2417639 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2418188-deepfakes-are-out-of-control-is-it-too-late-to-stop-them/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Wed, 21 Feb 2024 08:00:47 +0000 AI-manipulated audio clips, images and videos have been used to harass people, scam money and influence elections, despite efforts to rein them in 2418188-deepfakes-are-out-of-control-is-it-too-late-to-stop-them|2418188 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2417992-researchers-increasingly-view-tech-as-having-human-like-qualities/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Wed, 21 Feb 2024 06:00:11 +0000 Anthropomorphism - attributing human-like characteristics to non-human objects - is on the rise amongst technology researchers, particular when it comes to AI chatbots 2417992-researchers-increasingly-view-tech-as-having-human-like-qualities|2417992 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2417786-quantum-computers-are-constantly-hampered-by-cosmic-rays/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Tue, 20 Feb 2024 11:00:46 +0000 Investigations into quantum computing mishaps caused by high-powered particles from space have revealed that these cosmic rays are responsible for a significant number of errors 2417786-quantum-computers-are-constantly-hampered-by-cosmic-rays|2417786 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2417584-chatgpt-can-tailor-political-ads-to-match-users-personalities/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Tue, 20 Feb 2024 09:00:24 +0000 Generative AI can rewrite political adverts on social media to target users with different personality types, making it easier to manipulate elections using personal data on a large scale 2417584-chatgpt-can-tailor-political-ads-to-match-users-personalities|2417584 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2416953-nanobot-uses-a-dna-clutch-to-engage-its-engine/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Fri, 16 Feb 2024 06:00:45 +0000 A tiny robot with a clutch that mimics similar mechanisms found in microorganisms could be used to trigger the internal workings of a cell 2416953-nanobot-uses-a-dna-clutch-to-engage-its-engine|2416953 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2417354-lasers-smaller-than-a-human-hair-emit-doughnut-shaped-light/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Thu, 15 Feb 2024 21:00:06 +0000 Incredibly thin, hollow wires made from gallium and nitrogen can produce laser beams that are hollow with a ring-shaped cross-section, and that could be used to create optical fibres out of thin air 2417354-lasers-smaller-than-a-human-hair-emit-doughnut-shaped-light|2417354 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2417210-how-your-age-gender-and-nationality-alter-how-you-interpret-emojis/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Wed, 14 Feb 2024 19:00:26 +0000 An emoji that represents happiness to one person may signify a different emotion to another, with this varying according to our age, gender and nationality 2417210-how-your-age-gender-and-nationality-alter-how-you-interpret-emojis|2417210 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2412753-people-who-are-blind-can-navigate-indoors-with-a-phone-in-their-pocket/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Tue, 13 Feb 2024 06:00:19 +0000 Two wayfinding apps use motion sensors and AI to help people who are blind navigate a building, without needing to hold their phone out in front of them and risk theft 2412753-people-who-are-blind-can-navigate-indoors-with-a-phone-in-their-pocket|2412753 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2415964-blood-vessels-made-with-3d-printed-ice-could-improve-lab-grown-organs/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Sat, 10 Feb 2024 13:00:03 +0000 Moulds of an organ's delicate blood vessel network can be made with 3D-printed ice, helping to overcome the intricacies of growing transplant organs in a lab 2415964-blood-vessels-made-with-3d-printed-ice-could-improve-lab-grown-organs|2415964 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2416609-sensitive-prosthetic-lets-man-feel-hot-and-cold-in-his-missing-hand/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Fri, 09 Feb 2024 16:00:31 +0000 By applying heat or cold in certain locations on the upper arm, an adapted prosthetic with sensors can give people with an amputation the sensation of temperature in their phantom limb 2416609-sensitive-prosthetic-lets-man-feel-hot-and-cold-in-his-missing-hand|2416609 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2414144-minecraft-could-be-the-key-to-creating-adaptable-ai/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Fri, 09 Feb 2024 11:00:17 +0000 Researchers have a new way to assess an AI model’s intelligence: drop it into a game of Minecraft, with no information about its surroundings, and see how well it plays 2414144-minecraft-could-be-the-key-to-creating-adaptable-ai|2414144 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2416305-spiral-scratches-on-contact-lenses-can-turn-them-into-multifocals/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=technology Thu, 08 Feb 2024 15:00:29 +0000 Inscribing a spiral in the centre of a contact lens seems to create optical vortices that interact so that the lens provides a clear image of objects at all distances 2416305-spiral-scratches-on-contact-lenses-can-turn-them-into-multifocals|2416305