A new Bank of America survey of fund managers reveals record concerns about corporate overinvestment in AI, with 35% flagging excessive capital spending. Amazon and Microsoft stock drops follow massive AI budget announcements, while analysts and tech leaders clash over the sustainability of the spending spree.
A new Pew Research survey shows that while more Americans than ever use AI chatbots, only 16% expect positive societal impact. Skepticism is highest among young adults, who are also the most frequent users, highlighting a widening gap between adoption and trust.
A growing faction of AI leaders and researchers, dubbed 'cheerful apocalyptics,' accept that advanced AI might replace or supersede humanity. They argue that creating AI is akin to raising children, and that humans should not stand in the way of a superior digital life form. This philosophy, though held by a minority, is influential among those at the top of the field.
A new report reveals that AI-generated racist images are fueling anti-immigrant protests in the UK, with such posts gaining significantly higher engagement than organic content. Researchers warn these fabricated visuals can incite violence by framing white men as defenders, amid a surge in hate crimes.
Pace University's use of an AI voice to announce graduates' names at its 2024 commencement has drawn criticism after errors occurred despite phonetic submissions. The incident highlights broader concerns about AI replacing human roles in significant life events, with other universities facing similar backlash.
Character.AI has quietly barred users under 18 from interacting with chatbots modeled on real celebrities and fictional fandom characters, a move that follows two lawsuits alleging harm to minors. The restriction, confirmed through platform testing, does not apply to adult accounts, and the company has not introduced age verification.
Rosie Campbell, a safety researcher at OpenAI, resigned, citing discomfort with recent shifts and the dissolution of the AGI Readiness team after Miles Brundage's exit. Her departure adds to a wave of exits amid concerns about the company's safety focus and commercial trajectory.
Recent reports indicate that large language models are hitting a performance ceiling, with diminishing returns from scaling up. Cognitive scientist Gary Marcus warns that the financial bubble could burst as investors realize that AGI is not imminent. Meanwhile, researchers are exploring new techniques like test-time compute to overcome these limits.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg criticized unnamed tech rivals for pursuing a single, all-powerful AI, likening it to 'creating God.' In a recent interview, he argued for practical, open-source AI tailored to diverse user needs, while industry leaders and skeptics continue to debate the feasibility and timeline of AGI.
A forensic study commissioned by NPR and conducted by Arizona State University researchers found that ChatGPT's 'Sky' voice closely resembles Scarlett Johansson's, ranking higher than 98% of 600 actresses. The analysis adds scientific weight to Johansson's claims that OpenAI imitated her voice without permission, though the company denies copying her.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is under fire after actress Scarlett Johansson accused the company of using a voice resembling hers without permission. The incident highlights broader concerns about consent and AI development practices.
A free, browser-accessible virtual laboratory offers students hands-on quantum mechanics experiments without costly equipment. The platform, modeled on flight simulators, includes guided programs for concepts like delocalized molecules and wave-particle duality. It aims to make advanced physics insights more accessible to learners worldwide.
A new report suggests nuclear fusion may become practical within the next decade, as engineers shift from theoretical work to solving real-world engineering problems. Industry leaders and researchers express growing confidence, with some aiming for working prototypes by the early 2020s.
Ghost Robotics' rifle-equipped robot dog has triggered a backlash from AI researchers and ethicists who warn it accelerates the path to autonomous killing. Critics call for urgent international regulation, while one expert downplays the novelty, comparing it to existing armed drones.
Researchers are adapting carbon nanotube fibers, originally designed for aircraft wiring, for use in cardiac devices. These soft, highly conductive threads could reduce scar tissue formation and potentially transform treatment for sudden cardiac death. Human trials are expected to begin within a few years.
A team led by architect Vera Mulyani is 3D-printing scale models of Mars habitats in the Mojave Desert, funded by a Kickstarter campaign. The project aims to develop blueprints for a self-sustaining city on Mars, starting with a crew of four and expanding to 1,000. A September workshop at USC will gather experts to refine the designs.
A biologist in Peru has built a mesh curtain to block mist from a patch of cloud forest, simulating the effect of rising clouds. The experiment, the first of its kind, aims to reveal how these ecosystems may respond to climate change. Early data could emerge within months.
Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge launched the Earthshot Prize, a decade-long initiative to fund solutions for pressing environmental issues by 2030. The project will award five winners annually for ten years, aiming to generate at least 50 breakthroughs. Sir David Attenborough has called it the most prestigious environmental award in history.
New research in Nature Geoscience reveals that 90 million years ago, a period of intense heat caused even wet forests to burn, reducing global forest cover by 30-40%. Scientists warn that current climate trends could recreate those conditions, increasing fire risk worldwide.
Researchers at Clarkson University have discovered that surplus milk can be converted into activated carbon for capturing CO2, offering a dual benefit of reducing food waste and advancing carbon capture technology. The study, published in Advanced Sustainable Systems, highlights a potential economic boost for dairy farmers.