AI could transform ethics committees

Simon Kolstoe argues that while AI can greatly assist in ethics reviews, it cannot make an ethical decision.

Simon Kolstoe, Associate Professor of Bioethics, University of Portsmouth • conversation
Feb. 29, 2024 ~7 min

We’ve been here before: AI promised humanlike machines – in 1958

Enthusiasm for the capabilities of artificial intelligence – and claims for the approach of humanlike prowess –has followed a boom-and-bust cycle since the middle of the 20th century.

Danielle Williams, Postdoctoral Fellow in Philosophy of Science, Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis • conversation
Feb. 29, 2024 ~8 min


AI has a large and growing carbon footprint, but there are potential solutions on the horizon

Technological approaches could help reduce the carbon impact of artificial intelligence systems.

Shirin Dora, Lecturer, Computer Science, Loughborough University • conversation
Feb. 16, 2024 ~8 min

Bringing AI up to speed – autonomous auto racing promises safer driverless cars on the road

Artificial intelligence systems that can handle the pressure of high-speed auto racing could lead to driverless vehicles that can safely manage the morning commute.

Madhur Behl, Associate Professor of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, University of Virginia • conversation
Feb. 14, 2024 ~8 min

The New York Times’ AI copyright lawsuit shows that forgiveness might not be better than permission

The lawsuit could have major implications for how AI “training” data is treated.

Peter Vaughan, Senior Lecturer, Nottingham Law School, Nottingham Trent University • conversation
Feb. 13, 2024 ~7 min

Four ways AI could help us respond to climate change – despite how much energy it uses

From making journeys more fuel-efficient to reducing food waste.

Lakshmi Babu Saheer, Director of Computing Informatics and Applications Research Group, Anglia Ruskin University • conversation
Feb. 13, 2024 ~6 min

Our robot harvests cotton by reaching out and plucking it, like a lizard’s tongue snatching flies

Cotton is one of the world’s largest crops and is harvested with large, heavy machines. Robotic harvesting could yield higher-quality cotton with less damage to plants and soil.

Hussein Gharakhani, Assistant Professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Mississippi State University • conversation
Feb. 13, 2024 ~8 min

A new way to let AI chatbots converse all day without crashing

Researchers developed a simple yet effective solution for a puzzling problem that can worsen the performance of large language models such as ChatGPT.

Adam Zewe | MIT News • mit
Feb. 13, 2024 ~8 min


AI ‘companions’ promise to combat loneliness, but history shows the dangers of one-way relationships

Tech companies are offering AI companions as a convenient cure for the loneliness epidemic, but there have been other forms of faux relationships, and they tend to have more to do with ego than heart.

Anna Mae Duane, Director, University of Connecticut Humanities Institute; Professor of English, University of Connecticut • conversation
Feb. 12, 2024 ~8 min

FCC bans robocalls using deepfake voice clones − but AI-generated disinformation still looms over elections

Deepfake technology is widely available, and a pivotal election year lies ahead. The FCC banned AI robocalls, but AI-enhanced disinformation campaigns remain a threat.

Joan Donovan, Assistant Professor of Journalism and Emerging Media Studies, Boston University • conversation
Feb. 8, 2024 ~6 min

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