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


Cybercriminals are creating their own AI chatbots to support hacking and scam users

Like many technologies, AI can be subverted by cybercriminals.

Jason R.C. Nurse, Associate Professor in Cyber Security, University of Kent • conversation
Feb. 8, 2024 ~6 min

Using AI to monitor the internet for terror content is inescapable – but also fraught with pitfalls

The complex task of tackling online terror needs human eyes as well as artificial intelligence.

David Wells, Honorary Research Associate at the Cyber Threats Research Centre, Swansea University • conversation
Feb. 7, 2024 ~8 min

Will AI Mean Death of Music or More Creativity?

VOA Learning English • voa
Feb. 6, 2024 ~4 min

AI helps students skip right to the good stuff in this intro programming course

Learning to program requires mastering the nitty-gritty of code syntax. Generative AI turns out to be good at that. Adding AI to intro programming courses frees students to focus on problem-solving.

Daniel Zingaro, Associate Professor of Mathematical and Computational Sciences, University of Toronto • conversation
Feb. 6, 2024 ~5 min

How AI could change our relationship with religion

AI could free up our time to an unprecedented degree, which will leave time for faith-based activities.

Sreevas Sahasranamam, Professor, Adam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow • conversation
Feb. 6, 2024 ~5 min

AI companies are merging or collaborating to even out the gap in access to vital datasets

There are risks in huge datasets sitting in the hands of just a few companies.

Michael Wade, Professor of Innovation and Strategy, Cisco Chair in Digital Business Transformation, International Institute for Management Development (IMD) • conversation
Jan. 30, 2024 ~8 min


Why AI can’t replace air traffic controllers

An air traffic safety expert explains why humans will remain central to managing the nation’s airports and airspace even as AI promises to improve air traffic control.

Amy Pritchett, Professor of Aerospace Engineering, Penn State • conversation
Jan. 30, 2024 ~10 min

Study: Smart devices’ ambient light sensors pose imaging privacy risk

The ambient light sensors responsible for smart devices’ brightness adjustments can capture images of touch interactions like swiping and tapping for hackers.

Alex Shipps | MIT CSAIL • mit
Jan. 29, 2024 ~8 min

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