Predictive policing AI is on the rise − making it accountable to the public could curb its harmful effects

AI that anticipates where crimes are likely to occur and who might commit them has a troubling track record. Democratic accountability could shine a light on the technology and how it’s used.

Maria Lungu, Postdoctoral Researcher of Law and Public Administration, University of Virginia • conversation
May 6, 2025 ~8 min

Why predicting battery performance is like forecasting traffic − and how researchers are making progress

Battery management systems now blend physics and machine learning, delivering real‑time insights to boost safety, efficiency and lifespan even under heavy use.

Emmanuel Olugbade, Ph.D. Candidate in Mechanical Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology • conversation
April 25, 2025 ~9 min


AI-controlled fighter jets may be closer than we think — and would change the face of warfare

The US military is already using AI to control aircraft in tests.

Arun Dawson, PhD Candidate, Department of War Studies, King's College London • conversation
April 17, 2025 ~7 min

Fill-in-the-blank training primes AI to interpret health data from smartwatches and fitness trackers

AI can process data from wearable devices to better monitor your health and detect problems sooner. The trick is teaching AI algorithms how to cut through the noise.

Eloy Geenjaar, Ph.D. Student in Electrical Engineering & Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology • conversation
April 10, 2025 ~9 min

What is reinforcement learning? An AI researcher explains a key method of teaching machines – and how it relates to training your dog

Computing pioneer Alan Turing suggested training machines with rewards and punishments. Two computer scientists put the idea into practice in the 1980s and set the stage for the likes of ChatGPT.

Ambuj Tewari, Professor of Statistics, University of Michigan • conversation
April 7, 2025 ~7 min

Shoes that can warn you of injuries? How wearable technology is transforming foot care

Smart insoles and socks equipped with sensors and AI are transforming foot health.

Craig Gwynne, Senior Lecturer in Podiatry, Cardiff Metropolitan University • conversation
March 27, 2025 ~6 min

What’s that microplastic? Advances in machine learning are making identifying plastics in the environment more reliable

To deal with microplastic pollution, it helps agencies to know what kind of plastic they’ve got on their hands.

Ambuj Tewari, Professor of Statistics, University of Michigan • conversation
March 6, 2025 ~8 min

AIs flunk language test that takes grammar out of the equation

Humans understand that ‘red ball’ makes sense but ‘ball red’ does not. Large language models? Not so much.

Rutvik Desai, Professor of Psychology, University of South Carolina • conversation
Feb. 26, 2025 ~8 min


Enzymes are the engines of life − machine learning tools could help scientists design new ones to tackle disease and climate change

Enzymes significantly speed up the chemical reactions that keep you alive. Researchers are using AI to create new ones to tackle modern challenges.

Sam Pellock, Postdoctoral Scholar in Biochemistry, University of Washington • conversation
Feb. 13, 2025 ~9 min

Here’s how researchers are helping AIs get their facts straight

Having AI models say how confident they are in their answers could help minimize inaccurate responses. Just don’t be overconfident about their confidence scores.

Lu Wang, Associate Professor of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Michigan • conversation
Feb. 10, 2025 ~8 min

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