Chatbots that resurrect the dead: legal experts weigh in on ‘disturbing’ technology

Our newfound ability to reincarnate the dead as chatbots presents several legal and ethical dilemmas.

Marisa McVey, Research fellow, Aston University • conversation
March 1, 2021 ~7 min

How Apple and Google let your phone warn you if you've been exposed to the coronavirus while protecting your privacy

Bluetooth wireless communication makes it possible to track when people have been exposed to people infected with the coronavirus. The right cryptography scheme keeps alerts about exposures private.

David Starobinski, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Boston University • conversation
Feb. 12, 2021 ~11 min


People want data privacy but don't always know what they're getting

Differential privacy lets people to share data anonymously, but people need to know more about it to make informed decisions.

Rachel Cummings, Assistant Professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology • conversation
Oct. 21, 2020 ~8 min

The US has lots to lose and little to gain by banning TikTok and WeChat

Banning the Chinese-owned social media platforms raises free speech concerns and could worsen the US-China trade war.

Jeremy Straub, Assistant Professor of Computer Science, North Dakota State University • conversation
Aug. 28, 2020 ~10 min

Cyberspace is critical infrastructure – it will take effective government oversight to make it safe

Self-regulation by the technology industry has failed to keep people safe online. That's a job for government.

Francine Berman, Hamilton Distinguished Professor of Computer Science, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute • conversation
Aug. 10, 2020 ~8 min

Private browsing: What it does – and doesn't do – to shield you from prying eyes on the web

Private mode browsing is a useful way to cover your online tracks. Just don't read too much into the word 'private.'

Hana Habib, Graduate Research Assistant at the Institute for Software Research, Carnegie Mellon University • conversation
July 30, 2020 ~8 min

Digital contact tracing's mixed record abroad spells trouble for US efforts to rein in COVID-19

Effective national leadership and trust in government appear to be prerequisites for countries to achieve widespread digital contact tracing.

Bhaskar Chakravorti, Dean of Global Business, The Fletcher School, Tufts University • conversation
July 6, 2020 ~11 min

AI could help solve the privacy problems it has created

Artificial intelligence insatiable data needs has encouraged the mass collection of personal data, placing privacy at risk. But AI can help solve the very problem it creates.

Aryya Gangopadhyay, Professor, Information Systems, University of Maryland, Baltimore County • conversation
June 22, 2020 ~8 min


Workplaces are turning to devices to monitor social distancing, but does the tech respect privacy?

Smartphone apps and wearable devices can tell when workers have been within six feet of each other, promising to help curb the coronavirus. But they're not all the same when it comes to privacy.

Ari Trachtenberg, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, and Computer Science, Boston University • conversation
June 9, 2020 ~9 min

How Apple and Google will let your phone warn you if you've been exposed to the coronavirus

Bluetooth wireless communication makes it possible for people to get alerts on their phones when they've been exposed to the coronavirus. Adding the right cryptography scheme keeps those alerts private.

David Starobinski, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Boston University • conversation
April 30, 2020 ~9 min

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