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

Why people tend to believe UFOs are extraterrestrial

While UFO videos might seem compelling, they’re rarely backed up with evidence. A sociologist explains why claims of alien life gain traction through both social and mass media every few years.

Barry Markovsky, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Sociology, University of South Carolina • conversation
July 17, 2023 ~9 min


AI spots shipwrecks from the ocean surface – and even from the air

It's difficult to tell a shipwreck from a natural feature on the ocean floor in a scan taken from a plane or ship. This project used deep learning to get it right 92% of the time.

Leila Character, Doctoral student in Geography, The University of Texas at Austin College of Liberal Arts • conversation
July 22, 2021 ~4 min

A military perspective on climate change could bridge the gap between believers and doubters

US military leaders have to plan for operations all over the world, so they can't afford to ignore climate change or debate its causes.

Michael Klare, Professor Emeritus and Director, Five College Program in Peace and World Security Studies, Hampshire College • conversation
Feb. 18, 2020 ~8 min

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