That is as we speak’s version of The Obtain, our weekday publication that gives a every day dose of what’s occurring on this planet of know-how.
Persons are anxious that AI will take everybody’s jobs. We’ve been right here earlier than.
It was 1938, and the ache of the Nice Despair was nonetheless very actual. Unemployment within the US was round 20%. New equipment was remodeling factories and farms, and everybody was anxious about jobs.
Had been the spectacular technological achievements that had been making life simpler for a lot of additionally destroying jobs and wreaking havoc on the financial system? To make sense of all of it, Karl T. Compton, the president of MIT from 1930 to 1948 and one of many main scientists of the day, wrote within the December 1938 situation of this publication in regards to the “Bogey of Technological Unemployment.”
His essay concisely framed the talk over jobs and technical progress in a approach that continues to be related, particularly given as we speak’s fears over the affect of synthetic intelligence. It’s a worthwhile reminder that worries over the way forward for jobs will not be new and are finest addressed by making use of an understanding of economics, somewhat than conjuring up genies and monsters. Learn the complete story.
—David Rotman
This high-tech mouthguard would possibly assist stop concussions
When athletes or troopers have a concussion, probably the most helpful plan of action is to easily get them off the taking part in discipline or out of the motion to allow them to get better. But a lot about head accidents stays a thriller, together with the the explanation why some impacts lead to concussion whereas others don’t.
New measuring gadgets, such because the Impression Monitoring Mouthguard, are being developed that might assist ship a wealth of details about head impacts. By giving a right away warning that an individual must be faraway from motion or play, they might assist shield troopers and athletes alike from mind injury. Learn the complete story.
—David Hambling
Be a part of us to debate essential AI points in Europe and past
Synthetic intelligence took the world by storm in 2023. Its future—and ours—can be formed by what we do subsequent. Register now to affix MIT Expertise Evaluation journalists for a free LinkedIn Reside dialogue tomorrow at 11am ET as they discover what’s subsequent for AI in Europe, the US, and past.
The must-reads
I’ve combed the web to search out you as we speak’s most enjoyable/essential/scary/fascinating tales about know-how.
1 X has blocked all searches for Taylor Swift
It’s a heavy-handed try to cease the circulation of AI-generated specific photos of her. (FT $)
+ X is reportedly engaged on a brand new content material moderation HQ in Texas. (Bloomberg $)
+ The viral AI avatar app Lensa undressed me—with out my consent. (MIT Expertise Evaluation)
2 Large Tech is determined to sever its dependence on Nvidia’s chips
Sadly for them, it’s not as straightforward as merely constructing their very own semiconductors. (NYT $)
+ Japan is investing closely in its personal chip manufacturing strains. (FT $)
+ Huawei’s 5G chip breakthrough wants a actuality examine. (MIT Expertise Evaluation)
3 China has accredited dozens of AI fashions for public use
Regulators accredited 14 up to now week alone. (Reuters)
+ The US is spooked, and desires cloud corporations to flag overseas purchasers. (Bloomberg $)
+ 4 issues to find out about China’s new AI guidelines in 2024. (MIT Expertise Evaluation)
4 Meta is optimistic about going head-to-head with Apple
The battle of the combined actuality headsets is beginning to warmth up. (WSJ $)
+ 2024 hasn’t been plain crusing for Apple to date. (Economist $)
+ These minuscule pixels are poised to take augmented actuality by storm. (MIT Expertise Evaluation)
5 A George Carlin “AI comedy particular” was, in actual fact, written by a human
Confronted with a lawsuit, the video’s creators admitted an algorithm had not generated the fabric. (NYT $)
6 US spies are sifting by way of huge quantities of public information
They’re lastly tapping into OSINT information. (Bloomberg $)
+ Leaked datasets are a trove of data, if you understand what you’re searching for. (Motherboard)
7 Decarbonizing the financial system is less complicated mentioned than achieved
The authorized obstacles are even more durable to navigate than the excessive prices. (The Atlantic $)
+ That doesn’t imply it’s not price pursuing, although. (MIT Expertise Evaluation)
8 Instacart is utilizing gross AI-generated meals images
Which makes the complete platform look spammy. (Insider $)
9 BeReal is courting celebrities now
The issue is, they aren’t precisely recognized for his or her authenticity. (Wired $)
10 What it takes to develop meals in area
Mmm, tasty 3D-printed meals! (The Guardian)
+ Future area meals might be constructed from astronaut breath. (MIT Expertise Evaluation)
Quote of the day
“Organizations need to say, ‘Yeah, we have now a chief AI officer,’ as a result of that makes them look good.”
—Guide Randy Bean means that firms’ rush to capitalize on the AI growth is usually a type of company bragging, he tells the New York Occasions.
The large story
How existential danger turned the largest meme in AI
June 2023
Who’s afraid of the massive dangerous bots? Lots of people, it appears. Lots of of scientists, enterprise leaders, and policymakers have not too long ago made public pronouncements or signed open letters warning of the catastrophic risks of synthetic intelligence, from deep studying pioneer Geoffrey Hinton to California congressman Ted Lieu.
We’ve been right here earlier than: AI doom follows AI hype. However this time feels completely different. What had been as soon as excessive views are actually mainstream speaking factors, grabbing not solely headlines however the consideration of world leaders.
Has AI actually grow to be (extra) harmful? And why are the individuals who ushered on this tech now those elevating the alarm? Or is the looming specter of regulation guilty? Learn the complete story.
—Will Douglas Heaven
We are able to nonetheless have good issues
A spot for consolation, enjoyable and distraction in these bizarre occasions. (Bought any concepts? Drop me a line or tweet ’em at me.)
+ Patrick Swayze traditional Highway Home has had a 2024 makeover.
+ I don’t know in the event you’ve observed, however taprooms are fairly fancy nowadays.
+ The champagne bottles onboard the fateful Titanic are nonetheless intact. How?
+ Joyful 57th anniversary to the Mantra-Rock Dance, the apex of San Francisco’s hippie period.
+ A Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot is within the pipeline, in keeping with, err, Dolly Parton.
