Preserving Minds and Weighing Open AI Risks
Our memories fade as we age, yet something stubbornly persists: at 30, 50, or 70, we still feel like ourselves. Driven by that puzzle of personal continuity, a group of forward-thinking technologists is exploring ways to keep the mind functioning beyond death. Proposals range from freezing brains in liquid nitrogen to augmenting living brains and […]
Rethinking Metal Extraction for a Critical Future
For more than a century, many metal extraction processes have relied on scientific foundations that would be familiar to metallurgists from earlier generations. Furnaces have grown larger and control systems smarter, yet the fundamental chemistry of separating metals from ores has evolved far less than most people realize. Today’s materials challenges, however, differ sharply from […]
Pelosi’s Successor Eyes AI Rules; Data Centers Face Power Strain
Scott Wiener, the California state senator who authored legislation aimed at curbing the risks of advanced AI, has won a tight congressional race to succeed Nancy Pelosi in San Francisco. Shortly after his victory was declared, he spoke about the dangers he sees in rapidly advancing AI, using the phrase “recursive self-improvement” repeatedly. “We need […]
Pelosi’s Successor Eyes Federal AI Regulation
Scott Wiener, the California state senator who recently won a tight congressional race to succeed Nancy Pelosi in San Francisco, may soon be positioned to shape federal artificial intelligence policy. Wiener previously authored state legislation aimed at reducing the risks of advanced AI, and he has made the concerns of the AI safety movement central […]
Data Center Backlash Is About Electricity, Not Culture
Across the United States, opposition to data centers is growing, and the epicenter of that resistance is Ashburn, Virginia, home to the world’s largest data center hub, known as Data Center Alley. Concrete buildings line the major roads there, and the sheer scale of the facilities is hard to miss. Technology executives have increasingly framed […]
The Climate Case for AI Remains Unproven
As countries gather in Antalya, Turkey for the United Nations climate conference, artificial intelligence is expected to be a central topic. The host has urged nations to commit to designing, powering, and deploying AI in ways that support climate action. Yet despite optimistic claims from AI leaders, industries worldwide are doing little to use the […]
AI Accelerates Innovation at Lubrizol
As companies race to apply artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and advanced modeling, the central challenge is linking these technologies to reliable data, scientific expertise, and the practical demands of bringing products to market. For specialty chemicals manufacturer Lubrizol, digital transformation centers on equipping researchers with tools to test ideas faster, make better-informed decisions, and develop […]
AI’s Climate Promises vs. Reality, Nvidia Probe
Ahead of the United Nations climate conference in Antalya, Turkey, artificial intelligence is expected to dominate the agenda. The host has urged nations to commit to designing, powering, and deploying AI in ways that support climate action. Yet, as former California Air Resources Board chair Mary Nichols and sustainability advisor Jeremy Tamanini argue, industries worldwide […]
Experiencing the Future of Cleaning with Robots
In a world where technology continues to evolve rapidly, the prospect of robotic cleaners is becoming increasingly tangible. Recently, I had the opportunity to witness this firsthand through a unique service offered by Tau Robotics in San Francisco. Despite my typical reluctance to hire cleaning services, my curiosity and a desire for a glimpse into […]
Humanoid Robots and Samsung’s AI Chip Expansion
In a fascinating glimpse into the future of household technology, a humanoid robot recently took on the task of cleaning an apartment in San Francisco. The robot, developed by Tau Robotics, represents a significant step toward fully autonomous cleaning solutions, though current capabilities still require human oversight. As a user eagerly awaiting the experience, I […]