‘Editor’s Picks’ Podcast (September 25, 2023) – A selection of three essential articles read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. This week, how to win a long war in Ukraine, what Asia’s economic revolution means for the world (11:05) and why a disgraced comedian is the symbol of a cruel, misogynistic and politically vacant era in Britain (18:52).
Tag Archives: Artificial Intelligence
Research Preview: Science Magazine – Sept 22, 2023
Peak solar activity is arriving sooner than expected, reaching levels not seen in 20 years
The Sun’s flare-ups can threaten satellites and electric grids, highlighting need for better forecasts
Quantum algorithm offers faster way to hack internet encryption
Scheme to factor giant numbers could be more efficient than 30-year-old Shor’s algorithm
Previews: The Economist Magazine – Sept 23, 2023
Ukraine faces a long war. A change of course is needed
Its backers should pray for a speedy victory—but plan for a long struggle
The war in Ukraine has repeatedly confounded expectations. It is now doing so again. The counter-offensive that began in June was based on the hope that Ukrainian soldiers, equipped with modern Western weapons and after training in Germany, would recapture enough territory to put their leaders in a strong position at any subsequent negotiations.
If India ordered a murder in Canada, there must be consequences
Western countries have for too long acquiesced to the Indian government’s abuses
For years, India objected to Western strategists lumping it together with its violent and chaotic neighbour in the phrase “Indo-Pakistan”. Now recognised as a fast-growing giant and potential bulwark against China, India claims to have been “de-hyphenated”. Yet the explosive charge aired this week by Justin Trudeau suggests that diplomatic recalibration may have gone too far. Canada’s prime minister alleges that Indian agents were involved in the murder in Vancouver of a Canadian citizen sympathetic to India’s Sikh separatist movement.
Research Preview: Nature Magazine – Sept 21, 2023
COVID boosters are back: what scientists say about whether to get one
As many countries head into autumn, they are targeting vaccinations at people in high-risk categories, leaving those at lower risk uncertain about what to do.
Libya floods: how climate change intensified the death and devastation
Climate change, civil war and international sanctions all contributed to the devastation caused by some of Libya’s worst flooding ever, researchers say.
Politics: The Guardian Weekly – Sept 22, 2023
The Guardian Weekly (September 22, 2023) – The new issue features How disaster struck Libya. Plus: Populism in Europe, and the unifying power of cheese.
Two separate natural disasters in north Africa have dominated the news recently. But Moroccan emergency responses to an earthquake that killed about 3,000 people seemed rapid and efficient in contrast to the chaos at the deluged Libyan port of Derna, where many thousands more lost their lives after the town was deluged following a double dam burst caused by Storm Daniel.
While logistical and administrative challenges have made access to Derna incredibly difficult, Observer reporter Kaamil Ahmed has gathered the testimonies of several local Libyan journalists who witnessed scenes they are still struggling to process. Diplomatic editor Patrick Wintour explains why the disaster can be seen as a culmination of the climate crisis descending upon a failed state, while Rupert Neate and Peter Beaumont discuss the differing responses to the two situations.
From Europe, Jon Henley previews three upcoming elections that could have profound consequences for the region’s political future. Indeed, as the Guardian launches a new Europe-focused digital edition, editor-in-chief Katharine Viner outlines why now is the right time for us to expand our reporting across the continent.
Opinion: AI Is Recasting Science And Rising Waves Of Hard-Right Populism
‘Editor’s Picks’ Podcast (September 18, 2023) – Three essential articles read aloud from the The Economist. This week, an analysis of how AI can revolutionize science and how a fresh wave of hard-right populism is stalking Europe.
Previews: The Economist Magazine – Sept 16, 2023
How artificial intelligence can revolutionise science
Consider the historical precedents
Debate about artificial intelligence (ai) tends to focus on its potential dangers: algorithmic bias and discrimination, the mass destruction of jobs and even, some say, the extinction of humanity. As some observers fret about these dystopian scenarios, however, others are focusing on the potential rewards. ai could, they claim, help humanity solve some of its biggest and thorniest problems. And, they say, ai will do this in a very specific way: by radically accelerating the pace of scientific discovery, especially in areas such as medicine, climate science and green technology.
Modi’s “one India” goal is good for the economy, but not for politics
In the next decade regional tensions will build in India
The world has been seeing the bright side of India. In August it landed a spacecraft on the Moon. In the latest quarter gdp grew at an annual rate of 7.8%, making it the world’s perkiest big economy. Narendra Modi, the prime minister, has just hosted a g20 summit where other leaders, including Joe Biden, courted Asia’s rising behemoth. Yet inside India the talk has turned to whether Mr Modi’s hunger for power and dreams of national renewal could lead him to bend the constitution.
Research Preview: Science Magazine – Sept 15, 2023
Mars Sample Return risks consuming NASA science
Forthcoming cost estimate for budget-busting mission could lead to strict caps from Congress
Iran prepares to erect a digital wall
Researchers feel increasingly isolated as government moves to restrict internet access
Research Preview: Nature Magazine – Sept 14, 2023
An ‘alien meteorite’ probably didn’t slam into Earth — how will we know if one does?
Nature looks at the detective work required to confirm a controversial claim of finding interstellar debris.
A research team made headlines last week when it claimed to have scooped up from the sea floor fragments of a meteorite that came from beyond our Solar System1. Finding such an interstellar sample on Earth would be exciting because it might shed light on how planets and stars beyond our own form. But a number of scientists say that the evidence that the material came from another planetary system is not convincing so far.
| AI detects eye disease and risk of Parkinson’s from retinal images Researchers have developed a model trained similarly to ChatGPT that can be adapted to evaluate multiple health conditions. Mariana Lenharo |
| Ancient-human fossils sent to space: scientists slam ‘publicity stunt’ The decision to send hominin bones on a commercial spaceflight has raised eyebrows among human-evolution researchers. Ewen Callaway |
Previews: The Humanist Magazine – Autumn 2023
(September 14, 2023) – The new issue features OpenAI’s now famous ChatGPT bot was used by the Humanist to generate this article as an experiment to discover what today’s AI knows and will tell about the dangers posed by AI technology.
The Dangers of Artificial Intelligence
From Misinformation to Autonomous Weapons
IN RECENT YEARS, the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence have brought forth a myriad of benefits and possibilities. Be it healthcare or transportation, AI has shown its potential to revolutionize industries and improve the quality of human life. However, this transformative power comes hand in hand with a range of dangers that must be understood and addressed. This article delves into both the narrower personal risks and the broader socio-political concerns associated with AI.
Artificial Intelligence Unveiled: Navigating the Hazards in Our Everyday Lives
Imagine a world where your conversations with AI-powered machines could lead you astray, your job might vanish overnight, and your personal data might end up in the wrong hands. Welcome to the realm of artificial intelligence, a place where the marvels of technology coexist with a web of dangers that can reshape our lives in unexpected ways. There are personal concerns that ordinary people face as they navigate this AI-infused landscape.
Boomers Daily 