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That is right this moment’s version of The Obtain, our weekday e-newsletter that gives a every day dose of what’s happening on the planet of expertise.
Individuals are frightened 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 frightened about jobs.
Had been the spectacular technological achievements that have been making life simpler for a lot of additionally destroying jobs and wreaking havoc on the economic 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 problem of this publication in regards to the “Bogey of Technological Unemployment.”
His essay concisely framed the talk over jobs and technical progress in a method that is still related, particularly given right this moment’s fears over the affect of synthetic intelligence. It’s a worthwhile reminder that worries over the way forward for jobs aren’t new and are greatest addressed by making use of an understanding of economics, fairly than conjuring up genies and monsters. Learn the total story.
—David Rotman
This high-tech mouthguard may assist forestall concussions
When athletes or troopers have a concussion, essentially the most helpful plan of action is to easily get them off the enjoying subject or out of the motion to allow them to get well. But a lot about head accidents stays a thriller, together with the the reason why some impacts lead to concussion whereas others don’t.
New measuring gadgets, such because the Influence Monitoring Mouthguard, are being developed that might assist ship a wealth of details about head impacts. By giving a direct warning that an individual must be faraway from motion or play, they may assist defend troopers and athletes alike from mind harm. Learn the total story.
—David Hambling
Be a part of us to debate important 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 hitch MIT Expertise Assessment 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 right this moment’s most enjoyable/vital/scary/fascinating tales about expertise.
1 X has blocked all searches for Taylor Swift
It’s a heavy-handed try and cease the circulation of AI-generated express pictures 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 Assessment)
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 traces. (FT $)
+ Huawei’s 5G chip breakthrough wants a actuality verify. (MIT Expertise Assessment)
3 China has permitted dozens of AI fashions for public use
Regulators permitted 14 prior to now week alone. (Reuters)
+ The US is spooked, and needs cloud companies to flag overseas shoppers. (Bloomberg $)
+ 4 issues to find out about China’s new AI guidelines in 2024. (MIT Expertise Assessment)
4 Meta is optimistic about going head-to-head with Apple
The warfare of the blended actuality headsets is beginning to warmth up. (WSJ $)
+ 2024 hasn’t been plain crusing for Apple to this point. (Economist $)
+ These minuscule pixels are poised to take augmented actuality by storm. (MIT Expertise Assessment)
5 A George Carlin “AI comedy particular” was, the truth is, 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 means of huge quantities of public knowledge
They’re lastly tapping into OSINT knowledge. (Bloomberg $)
+ Leaked datasets are a trove of knowledge, if you already know what you’re in search of. (Motherboard)
7 Decarbonizing the economic system is less complicated mentioned than accomplished
The authorized obstacles are even harder to navigate than the excessive prices. (The Atlantic $)
+ That doesn’t imply it’s not value pursuing, although. (MIT Expertise Assessment)
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 could possibly be created from astronaut breath. (MIT Expertise Assessment)
Quote of the day
“Organizations need to say, ‘Yeah, we now have a chief AI officer,’ as a result of that makes them look good.”
—Marketing consultant Randy Bean means that firms’ rush to capitalize on the AI increase is usually a type of company bragging, he tells the New York Instances.
The large story
How existential threat grew to become the largest meme in AI
June 2023
Who’s afraid of the massive unhealthy bots? Lots of people, it appears. Tons of of scientists, enterprise leaders, and policymakers have just lately 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 totally different. What have been as soon as excessive views at the moment are 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 total story.
—Will Douglas Heaven
We will nonetheless have good issues
A spot for consolation, enjoyable and distraction in these bizarre instances. (Bought any concepts? Drop me a line or tweet ’em at me.)
+ Patrick Swayze basic Street Home has had a 2024 makeover.
+ I don’t know in the event you’ve seen, however taprooms are fairly fancy today.
+ The champagne bottles onboard the fateful Titanic are nonetheless intact. How?
+ Completely happy 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 line with, err, Dolly Parton.
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