That is at present’s version of The Obtain, our weekday e-newsletter that gives a each day dose of what’s occurring on this planet of expertise.
Persons are nervous that AI will take everybody’s jobs. We’ve been right here earlier than.
It was 1938, and the ache of the Nice Melancholy was nonetheless very actual. Unemployment within the US was round 20%. New equipment was reworking factories and farms, and everybody was nervous 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 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 problem of this publication in regards to the “Bogey of Technological Unemployment.”
His essay concisely framed the controversy over jobs and technical progress in a method that continues to be related, particularly given at present’s fears over the impression of synthetic intelligence. It’s a worthwhile reminder that worries over the way forward for jobs usually are not new and are greatest addressed by making use of an understanding of economics, quite than conjuring up genies and monsters. Learn the complete story.
—David Rotman
This high-tech mouthguard may assist forestall concussions
When athletes or troopers have a concussion, essentially the most useful plan of action is to easily get them off the enjoying discipline or out of the motion to allow them to recuperate. 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 units, such because the Influence Monitoring Mouthguard, are being developed that would assist ship a wealth of details about head impacts. By giving an instantaneous warning that an individual must be faraway from motion or play, they may assist defend troopers and athletes alike from mind harm. Learn the complete story.
—David Hambling
Be a part of us to debate vital AI points in Europe and past
Synthetic intelligence took the world by storm in 2023. Its future—and ours—will probably be formed by what we do subsequent. Register now to affix MIT Expertise Assessment journalists for a free LinkedIn Dwell 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 at present’s most enjoyable/necessary/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 photographs 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 Massive 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 test. (MIT Expertise Assessment)
3 China has permitted dozens of AI fashions for public use
Regulators permitted 14 up to now week alone. (Reuters)
+ The US is spooked, and needs cloud companies to flag international shoppers. (Bloomberg $)
+ 4 issues to learn 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 via huge quantities of public knowledge
They’re lastly tapping into OSINT knowledge. (Bloomberg $)
+ Leaked datasets are a trove of data, if you already know what you’re on the lookout for. (Motherboard)
7 Decarbonizing the financial system is less complicated stated than accomplished
The authorized obstacles are even harder to navigate than the excessive prices. (The Atlantic $)
+ That doesn’t imply it’s not price pursuing, although. (MIT Expertise Assessment)
8 Instacart is utilizing gross AI-generated meals pictures
Which makes your entire platform look spammy. (Insider $)
9 BeReal is courting celebrities now
The issue is, they aren’t precisely identified for his or her authenticity. (Wired $)
10 What it takes to develop meals in house
Mmm, tasty 3D-printed meals! (The Guardian)
+ Future house meals might be produced from astronaut breath. (MIT Expertise Assessment)
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.”
—Advisor Randy Bean means that corporations’ rush to capitalize on the AI increase is usually a type of company bragging, he tells the New York Occasions.
The massive story
How existential danger grew to become the largest meme in AI
June 2023
Who’s afraid of the massive unhealthy bots? Lots of people, it appears. A whole lot 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 totally different. What have been as soon as excessive views are actually mainstream speaking factors, grabbing not solely headlines however the consideration of world leaders.
Has AI actually turn into (extra) harmful? And why are the individuals who ushered on this tech now those elevating the alarm? Or is the looming specter of regulation accountable? 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 instances. (Obtained any concepts? Drop me a line or tweet ’em at me.)
+ Patrick Swayze traditional Street Home has had a 2024 makeover.
+ I don’t know should you’ve seen, however taprooms are fairly fancy today.
+ The champagne bottles onboard the fateful Titanic are nonetheless intact. How?
+ Pleased 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 accordance with, err, Dolly Parton.
