That is in the present day’s version of The Obtain, our weekday e-newsletter that gives a day by day dose of what’s happening 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 Melancholy was nonetheless very actual. Unemployment within the US was round 20%. New equipment was reworking factories and farms, and everybody was anxious about jobs.
Have 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 difficulty of this publication in regards to the “Bogey of Technological Unemployment.”
His essay concisely framed the controversy over jobs and technical progress in a approach that continues to be related, particularly given in the present day’s fears over the impression of synthetic intelligence. It’s a worthwhile reminder that worries over the way forward for jobs will not be new and are greatest addressed by making use of an understanding of economics, moderately than conjuring up genies and monsters. Learn the total story.
—David Rotman
This high-tech mouthguard would possibly assist stop concussions
When athletes or troopers have a concussion, probably the most useful plan of action is to easily get them off the enjoying subject 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 end in 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 right away warning that an individual must be faraway from motion or play, they might assist defend troopers and athletes alike from mind harm. Learn the total story.
—David Hambling
Be 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 hitch MIT Expertise Evaluation 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 seek out you in the present day’s most enjoyable/necessary/scary/fascinating tales about know-how.
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 Evaluation)
2 Huge Tech is determined to sever its dependence on Nvidia’s chips
Sadly for them, it’s not as simple 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 Evaluation)
3 China has accepted dozens of AI fashions for public use
Regulators accepted 14 previously week alone. (Reuters)
+ The US is spooked, and desires cloud companies to flag international shoppers. (Bloomberg $)
+ 4 issues to learn about China’s new AI guidelines in 2024. (MIT Expertise Evaluation)
4 Meta is optimistic about going head-to-head with Apple
The warfare of the combined actuality headsets is beginning to warmth up. (WSJ $)
+ 2024 hasn’t been plain crusing for Apple thus far. (Economist $)
+ These minuscule pixels are poised to take augmented actuality by storm. (MIT Expertise Evaluation)
5 A George Carlin “AI comedy particular” was, actually, 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 information
They’re lastly tapping into OSINT information. (Bloomberg $)
+ Leaked datasets are a trove of knowledge, if you recognize what you’re searching for. (Motherboard)
7 Decarbonizing the economic system is simpler mentioned than achieved
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 Evaluation)
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 recognized 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 may very well be made out of astronaut breath. (MIT Expertise Evaluation)
Quote of the day
“Organizations wish to say, ‘Yeah, now we have 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 increase is usually a type of company bragging, he tells the New York Occasions.
The large story
How existential threat turned the largest meme in AI
June 2023
Who’s afraid of the large dangerous 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 at the moment are mainstream speaking factors, grabbing not solely headlines however the consideration of world leaders.
Has AI actually change 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 total story.
—Will Douglas Heaven
We are able to nonetheless have good issues
A spot for consolation, enjoyable and distraction in these bizarre occasions. (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 in the event you’ve seen, however taprooms are fairly fancy lately.
+ 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.
