Read the latest articles from Futurism (Page 1007)

Right now, AI can't be considered conscious. But should it someday get to that point, some experts argue we should lay out algorithms' civil rights now.
Artificial Intelligence

These Professors Are Arguing That AI Should Get Animal Rights

Are we close to building AI that resembles conscious entities?

By Dan Robitzski

A new study says that based on Facebook's current numbers, dead people's accounts will outnumber the living in about 50 years.
Future Society

In 50 Years, Dead People Will Make up Most of Facebook’s Users

Based on current usership, the dead will outnumber the living by 2070.

By Dan Robitzski

Hactivists have found a database containing details on more than 80 million U.S. households, but they have no idea who owns it.
Data Privacy

No One Knows Who Owns This Massive Database of Americans’ Info

It contains details on more than 80 million U.S. homes — but nothing about its owner.

By Kristin Houser

Scientists Plan to 3D Print Muscular Tissue on the Space Station
Off-World

Scientists Plan to 3D Print Muscular Tissue on the Space Station

A shipment of biomaterial building blocks is headed to the ISS.

By Dan Robitzski

In his new book, Oxford professor Young-hae Chi theorizes that invisible aliens are creating alien-human hybrids, perhaps as a response to climate change.
Climate Change

Oxford Academic: Invisible Aliens Are Breeding With Humans

And he thinks the "hybrids" could be a response to climate change.

By Kristin Houser

New images appeared in a since-deleted post on Chinese social media network Weibo of Motorola's upcoming folding RAZR smartphone.
Robots and Machines

Leak: Motorola’s Folding Phone Looks Like an Old-School Flip Phone

Could this be Motorola's $1,500 follow-up to its iconic RAZR?

By Victor Tangermann

DARPA: This Smart Contact Lens Could Give Soldiers Superpowers
DARPA

DARPA: This Smart Contact Lens Could Give Soldiers Superpowers

Is this the smart contact lens DARPA has been looking for for at least a decade?

By Victor Tangermann

The group of fishermen in Norway found a whale wearing a strange harness with the words "Equipment of St. Petersburg" written on its strap.
Future Society

Whale Suspected of Being a Russian Weapon Found in Norway

It was wearing a harness that appeared to be designed to hold a camera or weapon.

By Kristin Houser

To reconcile the recently-confirmed, faster rate of universal expansion, researchers suggest that the cosmos may be younger than they previously assumed.
Off-World

The Universe Might Be a Billion Years Younger Than We Thought

It's a new attempt to reconcile the universe's accelerated expansion.

By Dan Robitzski

SpaceX-Like Startups Think They Can Solve Fusion For Cheap
SpaceX

SpaceX-Like Startups Think They Can Solve Fusion For Cheap

"Fusion is poised for a 'SpaceX moment.'"

By Victor Tangermann

People are experiencing higher levels of negative emotions such as sadness and anger, according to a survey of adults in more than 140 nations.
Health & Medicine

New Research: The World Is Sadder, Angrier Than Ever Before

The increase in negative emotions could have profound implications for global health.

By Kristin Houser

Researchers propose a new field of AI study called "machine behaviour" — and it could ensure we reap the tech's benefits while avoiding the drawbacks.
Artificial Intelligence

To Prevent the Apocalypse, MIT Says to Study “Machine Behaviour”

They suggest a new field of AI study that goes beyond code.

By Kristin Houser

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From Quarks to Quasars

Newtonian Physics vs. Special Relativity

By Colin Robson

Moleculin Biotech, a company that conducts clinical research for cancer treatments, found a way to speed up the process by moving its research to Poland.
Health & Medicine

Expensive US Drug Trials Are Pushing Pharma Research Overseas

Poland offers a low-cost alternative to American trials, where participants are in high demand.

By Dan Robitzski

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis wants to make sure that AI is built to serve, not conquer humanity, and wants to make sure important choices aren't automated.
Artificial Intelligence

Meet the Rabbi Fighting Back Against AI Armageddon

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis is troubled by AI that makes morals-based decisions.

By Dan Robitzski

U.S. internet service provider (ISP) Cox Communications is offering a new tier of internet service called "Elite Gamer" for an additional $15 a month.
Future Society

An Internet Provider Is Selling an “Elite Gamer” Service

"Fast lane" internet is exactly what net neutrality supporters have been fighting against.

By Victor Tangermann

No matter how cute or emotionally-savvy some robots may seem, experts warn that it's an illusion. Artificial intelligence simply isn't that sophisticated.
Robotics

Expert Warns Against Forming Emotional Attachments With Robots

In spite of their cute designs, robots can't love you back.

By Dan Robitzski

AI researcher Os Keyes envisions several "nightmare scenarios" for transgendered people that could result from the deployment of facial recognition tech.
Facial recognition

Researcher: Facial Recognition Tech Could Get Trans People Killed

"The worst case scenario is...they end up shot or arrested or harassed."

By Kristin Houser

A scientist argues that the sheer volume of potentially habitable planets and moons coupled with the existence of water in space makes life inevitable.
Off-World

Scientist: “Alien Life Now Seems Inevitable and Possibly Imminent”

"The ancient question 'Are we alone?' has graduated from being a philosophical musing to a testable hypothesis."

By Dan Robitzski

A UK college has launched the Imperial Centre for Psychedelic Research — the world's first formal center for research into psychedelics.
Health & Medicine

World’s First Center for Psychedelics Research Opens in UK

It'll focus on the use of psychedelics for mental health care and the study of consciousness.

By Kristin Houser