Read the latest articles from Futurism (Page 967)

A neural net hooked up to a monkey brain was tasked with triggering individual neurons. It did so with bizarre, surreal images.
Artificial Intelligence

A Neural Net Hooked Up to a Monkey Brain Spat Out Bizarre Images

The algorithm worked out the ideal image to show each neuron.

By Dan Robitzski

A suspected Russian spy whale has made itself a fixture of a Norwegian port community, fetching rings for locals and even letting them pet its nose.
Future Society

The Suspected Russian Spy Whale Is Acting Weird

Whale Spy Journal, Day 8: Mission to gain trust of locals is going swimmingly.

By Kristin Houser

Former Google employee Tristan Harris says that your smartphone isn't listening in on you. It doesn't have to because Google already knows everything.
Google

Ex-Googler: Company Has “Voodoo Doll, Avatar-Like Version of You”

Instead of spying through your microphone, Google simulates the conversations you're likely to have.

By Dan Robitzski

Amazon warehouses could be fully automated in about a decade, but for now, humans are still better than bots at picking merchandise.
Robots and Machines

Amazon Says It Could Have Fully Automated Warehouses in 10 Years

Amazon workers' jobs are safe — for now.

By Kristin Houser

Renewables produced more electricity in the U.S. than coal-fired plants in April, possibly signaling a tipping point in the transition to clean energy.
Science & Energy

Renewables Surpass Coal in the US for the First Time

"Five years ago this never would have been close to happening."

By Kristin Houser

A new website uses Google's AI to churn out poetic couplets. The results are sometimes nonsensical, but occasionally prescient.
Google

We Used Google’s New AI to Generate Angsty Poetry About the Future

The algorithm generates poetic nonsense and a cool portrait!

By Dan Robitzski

SpaceX finally confirmed today during a press event that the Crew Dragon capsule that flew to the International Space Station in March was destroyed.
Crew Dragon

SpaceX Confirms That Accident Destroyed Crew Dragon Capsule

Luckily, SpaceX has several new Crew Dragon capsules already in production.

By Victor Tangermann

Health-focused apps can sell sensitive personal information to whomever they please, and a new study shows that many do so without telling users.
Health & Medicine

Apps to Help Quit Smoking Are Selling Your Data

The dark secret: it's perfectly legal.

By Dan Robitzski

In an op-ed for The Washington Post, astronaut Buzz Aldrin urges America's leaders to chart a path to put humans on Mars — and not just a few of us.
Mars

Buzz Aldrin Calls For “Great Migration of Humankind to Mars”

"We explore, or we expire. That is why we must get on with it."

By Kristin Houser

Russian president Vladimir Putin officially signed a bill into law yesterday that would require the country's internet to disconnect from foreign servers.
Future Society

Putin Signs Bill to Create Tightly-Controlled “Russian Internet”

Is this the Great Firewall of Russia?

By Victor Tangermann

Asteroid samples gathered by the Japanese space probe Hayabusa contain water-rich minerals, suggesting that asteroid impacts could bring water to planets.
Off-World

A Japanese Probe Just Found Water on an Asteroid

The finding supports the idea that asteroids delivered water to Earth.

By Dan Robitzski

Two geneticists are criticizing He Jiankui's use of CRISPR to edit human embryos on the grounds that it was an example of deeply flawed science.
Prosthetics and Devices

CRISPR Baby Experiment Meant to Prevent HIV Might Not Even Work

The scientist behind the project doesn't appear to fully understand gene editing.

By Kristin Houser

Fast food giant McDonald's installed AI-powered menu boards in 700 of its restaurants after acquiring an Israeli AI startup.
Artificial Intelligence

McDonald’s Is Installing AI-Powered Kiosks to Predict Your Order

You want fries with that?

By Victor Tangermann

A newly filed lawsuit alleges that Tesla was responsible for the 2018 death of a man driving a Model X with Autopilot engaged.
Tesla

Tesla Sued for Role in Deadly Crash Involving Autopilot

"Tesla is beta testing its Autopilot software on live drivers," according to the family's lawyer.

By Kristin Houser

The FDA just issued new black box warnings, the most severe that it can, against sleeping pills' dangerous sleep walking side effects.
Sleep

FDA: Ambien Is Making People Kill Themselves While Asleep

The FDA says sleeping pills are linked to falls, burns, limb loss, poisoning, drowning, car crashes, and even suicide.

By Dan Robitzski

A scientist who claims to have gene-edited babies made his first public appearance since the existence of the babies became public.
Prosthetics and Devices

Researcher Who Gene-Edited Babies Answers Critics: “I Feel Proud”

He also said that another CRISPR pregnancy is on the way.

By Jon Christian

A multi-company effort has resulted in the creation of an AI-powered virtual security guard that looks like it stepped straight out of a Japanese anime.
Artificial Intelligence

This Virtual Security Guard Looks Like an Anime Character

And it's ready to help Japan address its labor shortage.

By Kristin Houser

The Department of Homeland Security is going to start DNA testing people who cross into the U.S. seeking asylum next week.
DNA

Homeland Security Will DNA Test People Seeking Asylum

It's based on the dubious claim that people are faking familial ties.

By Dan Robitzski

NASA has determined that a pair of Taurus XL rockets failed their satellite launch missions due to faulty materials from an aluminum manufacturer.
NASA

NASA: Manufacturer’s Lies Caused Two Satellite Launches to Fail

The lies cost NASA more than $700 million and years of scientific work.

By Kristin Houser

The Royal Navy has developed a new technology that is capable of powering the Dragonfire Laser Directed Energy Weapon on board its most advanced ships.
Robots and Machines

The UK’s New “Dragonfire” Laser Weapon Is Weirdly Steampunk

The design was inspired by Formula One technology.

By Victor Tangermann