‘Something Big Is Happening’ + A.I. Rocks the Romance Novel Industry + One Good Thing
“I do think we are reaching an inflection point in people’s feelings and senses about A.I. and where it’s going.”
Science/Tech
Meta Plans to Add Facial Recognition Technology to Its Smart Glasses
In an internal memo last year, Meta said the political tumult in the United States would distract critics from the feature’s release.
Iran Turns to Digital Surveillance Tools to Track Down Protesters
As Iranian authorities restore some online services after crushing antigovernment demonstrations, they are using a technological dragnet to target attendees of the protests.
Weatherwatch: The surprisingly complex science of ice skating
Pressure, frictional heating and a disordered layer of molecules on top of the ice make skating possible
Ice skating is counterintuitive: why should a narrow blade make it easier to slide over the ice? The science is surprisingly complex, but unscientific people worked out the practical application a long time ago.
William FitzStephen described how Londoners entertained themselves in freezing...
AI safety leader says ‘world is in peril’ and quits to study poetry
It comes in the same week an OpenAI researcher resigned amid concerns about its decision to start testing ChatGPT ads.
Anthropic Is Valued at $380 Billion in New Funding Round
The artificial intelligence start-up raised another $30 billion and its valuation more than doubled since its last funding round in September.
China’s Yangtze River shows signs of remarkable recovery after fishing ban
Doubling of fish biomass and rebounding of endangered species shows government measures starting to work, biologists say
The Yangtze River in China, which has been in ecological decline for 70 years, is showing signs of recovery thanks to a sweeping fishing ban.
The ban was made more effective by the implementation of “evolutionary game theory”, which included finding alternative employment...
Why Tech Giants Are Accused of Causing Social Media Addiction
In a series of landmark trials, plaintiffs are alleging that Meta, TikTok, Snap and YouTube caused personal injury through addictive products. Our technology reporter Cecilia Kang describes what’s at stake for tech giants and social media users.
Funding cuts will devastate the next generation of scientists | Letters
Physics research drives technological innovation, from medical imaging to data processing, write Dr Phil Bull and Prof Chris Clarkson; plus letters from Tim Gershon and Vincenzo Vagnoni, and Prof Paul Howarth
Your article (UK ‘could lose generation of scientists’ with cuts to projects and research facilities, 6 February) is right to highlight the serious consequences of proposed 30% funding...
Gail Slater Leaves Role as Justice Dept.’s Antitrust Chief
Her departure comes after months of mounting tension over her division’s work to determine whether companies violated antitrust laws.
Porn site fined £800,000 for not rolling out age checks
The UK regulator said Kick Online Entertainment failed to introduce age checks required for porn sites.
Anthropic Invests $20 Million in Super PAC to Counter OpenAI
Anthropic and OpenAI now have their own well-funded political groups that will square off in the midterm elections over artificial intelligence safety and regulation.
Truecaller warning from South Africa’s biggest bank
Caller verification services like TrueCaller aren’t much help in protecting South Africans from scammers using spoofed caller IDs.
Vodacom helps bring critical upgrades to no-fee school
Vodacom is now calling on its customers to contribute to the project’s second phase.
Water-shedding announced in South Africa
Deputy water and sanitation minister David Mahlobo says that water authorities in Gauteng will start implementing “load-shifting” to avoid a total collapse of the province’s water systems.
Highguard game developer lays off staff just two weeks after release
Its trailer got a prime Game Awards slot, but the online shooter has failed to find a large audience.
Ford Will Make a Play for a Different Battery Market
The company, long focused on cars and trucks, plans to begin manufacturing large batteries used by utilities, data centers, other businesses and homeowners.
Laid-Off Battery Plant Workers Pin Blame on Ford, not Trump, for Lost Jobs
Ford Motor shut down a battery factory and laid off 1,600 workers after President Trump and Republicans gutted government support for electric vehicles.
R1.4-billion win for one of South Africa’s largest private power companies
Norway’s renewable energy fund manager for developing countries has secured approval to acquire a stake in Anthem Holdings.
Fight about popular interest-free payment method in South Africa
PayJustNow details how the vetting process works for Buy Now, Pay Later users in South Africa.
What’s Next — Aliyah Allie on how Dis-Chem’s innovation hub is driving the future of healthcare in South Africa
Allie discusses the work X, bigly labs is doing to make healthcare more affordable and accessible in South Africa.