Tech: AI chatbots will never stop hallucinating

April 9–Chatbots and other forms of generative AI are hallucinating—and that's inevitable, COVID vaccines during pregnancy protect newborns, and the case for forensic genetic genealogy. All that and more below! -Ben Guarino, Associate Editor, Technology

Top Stories

Forensic Genealogy Offers Families the Gift of Closure The forensic scientist's toolbox is growing thanks to creative methods that generate reliable leads, analyze evidence, identify suspects and solve cold cases Nancy La Vigne , expert writer

Geoengineering Test Quietly Launches Salt Crystals into Atmosphere A solar geoengineering experiment in San Francisco could lead to brighter clouds that reflect sunlight. The risks are numerous Corbin Hiar; E&E News

AI Chatbots Will Never Stop Hallucinating Some amount of chatbot hallucination is inevitable. But there are ways to minimize it Lauren Leffer

COVID Vaccination during Pregnancy Protects Newborn Babies Studies show that vaccination against COVID during pregnancy provides a powerful safeguard for vulnerable infants too young to receive the vaccine on their own Shannon Hall

IVF Treatment in the U.S. May Be at Risk, Scientists Warn An Alabama court ruling that human embryos outside the uterus should be regarded as children has raised concerns among doctors and scientists about the future of the fertility treatment in vitro fertilization Mariana Lenharo; Nature magazine

Earth Is Drowning in Plastic. Can an International Treaty Help? A marine scientist discusses the problem of plastic pollution and her hopes for an international treaty to tackle it Nicola Jones; Knowable Magazine

Three Experiments Could Help Electrify Big Trucks With a new EPA rule aiming to reduce carbon emissions from the biggest class of trucks in the U.S., companies are experimenting with  overhead cables and wireless road charging Francisco "A.J." Camacho; E&E News

Renewable Energy Shatters Records in the U.S. The U.S. has never had as much wind, solar and hydropower. But experts say it's not enough to meet future electricity demand Benjamin Storrow; E&E News

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