Tuesday, July 9, 2024

Tech: Keeping AI out of weapons systems

July 9—This week, drones are reshaping search and rescue missions, a low-tech way to help frogs fend off fungal disease, and how "digital twins" refine swimming techniques for Olympic athletes. Enjoy!

--Ben Guarino, Associate Editor, Technology


The Head of NASA Science Spent a Whole Weekend Building a LEGO Rocket

Scientific American sat down with Nicola Fox, head of NASA science, to talk about her LEGO-building hobby, the agency's massive Space Launch System rocket and the NASA science she's most excited about

'Digital Twins' Give Olympic Swimmers a Boost

In the Paris 2024 summer Olympics, swimmers will be guided by their digital twin. Here's how they work to help the fastest swimmers break records

Drones Are Doing the Dirty, Dangerous Work of Search and Rescue

As drones get less expensive and computer vision systems improve, rescuers are getting help from artificial eyes in the sky

We Cannot Cede Control of Weapons to Artificial Intelligence

I watched United Nations delegates debate AI-based weapons that can fire without human initiation. Humans cannot be taken out of that decision-making

'Frog Saunas' Could Protect Species from Devastating Fungal Disease

A low-tech immune boost may help some species of frogs survive a brutal fungal disease that's already ended 90 species

From Diagnosing Brain Disorders to Cognitive Enhancement, 100 Years of EEG Have Transformed Neuroscience

The EEG has shaped researchers' understanding of cognition for everything from perception to memory

A Combination COVID and Flu Vaccine Is Coming Soon

The first large trial of a COVID and flu vaccine combo suggests it boosts immune protection even more than single-target shots

New Supreme Court Decisions Jeopardize Efforts to Curb Pollution and Climate Change

Four recent Supreme Court decisions will together make it much harder for the federal government to take action on climate change

Scientist Pankaj

Today in Science: Surgeons spare patient's "chess brain"

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