Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Tech: Should we let ChatGPT talk to aliens?

July 23—This week, astronauts in zero gravity can boil water using this new device, SpaceX's plans to use a souped-up cargo capsule to deorbit the ISS, and the case for calling BS when ChatGPT generates nonsense. All that and more this week!

--Ben Guarino, Associate Editor, Technology


Artificial Intelligence Will Let Humanity Talk to Alien Civilizations

Large language models may enable real-time communication with extraterrestrial civilizations despite the vast distances between stars. We need to start thinking about what to tell them about us

Worldwide Tech Outage Started with Defective Crowdstrike Update to Microsoft Windows

An issue with a commonly used security software called Crowdstrike shuttered large technology systems around the globe, including airlines, transit systems and stock exchanges

How SpaceX Will Turn a Workhorse Vehicle into a Hulking Destroyer of Space Stations

SpaceX will supercharge its Dragon capsule to send the International Space Station to a watery retirement

What to Know about Project 2025's Dangers to Science

Project 2025 would jeopardize federal scientists' independence and undermine their influence

Boiling Macaroni in Space? You'll Need a Weirdly Shaped Pot

Astronauts still survive on freeze-dried meals. Could better food, aided by cooking gadgets designed to be used in microgravity, help them to thrive?

ChatGPT Isn't 'Hallucinating'—It's Bullshitting!

It's important that we use accurate terminology when discussing how AI chatbots make up information

Blasting Virtual Aliens Could Help Dyslexic Kids Parse Words

Children at risk of dyslexia who played Space Invaders Extreme 2 showed improvement at a word-identification task

Massive CrowdStrike Tech Outage Highlights Global Vulnerabilities

Companies and governments alike need to step up cybersecurity practices in the wake of massive technology failures associated with a CrowdStrike update

Paris Olympics Will Be a Training Ground for AI-Powered Mass Surveillance

In the run-up to the Paris 2024 Olympics, the French government has authorized wide-reaching use of AI software in security surveillance feeds

Scientist Pankaj

Today in Science: Humans think unbelievably slowly

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