For decades, humankind steeled itself for the rise of thinking machines. As we marveled at their ability to beat chess champions and predict protein structures, we also recoiled from their inherent uncanniness, not to mention the threats to our sense of humanity. (Campbell, Chow & Perrigo, TIME)
Read MoreThere were 1,987 applications for gender recognition certificates (GRCs) received in the year to September, the highest for any 12-month period. There were 730 applications between April and June, government figures show, the highest quarterly number since recording of official data in this area began in 2009. (Scott, The TImes UK)
Read MoreDisgruntled Gen-Z protesters, who have toppled governments and rattled rulers across the world this year, have claimed their first European victory. Bulgaria’s government collapsed Thursday following a wave of youth-driven street protests over entrenched corruption and self-dealing elites widely seen as disconnected from the struggles of ordinary citizens. (Kantchev, The Wall Street Journal)
Read More[The} future of the months-old Riverstone Academy is in jeopardy, following pushback from Colorado officials. The school’s commitment to a “Christian foundation” is being challenged by the state’s education department, which said it will demand to be reimbursed if it finds the elementary school’s religious teachings make it ineligible for public support. (Lumpkin, The Washington Post)
Read MoreIn the months leading up to last year’s presidential election, more than 2,000 Americans, roughly split across partisan lines, were recruited for an experiment: Could an AI model influence their political inclinations? The premise was straightforward—let people spend a few minutes talking with a chatbot designed to stump for Kamala Harris or Donald Trump, then see if their voting preferences changed at all. (Wong, The Atlantic)
Read MoreTilly Norwood, an “actress” built with artificial intelligence, comes from humble beginnings, popping into the mind of Eline Van der Velden while the producer was in the restroom at London’s private Groucho Club. By the time Van der Velden got home, her mind was made up: She was going to make the first AI movie star. (Gamerman, The Wall Street Journal)
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