Meredith Whittaker, head of the encrypted messaging app Signal, criticized AI tools for their reliance on mass surveillance and control over our lives, during an interview with AFP on Thursday. Speaking at the VivaTech conference in Paris, she argued that the enthusiasm for AI overlooks its dependence on extensive data collection, a practice rooted in the 1990s US tech industry’s business model. Whittaker, a former … Continue reading AI Relies On Mass Surveillance

Automated fast food restaurant CaliExpress by Flippy opened in Pasadena, California, in January with much fanfare for its robot burger makers. However, it also introduced an innovative payment method using facial recognition technology from PopID. Customers register with a selfie and can then pay by having their face scanned for verification. This technology is not unique to CaliExpress; in January, Steak ‘N Shake began installing … Continue reading With JPMorgan, Mastercard on board in biometric payment options

OpenAI recently confirmed the dissolution of its team dedicated to addressing the potential risks associated with highly advanced artificial intelligence. The process of disbanding the group, known as “superalignment,” began weeks ago, with its members being reassigned to other projects within the organization. Notably, OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever and team co-leader Jan Leike have announced their departure from the company. This move comes amidst growing … Continue reading OpenAI disbands team devoted to risks

During a major military exercise with Cambodian troops, the Chinese military showcased robot dogs equipped with machine guns, as reported by Agence France-Presse. The 15-day drill, named “Golden Dragon,” took place in central Cambodia and off its coast, where journalists observed the robodogs being walked but not firing their weapons. This display highlights the potential future of warfare involving armed autonomous machines, a development experts … Continue reading Beijing Shows Off Robot Dogs Armed With Machine Guns

In the rapidly advancing field of humanoid robots, the Astribot S1 from China is making waves with its remarkable speed and precision. Created by Stardust Intelligence, the S1 can move at 32.8 feet per second and handle 22 pounds per arm. Its impressive dexterity allows it to perform tasks such as shaving a cucumber, engaging in calligraphy, pouring wine, flipping sandwiches, ironing, and folding laundry. … Continue reading Freak robot made in China can learn, think, work like humans

Cruise, the autonomous vehicle company backed by General Motors, has cautiously resumed its testing operations in Phoenix, Arizona, following a serious pedestrian-dragging incident in San Francisco. The incident, which occurred last October, led to accusations from regulators and significant setbacks for the company. Cruise initially resumed testing with manually driven vehicles but has now deployed two autonomous vehicles with safety drivers in Phoenix. The company … Continue reading Cruise Resumes Robotaxi Testing in Phoenix After Incident of Dragging Pedestrian

Artificial intelligence (AI) is advancing rapidly, aiming to mimic human behavior, including deception. A study from the Center for AI Safety in San Francisco highlights the risks of AI deception and suggests potential solutions. While the philosophical debate about AI beliefs and desires persists, the study emphasizes observable behaviors indicating AI’s capacity for deception. AI systems, such as large language models (LLMs) like GPT-4, have … Continue reading Artificial Intelligence Trained To Deceive Humans

Introducing the Quadroin AUV, a revolutionary aquatic robot crafted by German underwater technology firm EvoLogics. Inspired by the agile swimming of penguins, this autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) takes its cues from the PingGuin, EvoLogics’ experimental predecessor from 2020. Rooted in Dr. Rudolf Bannasch’s research on Adélie penguins’ movement, the Quadroin marks the culmination of a journey that began with the AquaPenguin in 2009. The latest … Continue reading Penguin-inspired robot explores sea using AI

The United States Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) is reportedly utilizing rifle-equipped “robot dogs,” making them a pioneering force within the U.S. military. Onyx Industries, the supplier of the gun system, confirmed the deployment of two such robotic dogs equipped with Onyx’s SENTRY remote weapon system. These dogs are engaged in tasks like tunnel work and perimeter security, utilizing the Vision 60 quadrupedal unmanned … Continue reading Rifle-Armed Robot Dogs Now Being Tested By Marine Special Operators

A recent report from Forbes, citing the U.S. Army, reveals that the U.S. military has been utilizing drones to counter enemy drones in the Middle East, marking the first official acknowledgment of such tactics by the Pentagon. Doug Bush, head of acquisitions for the U.S. Army, noted that lasers have proven effective “in some cases” against certain threats, albeit without providing specific details. While the … Continue reading U.S. Military Shot Down Drones With Lasers in Middle East: Report

Amazon has significantly expanded its fleet of robots in recent years to enhance its warehouse operations, doubling the number from 350,000 in 2021 to 750,000 by June last year. The company, claiming to be the world’s largest industrial robot manufacturer, has deployed a variety of robots with unique names like Robin, Sparrow, Proteus, Hercules, and Sequoia, each serving specific functions in sorting, moving, and handling … Continue reading Amazon’s warehouse robot army keeps getting bigger and bigger

Engineers from Princeton and North Carolina State University have developed a soft robot that navigates mazes effortlessly by integrating ancient paper-folding techniques with modern materials science. Unlike traditional steering systems that compromise flexibility, this robot incorporates its steering mechanism directly into its body. The researchers describe their creation, comprised of modular cylindrical segments, in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. These segments, capable … Continue reading Engineers create a caterpillar-shaped robot that splits into segments, reassembles, hauls and crawls

Microsoft has identified a new threat called “Dirty Stream,” exposing Android apps to potential attacks allowing them to overwrite files in another app’s directory. This exploit stems from improper use of Android’s content provider system, which manages data sharing between apps. Vulnerable implementations of custom intents can bypass security measures, leading to arbitrary code execution or data theft. Microsoft’s research found numerous vulnerable apps in … Continue reading Microsoft warns of “Dirty Stream” attack impacting Android apps

Last year, an AI engineer at Amazon faced an unexpected deadline over the weekend, disrupting plans with friends visiting from out of town. This scenario, familiar to many in the field, highlighted the pressures of the AI industry. Engineers across Big Tech companies, including Google and Microsoft, described the intense pace and constant pivots in projects, driven by the fear of falling behind competitors in … Continue reading AI engineers report burnout and rushed rollouts

Law enforcement agencies and prosecutors across the United States are increasingly utilizing a little-known artificial intelligence tool called Cybercheck to aid in the investigation, charging, and conviction of suspects involved in serious crimes like murder and human trafficking. However, as its usage expands, defense attorneys have raised concerns about its reliability and transparency. The software, developed by Adam Mosher, claims to leverage machine learning to … Continue reading An AI tool used in thousands of criminal cases is facing legal challenges

Luxury sports car manufacturer Ferrari has introduced two new models, the 12Cilindri and the 12Cilindri Spider, targeting enthusiasts of high-performance petrol engines. Unveiled at an event in Miami, these models signify Ferrari’s initial releases of the year, following five launches in 2023, as the company continues its strategy of introducing new models to engage its affluent clientele. Despite the industry’s push towards electrification, Ferrari remains … Continue reading Ferrari appeals to traditional base with two new V12 cars

Engineers at the Pentagon have developed a formidable autonomous tank as part of the Robotic Autonomy in Complex Environments with Resiliency (RACER) program. This 12-ton behemoth boasts impressive features including glowing green eyes, a top speed of 25 miles per hour, and the ability to navigate rough terrain autonomously. Standing at 20 feet in length, the tank is equipped to traverse challenging landscapes like heavy … Continue reading US government shows off massive AI-powered robot tank with green eyes

Microsoft is expanding its involvement in general-purpose robotics AI through strategic investments and partnerships. Following a substantial Series B funding round for Figure, the tech giant has now announced a collaboration with Sanctuary AI, a key competitor in the field. This partnership underscores Microsoft’s focus on artificial general intelligence, aiming to develop humanoid robots capable of learning and reasoning like humans. Sanctuary’s expertise in designing … Continue reading Microsoft taps Sanctuary AI for general-purpose robot research

Sam’s Club is revolutionizing the checkout experience by introducing AI-powered technology to verify purchases as members exit, replacing traditional receipt checks. This innovation has been implemented in 120 Sam’s Club locations nationwide, with over half of customers opting to use it, resulting in a 23% faster exit process. Initially showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show, the AI technology is slated for installation in all nearly … Continue reading Sam’s Club to roll out AI checkout technology across all stores soon

A powerful chatbot, dubbed gpt2-chatbot, briefly surfaced on the LMSYS Org website, catching the attention of users due to its remarkable capabilities comparable to OpenAI’s GPT-4. Despite its brief appearance, the origins of this mysterious AI system remain unknown, fueling speculation and intrigue among enthusiasts. LMSYS Org attributed the system’s disappearance to unexpected high traffic, hinting at a possible broader release in the future, the … Continue reading Mysterious, incredibly powerful AI system appears on the internet then disappears

Ukraine has introduced an AI-generated spokeswoman named Victoria, who will deliver official statements on behalf of its foreign ministry. Despite being digitally created, the statements will be written and verified by humans. Victoria Shi, dressed in a suit, was unveiled in a social media presentation, gesturing and speaking with lifelike movements. While her appearance and voice are based on a real person, Rosalie Nombre, she … Continue reading Ukraine unveils AI-generated foreign ministry spokeswoman

President Joe Biden signed a bill into law on Wednesday that allocates funding for Israel to acquire a directed energy system known as Iron Beam. The Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2024 provides $26.4 billion to support Israel’s defense efforts against Iran and its proxies, as well as to reimburse U.S. military operations in response to recent attacks. Of this amount, $1.2 billion is … Continue reading US to give Israel $1.2B for Iron Beam laser weapon

Advocates gathered at the Massachusetts State House to rally support for a bill aimed at prohibiting the weaponization of robots and drones. Among them was Boston Dynamics, showcasing their robot dog, Spot, to demonstrate its capabilities. In 2022, Boston Dynamics and five other robotics firms committed to a pledge against weaponizing their advanced-mobility robots, setting the stage for the current legislative push. The proposed responsible … Continue reading Boston Dynamics Pushes Lawmakers To Ban Weaponization Of Robots

Sanctuary AI, a Canadian robotics company, is making strides in the humanoid robotics field with its seventh-generation Phoenix line. Unlike some competitors focused on mechatronics, Sanctuary emphasizes the humanoid robot’s upper body movements and learning capabilities. While current robots may not possess “general intelligence” akin to humans, they can rapidly learn new tasks, with Sanctuary claiming its latest Phoenix model can automate tasks within 24 … Continue reading Sanctuary’s new humanoid robot learns faster and costs less

Hisense, known for its innovative Laser TV concept, is also making waves with standalone ultra short throw (UST) projectors. The brand introduces its latest model, the PX3-PRO, as a premium UST projector for the 2024 season. Equipped with a TriChroma triple-laser projection system and Hisense’s advanced laser processing engine, the PX3-PRO boasts features like real-time Pro AI Algorithms for brightness enhancement, contrast fine-tuning, and noise … Continue reading Hisense Unveils New 4K Ultra Short Throw Laser Projector For Home Theater