Tag Archives: Advancement

Mathematicians Announce Significant Impact of Google’s AI Tools on Research Advancement

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AI aids mathematicians in solving diverse problems

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The AI tools created by Google DeepMind are proving to be remarkably effective in aiding mathematical research, and experts believe this could initiate a wave of AI-driven mathematical breakthroughs on an unprecedented scale.

In May, Google unveiled an AI system named AlphaEvolve, which may reveal new algorithms and formulas. This system generates numerous potential solutions through Google’s AI chatbot Gemini, which then feeds them into a distinct AI evaluator. This evaluator filters out nonsensical outputs that chatbots are prone to produce. During initial tests, Google researchers pitted AlphaEvolve against over 50 unresolved mathematical problems, and discovered that it accurately rediscovered the most prominent solutions established by humans in approximately three-quarters of the cases.

Recently, Terrence Tao and his team at UCLA assessed the system using 67 more rigorous and extensive mathematical research queries. They found that AlphaEvolve did more than merely revisit old solutions; in certain instances, it could generate improved resolutions suitable for integration into other AI systems, like a more resource-intensive version of Gemini or AlphaProof, the AI that secured a gold medal in this year’s International Mathematics Olympiad, to craft new mathematical proofs.

Tao noted that it’s challenging to gauge overall effectiveness, as the problems differ in their complexities. However, the system consistently operated much faster than any individual mathematician.

“Addressing these 67 problems through traditional methods would require us to design a specific optimization algorithm for each task. That would take years and we might never have initiated this project at all. This initiative offers a chance to engage in mathematics on a previously unseen scale,” Tao states.

AlphaEvolve is particularly adept at solving what are known as optimization problems. These encompass tasks like determining the optimal figures, formulas, or objects that best resolve specific challenges. For instance, calculating the maximum number of hexagons that can occupy a defined area.

While the system is capable of addressing optimization problems across various branches of mathematics, such as number theory and geometry, these still represent “only a small fraction of all the problems that mathematicians are interested in,” according to Tao. Nonetheless, the power of AlphaEvolve is such that mathematicians might attempt to reformulate non-optimization problems into solvable forms for AI. “These tools offer a fresh perspective for tackling these issues,” he adds.

A potential drawback, however, as Tao explains, is that the system sometimes tends to “cheat” by producing answers that seem correct but utilize loopholes or methods that don’t genuinely solve the problems. “It’s akin to administering a test to a group of exceptionally bright yet morally ambiguous students who will do whatever it takes to score highly,” he remarks.

Even with its flaws, AlphaEvolve’s achievements are garnering interest from a broader segment of the mathematical community that might have previously leaned towards more general AI solutions such as ChatGPT, according to team member Javier Gomez Serrano from Brown University. Although AlphaEvolve isn’t publicly accessible yet, numerous mathematicians have expressed interest in testing it.

“There’s definitely a growing curiosity and openness to employing these tools,” asserts Gomez Serrano. “Everyone is eager to discover their potential. Interest in the mathematical community has surged compared to a year or two ago.”

Tao believes that such AI systems alleviate some of the burdens of mathematical work, allowing researchers to focus on other areas. “Mathematicians are few in number globally, making it infeasible to consider every problem. However, there exists a multitude of mid-level difficulties where tools like AlphaEvolve are particularly effective,” he notes.

Jeremy Avigado, a researcher at Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania, observes that machine learning methods are increasingly beneficial to mathematicians. “The next step is enhancing collaboration between computer scientists skilled in machine learning tools and mathematicians with domain-specific knowledge,” he emphasizes.

“We aspire to witness more outcomes like this in the future and identify methods to extend this approach into more abstract mathematical fields.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Neuroscience Experts Warn That Investors’ “Foolish Transhumanist Ideas” May Impede Neurotechnology Advancement

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It has been an exciting year for neurotechnology, if one overlooks the interests of its investors. A small brain transplant yielded positive results in August, as researchers decoded the inner thoughts of a paralyzed patient. In October, a procedure restored vision to individuals who had lost their eyesight.

Experts believe the field could benefit from reduced involvement from its high-profile investors, such as Elon Musk and Sam Altman from OpenAI, who are preoccupied with notions of brain uploading and merging with AI.

“It significantly skews the conversation,” noted Marcello Ienca, a neuroethics professor at the Technical University of Munich. “There are ongoing worries about the narratives they propagate.”

Michael Hendricks, a professor of neurobiology at McGill University, remarked that “wealthy individuals fascinated by unrealistic transhumanist dreams” are clouding public perception of neurotechnology’s potential. “While Neuralink is genuinely developing technology for neuroscience, Musk’s comments on topics like telepathy create confusion.”

Over recent years, Silicon Valley companies have increased their investments in neurotechnology, with Altman co-founding Merge Labs, a competitor to Musk’s Neuralink, in August. Firms like Apple and Meta are both in the process of creating wearable devices that utilize neural data, such as a Meta wristband for brainwave monitoring and headphones by Apple.

Ienca asserts that most major tech companies in the U.S. have ongoing research into neurotechnology, such as Google’s Neural Mapping project and Meta’s acquisition of Ctrl Labs. “Neurotech is quickly entering the mainstream,” he observed.

While these technologies show promise for the immediate treatment of various neurological disorders, including ALS, Parkinson’s disease, and paralysis, concerns arise regarding whether investors genuinely aim to cure these ailments.

Musk has indicated that brain-computer interfaces like Neuralink might someday enable people to “upload” their consciousness. Altman remains reticent on the subject yet speaks of “memories” and the potential to “download them into a new or robotic body.” He mentioned on his blog that the anticipated “fusion” of humans and machines could occur through genetic engineering or “implanting electrodes into the brain.” Notably, in 2018, Altman invested in a “100% lethal” brain-uploading startup and paid $10,000 to join its waiting list.

To clarify, both Hendricks and Ienca state that technologies such as brain uploading are still far from being realized, if feasible at all in the foreseeable future. “Biological systems are not akin to computers,” Hendricks emphasized.

Some worry that these ambitions might impede tangible health advancements, potentially leading to regulations that stifle innovation due to fear.




Elon Musk mentioned that individuals “may upload” their memories and “download them into a new or robotic body.” Photo: Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters

Kristen Matthews, a mental privacy attorney at the Cooley law firm in the U.S., commented on this phenomenon: “Overhyping in science fiction can lead to regulations that obstruct technology advancements capable of genuinely aiding those in need.”

Neuroscientist Hervé Schneweis criticized this as “entirely unrealistic and obscuring genuine inquiries.” He chaired an expert committee that advised UNESCO on global standards for neurotechnology, which were adopted recently.

The current landscape of neurotechnology features three distinct categories. The first encompasses medical devices, such as a brain implant that decodes speech and Neuralink’s electronic chip that allows a man with a spinal cord injury to control a computer. The second includes consumer wearables like EEG earbuds and, more broadly, devices such as Apple’s VisionPro that track eye movements.

Lastly, there are the speculative projects like Nectome, a brain-uploading startup, and Kernel, which aims to connect the brain to a computer, alongside Neuralink’s latest initiatives. trademarking their concept of telepathy.

The first category promises the most significant breakthroughs, such as restoring vision and hearing as well as treating neurodegenerative and possibly psychiatric conditions. However, these medical devices are subject to stringent regulations and are not as advanced as reported by sensationalist media. A recent study criticized “misleading advertisements” surrounding brain-computer interfaces, asserting that the technology remains in its infancy at the outer edges of human neuroscience.

The second category, consumer wearables, presents more complex regulatory challenges. There have been numerous reports of brain-measuring devices breaching privacy, including widely discussed brainwave-monitoring helmets in China purportedly observing construction site laborers. It’s unclear whether these truly enhance productivity or pose legitimate monitoring risks.

“The robustness of the evidence supporting such systems is quite limited, with few studies being reproducible,” Ienca stated.

Hendricks added that devices like the EEG earphones sold by firms such as Emotiv are unlikely to function as effective surveillance tools due to the unreliable nature of the data, akin to the signals produced by a lie detector.

Nevertheless, Schneweis contends that these tools invoke genuine concerns: “If implemented in workplaces, they could monitor mental fatigue, and such data could lead to discrimination.”

On the other hand, speculative applications often rely on the assumption that healthy individuals willingly undergo invasive brain implants to facilitate communication with computers or telekinetic abilities.

This outcome seems improbable. If such advancements occur, they might trigger surveillance concerns. However, Hendricks expressed skepticism regarding the utility of such monitoring, suggesting it would offer no more valuable information than the detailed data tech giants already collect, including web browsing history and purchase information.

“Numerous methods exist to influence individuals using straightforward language and visual mediums,” Hendricks noted. “I doubt [that brain implants] will catch up any time soon.”

Regarding brain uploading, Hendricks believes the concept is rooted in a flawed understanding of technology, wherein individuals perceive the brain as hardware and consciousness as software that can be executed on it, a computer, or a robot.

“If I could truly upload myself to a computer and achieve immortality, I’d be inclined to end my life as long as someone assured me, ‘Oh, you’ll just reside in a metal box over there,'” he commented. “But I doubt many would take that risk. We instinctively recognize it as nonsensical.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Gene-Edited Pigs Resistant to Swine Fever: A Potential Advancement for Animal Welfare

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Gene-edited pigs exhibit resistance to swine fever

Simon Lillico

By making a few genetic modifications, pigs can be rendered entirely resistant to swine fever, a significant issue for farmers globally. This gene editing could also confer resistance to related viruses in cattle and sheep.

The widespread adoption of gene-edited pigs resistant to swine fever is expected to enhance animal welfare, boost productivity, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and lower retail prices. “This will foster sustainable livestock production and promote the well-being of pigs,” asserts Helen Crook from the UK Animal and Plant Health Agency.

Swine fever is a highly contagious viral illness that can lead to symptoms ranging from fever to diarrhea and miscarriage, often resulting in significant pig mortality.

While the disease has been eliminated in many regions, it can resurface. For instance, in 1997, the Netherlands culled 6 million pigs to contain an outbreak, and Japan has faced ongoing challenges since 2018.

Typically, when outbreaks occur, livestock are protected using vaccines containing live, weakened virus strains, which is a complex and costly process. “Vaccination demands extensive coordination and oversight,” mentions Christine Tate-Burkard from the University of Edinburgh, UK.

Countries utilizing vaccinations face restrictions when exporting to disease-free areas. Interruptions in vaccination programs can also lead to outbreaks, as seen recently in the Philippines, explains Tate-Burkard.

Nevertheless, the classic swine fever virus has a vulnerability. The viral protein bundles formed from long chains of amino acids must be cleaved into functional pieces, relying on specific pig proteins for this process.

By altering a single amino acid in this pig protein, referred to as DNAJC14, it may be possible to obstruct this cleavage. Tait-Burkard and colleagues employed CRISPR gene editing to create pigs with this minor modification.

Subsequently, the team sent some of these pigs to a secure facility, where Crook’s group introduced the live swine virus intranasally. All typical pigs fell ill, while the gene-edited pigs showed no signs of infection. There were no symptoms, antibodies, nor detectable virus.

“These pigs demonstrated complete resistance to viral replication and remained healthy and content throughout the experiment,” states Crook.

This research was partially sponsored by Genus, a major international breeding company currently evaluating the commercialization of these pigs.

Genus has previously developed gene-edited pigs resistant to another significant disease, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome, which are already approved in the United States, Brazil, and other nations. The company awaits approvals in Mexico, Canada, and Japan—key export markets for the U.S.—before it can start selling semen to farmers.

When used to implement small changes that can naturally occur, gene editing often faces less stringent regulations compared to traditional genetic engineering. Japan has already sanctioned three types of gene-edited fish.

The UK is anticipated to begin approving gene-edited plants soon, although regulations for livestock are yet to be finalized. It is expected that these regulations will prioritize animal welfare.

The research team observed no adverse effects in the swine fever-resistant pigs, according to Simon Lillico and colleagues from the University of Edinburgh, although further research is necessary to confirm these findings.

He emphasizes that traditional breeding lacks such welfare considerations. “It would be beneficial to ensure a level playing field,” he remarks. “We are aware that some conventionally reared animals experience low welfare standards.”

A virus closely related to classical swine fever is responsible for causing bovine viral diarrhea in cattle and borderline disease in sheep. While these diseases are not lethal, they still impact welfare and productivity. The Edinburgh research team is presently examining whether modifications made to pigs will also benefit cattle and sheep.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

The 6100-Qubit Device: A Major Leap Towards Quantum Computing Advancement

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Quantum computers can be developed using arrays of atoms

Alamy Stock Vector

Devices boasting over 6000 qubits are setting new records and represent the initial phase of constructing the largest quantum computer ever.

At present, there isn’t a universally accepted design for creating quantum computers. However, researchers assert that these machines need to incorporate at least tens of thousands of qubits to be truly functional. The current record holder is a quantum computer utilizing 1180 qubits, with Hannah Manetsch from the California Institute of Technology and her team endeavoring to build a 6100 qubit system.

These qubits are made from neutral cesium atoms that are chilled to near absolute zero and manipulated using a laser beam, all arranged neatly on a grid. According to Manetsch, they have fine-tuned the properties of these qubits to enhance their suitability for calculations, although they have yet to carry them out.

For instance, they modify the laser’s frequency and power to help the fragile qubits maintain their quantum state, thus ensuring the grid’s stability for more precise calculations and extended runtimes of the quantum machine. The research team also assessed how efficiently the lasers could shift qubits around within the array, as noted by Ellie Bataille at the California Institute of Technology.

“This is a remarkable demonstration of the straightforward scaling potential that neutral atoms present,” he remarks. Ben Bloom from Atom Computing also employs neutral atoms in their technologies.

Mark Suffman from the University of Wisconsin-Madison emphasizes that new experiments are vital, providing proof that neutral atomic quantum computers can achieve significant sizes. However, further experimental validation is necessary before considering these setups as fully developed quantum computers.

Research teams are currently investigating optimal methods for enabling qubits to perform calculations while employing error-reduction strategies, mentions Kon Leung at the California Institute of Technology. Ultimately, they envision scaling their systems to 1 million qubits over the next decade, he states.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

The Limited Advantages of GPT-5 Indicate a Slowdown in AI Advancement

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GPT-5 is the latest version of OpenAI’s flagship language model

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OpenAI has recently unveiled GPT-5, their latest AI model, marking another step in AI evolution rather than a dramatic breakthrough. Following the successful rollout of GPT-4, which significantly advanced ChatGPT’s capabilities and influence, the improvements found in GPT-5 seem marginal, indicating that innovative strategies may be needed to achieve further advancements in artificial intelligence.

OpenAI has described GPT-5 as a notable advancement over its predecessor, boasting enhancements in areas such as programming, mathematics, writing, healthcare, and visual comprehension. The company claims a reduction in the incidence of “hallucinations,” instances where AI generates incorrect information as factual. According to their internal metrics, GPT-5 claims to excel in complex and economically significant tasks across various professions, asserting it matches or exceeds expert-level performance.

Notably, however, GPT-5’s results on public benchmarks are less competitive when compared with leading models from other companies, such as Anthropic’s Claude and Google’s Gemini. Although it has improved from GPT-4, the enhancements are subtler than the leap observed between GPT-3 and GPT-4. Numerous users have expressed dissatisfaction with GPT-5’s performance, citing instances where it struggled with straightforward queries, leading to a chorus of disappointment on social media.

“Many were expecting a major breakthrough, but it seems more like an upgrade,” remarked Mirela Rapata from the University of Edinburgh. “There’s a sense of incremental progress.”

OpenAI has disclosed limited details regarding the internal benchmarks for GPT-5’s performance, making it challenging to assess them scientifically, according to Anna Rogers from the University of Copenhagen.

In a pre-release press briefing, Altman emphasized, “It feels like engaging with an expert on any topic, comparable to a PhD-level specialist.” Yet, Rogers pointed out that benchmarks do not substantiate such claims, and the correlation between advanced degrees and intelligence is questionable. “Highly intelligent individuals do not always hold PhDs, nor does a PhD guarantee superior intelligence,” she noted.

The modest advancements in GPT-5 may reflect broader challenges within the AI development community. Once believed to be an inexorable progression, the capabilities of large-scale language models (LLMs) seem to be plateauing, as recent results have not supported the prior assumptions that increased training data and computational power would lead to significant enhancements. As Lapata noted, “Now that everyone has adopted similar approaches, it’s evident that we’re following a predictable recipe, utilizing vast amounts of pre-training data and refining it during the post-training phase.”

However, whether LLMs are nearing a plateau remains uncertain, as technical design specifics about models like GPT-5 are not widely known, according to Nicos Aretra from the University of Sheffield. “It’s premature to claim that large-scale language models have reached their limits without concrete technical insights.”

OpenAI is also exploring alternative methods to enhance their offerings, such as the new routing system in GPT-5. Unlike previous versions where users could select from various models, GPT-5 intelligently assesses requests and directs them to the appropriate model based on the required computational power.

This strategy could potentially be more widely adopted, as Lapata mentions, “The reasoning model demands significant computation, which is both time-consuming and costly.” Yet, this shift has frustrated some ChatGPT users, prompting Altman to indicate that efforts are underway to enhance the routing process.

Another OpenAI model has recently achieved remarkable scores in elite mathematics and coding contests, hinting at a promising future for AI. This accomplishment was beyond the capabilities of leading AI models just a year ago. Although details on its functioning remain scarce, OpenAI staff have stated that this success implies the model possesses improved general reasoning skills.

These competitions allow us to evaluate models on data not encountered during training, according to Aletras, but they still represent a narrow aspect of intelligence. Enhanced performance in one domain may detrimentally affect results in others, warns Lapata.

GPT-5 has notably improved in pricing, as it is now significantly cheaper compared to other models—e.g., Claude models are approximately ten times more expensive when processing an equal volume of requests. However, this could lead to financial issues for OpenAI if revenue is insufficient to sustain the high costs of developing and operating new data centers. “Pricing is extraordinary. It’s so inexpensive; I’m uncertain how they can sustain it,” remarked Lapata.

Competition among leading AI models is intense. The first company to launch a superior model could secure a substantial market share. “All major companies are vying for dominance, which is a challenging endeavor,” noted Rapata. “You’ve only held the crown for three months.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

OpenAI Declares Latest ChatGPT Upgrade a Significant Advancement, Yet Still Falls Short of Human Capability

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OpenAI asserts that the recent upgrade to ChatGPT marks a “significant step” towards achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI), yet recognizes that there is still no “many” in the endeavor to create a system capable of performing human tasks.

The company claims that the GPT-5 model, which serves as the foundation of its innovative AI chatbot, represents a substantial improvement over previous iterations in areas like coding and creative writing, with significantly fewer sycophants.

The enhancements in ChatGPT are now available to over 1 million weekly users.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman referred to the model as a “significant step forward” in reaching the theoretical state of AGI, which is characterized as a highly autonomous system that can outperform humans in economically significant roles.

However, Altman conceded that GPT-5 has not yet attained that objective. “[It is] missing something very crucial, something very important,” he noted, emphasizing that the model cannot “learn on a continuous basis.”

Altman explained that while GPT-5 is “generally intelligent” and represents an “important step towards AGI,” most definitions indicate it has not reached that level yet.

“I believe the way we define AGI is significantly lacking, which is quite crucial. One major aspect… is that this model doesn’t adapt continuously based on new experiences.”

During the GPT-5 launch event on Thursday, Altman described the new version of ChatGPT as akin to having “doctoral experts in your pocket.” He compared the previous version to a college student and the one before that to a high school student.

The theoretical capabilities of AGI, along with high-tech companies’ drive to realize it, have led AI executives to predict that numerous white-collar jobs—ranging from lawyers to accountants—could be eliminated due to these technological advances. Dario Amodei, CEO of AI firm Anthropic, cautioned that technology might replace half of entry-level office roles in the coming five years.

According to OpenAI, the key enhancements to GPT-5 include reduced factual inaccuracies and hallucinations, improved coding capabilities for creating functional websites and apps, and a boost in creative writing abilities. Instead of outright “rejecting” prompts that violate guidelines, the model now aims to provide the most constructive response possible within safety parameters, or at least clarify why it cannot assist.

ChatGPT retains its agent functionalities (like checking restaurant availability and online shopping) but can also access users’ Gmail, Google Calendar, and contacts—provided permission is granted.

Similar to its predecessor, GPT-5 can generate audio, images, and text, and is capable of processing inquiries in these formats.

On Thursday, the company showcased how GPT-5 could swiftly write hundreds of lines of code to create applications, such as language learning tools. Staff noted that the model’s writing isn’t robotic; it produced a “more nuanced” compliment. Altman mentioned that ChatGPT could also be valuable for healthcare advice, discussing ways to support women diagnosed with cancer last year and assisting chatbots in deciding on radiation therapy options.

The company stated that the upgraded ChatGPT excels at addressing health-related inquiries and will become more proactive in “flagging potential concerns,” including serious physical and mental health issues.

The startup emphasized that chatbots should not replace professional assistance, amidst worries that AI tools could worsen the plight of individuals susceptible to mental health challenges.

Nick Turley, director of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, claimed that the model shows “significant improvement” in sycophancy. It’s becoming too familiar, which could lead to negative experiences for users.

The release of the latest model is expected to funnel billions into tech companies’ efforts to attain AGI. On Tuesday, Google’s AI division outlined its latest progress towards AGI by unveiling an unreleased “world model,” while last week, Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of parent company Meta, suggested that a future state of AI, even more advanced than AGI, is “on the horizon.”

Investor confidence in the likelihood of further breakthroughs and AI’s ability to reshape the modern economy has sparked a surge in valuations for companies like OpenAI. Reports on Wednesday indicated that OpenAI was in preliminary talks to sell shares held by current and former employees, potentially valuing the company at $500 million, surpassing Elon Musk’s SpaceX.

OpenAI also launched two open models this week and continues to offer a free version of ChatGPT, while generating revenue through subscription fees for its advanced chatbot version, which can be integrated into business IT systems. Access to the free version of ChatGPT on GPT-5 will be limited, whereas users of the $200 Pro package will enjoy unlimited use.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Chimpanzees show signs of increasing technological advancement through their cultural development.

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Some chimpanzees use sticks to catch termites

Manoj Shah/Getty Images

Chimpanzees in the wild, just like humans, seem to learn skills from each other and improve their skills from generation to generation.

In particular, young females who migrate between groups bring cultural knowledge with them, allowing groups to combine new and existing techniques to become better at foraging. Such “accumulated culture” means that some chimpanzee communities are becoming more technologically advanced over time, even if very slowly, he says. Andrew Whiten At the University of St. Andrews, UK.

“If chimpanzees have cultural knowledge that the community they migrate to doesn’t have, they may pass it on in the same way they pass on genes,” he says. “And that’s where the culture is built.”

Scientists already knew that chimpanzees use tools in sophisticated ways and can pass on that knowledge to their offspring. However, compared to humans’ rapid technological development, chimpanzees did not seem to have advanced in previous technological innovations, Whiten said. The fact that chimpanzee tools are often made from biodegradable plants makes it difficult for scientists to track chimpanzee cultural evolution.

Cassandra Gunasekaram Researchers at the University of Zurich in Switzerland thought they might be able to apply genetic analysis to this puzzle. Male chimpanzees remain in their home regions, but young females leave their home communities to search for mates elsewhere. She wondered if these women were bringing their skill sets to the new group.

To find out, she and her colleagues obtained data from 240 chimpanzees representing all four subspecies. previously collected by other research groups At 35 research facilities in Africa. The data included precise information about what tools, if any, each animal used and their genetic connections over the past 15,000 years. “Genetics gives us a kind of time machine to see how culture was transmitted among chimpanzees in the past,” Whiten says. “It’s quite a revelation to have new insights like this.”

Some chimpanzees used complex combinations of tools to hunt termites, including drill rods and fishing brushes made by pulling plant stems between their teeth. The researchers found that even if they lived thousands of miles apart, chimpanzees with the most advanced tool sets had the same level of performance compared to chimpanzees that used simple tools or chimpanzees that did not use any tools at all. They found that they were three to five times more likely to share DNA. Also, the use of advanced tools is more strongly associated with women’s migration compared to the use of simple tools or no tool use.

“Our interpretation is that these complex toolsets were actually invented, perhaps building on earlier, simpler forms, so we learned from the community that first invented them and from all the others along the way. “We need to rely on women’s transmission to communities,” she says. Whitens the skin.

“This shows that complex tools rely on social interactions between groups, which is very surprising and interesting,” says Gunasekaram.

thibault gruber The University of Geneva professor said he was not surprised by the results, but said the definition of complex behavior was debatable. “Having worked with chimpanzees for 20 years, I would argue that cane use itself is complex,” he says.

For example, his own team discovered what is called a cumulative culture of chimpanzees that make sponges from moss instead of leaves. This is not very complicated, but Works more efficiently to absorb mineral-rich water from the clay pores.. “It’s not a matter of more complexity, it’s just that some technologies build on previously established technologies,” he says.

Gunasekaram says that cumulative culture in chimpanzees is still significantly slower than in humans, likely due to differences in chimpanzees’ cognitive abilities and lack of language skills. Additionally, chimpanzees interact far less with others outside their community than humans, and have fewer opportunities to share culture.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Sui collaborates with Google Cloud to drive Web3 advancement through improved security, scalability, and AI features

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Chainwire, Palo Alto, CA, April 30, 2024

The collaboration is focused on addressing key Web3 challenges through data-driven insights, AI-powered development tools, and zero-knowledge proofs.

SuiThe layer-1 blockchain and smart contract platform created and launched by the core research team responsible for building Facebook’s Libra and Diem projects is working with Google Cloud to support the future of Web3 through a partnership with Mysten Labs. I am. This joint effort will focus on enhancing security, scalability, developer tools, and user experience across a variety of Web3 and AI-powered applications.

Key initiatives of this partnership include:

  • Data-driven dApps
  • By integrating Sui’s blockchain data into the BigQuery public dataset, Google Cloud strengthens its commitment to the Sui development ecosystem, providing developers with powerful analytical tools, new insights and innovative dApps. unlocked the potential of
  • Development using AI
  • Sui used Vertex AI, Google Cloud’s generative AI platform, and trained it in the Move programming language to help Web3 developers debug and extend code generation.
  • Mysten Labs uses Google Cloud’s AI and cloud capabilities to create a new AI-based code audit tool. This tool identifies security vulnerabilities in Rust, Move, Typescript, and Solidity, enhancing security efforts to quickly identify and remediate vulnerable code.
  • Seamless user experience
  • Sui’s zkLogin technology is already demonstrating the potential of this collaboration, as it bridges some of the gap between traditional (Web2) and decentralized (Web3) applications. zkLogin is a basic cryptographic primitive that uses OAuth credentials from Google and other trusted Web2 platforms to enable frictionless authentication of crypto wallets and dApps on Sui.
  • Robust and scalable infrastructure
  • Sui leveraged Google Cloud’s globally scalable infrastructure to enhance network security and high transaction throughput. This integration ensures high performance and seamless scalability.

said Evan Cheng, CEO and co-founder of Mysten Labs. “Working with Google Cloud allows us to accelerate the development of secure, scalable, and user-centric Web3 experiences.” “Google Cloud’s infrastructure and cutting-edge AI capabilities complement Sui’s unique technological strengths. We enable developers of all types to create next-generation decentralized applications on Sui.”

Amit Zaveri, Vice President, General Manager, and Head of Platforms, Google Cloud. “Sui’s advanced blockchain technology and commitment to a user-friendly experience make Sui a valuable collaborator for Web3 and Web2 developers to deliver innovative applications that are easy to adopt. Masu.”

Google Cloud is also committed to supporting the Sui developer community. Web3 startup program. The initiative will provide resources such as Google Cloud credits, access to his Discord channel with Web3 experts, foundation grants, and global events, all of which will accelerate the development of innovative applications at Sui. It is designed to.

About Sui

Sui is a first-of-its-kind Layer 1 blockchain and smart contract platform designed from the bottom up to make digital asset ownership fast, private, secure, and accessible to everyone. An object-centric model based on the Move programming language enables parallel execution, sub-second finality, and rich on-chain assets. With horizontally scalable processing and storage, Sui supports a wide range of applications at low cost and unmatched speed. Sui is a step-function advancement in blockchain and a platform that allows creators and developers to build amazing user-friendly experiences. learn more: https://sui.io

About Misten Lab

Mysten Labs is a team of leading experts in distributed systems, programming languages, and cryptography, and its founders were senior executives and lead architects of pioneering blockchain projects. Mysten Labs’ mission is to create the foundational infrastructure for Web3. learn more: https://mystenlabs.com

About Google Cloud

Google Cloud is a new way to the cloud, offering AI, infrastructure, developer, data, security, and collaboration tools built for today and tomorrow. Google Cloud provides a powerful, fully integrated, and optimized AI stack with unique global infrastructure, custom-built chips, generative AI models and development platforms, and AI-powered applications to transform your organization. We support. Customers in more than 200 countries and territories rely on Google Cloud as their trusted technology partner.

contact

global communication manager
Lexi Wangler
Misten Institute
lexi.wangler@mystenlabs.com

Source: www.the-blockchain.com

“Miss AI: A supposed advancement that proves to be a major setback” – Arwa Mahdawi

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M
I eat Madame Potato. Although she doesn’t actually exist, she will hopefully become the world’s first “Miss AI”. I recently created an image of her on her website that generates AI faces and entered it into a beauty pageant. Now I’m sitting in hopes of winning $20,000 in prize money.

What kind of fresh hell is this? Well, unfortunately, AI beauty pageants are now trendy. A company called Fanvue, a subscription-based content creator platform similar to OnlyFans, recently partnered with the World AI Creator Awards (WAICA) to create the world’s first Miss AI” contest. A team of judges consisting of two humans and two virtual models will classify the AI-generated photos of women and select one woman to be crowned “Miss AI.” Winners will receive cash prizes and the chance to monetize their work on Fanvue.



How will the winner be chosen? Apparently so. However, the judges will also consider the size of a character’s fan base and their “personality.” This application contains questions such as: “If your AI models could talk, what would be their one dream to make the world a better place?” The technical skill behind the character’s creation will also be considered by the judges.

A WAICA press release said the contest “represents a monumental leap forward, nearly 200 years after the world’s first actual beauty pageant was held in the 1880s.”

But it feels more like a monumental setback than a “step forward.” Rather than destroying traditional beauty standards, AI models exaggerate them. They take all the toxic gendered beauty norms and package them up in a completely unrealistic package.

For example, let’s take a look at two AI models that are judging a contest. Aitana Lopez and Emily Pellegrini. Pellegrini was designed by an anonymous creator who told Chat GPT that he asked the average man what his dream was in a woman and designed the model along those lines. That means long hair, big breasts, perfect skin, and a sculpted body. Pelligrini is still a completely digital work, but she reportedly earns thousands of dollars from fan views and famous soccer players use her Instagram because they think she’s a real person. It seems like he’s going to slide into Gram’s DMs.

Another judge, López, who is touted as “Spain’s first AI model” and can apparently “earn up to €10,000 a month” with modeling work for brands, is also on the same page. The creators of Lopez AI modeling office A group called “The Clueless” rejected criticism of her sexual appearance, claiming they were merely reacting to market forces. “If we don’t follow this aesthetic, brands won’t be interested.” one of the creators he told reporters. “To change this system, we need to change our brand vision. The entire world is sexualized.”

So is this the future? Will human models be completely replaced by AI? The folks at The Clueless certainly seem to hope so. “[Brands] We want to have an image that represents the values of the brand, not a real person, so that if we have to lay someone off or we can no longer rely on them, there will be continuity issues,” says founder Ruben Cruz. he told Euronews. And it all makes sense. Why wouldn’t brands want to use a model that never ages and has full control?

Injection of antibodies can help slow down the advancement of Parkinson’s disease

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Aggregates of protein α-synuclein (brown) and antibody (green)

Biolution GMBH/Science Photo Library

Drugs that target protein accumulations associated with Parkinson's disease may slow the progression of motor symptoms in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease. This shows potential as a disease-modifying treatment for Parkinson's disease, but it is unclear whether the drug actually removes the protein from the brain.

Accumulation of a misfolded protein called alpha-synuclein in the brain has long been thought to be the underlying cause of Parkinson's disease. This results in the loss of neurons that produce the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is involved in motor control.

Some existing treatments aim to alleviate these symptoms by improving dopamine levels in the brain, but their long-term effects are limited. To date, there are no approved disease-modifying treatments to stop or slow the progression of Parkinson's disease.

In an effort to counter this, Gennaro Pagano Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche and colleagues recruited 316 people who appeared to have early stages of Parkinson's disease. Of these people, 105 received an intravenous infusion of a placebo, and 211 received a low or high dose of Roche's drug plasinezumab every four weeks for a year.

Placinezumab is an antibody designed to bind to aggregates of misfolded alpha-synuclein within dopaminergic neurons. “It is hypothesized that placinezumab may reduce neurotoxicity, prevent cell-to-cell movement of pathological alpha-synuclein aggregates, and slow disease progression,” Pagano says.

Trial results initially suggested the antibody had no significant effect, but the team later realized it may have an effect in trial participants with more severe forms of Parkinson's disease. I did.

These people suffered from rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, which causes intense, often violent dreams that are common in Parkinson's disease. He was taking a drug called an MAO-B inhibitor to manage his symptoms. Or, he has been rated by an expert at 2 out of 5 on a symptom scale, with higher numbers indicating greater severity.

Additional analyzes showed that both low and high doses of the drug had greater effects than seen in the first study, especially among critically ill participants. The rate at which participants' motor symptoms worsened over a one-year period was significantly reduced compared to those taking a placebo.

For example, based on the Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale for Motor Symptoms, patients who took an MAO-B inhibitor and then received a placebo infusion had a score of 6.82 at the end of the year, compared to Patients who took the drug had a score of 4.15.

“These results suggest that potential treatment benefits may be more likely to be achieved in populations that experience greater deterioration over time and more rapid progression,” Pagano says. This is because patients with Parkinson's disease, which progresses more rapidly, have higher amounts of misfolded alpha-synuclein in their brains, so they may benefit more from drugs that can remove this protein. There is a possibility.

However, Professor Pagano said researchers lacked a biomarker that could monitor how participants' levels of misfolded alpha-synuclein changed, so it was unclear what was happening in the participants' brains. He said it was not possible to make an accurate assessment.

Vinata Vedam Mai Researchers at the University of Florida Health say a limitation of the study is that it did not assess whether alpha-synuclein was cleared from the brain. Without this, she says, the results cannot conclusively show that plasinezumab is disease-modifying. Vedam-Mai said he would also like to see long-term data to better assess the drug's safety and effectiveness. No serious adverse events occurred in the latest trial.

Researchers could also investigate whether plasinezumab, when taken over a long period of time, is effective for patients with mild Parkinson's disease, Pagano said.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Bestwell secures $125 million in funding to aid in the advancement of workplace savings programs for companies

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Bestwell, which provides infrastructure for employers to promote workplace savings programs, has raised $125 million in what the company calls a “pre-emptive” funding round.

Lightspeed Venture Partners led the round, with participation from existing backers Fin Capital, Primary Venture Partners, and FinTech Collective, as well as new investors Blue Owl and HarbourVest.

The New York-based fintech company declined to reveal its valuation.

As part of this round, Justin Overdorff, Lightspeed’s lead fintech partner, joined Vestwell’s board of directors.

bestwell CEO Aaron Schumm founded the company in 2016 and launched its cloud-native platform in 2017. In this latest round, he raised $227.5 million.

Shumm declined to provide specific revenue numbers, but told TechCrunch via email that the startup: “We achieved revenue growth of over 1,000% in three years.”

“ARR and sales will also increase by more than 100% in 2023,” Schumm said, noting that the company is “on the path to profitability in the near term.”

bestwellHe added, “Prior to this pre-empted Series D funding, it was funded through profitability.” The company’s last raise was a $70 million Series C round in 2021.

More than 1 million employees at 300,000 companies use the Vestwell platform, which the company says has contributed to nearly $30 billion in asset savings over time. The company operates in partnership with financial institutions such as Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan, state governments, and payroll companies, and generates revenue for Bestwell through per-employer or “per-saver” monthly fees. . Bestwell says that as a partner extension, it enables an array of programs that include retirement, health, and education, including 401(k), 403(b), IRA, 529 Education, ABLE disability programs, and emergency savings programs. There is.

Earlier this year, JPMorgan used Bestwell to expand its 401(k) product.

“We help these companies migrate away from outdated legacy platforms, giving them a competitive edge when entering severely underserved markets,” Schum said. states.

Schum said Bestwell’s public-private partnerships are increasingly driving the company’s business by giving state governments a way to provide a “personalized savings experience.”

“We are now a leading partner in this space, currently powering 80% of the Live State Auto IRA savings programs in this country,” he said.

The company will use the new funding to expand its National Savings and other public savings program initiatives, enhance existing products and develop new products. About half of the new funding will go toward acquisitions, Schumm said. July, Bestwell Acquires student loan benefit provider Gradifi It was acquired from Morgan Stanley for an undisclosed amount.

Vestwell has just over 350 employees and has grown its team size by approximately 40% in the last year.

Lightspeed’s Oberdorf said the company was “deeply impressed with Bestwell” and impressed by the company’s “groundbreaking infrastructure-first approach to solving America’s systemic savings problem.” He said he received it.

“They are undeniably a dominant player and a true disruptor when it comes to the world of savings. Lightspeed is excited about our investment. I am proud to join the board and look forward to accelerating this I look forward to working closely with Aaron and his team to bring the company together. ”

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Source: techcrunch.com