Tag Archives: usage

AI-Driven Electricity Usage Forecasting Shows Industry is Far from Achieving Net-Zero Goals

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Data Center in Ashburn, Virginia

Jim Roe Scalzo/EPA/Shutterstock

As the artificial intelligence sector grows swiftly, concerns about the ecological effects of data centers are increasingly being discussed. New projections indicate that the industry may fall short of achieving net-zero emissions by 2030.

Fenki Yu and researchers from Cornell University in New York have evaluated the potential energy, water, and carbon consumption of current leading AI servers by 2030, under various growth scenarios and specific U.S. data center locations. Their analysis integrates anticipated chip production, server energy demands, and cooling efficiency, coupled with state power grid data. While not all AI enterprises have declared net-zero objectives, major tech firms involved in AI, like Google, Microsoft, and Meta, have set targets for 2030.

“The rapid expansion of AI computing is fundamentally altering everything,” says Yu. “We’re striving to understand the implications of this growth.”

The researchers estimate that establishing AI servers in the U.S. may require between 731 million to 1.125 billion cubic meters of additional water by 2030, along with greenhouse gas emissions ranging from 24 million to 44 million tons of carbon dioxide each year. These estimates hinge on the pace of AI demand growth, the actual number of advanced servers that can be produced, and the sites of new U.S. data centers.

To address these issues, the researchers modeled five scenarios based on varying growth rates and outlined potential measures to minimize the impact. “The top priority is location,” Yu explains. By situating data centers in Midwestern states with abundant water resources and a significant share of renewable energy in the power grid, the environmental fallout can be mitigated. The team also emphasizes that transitioning to decarbonized energy sources and enhancing efficiency in computing and cooling processes are essential strategies for minimizing environmental impact. Collectively, these three measures could potentially lower industry emissions by 73% and reduce water usage by 86%.

However, public resistance may disrupt these predictions, particularly regarding the environmental ramifications of establishing data centers. In Virginia, where 1/8 of the world’s data centers are located, residents have voiced opposition to upcoming construction plans, citing concerns over water resources and broader environmental impacts. Similar petitions against data centers have arisen in Pennsylvania, Texas, Arizona, California, and Oregon. As per Data Center Watch, a firm that monitors data center developments, local opposition is stalling approximately $64 billion worth of projects. Even where certain locations successfully deny data center projects, questions remain regarding their potential power and water consumption.

This new research is viewed cautiously by those analyzing and quantifying AI’s environmental effects. “The AI field evolves so quickly that making accurate future predictions is incredibly challenging,” says Sasha Luccioni from the AI company Hugging Face. “As mentioned by the authors, breakthroughs in the industry can radically alter computing and energy needs, reminiscent of DeepSeek’s innovative techniques that reduced reliance on brute-force calculations.”

Chris Priest from the University of Bristol in the UK concurs, highlighting the necessity for increased investment in renewable energy infrastructure and the importance of data center placement. “I believe their projections for water usage in direct cooling of AI data centers are rather pessimistic,” he remarks, suggesting that the model’s “best case” scenario aligns more closely with “business as usual” for contemporary data centers.

Luccioni believes the paper underscores a vital missing element in the AI ecosystem: “greater transparency.” She notes that this issue can be addressed by “mandating model developers to track and disclose their computing and energy consumption, share this information with users and policymakers, and commit to reducing overall environmental impacts, including emissions.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Consultation Plans for Live Facial Recognition Usage Ahead of Broader Implementation

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The new police minister informed the party’s annual meeting about a labor initiative that will involve consultation on the implementation of live facial recognition (LFR) technology prior to its broader rollout across the UK.

Home Affairs Minister Sarah Jones stated she would “establish certain parameters” regarding future government usage of this technology.

Advocates argue that the absence of a legal framework allows police to self-regulate technological applications and utilize algorithms in ways that may be biased against ethnic minorities and women.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission asserts that its implementation is illegal and violates European law.

During her address at the Tony Blair Institute’s Fringe Conference in Liverpool, Jones remarked:

“There is some guidance on how we should apply it, but further clarification is necessary regarding the appropriate contexts for its use and when it should be avoided, alongside establishing a proper framework.

“Currently, there is minimal structure governing its use. We must assess whether what exists is adequate and whether additional measures are required.”

Jones, who represents Croydon West, noted that Shadow Home Secretary and fellow MP Chris Philp endorsed its use after successful deployment to apprehend criminals in the Borough of Tessau-London, London.

“Chris Philp is very supportive and frequently discusses its benefits, and the results from Croydon demonstrate its effectiveness.

“We need to ensure clarity about what will be beneficial moving forward. If we are to expand its use, what guidelines should we follow for nationwide deployment?” she inquired.

“It’s crucial to engage in this dialogue, as we want to encourage public input and understand how it will be utilized both in Parliament and among the populace.

“This is a topic we will address; it will hold significant importance going forward. It initiated under the previous administration, and we must consider their perspectives.

A civil liberties group recently urged the Metropolitan Police to cease operating LFR cameras following a high court challenge led by anti-knife campaigner Sean Thompson. Thompson, a Black individual from the UK, was mistakenly identified by the LFR as a suspect and was subsequently approached by law enforcement due to his fingerprints.

Jones expressed that she was questioned about racial bias concerns.

“I believe we can provide reassurance to the public… We have successfully utilized it to detain hundreds of dangerous offenders, but it is imperative to ensure it is being deployed appropriately.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Expert Rejection: Police Assert Research Backing Unbiased Live Facial Recognition Usage

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The Metropolitan Police assert that their application of live facial recognition is devoid of bias, as echoed by a prominent technology specialist, but this claim has not been substantiated by the reports they reference in support of their litigation.

The MET plans to deploy the LFR in its most notable event this bank holiday weekend at the Notting Hill Carnival in West London.

According to The Guardian, the technology will be utilized at two locations leading up to the carnival, and the military has insisted on its implementation, despite the fact that LFR use is considered illegal, as declared by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.


This new assertion comes from Professor Pete Hussy, who led the only independent academic review of the police’s use of facial recognition; he is a former reviewer of Met’s LFR since 2018-19 and currently advises various law enforcement agencies in the UK and internationally on its application.

The Met contends that it has reformed the usage of LFR, as indicated in the 2023 research commissioned by the National Institute of Physics (NPL), claiming that it is now virtually free from bias. Nevertheless, Fussey responded:

“The sensitivity of the system can be adjusted for LFR’s operation. Higher sensitivity results in detecting more individuals, but such potential bias is influenced by race, gender, and age. Setting zero is the most sensitive while one is the least.”

The NPL report identified bias at a sensitivity level of 0.56, noting seven instances where individuals tested were mistakenly flagged as suspects, all of whom were from ethnic minority backgrounds.

These findings stemmed from a collection of 178,000 images entered into the system, with 400 volunteers passing by the cameras roughly 10 times, providing 4,000 opportunities for accurate recognition. They were included in an estimated crowd of over 130,000 at four locations in London and one in Cardiff. The tests were carried out in clear weather over 34.5 hours, though Fussey remarked this was shorter than tests conducted in some other countries where LFR is valued.

From this dataset, the report concluded that no statistically significant bias existed in settings above 0.6. This assertion has been reiterated by the MET to justify their ongoing use and expansion of LFR.

Hussey criticized this as insufficient to substantiate the MET’s claims, stating: “Councillors at the Metropolitan Police Service consistently argue their systems undergo independent testing for bias. An examination of this study revealed that the data was inadequate to support the claims made.”

“The definitive conclusions publicly proclaimed by MET rely on an analysis of merely seven false matches from a system scrutinizing the faces of millions of Londoners. Drawing broad conclusions from such a limited sample is statistically weak.”

Currently, the MET operates LFR at a sensitivity setting of 0.64, though they assert that the NPL studies did not yield erroneous matches.

Fussey stated: “Their own research indicates that false matches are not evaluated in settings claiming no bias that exceed 0.64.”

“Few in the scientific community suggest sufficient evidence exists to support these claims drawn from such a limited sample.”

Fussey added: “We clearly indicate that bias exists within the algorithm, but we assert that this can be mitigated through appropriate adjustments to the system settings. The challenge arises from the fact that the system has not been thoroughly tested under these varied settings.”

Lindsay Chiswick, the MET’s intelligence director, dismissed Hussy’s allegations, stating: “This is a factual report from a globally renowned institution. The Met Police’s commentary is grounded in the findings of an independent study,” she explained.

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“If you utilize LFR with a setting of 0.64, as I currently am, there is no statistically significant bias.”

“We sought research to pinpoint where potential bias lies within the algorithm and employed the results to mitigate that risk.”

“The findings exemplify the degree to which algorithms can be used to minimize bias, and we consistently operate well above that threshold.”

During the Notting Hill carnival this weekend, warning signs will notify attendees about the use of LFR. The LFR system will be stationed next to the van containing the cameras linked to the suspect database.

Authorities believe utilizing the technology at two sites leading to the carnival will act as a deterrent. At the carnival itself, law enforcement is prepared to employ retrospective facial recognition to identify perpetrators of violence and assaults.

Fussey remarked: “Few question the police’s right to deploy technology for public safety, but oversight is crucial, and it must align with human rights standards.”

The MET claims that since 2024, the LFR has recorded a false-positive rate of one in every 33,000 cases. Although the exact number of scanned faces remains undisclosed, it is believed to be in the hundreds of thousands.

There have been 26 incorrect matches in 2024, with eight reported so far in 2025. The Met stated that these individuals were not apprehended as decisions on arrests rested with police officers, following matches produced by their computer systems.

Prior to the carnival, the MET arrested 100 individuals, recalled 21 to prison, and banned 266 from attendance. Additionally, they reported seizing 11 firearms and over 40 knives.

Source: www.theguardian.com

The Impact of Government AI Usage on Democracy

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AI can streamline government paperwork, yet significant risks exist

Brett Hondow / Alamy

A number of nations are exploring how artificial intelligence might assist with various tasks, ranging from tax processing to decisions about welfare benefits. Nonetheless, research indicates that citizens are not as optimistic as their governments, potentially jeopardizing democratic integrity.

“Focusing exclusively on immediate efficiency and appealing technologies could provoke public backlash and lead to a long-term erosion of trust and legitimacy in democratic systems,” states Alexander Utzke, at Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich, Germany.

Utzke and his team surveyed around 1,200 individuals in the UK to gauge their perceptions regarding whether human or AI management was preferable for government functions. These scenarios included handling tax returns, making welfare application decisions, and assessing whether a defendant should be granted bail.

Participants were divided; some learned only about AI’s potential to enhance governmental efficiency, while others were informed about both the advantages and the associated risks. The risks highlighted included the challenges in discerning how AI makes decisions, an increasing governmental reliance on AI that may be detrimental in the long run, and the absence of a straightforward method for citizens to challenge or modify AI determinations.

When participants became aware of these AI-related risks, there was a marked decline in their trust towards the government and an increased feeling of losing control. For instance, the percentage of those who felt government democratic control was diminishing rose from 45% to over 81% when scenarios depicted increasing governmental dependence on AI for specific functions.

After learning about the risks, the percentage of individuals expressing skepticism regarding government use of AI surged significantly. It jumped from under 20% in the baseline scenario to over 65% when participants were informed of both the benefits and risks of AI in the public sector.

Regardless of these findings, democratic governments assert that AI can be utilized responsibly to uphold public trust, according to Hannah Key de la Vallee from the Center for Democracy and Technology in Washington, DC. However, she notes that there have been few successful applications of AI in governance to date, with several instances of failures already observed, which can have serious consequences.

For instance, attempts by various US states to automate public interest claim processing have resulted in tens of thousands of individuals being incorrectly charged with fraud. Some affected individuals faced bankruptcy or lost their homes. “Mistakes made by the government can have significant, long-lasting repercussions,” warns Quay de la Vallee.

Topics:

  • artificial intelligence/
  • government

Source: www.newscientist.com

Children Regulate Smartphone Usage to Enhance Mental Health, Survey Finds

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A growing number of children are taking breaks from their smartphones to enhance their mental health, personal safety, and focus, according to recent research.

Experts emphasize that this trend is a response to increased awareness about the potential harm of unchecked social media and smartphone use, rather than merely excessive time spent online.

Research from an audience analysis firm reveals that the percentage of 12-15-year-olds who are stepping away from smartphones, computers, and iPads has surged by 40%, up from 18% in 2022 Golden Week. This data stems from a survey involving 20,000 young individuals and their parents across 18 nations.

Professor Sonia Livingston, Director of LSE’s Digital Futures for Children Center, noted that these findings will soon be published. According to the study, children and teens are exploring varied methods to manage how their online experiences impact their well-being—such as taking breaks from social media, diverting from online negativity, seeking positive internet experiences, and, in some cases, completely quitting social media.


Livingston remarked:

“They’re trying out various strategies to safeguard their well-being without completely abandoning social media. They are communicating about what works best for them and are aware of future implications.”

Daisy Greenwell, co-founder of Smart Phone Free Childhood, added:

“Many young individuals realize that these platforms are not impartial. They are designed to capture attention. Their time, focus, and self-worth are often exploited by major corporations. Taking a break has turned into a form of rebellion.”

This notion is echoed in Ofcom’s findings. A report from 2024 indicates that one-third (33%) of 8-17 year-olds online believe their screen time is excessive. Additionally, another study found that 47% of 16-24-year-olds on social media had disabled notifications and utilized “do not disturb” mode, an increase from 40% in 2023, in contrast to 28% of older users.

Thirty-four percent of youth are more inclined to intentionally take breaks from social media (up from 23% who would not), 29% uninstall apps that consume too much time (compared to 19% who do not), and 24% remove apps for mental health reasons (up from 13%).

David Ellis, Professor of Behavioral Science at Bath University, observed that teens may possess more control over their smartphone and social media usage than their parents.

Ellis stated: “If someone reduces their screen time and increases physical activity, it’s generally seen as a positive change, potentially replacing that time with something more beneficial.”


A young man aged 18 to 25 shared with the Guardian that he previously felt his parents’ generation lacked guidance on smartphone usage, granting too much access. He mentioned he would limit smartphone access for his children until their late teens.

Recent surveys show that nearly half of young people envision a world without the internet and many support digital curfews; however, after using social media, more than three-quarters expressed negative feelings about themselves.

According to GWI Research, social media addiction ranks among the top parental worries, alongside climate change, war, and housing issues. Furthermore, 8% of parents reported becoming stricter with screen time limits after viewing documentaries about the risks associated with online misconduct.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Wimbledon Officials Stand by AI Usage as Jack Draper States It’s Not “100% Accurate”

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The Wimbledon organizer defended the implementation of AI line judges after Jack Draper claimed the technology wasn’t “100% precise.”

The UK’s first-line judge was deemed “embarrassing” and removed after colliding with 36-year-old former finalist Marin Cilic in the second round.

The 23-year-old Draper expressed his frustration with the AI-enhanced Hawk-Eye system during Thursday’s match, especially after a contested serve from his opponent went unchallenged over four sets.

“Honestly, I don’t think it’s 100% precise,” he mentioned in a post-match conference. “Some of the calls today showed marks on the court. There’s no way chalk would indicate that. I don’t believe it’s 100% precise—it’s in millimeters.”

He acknowledged that it was unfortunate the judge was removed but conceded he might have been wrong regarding a specific call.


Tournament Director Jamie Baker stood by the system’s accuracy and refrained from commenting on whether he missed the human line judge, who had been part of Wimbledon’s tradition for 147 years.

Baker stated: “The concept of live line calling is standard across the tour. It’s essential for the entire ATP tour. Two of the other Grand Slams have utilized it for four or five years.”

“What that means is the level of refinement and authentication around the system becomes increasingly specialized and robust over time.”

“The overall accuracy, reliability, and robustness of the system are on par with tennis from a moderation standpoint.”

Baker refuted claims that the electronic system influenced Ben Shelton’s decision to halt his second match, which occurred while the 22-year-old American was serving.

Shelton, ranked No. 10 in the world, was outraged at the judge’s ruling, which came at 9:31 PM due to diminishing sunlight. Baker asserted that the decision was not related to technology and that the match could continue later.

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Baker remarked: “It won’t be effective if no one is able to call the lines, but we haven’t hit that threshold yet, although we are getting closer.

“It’s not just about how technology has evolved, but also about the number of cameras on each court, allowing for longer playtime with the challenge system.”

Baker noted that players were previously able to continue playing as daylight faded, but they have since struggled to manage this.

“Sometimes players liked it, sometimes they didn’t,” he said. “In reality, we have more time now that we can extend matches. But last night, we were approaching the limit, and hadn’t quite reached it yet.”

“This sport requires high-level performance at a fast pace, and when darkness falls, it becomes a challenge even for seasoned officials.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Real Concern: Video Game Developers Face Accusations of AI Usage Despite Not Implementing It.

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In April, game developer Stamina Zero made a significant marketing move with the launch trailer for their game, Little Droid, available on PlayStation’s official YouTube channel. The developers were taken aback by the reaction; while many found the game intriguing, it was “smashed down” by claims of AI-generated art. However, the cover art, featured in its YouTube thumbnail, was indeed created by a person. Developer Lana Ro stated, “We know the artist and have seen her work, so this negative feedback was unexpected. Initially, we were unsure how to react; it left us confused.”

There’s validity in people’s concerns regarding AI in video games. It’s important to ensure that the media you support aligns with your values. Discussions surrounding generative AI often touch on environmental impact, art theft, and overall quality. Video game developers are navigating how generative AI influences their work. However, the unexpected issue is the strong aversion to generative AI now translating to “Please don’t use it.” Veteran game developer Josh Caratelli, Digital Director of Chess Plus, remarked, “I’m all for caution, but collateral damage can be painful.”

Karatelli and his game, Chess Plus, faced a similar backlash when he shared art on Reddit, explicitly stating it was created without AI assistance. However, he received comments and messages accusing him of dishonesty or suggesting he was deceived. “It’s clearly handcrafted,” he asserted. “We spent a substantial amount to hire an indie artist for the artwork; it was a worthy investment.”




Darth Vader will be appearing in Epic Games’ Fortnite. Photo: Epic Games/Disney/Lucasfilm

Increasingly, games are being scrutinized for instances perceived as AI replacing human labor. (Epic Games has recently faced criticism for AI-generated Darth Vader, as noted). Sometimes, this anger is misdirected at individuals and small businesses, where the assumption is made that AI has been utilized. For example, an artist for Magic: The Gathering faced false accusations about using AI, prompting Wizards of the Coast to issue a statement. Even Nintendo was implicated in using AI-generated images for in-game signs in Mario Kart World back in May, leading to a denial from the company.

Major companies like Wizards of the Coast and Nintendo may weather unfounded accusations, but indie studios with lesser visibility can find it challenging. Released in April, Little Droid features small robots traversing a lush, pixel-art landscape. On the other hand, the cover art showcases the droid in a distinct style, known for the glossy finish typical of AI-generated art. YouTube commenters pointed out details that “prove” the art was AI-generated due to symmetry issues, even though the robot itself is asymmetrical. Stamina Zero consistently maintained that AI was not utilized in creating their game or art.

The studio eventually shared a video claiming to demonstrate the art process, highlighting early art concepts and various layers in Adobe Photoshop to illustrate how the piece was created. “We contacted the artist and insisted on all available intermediate sketches and source PSDs,” Ro explained. “I quickly posted a collection of videos based on the files we had. It was a damage control strategy—a way to calm the situation and promote more productive conversations. We have nothing to hide.”

Some viewers accepted the video as proof that AI was not involved, while others remained skeptical. The video didn’t contain the actual drawings, making it impossible to share the artist’s entire process unless recorded. Some artists do this already, but it adds to their workload. As Stamina Zero knows, there will always be those who refuse to believe.

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/dfN5FxIs39w?wmode=opaque&feature=oembed" title="Little Droid – Launch Trailer | PS5 & PS4 Games" height="480" width="854" allowfullscreen="




Stamina Zero Little Droid trailer

“Honestly, we don’t have a clear strategy for the future,” Ro admits. “On Reddit, some suggested we avoid creating art resembling AI outcomes, which has triggered various reactions. This piece of advice might be effective.”

Karatelli also shares the community’s ethical worries surrounding AI, such as plagiarism, environmental concerns, and the ramifications for human creativity. However, he’s aware of the accusations against Chess Plus. “It’s exceptionally difficult for AI to create something meaningful. It’s a thousand small complexities that make a game exceptional… [That] work is often undervalued,” he concurred.

Both games illustrate how generative AI can taint creative processes. It doesn’t just end there. We can’t definitively know whether we’re witnessing human creation or AI output. For creatives and gamers alike, it ultimately boils down to a matter of trust.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Overcoming Overwhelm: My Experience with WhatsApp and How I Managed to Reign in my Usage

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I I feel as if I have lost days of my life to digital. I’m an extrovert, but the near-constant communication on WhatsApp can be exhausting. I’m always worried about not being able to reply to everyone right away. Add to that the performance factor and worry that proving you care will be judged on the messages you send, and it can all become too much.

“Where did Lemona go?” one friend panicked when I found myself stunned while pressing deadlines, babysitting, and entertaining guests. With 248 unread messages piling up in just one group, including podcast-length audio notes, I felt like the bad guy for being absent. Sometimes I’m happy to be completely silent – because I was in an unnecessarily large group that was added without my consent. I’ve been going unnoticed for years in unsolicited selfies of people I barely know, forwarding messages that if I don’t forward further, I’m going to face some kind of disaster, but someone knows I’m lurking. When they found out I was there, they kicked me out in front of all 43 members. It was frustrating.

I’m not bold enough to completely “keep using the app,” but I’ve managed to significantly reduce my messages over the past few years. My freedom from digital management was gradual. It started with removing my “last seen” status. By doing so, not only did I free myself from my dependence on receiving replies, but I was also less in touch and less needy.

Since I don’t use apps as much, I’ve become more conscious of my time. Instead of getting caught up in the hamster wheel of responses, I created space for other things. Do your morning stretches instead of opening an app as soon as you open your eyes. regain one’s concentration read the actual book and Please finish it like before. I have also started knitting. I was able to knit an Ewok hood for my toddler niece. This took three years, but it probably would have taken five if we hadn’t reduced our commitment to WhatsApp. Taking a break from communication has cleared my cluttered head and allowed me to think more creatively. I’m also learning Korean on Duolingo.

Still, I fully appreciate the connection that WhatsApp provides. It’s a place where you can share prayers for your sick parents, lift up your friend’s spirits after a bad date, and hold on to your sorrows and frustrations while the world burns and humanity’s hopes look bleak. WhatsApp packs so many heavy emotions, intimate experiences, and different personalities, yet compresses complex thoughts and emotions into fast-talking conversations that can be easily misread. Masu. Perhaps its intensity and dichotomy – the pleasure and stress it gives me, the longing for connection and the flood of over-connection – is precisely why it’s a place where I feel overwhelmed.

I also considered deleting the app completely. But is it really worth sacrificing seeing a photo of your niece dressed as an Oompa Loompa on World Book Day? Can I really disconnect from my supportive cheerleading friends and enjoy the mundane details of life?

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I still need WhatsApp, but less than before. By being patient, I learned how to control my desires. I am finally learning how to release from acute fomo without experiencing it. Rather than strict selection, we adjusted the boundaries. My friends also lived up to their expectations, saying, “She will get back to you within 3-5 business days.” But by giving myself permission to not feel pressured, I began to enjoy a newfound freedom. Now I have to resist the yoke of a new app: the forced appeal of maintaining my Duolingo streak.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Failure of UK government to include AI usage on mandatory register | AI

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No department in Whitehall has registered the use of artificial intelligence systems since the government announced that it will be made compulsory, sparking warnings that the public sector is “acting blind” to the deployment of algorithmic technologies that will affect millions of lives. AI is already being used by governments to inform decisions on everything from benefit payments to immigration enforcement, and records show public agencies have awarded dozens of contracts for AI and algorithmic services. A contract for facial recognition software worth up to £20 million was put up for sale by the Home Office-set up police procurement agency last week, reigniting concerns about “massive biometric surveillance”.

However, details of only nine algorithmic systems have been submitted so far to the public register. There is no increase in AI programs being used in the welfare system by the Home Office or the police. The lack of information comes despite the government announcing in February this year that the use of AI registers would be a requirement for all government departments.

An expert warned of the potential harms of deploying AI systems uncritically, citing high-profile examples of IT systems not working as intended, like the Post Office’s Horizon software. The use of AI within Whitehall ranges from Microsoft’s Copilot system to automated fraud and error checking in benefits systems. The lack of transparency in the government’s use of algorithms has raised concerns among privacy rights campaigners and experts in the field.

Since the end of 2022, only three algorithms have been recorded in the national registry. These include systems used by the Cabinet Office and AI-powered cameras analyzing pedestrian crossings in Cambridge. A system that analyzes patient reviews of NHS services is also included. Despite the slow progress in registering AI systems, public agencies have signed 164 contracts referencing AI since February. Technology companies like Microsoft and Meta are actively promoting their AI systems to government agencies.

The Department for Work and Pensions and the Home Office are already leveraging AI for various purposes, from fraud detection to decision-making processes. Police forces are using AI-powered facial recognition software to track criminal suspects, while NHS England has signed a deal with Palantir to build a new data platform. In addition, AI chatbots are being trialed to assist people in navigating government websites and assist civil servants in accessing secure government documents quickly.

Source: www.theguardian.com

John Norton’s Article: The Rise of the Blogosphere as Traditional Internet Usage Declines

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ILog in to Dave Winer’s blog.
script news
you’ll see constantly updated notes that tell you how many years, months, days, hours, and seconds your blog has been running.
The year field will switch to 30 sometime tomorrow morning. That means Dave’s blog will be stirring things up every day for 30 years.

He really
notable person
a talented hacker and software developer who embodies the spirit of the early Internet.
In the 1980s, he created a new type of software called ThinkTank.
“Outliner”
It’s a computerized version of the hierarchical list we all use when planning articles and presentations, but until then was scrawled on paper.
Like Dan Bricklin’s spreadsheets, this was a novel idea at the time, but nearly every type of writing software now includes an outliner.
Surprisingly, Microsoft Word also has this feature.

In 1983, Winer founded a company called Living Videotext to develop and commercialize the outline idea, and six years later sold it to Symantec to earn enough money to do his own work for the rest of his life.
I got the funds. One of them is to play a leading role in development.
RSS
(Very Simple Syndication) is a tool that allows users to track different websites in one application (a news aggregator), constantly monitoring the site for new content.
(Think of this as the hidden wiring of the web.)

As the use of RSS feeds became commonplace, someone had the idea of ​​being able to attach audio files to RSS feeds, and Dave implemented that idea with a nice geeky touch.
I attached a Grateful Dead song. Initially, this new technology was called audio blogging, but eventually a British journalist came up with the term “podcasting” and the word stuck.

So, while Dave was there to create some cool stuff, it was his blog that brought him to a wider audience.
“Some people are born to play country music.”
he wrote
At some stage.
“I was born to blog. When I first started blogging, I thought everyone would become a blogger. I was wrong. Most people don’t have the urge to say what they think. I don’t have one.’”
Dave was just the opposite. He was (and still is) articulate and forthright.
His formidable track record as a technological innovator meant that he could not be dismissed as an eccentric.
The fact that he was financially secure meant he didn’t have to pander to anyone and could speak his mind. And he did.
That made him a prominent presence on the web from the moment he launched Scripting News in October 1994.

Like many of us, he realized that what became known as the blogosphere might be a modern realization of Jurgen Habermas’ ideas.
“Public sphere”
Because it was open to everyone, everything was up for discussion, and social status did not determine who was allowed to speak.
But what he – and we – underestimated is that tech companies like Google and Facebook have surrounded their public realm with their own walled gardens, where “free speech” is algorithmically enforced.
The speed and comprehensiveness of the central monitoring of speakers and their data. Mined for advertising purposes.

In my experience, most journalists fail to understand the importance of the blogosphere.
This is partly due to the fact that they thought, like Dr. Johnson, that “no one but a blockhead writes about anything other than money,” so bloggers must be weirdos.
(This is difficult for those of us who happen to be in this situation, but
both bloggers
)
But that was largely because the mainstream media was hypnotized and blindsided by the dizzying rise of social media.
Journalists have come to believe that the blogosphere must be a meeting place for old hats, relics of the past, weirdos in Cornish pasty shoes, nerds and ponytailed men. Social media was key.

If that’s really what they think, Winer has news for them.
The blogosphere is alive and well and thriving.
In fact, much of the best writing and thinking of our time is found here.
I can say this because I use tools and read them every day.
feedland.org – Something Dave made to make it easier to drink water from a fire hose.
Clay Shirkey, an early Internet sage,
Please put it down once
There is no such thing as information overload, only “filter failure.”
And there’s no excuse to ignore the blogosphere.

what i was reading

100th anniversary celebration

Jimmy Carter turned 100 this week, and his former speechwriter James Fallows wrote the following message:
generous rating His stuff on his Substack.

Look, I don’t have any hands…

Our ubiquitous future is astonishing.
blog post
By Allen Pike: I think self-driving cars will become commonplace.

The truth about monopoly

Antitrust Revolution: Title
great essay
in
harpers Barry Lynn, on democracy’s awakening to the dangers of corporate power.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Effects of Vacuum Cleaner Usage on Penis Health

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Hold on

Reader Simon Leech responded cheerfully to Feedback magazine’s call for papers that “the title tells you all you need to know” by saying, “Well, that’s what you wanted!”

“That” is, British Medical Journal In 1980 “Penis injury caused by vacuum cleaner”.

“The title says it all you need to know,” says Leach, “but the report also answers every question you could possibly imagine. The final sentence sums it up: ‘The present patient may have thought his penis would not hit the fan, but the freshness of the experience drove him to disastrous results.'” Leach adds: “As junior doctors, we BMJ I think you should try harder, we are all reading this!”

Feedback argues that, whether professional or personal, we should love our vacuum cleaners wisely, but not too much. If you know of another research paper with a title as satisfying as this, please send it to Telltale titles, c/o Feedback.

How to Remove a Cyst

Shiheng Zhao and Pierre Haas grab the reader’s attention with the title of their study. “The mechanism of puncturing the cyst”Once that’s done, they change to a less civilised tone.

Chao and Haas, from two of the three Max Planck Institutes in Dresden, Germany, demonstrate a way of running a discussion that minimizes the unpleasant parts and maximizes the technical parts.

“Similar to poking fruit samples in the supermarket to assess their edibility, indenting biological samples reveals mechanical properties that are intrinsically related to their biological function,” they write.

After that, “Pushing force and debt And the displacement e “Deformation characteristics of the indenter” and “Calculation of the elastic deformation gradient”

If you have an interesting skin condition but your friends hate you for telling them about it, try using Zhao and Haas’s elegant phraseology: A cyst, they point out, is simply “a spherical monolayer of polarized cells surrounding a fluid-filled lumen.”

Meat burger

Hundreds of Hamburgers in the city of Hamburg, Germany, answered a survey about three different types of sausages. They were selected Hamburgers, all of whom belonged to a certain age group.

The senders of the survey, Stephan GH Meyerding and Magdalena Cooper from the University of Applied Sciences Hamburg, limited the questions to types of sausage: “meat, plant-based or in vitro salami.”

Of the three types of salami, meat-based is the most traditional, but plant-based versions have also grown in popularity over the past few decades, with test-tube salami made using stem cells being the newest, and still making its way from the lab to the dinner table.

What is the researcher’s goal? “Explaining food choices of German Generations Y and Z through core dimensions of meat-eating habits scale.”.

Judging from their data, the conclusion seems clear: “A majority of German Gen Y and Gen Z members prefer vegan meat to real meat, and cultured meat is more popular than beef and pork.”

The verdict seems less convincing than if new studies had been conducted a few years later: “Cultured meat is still unknown and not yet available on the German market,” the researchers say.

Eat the liver

New evidence supports the age-old complaint that children don’t want to listen to adults. “Kids don’t want to eat what they should be eating…” According to the title of Villa Reka Nickel’s study on child nutrition.

Nickel is based at the Institute of Ethnology in Budapest and has been researching the history of “Public Meals for Hungarian Children”.

During that time, the country’s eating habits and food preparation practices changed dramatically, due to “the obligation to provide public meals and general work obligations”, the study said.

Nickel illustrates their problem with hate using photos, one of which is captioned, “Fried breaded luncheon meat and creamed split peas are one of the school lunch ‘staples,’ but they were never the most popular school lunch.”

There are certain meals that many children are reluctant to eat, and Nikel has investigated this harassment in detail: “In our research, fried liver was one such meal. In Eger, they dealt with this problem by serving only rice if the child did not want liver. In Özd, children were not given this option. When I asked about the possibility of serving children as much food as they wanted, the food service manager in Özd drew my attention to an important fact: ‘It’s illegal. Parents pay for it.'”

Statistics and Baboons

“Can non-human primates perform linear regression on graphs?” ask Lorenzo Ciccione and his colleagues in their study “Baboons as statisticians.” Their tentative answer is that, to some extent, they can, but the extent to which they can “depends on the individual.”

Marc Abrahams is the founder of the Ig Nobel Prize ceremony and co-founder of the journal Annals of Improbable Research. He previously worked on unusual uses of computers. His website is Impossible.

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You can submit articles for Feedback by emailing feedback@newscientist.com. Please include your home address. This week’s and past Feedback can be found on our website.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Why cats annoyingly always choose to disrupt your laptop usage

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Do you own a precious and adorable cat? If so, your feline friend may be obstructing your view of this page and causing havoc once again, particularly if you are browsing on a laptop.

But why do cats have this tendency? What drives them to interfere with our computers?

Unfortunately, there have not been any extensive scientific studies to explore this question yet. However, cat behavior experts have a relevant theory that could shed light on why cats love to sit on keyboards.

Why does my cat sit on my laptop?

It’s unlikely that your cat wants to mimic your typing or join in with your computer activities. Recent research suggests that cats are capable of imitating human actions, such as touching objects with specific body parts. However, typing is a behavior that cats struggle to replicate, as explained by Dr. David Sands, an Animal Psychology Expert with over 25 years of experience.

While laptops do emit heat which may attract cats, the main draw for felines is the smell of their owners on the keyboard. Cats have a strong sense of smell and enjoy leaving their scent on objects to show ownership. This behavior is more about claiming territory and marking their humans rather than seeking warmth or copying human actions.

“My Laptop, My Person” © Getty

In summary, it’s not harmful for your cat to sit on your laptop physically, but if the behavior becomes excessive or is accompanied by other signs of anxiety or attention-seeking, it may be worth monitoring.

About our Expert, Dr. David Sands

Dr. David Sands holds a PhD in Ethology (Animal Psychology) and boasts more than 25 years of experience in animal behavior clinics. He is affiliated with the Canine and Cat Behavioural Association (CFBA) and the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (ASAB) and has authored several books, including 500 Questions About Cats Answered.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Paris Olympics to showcase city’s shift towards reducing air pollution by limiting car usage.

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Paris, the host city for the 2024 Summer Olympics, has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. The city has made efforts to become greener by reducing its reliance on cars, setting an example for cities around the world.

Under the leadership of Mayor Anne Hidalgo, Paris has enacted several changes to promote sustainability. Over 100 roads have been closed to automobiles, parking fees have tripled, SUVs have been restricted, around 50,000 parking spaces have been removed, and over 1,300 kilometers of bike lanes have been built.

These efforts have resulted in a 40% reduction in air pollution, according to city officials. Hidalgo expressed that Paris would end its dependency on cars through disruptive changes.

Although European cities like Paris have been leading the way in reducing car use, similar reforms in the U.S. have been slow to materialize. The American infrastructure has historically been built around cars, making it challenging to transition to alternative modes of transportation.

The environmental reforms in Paris have garnered support from residents like Louise Kraustl, who believes that fewer cars and more walking and cycling make the city safer and less polluted. Inspired by the concept of the “15-minute city,” Paris aims to create pedestrian and bike-friendly neighborhoods where daily necessities are within easy reach.

While some cities in the U.S. have made progress in promoting biking and public transport, car dependency remains prevalent. Despite the challenges, experts emphasize the importance of reducing transportation emissions to combat climate change and improve air quality.

Paris’ efforts to prioritize sustainable urban planning serve as a model for other cities to follow. As cities worldwide grapple with the effects of climate change, the need for transportation reform becomes increasingly urgent.

The upcoming elections in Paris will be crucial in determining the city’s continued commitment to reducing car use and combating climate change.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Organic Farms Impact Pesticide Usage on Nearby Conventional Farms

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On organic farms, conventional farming practices appear to inadvertently cause more pesticides to be used in surrounding fields

Daniel Balderas/Shutterstock

Organic farmers dedicate their working lives to producing food with minimal use of pesticides, but by curbing the use of chemicals on their land, they can unknowingly damage their neighbor’s fence. may be causing a sharp increase in pesticide use.

Ashley Larsen and colleagues from the University of California, Santa Barbara, evaluated land use and pesticide data across 14,000 fields in Kern County, California. It is one of the largest agricultural counties in the state, producing agricultural products such as almonds, grapes, carrots, and pistachios.

The researchers found that when organic farmland is surrounded by conventional agriculture, neighboring farmers appear to increase their use of pesticides, which is associated with a 10 percent increase in organic farmland. Total pesticide use in conventional fields increases by 0.3%. Most of that is due to increased use of pesticides, the researchers found.

This is because more insects, pests or not, are present on organic land and tend to ‘bleed-off’ onto adjacent conventional farmland, leading these farmers to increase their use of pesticides. It is considered. “Pests come and sow the seeds for new outbreaks. [farmers] We will increase the use of pesticides,” Larsen told reporters at a press conference. This effect appears to be strongest when the adjacent field is within 2.5 kilometers of the organic “focal field”.

Conversely, the researchers found that the presence of organic fields was associated with reduced pesticide use in adjacent organic fields, with a 10 percent increase in the area of surrounding organic fields reducing total pesticide use on organic fields by 3%. He pointed out that it is associated with a decrease in the percentage of organic focal field. This may be because larger areas of organic farmland allow for larger and more stable communities of beneficial insects.

Organic agriculture only covers about 2 percent of the world’s land, but in Kern County, about 5.5 percent of the farmed area is organic.

If organic farming occupies a high proportion of agricultural land, perhaps Researchers say that regardless of where organic fields are located, net pesticide use is reduced by more than 20 percent.

However, when relatively small areas of organic cropland are evenly distributed across the landscape, such as in Kern County, net pesticide use may actually be higher than if no organic cropland were present.

“Our simulations suggest that low levels of organic agriculture in the landscape may actually increase net pesticide use,” Larsen said.

However, she said this impact can be completely mitigated by clustering organic farmland to minimize potential pest spillover. “Basically, at the policy level, how do we encourage the spatial clustering of new organic fields to take advantage of the pest control benefits of organic and limit the potential costs of organic to conventional growers?” It might be worth considering.

This could include paying subsidies to farmers to convert more land to organic farming in certain areas, or even creating buffer zones between organic and non-organic land. be.

robert finger Switzerland’s ETH Zurich said the study results demonstrate the need for policymakers to consider land use policy at a “landscape scale” to maximize the environmental benefits of organic farming. “Fundamentally, it’s not enough to think about a single field or a single farm,” he says.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

US judge stops government from monitoring energy usage of cryptocurrency mining.

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The U.S. government has halted an investigation into a cryptocurrency mining operation over its rising energy use following a lawsuit from an industry accused by environmental groups of fueling the climate crisis.

A federal judge in Texas granted an interim order blocking new requirements to verify cryptocurrency miners’ energy use, stating that the industry would suffer “irreparable harm” if forced to comply.

The U.S. Department of Energy launched an “emergency” initiative last month to examine the energy usage of mining operations, which use computational power to mine currencies like Bitcoin.

The growth of cryptocurrencies and mining activities has led to a surge in electricity usage, with data centers popping up and even reviving coal-fired power plants for mining operations.

The federal government requires more information on big miners’ electricity use, as mining facilities provided a significant portion of total U.S. electricity demand last year. Globally, cryptocurrency mining is responsible for a notable portion of energy consumption.

Campaigners warn that the increased electricity consumption from cryptocurrency mining exacerbates the climate crisis, with mining operations releasing significant amounts of carbon dioxide each year.

Cryptocurrency mining is straining power grids, with instances of Bitcoin companies receiving energy credits to reduce power usage during peak demand periods.

The industry has managed to avoid an investigation it deems burdensome, citing political motives from the government. The debate continues on the regulation of cryptocurrency mining in the U.S.

The Blockchain Council of Texas and other groups argue that the government’s actions are aimed at limiting or eliminating Bitcoin mining in the U.S., causing concerns for the industry and its employees.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Are You Suffering from Text Neck? The Physical Effects of Phone Usage on Our Bodies | Life and Style

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E
Earlier this year, a patient came to physical therapist Teresa Marco complaining of neck pain. Marco, who is based in New York City, began the interview as usual, asking a series of questions about lifestyle, habits, and attitude. Soon, a person believed to be the culprit appeared. It was a woman’s cell phone.

Marco, who declined to give her name for privacy reasons, said the woman typically used her phone or tablet with her head down on her lap. “She’s going to be very, very bent over, so it’s going to put a lot of strain on her neck,” Marco said.

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Marco says he often talks to his patients about how to use their phones. “I don’t think people end up coming to physical therapy because they realize they have a problem with their cell phone,” Marco says. But as she solves problems, it often becomes a focus.

While the negative effects on mental health associated with smartphone use are often discussed, the physical effects can also be significant.serious consequences like
Selfie-related injuries and deathscan occur, but chronic problems are much more common, especially in the upper body.
This year is research
Using hospital data, they estimated that between 2011 and 2019, hand and wrist injuries caused by cell phone use nearly doubled, reaching about 7,300 cases per year.

“Like [phone] Carolyn Somerich, director of the Human Factors/Ergonomics/Safety Engineering Laboratory at The Ohio State University, said: These sentiments are not new, but according to a Gallup poll,
Number of people who reported using a smartphone
“Too much” increased from 39% in 2015 to 58% in 2022. He was 84% most likely to feel this way.

Source: www.theguardian.com

AI invents new battery design that decreases lithium usage by 70%

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Researchers test batteries using new materials designed by AI

Microsoft's Dan DeLong

Artificial intelligence can accelerate the process of discovering and testing new materials, and researchers have used that ability to develop batteries that are less dependent on the expensive mineral lithium.

Lithium-ion batteries power not only electric cars but also many devices we use every day. They will also become a necessary part of green power grids, as batteries will be needed to store renewable energy from wind turbines and solar panels. However, lithium is expensive and mining it damages the environment. Finding a replacement for this important metal can be expensive and time-consuming, requiring researchers to develop and test millions of candidates over years. Utilizing AI, nathan baker Microsoft and its colleagues accomplished this task in a few months. They designed and manufactured a battery that uses up to 70% less lithium than some competing designs.

The researchers focused on types of batteries that contain only solid parts, looking for new materials for battery components called electrolytes, through which charge is transferred. They started with 23.6 million candidate materials, designed by tweaking the structure of an established electrolyte and replacing some lithium atoms with other elements. The AI ​​algorithm filtered out materials that were calculated to be unstable or have weak chemical reactions that make the battery work. The researchers also considered how each material behaved when the battery was actively operating. After just a few days, their list contained just a few hundred candidates, some of whom had never been studied before.

“But we're not materials scientists,” Baker says. “So I called the experts who have worked on large-scale battery projects at the Department of Energy and said, 'What do you think? Are we crazy?'

vijay murugesan He works at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Washington state and was one of the scientists who answered the phone. He and his colleagues proposed additional screening criteria for AI. After further rounds of elimination, Murugesan's team finally selected one of his AI proposals and synthesized it in the lab. It was noticeable because half of what Murugesan expected to be lithium atoms were replaced with sodium. This is a very novel recipe for an electrolyte, he said, and the combination of the two elements raises questions about the fundamental physics of how the material works in batteries. Masu.

His team built a working battery using this material, albeit with a lower conductivity than similar prototypes that use more lithium. Both Baker and Murugesan said much work remains to optimize the new batteries. However, the manufacturing process took about nine months, from the time Murugesan first talked to his Microsoft team until the battery was functional enough to light a light bulb.

“The methodology here is cutting edge in terms of machine learning tools, but what really elevates this is that things have been created and tested,” he says. Rafael Gomez-Bombarelli from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology was not involved in this project. “It's very easy to make predictions. It's hard to convince someone to invest in an actual experiment.” He said the team will accelerate calculations that physicists have been making for decades, and It is said that AI was used to strengthen it. However, this approach may also encounter obstacles in the future. For this kind of work, he said, the data needed to train the AI ​​is often sparse, and materials other than battery components may require more complex ways of combining elements. he says.

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Source: www.newscientist.com