By Julian Koplin, Lecturer in Bioethics, Monash University; The University of Melbourne
Megan Frances Moss, PhD Candidate, Philosophy, Monash University
In recent days, evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins wrote an op-ed suggesting AI chatbot Claude may be conscious.
Dawkins did not express certainty that Claude is conscious. But he pointed out that Claude’s sophisticated abilities are difficult to make sense of without ascribing some kind of inner experience to the machine. The illusion of consciousness – if it is an illusion – is uncannily convincing:
If I entertain suspicions that perhaps she is not conscious, I…
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By Chris Murphy, Visiting Fellow, Economics (modelling), Australian National University
Up to 14% of what renters paid for housing in the past decade could have been due to taxes that don’t apply to owner-occupied homes, new estimates show.
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By Stacey Savin, Postdoctoral researcher, Vascular Immunology of Pregnancy Group, University of Adelaide, University of Adelaide
Pregnancy can be a time of joy and anticipation. But it can also be a nerve-wracking experience, with many factors affecting when and how a baby arrives.
A new study, published today, suggests when pregnant women are exposed to high levels of humid heat during pregnancy, they are more likely to have a preterm birth.
However, this…
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By Peter Thompson, Associate Professor in Media and Communication, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
The announcement by Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith that the government was abolishing the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) came as no real surprise.
But it leaves a big question hanging: will the news media still be held accountable to basic standards which protect the public interest and the core functions of the fourth estate?
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By Erik D Reichle, Professor of cognitive psychology, Macquarie University
Lili Yu, Senior Lecturer, Cognitive Psychology, Macquarie University
Reading is arguably the most difficult task one must learn. To understand why it is difficult, one must understand the physiology of reading.
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By Oiwan Lam
Tibetan communities sacrificed their pastoral lives and gave up their settlements for the national reserve. And now they are on the frontline, defending Asia's water tower against the climate crisis.
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By Amnesty International
Amnesty International has designated Luis Pacheco and Héctor Chaclán, ancestral authorities of the 48 cantons of Totonicapán in 2023, as prisoners of conscience. They have been unjustly imprisoned for over a year simply for having made use of their right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. “Luis Pacheco and Héctor Chaclán should never have […] The post Guatemala: Immediate and unconditional release of prisoners of conscience Luis Pacheco and Héctor Chaclán appeared first on Amnesty International. ]]>
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By Matthew Robertson, Research Scientist, Fisheries and Marine Institute, Memorial University of Newfoundland
Combining more than 15,000 reports from 36 states, researchers estimate that recreational fishing puts $3 billion worth of food on Americans’ tables each year.
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By Philippe Le Billon, Professor, Geography Department and School of Public Policy & Global Affairs, University of British Columbia
Pierre Wokuri, Junior Professor in Political Science, Sciences Po Rennes
Translating the Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels conference into a concrete action will demand structural reforms, credible policy tools and sustained political will.
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By Alex C. Lange, Assistant Professor, Higher Education, Colorado State University
The Smith College investigation marks the first time the Trump administration is considering whether trans students should gain admission to certain schools.
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