By Guillaume Thierry, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience, Bangor University
We are constantly fed a version of AI that looks, sounds and acts suspiciously like us. It speaks in polished sentences, mimics emotions, expresses curiosity, claims to feel compassion, even dabbles in what it calls creativity.
But here’s the truth: it possesses none of those qualities. It is not human. And presenting it as if it were? That’s dangerous. Because it’s convincing. And nothing is more dangerous than a convincing illusion.
In particular, general artificial intelligence — the mythical kind of AI that supposedly mirrors human thought — is…
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By Glenn Fosbraey, Associate Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Winchester
Having collaborated with the likes of (deep breath) John Lennon, Aretha Franklin, George Michael, Rod Stewart, Little Richard, Luciano Pavarotti, Eminem and Leonard Cohen, it’s fair to say that Elton John likes to work with other artists.
The news, then, that he has embarked on another joint musical project, this time with Grammy-winning American superstar Brandi Carlile, won’t have raised many eyebrows. It may not even be too…
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By Valentina Montoya Robledo, Senior Researcher in Gender and Mobility, University of Oxford
Many Venezuelan women risk their safety each day to find work for themselves and school for their children in Colombia.
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By Ricardo Amansure, Senior Researcher at the Centre for Sustainability Transitions, Stellenbosch University
About 85% of South Africa’s electricity is produced by burning coal. The country’s move to renewable energy means that the coal industry will be phased out. To this end, the South African cabinet recently approved the country’s first renewable energy masterplan, which sets out what’s needed to establish new renewable energy industries. Ricardo Amansure of the Centre…
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By Francisca Mutapi, Professor in Global Health Infection and Immunity. and co-Director of the Global Health Academy, University of Edinburgh
The increasing trend of reducing foreign aid to Africa is forcing the continent to reassess its approach to healthcare delivery.
African countries face a major challenge of dealing with high rates of communicable diseases, such as malaria and HIV/Aids, and rising levels of non-communicable diseases. But the continent’s health systems don’t have the resources to provide accessible and affordable healthcare to address these challenges.
Historically,…
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By Baikal People Journal
American judge: he was able to avoid persecution by the Russian government for two years and can continue to do so in the future, therefore he is safe to return.
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By Susan L. Carruthers, Professor of History, University of Warwick
Clothing can kill. So, too, can the absence of personal protective equipment. For decades, the medical establishment has understood the role of fabric in both spreading contagion and guarding against its transmission — but never with greater urgency than 80 years ago.
On April 15 1945, British troops liberated Bergen-Belsen concentration camp near Celle in northern Germany. Shocking scenes awaited behind the barbed wire.
On entry, British personnel found an epidemic of typhus decimating…
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By Anna Turns, Senior Environment Editor
Last week, I travelled to the historic city of Perugia in Umbria, Italy. With clear blue skies, wisteria hanging over ancient Roman walls, plenty of gelato and beautiful vistas from the hilltop, the setting was pretty special. More inspiring though, were the people I spoke to during my visit. Perugia is the home of the annual international journalism festival, a meeting of media movers and shakers from all over the globe. These are my five biggest takeaways.
1. In-person connections are irreplaceable
Yes, I see…
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By Shelley Boulianne, Professor in Communication Studies, Mount Royal University
Research suggests a person’s social network is as important, if not more important, than simply being angry or frustrated when they decide to take part in a public protest.
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By Laura Case, Lecturer in Musicology, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney
This new play at Belvoir follows three best friends who share a house together in 1960s Redfern, the heart of ‘Blak Sydney’.
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