UNESCO: AI-driven neurotechnology ‘on steroids’ needs regulation
https://www.ft.com/content/48afd321-5323-449c-aacf-7562f38b2799
UNESCO is calling for global regulation of neurotechnology, which it says is advancing rapidly and threatens human rights. The increased investment in AI-based programs that can read people’s minds and store neural data has raised concerns about its use. UNESCO will develop a “universal ethical framework” for neurotechnology, which connects computers with the brain and increasingly uses artificial intelligence to analyse neural activity. The market for neurotech devices is projected to exceed $24BN by 2027.
WaPo: The FTC is investigating whether ChatGPT harms consumers
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/07/13/ftc-openai-chatgpt-sam-altman-lina-khan/
The FTC is investigating OpenAI's ChatGPT to determine if it engaged in unfair or deceptive practices that resulted in reputational harm to consumers. The FTC has demanded OpenAI provide records related to complaints about false, misleading, disparaging, or harmful statements made by its products about people, as well as records related to a security incident that occurred in March. The investigation comes as the FTC warns that existing consumer protection laws apply to AI and new regulations are being considered.
gm #nostr #coffeechain 🌞
UK Space Agency pumps £20 million into drone development
https://telecoms.com/522658/uk-space-agency-pumps-20-million-into-drone-development/
The UK Space Agency has announced a £20m funding pot for drone projects, which will be available for companies working on aerial connectivity, such as drones delivering medical supplies and providing dedicated connectivity for emergency services. The funding is part of the European Space Agency's Advanced Research in Telecommunications Services programme, and applications can be filed under three categories: drones, high-altitude platform stations and high-altitude long endurance. The funding follows £50m in ARTES funding announced in January, which was available for firms developing new satellite constellations, the ground systems needed to access them, or whole end-to-end systems.
Thinking beyond audio: Augmenting headphones for everyday digital interactions
Microsoft Research explores the potential of sensor-enhanced headphones to expand the capabilities of human-computer interaction. By incorporating sensors such as microphones, proximity sensors, motion sensors, inertial measurement units (IMUs), and LiDARs, headphone designers can explore new avenues of input and interaction, allowing for a wide range of applications beyond traditional audio control. These include context-aware privacy controls, directed speech interaction, and socially recognizable gestures for audio-visual control, among others.
US to decide on GM request to deploy self-driving cars
US regulators will soon decide on GM Cruise's petition to deploy up to 2,500 self-driving vehicles annually without human controls. The petition filed in February 2022 seeks government approval to deploy vehicles annually without steering wheels, mirrors, turn signals or windshield wipers. The National Highway Traffic Safety acting Administrator Ann Carlson said the agency "will issue a decision" in the coming weeks. Congress has been debating for years whether to pass legislation on self-driving cars, and a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee is planning a hearing later this month.
Chipotle tests robot that can prepare avocados to make guacamole faster
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/12/chipotle-tests-robot-to-prepare-avocados-for-guacamole.html
Chipotle has developed a robot, called Autocado, that can cut, core, and peel avocados for its guacamole, potentially cutting the prep time in half. The robot was developed in partnership with California-based robotics startup Vebu Labs, and Chipotle's venture arm, Cultivate Next, is investing in Vebu. The broader restaurant industry is experimenting with robotics and automation as it faces a shrinking workforce and rising wages. The Autocado is expected to be tested in Chipotle restaurants later this year and could help save millions of dollars on avocados annually, as well as cut labor costs and food waste.
Good morning! #coffeechain Eager to work on the Futurology #nostr community some more today.
Agree with nostr:npub1r0rs5q2gk0e3dk3nlc7gnu378ec6cnlenqp8a3cjhyzu6f8k5sgs4sq9ac. I think Ladybird is the first browser built from scratch to have a fighting chance in who knows how long. https://ladybird.dev/
😂 nostr:note1t57gce6tg5zwwwmpe3l4q55xft3zas7d5662szpu3cswa9eyaqwqs5gl7f
If anyone else is interested in discussing or sharing links about the future(a), future tech, etc, check out the #futurology community on satellite.earth #futurestr
https://satellite.earth/n/Futurology/npub1sm9xgupw9ejwsddflq8ll7773yzc0mjcsp5xypw4h4k6c7pgav9sn5yn0r 
AI Tool Decodes Brain Cancer’s Genome During Surgery
https://hms.harvard.edu/news/ai-tool-decodes-brain-cancers-genome-during-surgery
A new AI tool called CHARM has been developed by Harvard Medical School researchers to decode a brain tumor's DNA during surgery, enabling neurosurgeons to make decisions about how much brain tissue to remove and whether to place tumor-killing drugs directly into the brain. The tool can provide real-time guidance to surgeons on the optimal surgical approach for removal of cancerous tissue. The tool is called CHARM (Cryosection Histopathology Assessment and Review Machine) and is freely available to other researchers, but still needs to be clinically validated through testing in real-world settings and cleared by the FDA before deployment in hospitals.
National Security Adviser Warns World War III May Not Involve Guns And Bombs, But Biological And Computer Viruses
According to an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal, the next global conflict may involve biological and computer viruses instead of conventional warfare, with the aggressor nation first immunizing its own population. Defensive measures include rapid vaccine development and strengthening cyber defenses, while possible responses to an attack could include asset confiscation and a strong cyberattack capability aimed at the enemy’s military and industry.
Supercomputer Will Help Decide whether to Block the Sun
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/supercomputer-will-help-decide-whether-to-block-the-sun/
A new supercomputer named Derecho will allow scientists to run more detailed models to study the effects of solar geoengineering, a controversial idea for cooling the planet by redirecting the sun's rays. The machine will be used to assess the risks tied to geoengineering, including the potential impact on rainfall patterns and entire ecosystems. The announcement from the National Center for Atmospheric Research comes after the Biden administration released a report offering measured support for researching solar geoengineering as a way to slow the rise of global temperatures.
Liquid metal could turn everyday things like paper into smart objects
Scientists have discovered a way to apply liquid metal to paper without an adhesive, which could turn everyday objects into smart gadgets. The metal coating conducts heat and electricity and can be used to create origami shapes that can re-fold themselves. The researchers believe this new method could be used to create smart materials for soft robots and space exploration.
Lung cancer drug slashes patients’ risk of death by 51%
https://www.freethink.com/health/lung-cancer-drug
The FDA-approved lung cancer drug osimertinib (Tagrisso) reduces the risk of death by 51% for certain patients whose cancer is caught early, according to new trial data. The drug was approved in 2020 to treat non-small cell lung cancer that was caught before it had spread and after doctors had surgically removed what cancer they could from the lungs. The new results show that the drug can extend overall survival for these patients, providing them with the best chance of long-term survival.
