That is right this moment’s version of The Obtain, our weekday publication that gives a every day dose of what’s occurring on the earth of expertise.
Chatbots can persuade folks to cease believing in conspiracy theories
The web has made it simpler than ever earlier than to come across and unfold conspiracy theories. And whereas some are innocent, others may be deeply damaging, sowing discord and even resulting in pointless deaths.
Now, researchers imagine they’ve uncovered a brand new software for combating false conspiracy theories: AI chatbots. Researchers from MIT Sloan and Cornell College discovered that chatting a few conspiracy concept with a big language mannequin (LLM) diminished folks’s perception in it by about 20%—even amongst individuals who claimed that their beliefs had been necessary to their id
The findings may signify an necessary step ahead in how we have interaction with and educate individuals who espouse baseless theories. Learn the complete story.
—Rhiannon Williams
Google’s new software lets massive language fashions fact-check their responses
The information: Google is releasing a software known as DataGemma that it hopes will assist to cut back issues attributable to AI ‘hallucinating’, or making incorrect claims. It makes use of two strategies to assist massive language fashions fact-check their responses in opposition to dependable information and cite their sources extra transparently to customers.
What subsequent: If it really works as hoped, it could possibly be an actual boon for Google’s plan to embed AI deeper into its search engine. Nevertheless it comes with a number of caveats. Learn the complete story.
—James O’Donnell
Neuroscientists and designers are utilizing this monumental laboratory to make buildings higher
Have you ever ever discovered your self misplaced in a constructing that felt unattainable to navigate? Considerate constructing design ought to middle on the individuals who might be utilizing these buildings. However that’s no imply feat.
A design that works for some folks won’t work for others. Folks have completely different minds and our bodies, and ranging desires and desires. So how can we issue all of them in?
To reply that query, neuroscientists and designers are becoming a member of forces at an unlimited laboratory in East London—one that enables researchers to construct simulated worlds. Learn the complete story.
—Jessica Hamzelou
This story is from The Checkup, our weekly biotech and well being publication. Enroll to obtain it in your inbox each Thursday.
The must-reads
I’ve combed the web to search out you right this moment’s most enjoyable/necessary/scary/fascinating tales about expertise.
1 OpenAI has launched an AI mannequin with ‘reasoning’ capabilities
It claims it’s a step towards its broader objective of human-like synthetic intelligence. (The Verge)
+ It may show notably helpful for coders and math tutors. (NYT $)
+ Why does AI being good at math matter? (MIT Know-how Overview)
2 Microsoft desires to prepared the ground in local weather innovation
Whereas concurrently promoting AI to fossil gasoline firms. (The Atlantic $)
+ Google, Amazon and the issue with Large Tech’s local weather claims. (MIT Know-how Overview)
3 The FDA has authorized Apple’s AirPods as listening to aids
Simply two years after the physique first authorized over-the-counter aids. (WP $)
+ It may basically shift how folks entry hearing-enhancing gadgets. (The Verge)
4 Dad and mom aren’t utilizing Meta’s baby security controls
So claims Nick Clegg, the corporate’s international affairs chief. (The Guardian)
+ Many tech execs prohibit their very own childrens’ publicity to expertise. (The Atlantic $)
5 How AI is turbo boosting authorized motion
Particularly in the case of mass litigation. (FT $)
6 Low-income People had been focused by false adverts without spending a dime money
Some victims had their medical health insurance plans modified with out their consent. (WSJ $)
7 Contained in the stratospheric rise of the ‘medical’ beverage
Promising us every thing from glowier pores and skin to elevated power. (Vox)
8 Japan’s police power is heading on-line
Cybercrime is booming, as felony exercise in the true world drops. (Bloomberg $)
9 AI can replicate your late family members’ handwriting 
For some, it’s a touching reminder of somebody they beloved. (Ars Technica)
+ Know-how that lets us “communicate” to our lifeless kin has arrived. Are we prepared? (MIT Know-how Overview)
10 Crypto creators are resorting to harmful stunts for consideration
Don’t do that at residence. (Wired $)
Quote of the day
“You possibly can’t have a dialog with James the AI bot. He’s not going to indicate up at occasions.”
—A former reporter for Backyard Island, an area newspaper in Hawaii, dismisses the corporate’s resolution to put money into new AI-generated presenters for its web site, Wired experiences.
The massive story
AI hype is constructed on excessive take a look at scores. These exams are flawed.
August 2023
Prior to now few years, a number of researchers declare to have proven that enormous language fashions can go cognitive exams designed for people, from working by way of issues step-by-step, to guessing what different persons are pondering.
These sorts of outcomes are feeding a hype machine predicting that these machines will quickly come for white-collar jobs. However there’s an issue: There’s little settlement on what these outcomes actually imply. Learn the complete story.
—William Douglas Heaven
We are able to nonetheless have good issues
A spot for consolation, enjoyable and distraction to brighten up your day. (Received any concepts? Drop me a line or tweet ’em at me.)
+ It’s nearly time for Chinese language mooncake insanity to rejoice the Moon Pageant! 
+ Pearl the Surprise Horse isn’t only a remedy animal—she’s additionally an achieved keyboardist.
+ We love you Peter Dinklage!
+ Cash for Nothing sounds even higher on a lute.
