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Showing posts from February, 2024

Judge skeptical of lawsuit brought by Elon Musk's X over hate speech research

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Judge skeptical of lawsuit brought by Elon Musk's X over hate speech research https://ift.tt/DnIJY8f The nonprofit sued by Elon Musk's X says the legal tactic is an attempt to silence criticism of the company. The Center for Countering Digital Hate published reports documenting hate speech on X. (Image credit: Benjamin Fanjoy)

How scientists are using facial-recognition AI to track humpback whales

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How scientists are using facial-recognition AI to track humpback whales https://ift.tt/VT2esft After being hunted for decades, humpback whales returned to the Pacific Ocean in big numbers. Now, new technology is revealing that underwater heat waves are taking a toll on that recovery. (Image credit: Martin van Aswegen)

ExxonMobil is suing investors who want faster climate action

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ExxonMobil is suing investors who want faster climate action https://ift.tt/abnCBr2 The oil and gas giant is suing investor groups that want it to slash climate pollution. Interest groups on both sides of the case say it could lead to more lawsuits against activist investors. (Image credit: Richard Drew)

What should you do if your phone gets wet? Don't put it a bag of rice

What should you do if your phone gets wet? Don't put it a bag of rice https://ift.tt/A6j7Esh Apple support says pieces of rice could get into crevices of the phone. Instead it suggests shake out the liquid and let the phone dry out in a place with some airflow for an entire day in some cases.

A tech billionaire is quietly buying up land in Hawaii. No one knows why

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A tech billionaire is quietly buying up land in Hawaii. No one knows why https://ift.tt/YV8jRPU A mystery has been brewing in a small ranching town on Hawaii's Big Island. Word has it that Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff bought the land, stirring worries about what he plans to do with it.

After 10 years of development, Apple abruptly cancels its electric car project

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After 10 years of development, Apple abruptly cancels its electric car project https://ift.tt/gwdqDb9 The tech giant's sudden move took the thousands of employees working on the effort by surprise and sent a jolt to the automotive industry, which was closely watching the specter of an Apple car. (Image credit: Jeff Chiu)

Cameo is being used for political propaganda — by tricking the stars involved

Cameo is being used for political propaganda — by tricking the stars involved https://ift.tt/rfhx6qR Lindsay Lohan and other celebrities were tricked into calling for the ouster of Moldova's president. It's the latest example of the Cameo app being used for an apparent political propaganda operation.

The Supreme Court will hear challenges to Texas and Florida social media laws

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The Supreme Court will hear challenges to Texas and Florida social media laws https://ift.tt/MxrFXN6 These cases raise a critical question for the First Amendment and the future of social media: whether states can force the platforms to carry content they find hateful or objectionable. (Image credit: Catie Dull)

Kara Swisher is still drawn to tech despite her disappointments with the industry

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Kara Swisher is still drawn to tech despite her disappointments with the industry https://ift.tt/4pDeUXH The writer and podcaster wrote her memoir, "Burn Book," about her disillusionment with many tech moguls. (Image credit: Randy Shropshire)

The 'de-influencing' trend tackles overconsumption and its harm on the environment

The 'de-influencing' trend tackles overconsumption and its harm on the environment https://ift.tt/EqZr2Xa NPR's Scott Detrow speaks with sustainability expert Solitaire Townsend about the rise of de-influencers on social media, who spread awareness about the harms of overconsumption on the environment.

Decade's old missing person case solved after relative uploads DNA to genealogy site

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Decade's old missing person case solved after relative uploads DNA to genealogy site https://ift.tt/YP2yr6L Sandra Young was between 16 and 18 years old when she went missing in the late 1960s. Police in Oregon say an upload to the genealogy database GEDMatch helped them identify her remains.

U.S. lunar lander is on its side with some antennas covered up, the company says

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U.S. lunar lander is on its side with some antennas covered up, the company says https://ift.tt/tAnum85 Odysseus — the first U.S. lander in over 50 years — tipped over at touchdown and ended up on its side near the moon's south pole, hampering communications, Intuitive Machines officials said Friday.

Morning news brief

Morning news brief https://ift.tt/ynpQT0B Alabama lawmakers move to protect IVF treatment. Saturday marks two years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Leaked document show a Chinese hacking scheme focused on harassing dissidents.

Meet RDDT: Popular social platform Reddit to sell stock in an unusual IPO

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Meet RDDT: Popular social platform Reddit to sell stock in an unusual IPO https://ift.tt/EmJ9ZBU Reddit's IPO will be the first time since 2019 that a social media company has premiered on the stock market. (Image credit: Matt Slocum)

Leaked document trove shows a Chinese hacking scheme focused on harassing dissidents

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Leaked document trove shows a Chinese hacking scheme focused on harassing dissidents https://ift.tt/xbfdI41 The large cache of more than 500 documents posted online anonymously last week details one Chinese tech company's hacking operations, target lists and marketing materials for the Chinese government.

AT&T outage disrupts some 911 calls as tens of thousands lose service

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AT&T outage disrupts some 911 calls as tens of thousands lose service https://ift.tt/peHBuUg Reports of outages spiked around 3:30 a.m. ET, reaching more than 71,000 within a few hours. AT&T says it is aware of the problem and "working urgently to restore service." (Image credit: Justin Sullivan)

'Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth' review: Savor the story, skim the open world

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'Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth' review: Savor the story, skim the open world https://ift.tt/0n5Fpmk Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth excels when it builds on Remake's innovations. But its new open world distracts from its superb character development. (Image credit: James Mastromarino)

Two Indicators: Economics of the defense industry

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Two Indicators: Economics of the defense industry https://ift.tt/x5LM6ak The Department of Defense's proposed budget for 2024 is $842 billion. That is about 3.5% of the U.S.'s GDP. The military buys everything from pens and paper clips to fighter jets and submarines. But the market for military equipment is very different from the commercial market. On today's episode, we're bringing you two stories from The Indicator's series on defense spending that explore that market. As the U.S. continues to send weapons to Ukraine and Israel, we first look at why defense costs are getting so high. Then, we dive into whether bare-bones manufacturing styles are leaving the U.S. military in a bind. The original Indicator episodes were produced by Cooper Katz McKim with engineering from Maggie Luthar and James Willetts. It was fact-checked by Sierra Juarez and Angel Carreras. They were edited by Kate Concannon and Paddy Hirsch. Alex Goldmark is Planet Money's executive p...

Wind Power Is Taking Over A West Virginia Coal Town. Will The Residents Embrace It?

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Wind Power Is Taking Over A West Virginia Coal Town. Will The Residents Embrace It? https://ift.tt/FjtNT6I Keyser, West Virginia, was once known for coal. But the jobs have been disappearing since the 1970s. First because of automation, then cheap natural gas. And now, the urgency to address climate change is one more pressure on this energy source that contributes to global warming. Now the town, like so much of the country is attempting to transition to renewable energy. The country's first major climate policy, known as the Inflation Reduction Act, gave that transition a boost. It passed with the key vote of West Virginia's own Senator Democrat Joe Manchin. Keyser represents a national shift in American energy production. And in a town that was defined by coal for generations, change can be difficult. For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This , sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org . Email us at considerthis@npr.org . (Image credit: Hai...

First there were AI chatbots. Now AI assistants can order Ubers and book vacations

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First there were AI chatbots. Now AI assistants can order Ubers and book vacations https://ift.tt/xGyKiH5 A new batch of AI-powered devices known as AI agents are all the rage in Silicon Valley. They're devices with a voice assistant that can complete real-world tasks for you.

Why techies are excited about AI agents that do errands for you

Why techies are excited about AI agents that do errands for you https://ift.tt/Dq43TxV Gadgets powered by AI that can complete everyday tasks are coming into the workplace.

Tech giants pledge action against deceptive AI in elections

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Tech giants pledge action against deceptive AI in elections https://ift.tt/a142LSV Fears over how AI could be used to mislead voters are escalating in a year that will see hundreds of millions of people around the world cast ballots. As a result, tech giants are pledging action. (Image credit: Michael Dwyer)

Eyes on the road: Automated speed cameras get a fresh look as traffic deaths mount

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Eyes on the road: Automated speed cameras get a fresh look as traffic deaths mount https://ift.tt/tzriglv New laws will allow automated speed cameras in places where they've long been banned. Advocates say they can save lives, but critics argue they're a financial burden on those least able to pay.

Maker of Tinder, Hinge sued over 'addictive' dating apps that put profits over love

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Maker of Tinder, Hinge sued over 'addictive' dating apps that put profits over love https://ift.tt/z0uL725 Match Group was sued on Wednesday for violating consumer protection laws for allegedly addicting dating app users through "predatory" practices that mislead people searching for romantic partners. (Image credit: Patrick Sison)

What a robocall of Biden's AI-generated voice could mean for the 2024 election

What a robocall of Biden's AI-generated voice could mean for the 2024 election https://ift.tt/FlkJnyU A robocall in New Hampshire's primary that urged people not to cast ballots appeared to be an AI-generated clone of President Biden's voice. What does that signal for the 2024 election?

Gun violence killed them. Now, their voices will lobby Congress to do more using AI

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Gun violence killed them. Now, their voices will lobby Congress to do more using AI https://ift.tt/JKIjQ8P On the 6th anniversary of the mass shooting in Parkland, Fla., gun control advocates experiment with AI-generated audio messages of recreated voices of victims of gun violence pleading for change. (Image credit: Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for March For Our Lives)

Nintendo amps up an old feud in 'Mario vs. Donkey Kong'

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Nintendo amps up an old feud in 'Mario vs. Donkey Kong' https://ift.tt/nmLcf6K The new remake of Mario vs. Donkey Kong delivers ace animation and a welcome "casual mode," but its two-player co-op can be more frustrating than fun. (Image credit: Nintendo)

As Congress lags, states have taken the lead in regulating the emerging AI industry

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As Congress lags, states have taken the lead in regulating the emerging AI industry https://ift.tt/qur02EQ Congress has been slow to regulate the artificial intelligence industry, but states have been plowing ahead, proposing and passing laws dealing with AI in elections, fake images and health care.

Biden's campaign gives in and joins TikTok. Blame the youngs

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Biden's campaign gives in and joins TikTok. Blame the youngs https://ift.tt/TCvo2Ow The White House has stayed away from TikTok because of national security concerns related to its Chinese parent company. But Biden's campaign has now jumped in because that's where young voters are. (Image credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

The Dating App Paradox: Why dating apps may be 'worse than ever'

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The Dating App Paradox: Why dating apps may be 'worse than ever' https://ift.tt/4icIqkv Investors in dating app companies are suffering from heartbreak. As these companies shift gears and try to make a profit, many of their users are heartbroken too. (Image credit: Malte Mueller/Getty Images)

AI deciphers part of an ancient scroll 2,000 years after Mount Vesuvius erupted

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AI deciphers part of an ancient scroll 2,000 years after Mount Vesuvius erupted https://ift.tt/OkVjn3W A scroll covered by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius has been read for the first time — with the help of artificial intelligence.

The ultra-high-tech development in Pakistan's parliamentary election

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The ultra-high-tech development in Pakistan's parliamentary election https://ift.tt/4p6lsJi A man whose come to symbolize the whiplash rise, fall and rise again, of political fortunes in Pakistan says he's starting talks to form a coalition government after controversial elections.

A tiny robot on the space station will simulate remote-controlled surgery up there

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A tiny robot on the space station will simulate remote-controlled surgery up there https://ift.tt/TGAjf31 A robotic assistant recently arrived at the International Space Station to perform a simulated surgery that will be controlled by a surgeon 250 miles away on Earth. (Image credit: Craig Chandler/University of Nebraska Office of University Communication and Marketing)