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Don’t Panic: ‘Humanity’s Last Exam’ has begun

A global consortium created an exam with 2,500 questions spanning multiple subjects to assess AI capabilities. Current AI models consistently fail the exam, highlighting gaps in their understanding. The project aims to provide a long-term benchmark for evaluating advanced AI systems and demonstrate the importance of human expertise

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

AI learns better when it talks to itself

Researchers at OIST found that combining inner speech with working memory enhances AI learning, enabling easier adaptation to new situations. This discovery holds promise for developing more human-like AI systems capable of handling complex, dynamic environments.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

We may never be able to tell if AI becomes conscious, argues philosopher

Dr. Tom McClelland from the University of Cambridge believes that our current evidence is insufficient to determine whether artificial intelligence has achieved consciousness. He suggests that sentience, which involves positive and negative feelings, is a more critical factor in making AI ethically significant.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Scientists on ‘urgent’ quest to explain consciousness as AI gathers pace

Researchers warn that advances in AI and neurotechnology are outpacing our understanding of consciousness, with potential serious ethical consequences. A better understanding of consciousness could have major implications for AI, prenatal policy, animal welfare, medicine, mental health, law, and emerging neurotechnologies.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Why ChatGPT is bad at imitating people

Recent research found that large language models are not yet able to consistently fool humans in conversations. They struggle with using discourse markers, opening and closing features, and subtle imitations. Despite rapid development, key differences between human and artificial conversations will likely remain.

Exploring a novel approach for improving generative AI models

Researchers at Institute of Science Tokyo developed a new framework for generative diffusion models by reinterpreting Schrödinger bridge models as variational autoencoders. This approach reduces computational costs and prevents overfitting, enabling more efficient generative AI models with broad applicability.

Google.org backs the Wits MIND Institute with US$1M boost

The Wits MIND Institute has received a $1 million boost from Google.org, enabling it to drive next-generation breakthroughs in natural and artificial intelligence. The partnership aims to advance the scientific understanding of both natural and artificial intelligence, foster breakthrough research and technological innovation.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

How game-play with robots can bring out their human side

A new study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology found that interacting with robots through social games makes them seem more human-like. The researchers used a box-shaped robot called Cozmo and found that participants who played games with it considered it more human-like, whereas those who interacted mechanically did not.

In an era where empathy feels unfamiliar, AI now translates emotions

A research team developed AI technology that analyzes individual personality traits and values to generate personalized analogies, allowing people to understand others' feelings through familiar experiences. This approach significantly improved emotional understanding and empathy in participants compared to traditional methods.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

WVU researchers test AI’s limits in emergency room diagnoses

Researchers found that artificial intelligence tools can accurately predict disease for patients with typical symptoms but struggle with those exhibiting atypical symptoms. Human oversight is necessary for high-quality patient-centered care when using AI as an assistive tool.

Developers, educators view AI harms differently, research finds

Developers of educational tools focus on technical challenges, while educators are concerned with broader impacts, such as inhibiting critical thinking skills and exacerbating systemic inequality. Researchers recommend designer-centered approach to facilitate development of educator-centered edtech.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Machine psychology – a bridge to general AI

Robert Johansson's Machine Psychology concept combines adaptive artificial intelligence with psychological learning principles to create a more intelligent AI system. The goal is to implement human-like intelligence in machines, enabling them to learn from experiences and apply knowledge across various situations.

How to make robots more lifelike

Researchers created a measurement scale to assess robot human likeness, revealing four key qualities: appearance, emotional capacity, social intelligence, and self-understanding. To seem lifelike, robots must exhibit these traits, with self-understanding being the most challenging aspect to simulate.

Don’t believe the hype: AGI is far from inevitable

The study challenges the idea of creating artificial general intelligence (AGI) with human-level cognition, citing limitations in replicating human cognition. Researchers argue that even under ideal circumstances, it is impossible to achieve AGI due to the complexity of cognitive processes.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

AI poses no existential threat to humanity – new study finds

Researchers at University of Bath and Technical University of Darmstadt found that large language models like ChatGPT cannot learn independently or acquire new skills, making them controllable and predictable. The study concluded that LLMs remain inherently safe, but misuse is still possible.

When AI aids decisions, when should humans override?

New research finds that AI explanations can fuel a perception of fairness without being grounded in accuracy or equity. Humans were more likely to override AI recommendations when explanations highlighted gender rather than task-relevance, but this did not improve decision-making accuracy.

UCF launches inaugural mentorship, scholarship initiative for students in AI

UCF's STRONG-AI initiative aims to uplift bright, low-income undergraduate students in pursuing well-rounded AI education through faculty and peer mentorship and scholarship. The program has received over 150 applications and will select 10-15 students annually based on financial aid eligibility and academic success.

Researchers reveal roadmap for AI innovation in brain and language learning

A new study highlights the importance of differentiating between formal and functional competence in language learning models. Researchers argue that leveraging human neuroscience insights can help develop more powerful AIs that mimic the brain's modularity, leading to improved performance and natural user interaction.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Resurrection consent: New study on attitudes to digital cloning of the dead

A recent study investigates how deceased individuals' consent affects societal acceptance of digital resurrection. The research found that explicit consent increases acceptability by two points, while 59% of respondents disagree with their own digital resurrection, highlighting the need for clear legal regulations on the subject.

Can AI push the boundaries of privacy and reach the subconscious mind?

The European Union's AI act could enable AI to access our subconscious minds, potentially leading to manipulation. According to Ignasi Beltran de Heredia, only 5% of brain activity is conscious, and the remaining 95% operates subconsciously, making it difficult for us to control or even be aware of.

AI should be better understood and managed – new research warns

A Lancaster University academic argues that AI and algorithms contribute to polarization, radicalism, and political violence, posing a threat to national security. The paper examines how AI has been securitized throughout its history, highlighting the need for better understanding and management of its risks.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Can ChatGPT help us form personal narratives?

A new study found that ChatGPT-4 can generate highly accurate personal narratives based on stream-of-consciousness thoughts and demographic details. The AI model was used in conjunction with therapists to guide patients toward healthier thoughts and behaviors, suggesting a potential tool for improving therapeutic approaches.

Teaching robots to teach other robots

Researchers developed a tool called SKILL that enables AI agents to learn 102 distinct tasks by sharing knowledge in parallel, reducing the time needed to master new skills. The technology has potential applications in medicine, education, and other fields where vast knowledge is required.

UMD leads new $20M NSF Institute for Trustworthy AI in Law and Society

The UMD-led TRAILS institute will develop AI technologies that promote trust and mitigate risks through broader participation, new technology development, and informed governance. The institute aims to create AI systems that align with values and interests of diverse groups, leading to increased transparency, reliability, and accountab...

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

New UCF project seeks to advance human understanding of AI reasoning

Researchers seek to develop algorithms providing meaningful explanations for AI decision-making, enabling higher human trust and adoption in fields like science. The project focuses on symbolic reasoning and estimating explanation accuracy, addressing the need for transparent AI systems.

Cinema has helped ‘entrench’ gender inequality in AI

Research from the University of Cambridge found that cinematic depictions of AI scientists are heavily skewed towards men, contributing to a cultural stereotype that may deter women from pursuing AI careers. The study highlights the need for more diverse representation in AI development.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.