AI News
Affordances in the brain: The human superpower AI hasn’t mastered
Scientists at the University of Amsterdam discovered that our brains automatically understand how we can move through different environments—whether it's swimming in a lake or walking a path—without conscious thought. These "action possibilities," or affordances, light up specific brain regions independently of what’s visually present. In contrast, AI models like ChatGPT still struggle with these intuitive judgments, missing the physical context that humans naturally grasp.
Half of today’s jobs could vanish—Here’s how smart countries are future-proofing workers
AI is revolutionizing the job landscape, prompting nations worldwide to prepare their workforces for dramatic changes. A University of Georgia study evaluated 50 countries’ national AI strategies and found significant differences in how governments prioritize education and workforce training. While many jobs could disappear in the coming decades, new careers requiring advanced AI skills are emerging. Countries like Germany and Spain are leading with early education and cultural support for AI, but few emphasize developing essential human soft skills like creativity and communication—qualities AI can't replace.
Researchers present bold ideas for AI at MIT Generative AI Impact Consortium kickoff event
Presentations targeted high-impact intersections of AI and other areas, such as health care, business, and education.
Thinking AI models emit 50x more CO2—and often for nothing
Every query typed into a large language model (LLM), such as ChatGPT, requires energy and produces CO2 emissions. Emissions, however, depend on the model, the subject matter, and the user. Researchers have now compared 14 models and found that complex answers cause more emissions than simple answers, and that models that provide more accurate answers produce more emissions. Users can, however, to an extent, control the amount of CO2 emissions caused by AI by adjusting their personal use of the technology, the researchers said.
From shortage to supremacy: How Sandia and the CHIPS Act aim to reboot US chip power
Once a global leader in chipmaking, the U.S. now lags behind. Sandia National Laboratories is spearheading a strategic comeback by joining a powerful new coalition the National Semiconductor Technology Center. Through cutting-edge research, collaborative partnerships, and workforce development, Sandia is aiming to reclaim semiconductor dominance, safeguard national security, and revolutionize tech innovation for everything from self-driving cars to AI processors.
Combining technology, education, and human connection to improve online learning
Caitlin Morris, a PhD student and 2024 MAD Fellow affiliated with the MIT Media Lab, designs digital learning platforms that make room for the “social magic” that influences curiosity and motivation.
Unpacking the bias of large language models
In a new study, researchers discover the root cause of a type of bias in LLMs, paving the way for more accurate and reliable AI systems.
A sounding board for strengthening the student experience
Composed of “computing bilinguals,” the Undergraduate Advisory Group provides vital input to help advance the mission of the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing.
Celebrating an academic-industry collaboration to advance vehicle technology
MIT Advanced Vehicle Technology Consortium marks a decade of developing data that improve understanding of how drivers use and respond to increasingly sophisticated automotive features.
Passive cooling breakthrough could slash data center energy use
UC San Diego engineers have created a passive evaporative cooling membrane that could dramatically slash energy use in data centers. As demand for AI and cloud computing soars, traditional cooling systems struggle to keep up efficiently. This innovative fiber membrane uses capillary action to evaporate liquid and draw heat away without fans or pumps. It performs with record-breaking heat flux and is stable under high-stress operation.
This quantum sensor tracks 3D movement without GPS
Physicists at the University of Colorado Boulder have created a groundbreaking quantum device that can measure 3D acceleration using ultracold atoms, something once thought nearly impossible. By chilling rubidium atoms to near absolute zero and splitting them into quantum superpositions, the team has built a compact atom interferometer guided by AI to decode acceleration patterns. While the sensor still lags behind traditional GPS and accelerometers, it's poised to revolutionize navigation for vehicles like submarines or spacecraft potentially offering a timeless, atomic-based alternative to aging electronics.
Bringing meaning into technology deployment
The MIT Ethics of Computing Research Symposium showcases projects at the intersection of technology, ethics, and social responsibility.
Photonic processor could streamline 6G wireless signal processing
By performing deep learning at the speed of light, this chip could give edge devices new capabilities for real-time data analysis.
Have a damaged painting? Restore it in just hours with an AI-generated “mask”
A new method can physically restore original paintings using digitally constructed films, which can be removed if desired.
Inroads to personalized AI trip planning
A new framework from the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab supercharges language models, so they can reason over, interactively develop, and verify valid, complex travel agendas.
Melding data, systems, and society
A new book from Professor Munther Dahleh details the creation of a unique kind of transdisciplinary center, uniting many specialties through a common need for data science.
How we really judge AI
Forget optimists vs. Luddites. Most people evaluate AI based on its perceived capability and their need for personalization.
AI-enabled control system helps autonomous drones stay on target in uncertain environments
The system automatically learns to adapt to unknown disturbances such as gusting winds.
Envisioning a future where health care tech leaves some behind
The winning essay of the Envisioning the Future of Computing Prize puts health care disparities at the forefront.
Helping machines understand visual content with AI
Coactive, founded by two MIT alumni, has built an AI-powered platform to unlock new insights from content of all types.
