Technology discussions often focus on the most extreme harm a product could cause, while paying less attention to the damage it may produce through everyday use. As powerful artificial intelligence systems become more common, critics argue that the industry must address not only catastrophic failures but also the ways these products can affect how people think, learn and interact.
One-third of teenagers now choose to discuss serious issues with an AI peer rather than another person. Students use chatbots to write papers, while social media feeds designed to inspire envy compete for users’ attention. Although these products may satisfy narrow safety requirements, their broader effects can still be harmful.
As the world enters an era defined by increasingly powerful AI products, the technology industry must do more than respond to catastrophic damage. It must also make AI safer and more secure in its everyday applications.
How close is NASA to nuclear spaceflight?
Earlier this year, NASA announced plans to build Space Reactor 1 Freedom, the first interplanetary spacecraft powered by a nuclear reactor, and send it to Mars by the end of 2028.
A successful mission could enable faster and more efficient spaceflight, saving astronauts time and reducing their exposure to harmful space radiation. However, progress in nuclear space propulsion has been slow.
Over the past 75 years, the United States has launched and ended several programs exploring the technology. The question now is whether the $2 billion investment in Space Reactor-1 Freedom will finally succeed.
—Robin George Andrews
Source: www.technologyreview.com