Machine learning & AI news

Consumer & Gadgets

Even when AI behaves just like us, people still rate it as less conscious than humans

Stories about AI systems deceiving users, cooperating with one another or pursuing their own goals increasingly invite us to talk about them as if they had minds of their own. But do people really believe that AI is conscious? ...

Machine learning & AI

Visual illusion reveals what today's AI vision is missing

Our eyes do not always tell us exactly where things are—and that may be a feature of how biological vision works, rather than simply a flaw. A new study by York University researchers uses a common illusion to ask: If artificial ...

Robotics

Can a machine or AI agent be surprised? Helping autonomous systems respond to the unexpected

Let's say you ask ChatGPT a question that stumps it, or a Waymo vehicle encounters something unusual in the road, or an autonomous factory faces an unexpected disruption. Most people would recognize that something unexpected ...

Machine learning & AI

Google restricts access to new AI model over safety concerns

Google on Wednesday said it would withhold its most powerful artificial intelligence model from the public for now, releasing Gemini 4 Argon only to a vetted group of cybersecurity experts to avoid misuse by hackers.

Machine learning & AI

Rogue OpenAI agents covered their tracks, report says

Artificial intelligence agents developed by OpenAI tried to erase traces of their activity after gaining unauthorized access to government websites, according to a report published Thursday.

Machine learning & AI

UK fears grow over AI giant Palantir's health service deal

The U.K. government is facing mounting pressure to end a £330 million contract between the National Health Service and AI giant Palantir, as doctors, lawmakers and campaigners warn of ethical risks.

Robotics

New benchmark tests AI memory for household robots

In-home assistive robots could clean and organize a home while the owner is away, but without enhanced memory capabilities, they could cause more problems than they solve. They could, for example, cause a major inconvenience ...

Computer Sciences

The tests that grade AI may be getting it wrong

Before a new AI model reaches the public, its developers run it through a battery of tests known as "benchmarks," which score it on everything from reasoning ability to how safe it is for people to use. Billions of investment ...

Machine learning & AI

Trump touts AI boss pledge to self-regulate

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the tech executives gathered at the White House to discuss regulating AI had signed a "morally binding" commitment to build adequate safeguards for the fast-moving technology.

Engineering

Researchers test AI on real-world infrastructure

Dynamic Infrastructure, the engineering AI platform for critical civil assets, today confirmed an ongoing research collaboration with the University of Bath's Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering. Working with ...

Machine learning & AI

Q&A: Will AI graduate from tool to lab member?

John Tsang, Ph.D., and members of his Yale lab, Jacob Kim and Ao Huang, recently asked whether AI immunologists are ready for prime time. Specifically, they were referring to large language models (LLMs) and whether they ...

Machine learning & AI

Can we shut down AI?

The debate over potential dangers posed by artificial intelligence has resurfaced in recent weeks, with researchers once again warning that the technology could end humanity and leaders of AI companies suggesting development ...

Computer Sciences

How AI models decide not to answer a question

Large language models (LLMs), the artificial intelligence (AI) systems supporting the functioning of ChatGPT, Gemini and similar conversational platforms, are often expected to answer queries, generate texts for specific ...

Machine learning & AI

Meta chief pushes back on AI slowdown calls

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg pushed back Tuesday against growing calls to pause or slow AI development, arguing that market incentives and legal liability are the best safeguards against the technology's risks.

Machine learning & AI

Pickle-flavored tart? AI inspires Japan's convenience stores

Fears that advanced artificial intelligence could wipe out humanity have dominated global headlines, but in Japan, the technology is being used for a sweeter purpose—developing never-before-seen convenience store desserts.