Mind Matters Natural and Artificial Intelligence News and Analysis

ArchiveBriefs

bearded-neanderthal-man-sits-by-fire-in-cave-at-night-caveman-and-bonfire-on-dark-background-concept-of-homo-sapiens-prehistoric-era-primitive-ancient-stone-age-stockpack-adobe-stock
Bearded neanderthal man sits by fire in cave at night, caveman and bonfire on dark background. Concept of Homo sapiens, prehistoric era, primitive, ancient, Stone Age

Study: Neanderthals invented their own tech, didn’t copy others

The team suggests that their find shows that Neanderthals were able to plan ahead, not only in making the tool, but in the way it was used. Read More ›
digital-chatbots-on-smartphones-access-data-and-information-in-online-networks-robot-applications-and-global-connectivity-ai-artificial-intelligence-innovation-and-technology-stockpack-adobe-stock
Digital chatbots on smartphones access data and information in online networks. Robot Applications and Global Connectivity AI Artificial Intelligence innovation and technology

Insights into why chatbots hallucinate, spewing false information

They hallucinate because the statistical approximation they use lacks reliability and nothing gets fact-checked. This is a built-in problem. Read More ›
white-chatbot-robot-leading-robots-group-on-dark-bluish-reddish-background-3d-rendering-stockpack-adobe-stock
White chatbot robot leading robots group on dark bluish reddish background 3D rendering

AI “friends” promote disturbing delusions in vulnerable users

To no one’s surprise, surely, bad actors are exploiting this trait. It will probably have to end in a serious tragedy before enough people start paying attention. Read More ›
journalist-reporter-dedicated-storytellers-of-world-news-and-information-era-of-rapid-media-evolution-well-informed-microphone-tv-television-press-communication-role-online-stockpack-adobe-stock
journalist, reporter, dedicated storytellers of world, news and information, era of rapid media evolution, well-informed, microphone TV television press communication role online.

Old-fashioned journalists aren’t dead; they’re on Substack

There is no turning back. The historically Democrat-leaning legacy media are losing voters even among young Democrats. Read More ›
illustration-of-basic-physics-and-mathematics-formulas-and-galaxy-in-universe-stockpack-adobe-stock
Illustration of basic physics and mathematics formulas and galaxy in universe

Indian teen can multiply five-digit numbers in his head

It's not a genetic endowment and can't simply be the outcome of practice so how some people can do this remains a mystery. Read More ›
roboter-auf-tastatur-methapher-fur-chatbot-socialbot-algorithmen-und-kunstliche-intelligenz-stockpack-adobe-stock
Roboter auf Tastatur, Methapher für Chatbot / Socialbot, Algorithmen und künstliche Intelligenz

A brand new type of glitch: Errors that only AI can introduce…

And replicate indefinitely. It’s called a “digital fossil” and it is very hard to just remove from the database, due to large-scale use of chatbots (LLMs). Read More ›
white-chatbot-robot-leading-robots-group-on-dark-bluish-reddish-background-3d-rendering-stockpack-adobe-stock
White chatbot robot leading robots group on dark bluish reddish background 3D rendering

Hype despite ongoing failure to build human-like AI = “scandal”

Even if the LLMs could think like humans, they might not be thinking like productive humans. No wonder Big Tech is slow to admit the problem. Read More ›
bearded-neanderthal-man-sits-by-fire-in-cave-at-night-caveman-and-bonfire-on-dark-background-concept-of-homo-sapiens-prehistoric-era-primitive-ancient-stone-age-stockpack-adobe-stock
Bearded neanderthal man sits by fire in cave at night, caveman and bonfire on dark background. Concept of Homo sapiens, prehistoric era, primitive, ancient, Stone Age

Chinese Neanderthal technology raises some interesting questions

The groups that made the distinctive Quina tools lived 7 to 8 thousand kilometers apart. Did they ever meet? Read More ›
baby-chimpanzee-ape-at-the-zoo-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
baby chimpanzee ape at the zoo.

Study: Human brains differ more from chimps’ than once thought

Discarding decades of pop science, science writer Tom Howarth doubts that there is a single defining switch or pivotal evolutionary event that makes us human. Read More ›
two-scientists-in-the-brain-research-laboratory-work-on-a-project-using-personal-computer-with-mri-scans-show-brain-anomalies-neuroscientists-at-work-stockpack-adobe-stock
Two Scientists in the Brain Research Laboratory work on a Project, Using Personal Computer with MRI Scans Show Brain Anomalies. Neuroscientists at Work.

Science journals report on limited tests with paid peer review

It speeded up the process somewhat without affecting the quality. An even more controversial alternative is to try getting a machine to do it. Read More ›