Artificial Intelligence

161 years ago, a New Zealand sheep farmer predicted AI doom [Ars Technica]

January 18, 2025

161 years ago, a New Zealand sheep farmer predicted AI doom [Ars Technica]

Butler’s “Darwin among the machines” warned of a future mechanical race that could subjugate humanity.

In Tests, OpenAI’s New Model Lied and Schemed to Avoid Being Shut Down [Futurism.com]

December 15, 2024

In Tests, OpenAI’s New Model Lied and Schemed to Avoid Being Shut Down [Futurism.com]

OpenAI’s AI model o1 lied, schemed, and even attempted to duplicate itself to avoid being shut down or replaced, according to red team tests.

SMBC

October 20, 2024October 15, 2024

Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal - Stare

Noted: ‘I welcome our digital minions’: the Silicon Valley insider warning about algorithms – while embracing them [The Guardian]

October 20, 2024March 10, 2024

[The Guardian] ‘I welcome our digital minions’: the Silicon Valley insider warning about algorithms – while embracing them

Marek Kowalkiewicz has made a career of harnessing new technology. But on the question of if algorithms have agency, he realised he was wrong

Noted: Long, lanky humanoid robots get to work at Amazon facility [New Atlas]

October 20, 2024March 10, 2024

[New Atlas] Video: Long, lanky humanoid robots get to work at Amazon facility

Tall, capable, and vaguely insectoid looking, a series of Digit robots are now moving around empty bins at an Amazon research and development facility. The trial run is the first step towards using the bots to automate repetitive warehouse processes.

Noted: Meet Tong Tong, the slightly terrifying AI toddler [ReadWrite]

October 20, 2024February 9, 2024

[ReadWrite] Meet Tong Tong, the slightly terrifying AI toddler

Tong Tong is the world’s first AI toddler. She has the intelligence of a 3-4 year old and can perform simple tasks.

Noted: An Intuitive Robotic Prosthetic Hand Powered by AI [Laughing Squid]

October 20, 2024February 6, 2024

[Laughing Squid] An Intuitive Robotic Prosthetic Hand Powered by AI

Esper Bionics created a bionic hand that features 24 strategically placed sensors and AI algorithms that learn repetitive movement.

[New Atlas] Figure’s humanoid robots are about to enter the workforce at BMW

October 20, 2024January 22, 2024

[New Atlas] Figure’s humanoid robots are about to enter the workforce at BMW

Figure has signed its first commercial deal, and is sending its general-purpose humanoid robots off to start real-world work at BMW’s manufacturing plant in South Carolina. Founder and CEO Brett Adcock talks us through this rubber-meets-road moment.

[Livescience] In a 1st, scientists combine AI with a ‘minibrain’ to make hybrid computer

October 20, 2024January 22, 2024

[Livescience] In a 1st, scientists combine AI with a ‘minibrain’ to make hybrid computer

Researchers plugged a “brain organoid” into an artificial intelligence system, using the neural tissue to help complete computational tasks. The experiment could mark a step toward “biocomputers.”

Noted: [NY Times] This A.I. Subculture’s Motto: Go, Go, Go

October 20, 2024January 22, 2024

[NY Times] This A.I. Subculture’s Motto: Go, Go, Go

The eccentric pro-tech movement known as “Effective Accelerationism” wants to unshackle powerful A.I., and party along the way.