The newsletter also features a story on the quest to build wildfire-resistant homes, particularly in parts of California that have suffered recurring seasonal fire tragedies. The challenge lies not only in materials engineering but also in social change. Other must-reads include Google's move to kill off cookies, OpenAI's controversial data practices, DeepMind's 'Robot Constitution', and the exemption of San Francisco's driverless cars from traffic tickets.
Key takeaways:
- The race to produce rare earth materials is on, with countries like the US concerned about the stability of their supply. These elements are key in many low-carbon technologies, which are crucial for combating climate change.
- AI regulation is set to take a more concrete form in 2024, following a year of policy development and agreement in 2023. This was largely driven by the mainstream adoption of AI, particularly OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
- Researchers have developed an AI-powered app that can diagnose tuberculosis from the sound of a patient's cough. While not perfect, it could be a useful screening tool in low-income countries.
- Efforts are underway to build wildfire-resistant homes, particularly in areas of California that are prone to seasonal fire tragedies. The challenge lies not just in materials engineering, but also in social change.