In its first clinical trial, a generative AI bot was found to be as effective as a human therapist for people with anxiety, depression, or those at risk of developing eating disorders. It doesn’t, however, give the green light to the dozens companies that are hyping these technologies while operating in regulatory gray areas. Read the complete story.
– James O’Donnell
A bankruptcy judge’s ability to stop a genetic privacy catastrophe
– Keith Porcaro
Now that 23andMe filed for bankruptcy, the fate of 15,000,000 people’s genetic information rests with a bankruptcy court judge. There’s still the chance to write a better ending–and it is a simple fix. Read the complete story.
The must-reads
I’ve combed the internet to find you today’s most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.
Meet the online activists who are fighting back against ICE raids.
The networks warn migrants about ICE hotspots. ( WP ($)
+ Noncitizens have become increasingly anxious. NPR
Two US health experts were told to bury a forecast of measles
It warned that the risk of contracting the virus in areas with low vaccination rates was high. (ProPublica)
+ Former US covid chief calls outbreak entirely preventable. The former US covid chief has called the outbreak wholly preventable. MIT Technology Review
Donald Trump is confident that a TikTok agreement will be reached
ahead of the deadline on Saturday. (Reuters).
4. China’s efforts at cleaning up air pollution accelerate global warming
The dirty air in China had been cooling the planet. (New Scientist$)
+ What’s the cause of climate change? It’s surprisingly complex. MIT Technology Review
Five Brands are spending small sums on X to appease Elon Musk.
The brands are doing everything they can to avoid a public fallout. (FT $)
+ Musk has a new owner – it’s Musk’s xAI. CNBC
6 campaigners are calling for a pause on a mental health monitoring system inpatient
Oxevision, a system that remotely tracks breathing and heart rate of patients. The Guardian (19459034)
+ An AI-powered “blackbox” could make surgery safer. MIT Technology Review
7 The US is racing China to create the first useful humanoid robotic
(WSJ$)
+ Beijing treats humanoid robotics as a future industry. – (WP- $)
Eight Data Center Operators are signing solar power deals.
This is a proven and clean technology at a relatively low cost. (TechCrunch, )
+ AI services are becoming cheaper. The Information ($)
+ Why US is still trying mirror-magnified energy. MIT Technology Review
H&M plans on creating digital replicas of their models
This means that the retailer could outsource whole photoshoots. (NYT$)
+ Metaverse fashion stylists have arrived. MIT Technology Review
10 Things you’ll experience when driving a Tesla Cybertruck around Washington DC
Be prepared for a lot of abuse. (The Atlantic $)
+ Demonstrators are gathering in Tesla showrooms throughout America. Insider ($)
Today’s Quote
Viruses do not need a passport.
Dr William Schaffner of Vanderbilt University Medical Center warns CNN about the measles outbreak in the US spreading to other countries.
The Big Story
Marseille’s battle against surveillance state
June 2022
Video cameras are now a common feature in urban life around the world. London and New Delhi, too, are not far behind. France is now playing catch-up.
Concerns are being raised across the country. The rollout of surveillance has been met with special resistance in Marseille, France’s second largest city.
Perhaps it’s not surprising that activists are fighting against the cameras. They’re highlighting the overreach and poor performance of the surveillance system. But are they successful? Read the whole story.
– Fleur Macdonald.
We still can have nice things.
An oasis of comfort, fun, and distraction that will brighten your day. (Do you have any ideas? Drop a line to me (or skeet them at me).
The online pocket computer museum is incredibly charming. Scientists have figured out the reason for a new color of cat . It’s a little trippy to see Bluesky’skeets,’ or live Bluesky videos posted in real-time. Never underestimate the power a good deed can have .
