This Week’s Awesome Tech Stories From Around the Web (Through April 6) – Singularity Hub

To Build a Better AI Supercomputer, Let There Be Light Will Knight | Wired Lightmatter wants to directly connect hundreds of thousands or even millions of GPUsthose silicon chips that are crucial to AI trainingusing optical links. Reducing the conversion bottleneck should allow data to move between chips at much higher speeds than is possible today, potentially enabling distributed AI supercomputers of extraordinary scale.

Apple Has Been Secretly Building Home Robots That Could End up as a New Product Line, Report Says Aaron Mok | Business Insider Apple is in the early stages of looking into making home robots, a move that appears to be an effort to create its next big thing after it killed its self-driving car project earlier this year, sources familiar with the matter told Bloomberg. Engineers are looking into developing a robot that could follow users around their houses, Bloomberg reported. Theyre also exploring a tabletop at-home device that uses robotics to rotate the display, a more advanced project than the mobile robot.

A Tantalizing Hint That Astronomers Got Dark Energy All Wrong Dennis Overbye | The New York Times On Thursday, astronomers who are conducting what they describe as the biggest and most precise survey yet of the history of the universe announced that they might have discovered a major flaw in their understanding of dark energy, the mysterious force that is speeding up the expansion of the cosmos. Dark energy was assumed to be a constant force in the universe, both currently and throughout cosmic history. But the new data suggest that it may be more changeable, growing stronger or weaker over time, reversing or even fading away.

How ASML Took Over the Chipmaking Chessboard Mat Honan and James ODonnell | MIT Technology Review When asked what he thought might eventually cause Moores Law to finally stall out, van den Brink rejected the premise entirely. Theres no reason to believe this will stop. You wont get the answer from me where it will end, he said. It will end when were running out of ideas where the value we create with all this will not balance with the cost it will take. Then it will end. And not by the lack of ideas.'

The Very First Jet Suit Grand Prix Takes Off in Dubai Mike Hanlon | New Atlas A new sport kicked away this month when the first ever jet-suit race was held in Dubai. Each racer wore an array of seven 130-hp jet engines (two on each arm and three in the backpack for a total 1,050 hp) that are controlled by hand-throttles. After that, the pilots use the three thrust vectors to gain lift, move forward and try to stay above ground level while negotiating the coursefaster than anyone else.

Toyotas Bubble-ized Humanoid Grasps With Its Whole Body Evan Ackerman | IEEE Spectrum Many of those motions look very human-like, because this is how humans manipulate things. Not to throw too much shade at all those humanoid warehouse robots, but as is pointed out in the video above, using just our hands outstretched in front of us to lift things is not how humans do it, because using other parts of our bodies to provide extra support makes lifting easier.

A Brief History of the Future Offers a Hopeful Antidote to Cynical Tech Takes Devin Coldewey | TechCrunch The future, he said, isnt just what a Silicon Valley publicist tells you, or what Big Dystopia warns you of, or even what a TechCrunch writer predicts. In the six-episode series, he talks with dozens of individuals, companies and communities about how theyre working to improve and secure a future they may never see. From mushroom leather to ocean cleanup to death doulas, Wallach finds people who see the same scary future we do but are choosing to do something about it, even if that thing seems hopelessly small or nave.

This AI Startup Wants You to Talk to Houses, Cars, and Factories Steven Levy | Wired Weve all been astonished at how chatbots seem to understand the world. But what if they were truly connect to thereal world? What if the dataset behind the chat interface was physical reality itself, captured in real time by interpreting the input of billions of sensors sprinkled around the globe? Thats the idea behind Archetype AI, an ambitious startup launching today. As cofounder and CEO Ivan Poupyrev puts it, Think of ChatGPT, but for physical reality.'

How One Tech Skeptic Decided AI Might Benefit the Middle Class Steve Lohr | The New York Times David Autor seems an unlikely AI optimist. The labor economist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is best known for his in-depth studies showing how much technology and trade have eroded the incomes of millions of American workers over the years. But Mr. Autor is now making the case that the new wave of technologygenerative artificial intelligence, which can produce hyper-realistic images and video and convincingly imitate humans voices and writingcould reverse that trend.

Image Credit:Harole Ethan / Unsplash

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This Week's Awesome Tech Stories From Around the Web (Through April 6) - Singularity Hub

Communicating With Patients With Psoriasis With Skin of Color – MD Magazine

This is a video synopsis/summary of a panel discussion involving Linda Stein Gold, MD; Mona Shahriari, MD, FAAD; and Seemal Desai, MD.

In this conversation, the participants discuss the complexities of treating patients with skin of color who have psoriasis, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to care. They explore the cultural sensitivities surrounding skin conditions, acknowledging the stigma and isolation that patients may experience, particularly in cultures valuing fair skin.

The importance of recognizing and addressing cultural concerns during patient encounters is highlighted, with a focus on leaving biases behind and creating a judgment-free environment. The participants stress the significance of building trust and understanding individual patient needs and expectations.

Practical strategies for initiating conversations about cultural implications and treatment preferences are discussed, emphasizing the importance of active listening and collaboration in the decision-making process. Building a strong patient-provider relationship is seen as crucial for improving treatment adherence and overall patient outcomes.

Ultimately, the conversation underscores the importance of patient-centered care and the ongoing effort to break down barriers that may exist within the healthcare system, with the goal of providing personalized and effective treatment for all patients.

Video synopsis is AI-generated and reviewed by HCPLive editorial staff.

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Communicating With Patients With Psoriasis With Skin of Color - MD Magazine

Elon Musk Thinks Cannibals Are Invading the United States – Futurism

In his latest racist outburst, multihyphenate billionaire Elon Musk joined other conservative pundits in accusing Haitian migrants of being "cannibals," arguing that they shouldn't be allowed to move to the US.

The news comes after political unrest in the island nation came to a head this week. On Monday, Haiti's prime minister Ariel Henry agreed to resign if other Caribbean nations were to form a transitional government on behalf of the country. The statement angered Haitians, triggering mass protests, with tires being burned in the streets.

Meanwhile, Musk took to his social media platform X to further unverified and sensationalist claims of cannibalism arising out of the conflict, as NBC reports.

Case in point, today, the mercurial CEO tweeted a link to a video that claimed to show evidence of cannibalism in Haiti in response to the report.

The video was promptly taken down by X, Axios reports, which stated that the video had violated its rules.

In other words, even Musk's own social media company isn't willing to support his increasingly racist anti-immigration posts.

Ever since Musk took over the company formerly known as Twitter, hate speech has flourished on the platform. The billionaire has spread his own share of misinformation as well, from bogus COVID-19 data to false information about the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Musk has also made plenty of his own racist remarks on his platform. In January, he argued that Black students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have lower IQs and therefore shouldn't become pilots ridiculous claims that were met with horror by civil rights groups.

Most recently, the billionaire took aim at the people of Haiti, playing into debunked tropes.

Over the weekend, Musk tweeted "cannibal gangs..." in response to a clip by right-wing commentator Matt Walsh about unrest in Haiti.

"Civilization is fragile," he wrote in response to another since-deleted video, which claimed to show footage of a "cannibal gang eating body parts."

This week, Musk joined right-wing commentator Ian Miles Cheong, who argued on X earlier this week that there were "cannibal gangs in Haiti who abduct and eat people."

"If wanting to screen immigrants for potential homicidal tendencies and cannibalism makes me 'right wing,' then I would gladly accept such a label!" an incensed Musk wrote in a reply to a separate post in which Cheong complained about the NBC report. "Failure to do so would put innocent Americans in [sic] mortal risk," he added, failing to provide any evidence for his outlandish claims.

As experts have since pointed out, the posts were likely the result of gang propaganda campaigns designed to stoke fear, as NBC reports. While it's still possible that the odd gang leaders are indeed capable of such ghoulish acts, generalizing these claims is not only misleading a State Department spokesperson told the broadcaster that it had received no credible reports of cannibalism but even clearly playing into racist tropes that date back to colonial times.

There's also the issue of basic human decency. Through no fault of its residents, Haiti is in crisis; instead of wondering how the country he immigrated to could help, Musk is punching down at the most extreme examples of social dysfunction he can find online.

"It is very disturbing that Elon Musk would repeat these absurdities that do, indeed, have a long history," Yale University professor of French and African diaspora studies Marlene Daut told NBC.

In short, it's yet another troubling sign of Musk's descent into extreme right-wing circles, while using his considerable following and social media network to further conspiracy theories and racist disinformation.

"A whole population is getting blamed for what some psycho gang members are doing," Washington-based lawyer and moderator of the subreddit r/Haiti, told NBC. "It is racist. It is dehumanizing."

More on Musk: Elon Musk Deletes Tweet Saying Ex-Wives Responsible for Collapse of Civilization

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Elon Musk Thinks Cannibals Are Invading the United States - Futurism

Twitter’s CEO Had Already Been Selling Ads for the Don Lemon Show That Elon Musk Suddenly Canceled – Futurism

If you can't take the heat, stay out of the kitchen.

X-formerly-Twitter owner and self-proclaimed "free speech absolutist" Elon Musk abruptly canceled journalist Don Lemon's upcoming X show on Wednesday, an incident that put Musk's glaring double standard when it comes to his town square "for all" on full display.

Despite Musk telling Lemon he had his "full support," he apparently canceled the show "hours after an interview I conducted with him on Friday," Lemon wrote in a statement.

Now, as Semafor reports, more details are coming to light, further complicating the story. According to two insider sources, Lemon let a contract languish for "weeks"without signing it. But Lemon's associates shot back, arguing that it was X's legal department that "took weeks to get a contract to the hosts team."

Perhaps most glaringly of all, X CEO Linda Yaccarino was apparently already selling ads for the show at CES in January, despite never having signed a deal.

Musk has yet to give a coherent reason as to why he mysteriously canceled Lemon's show.

In a vague tweet, MuskaccusedLemon of trying to recreate "'CNN, but on social media,' which doesn't work, as evidenced by the fact thatCNNis dying."

"And, instead of it being the real Don Lemon, it was really just Jeff Zucker talking through Don, so lacked authenticity," he added, referring to the former president ofCNN,without clarifying further.

It's a bizarre change of heart that highlights Musk's often self-serving nature and morally dubious business practices.

Was Musk left with a bad taste in his mouth after his interview with Lemon? Is X financially unable to hold up its end of the bargain?

Lemon maintains that "there were no restrictions on the interview that he willingly agreed to," and that his questions "were respectful and wide ranging, covering everything from SpaceX to the presidential election."

In a follow-up video posted to X however, Lemon conceded that the conversation was "tense at times."

According to Silicon Valley chronicler Kara Swisher, the interview also touched on Musk's alleged drug use. The conversation "was not to the adult toddlers liking, including questions about his ketamine use," she tweeted.

"I had told Don that this is exactly what would occur, including at a recent book tour event in NYC for my memoir, 'Burn Book,' he moderated," she added in a follow-up, "despite promises by Musk and CEO Linda Yaccarino who extravagantly touted this deal at CES to advertisers that this time was different."

"Why is he so upset?" Lemon said in his video."Does he even have a reason he's upset?"

Without a written agreement, chances are the former CNN anchor is out of luck. It's also unclear if Yaccarino will ever face any consequences for pushing ads against a show that never existed.

The latest news, however, is unlikely the last time we'll hear about the Lemon deal that had gone sour. The former anchor's spokesperson Allison Gollust told Semafor that Lemon "expects to be paid for it."

"If we have to go to court, we will," she added.

More on the deal: Elon Musk Doesn't Like Don Lemon's Interview Questions, Abruptly Cancels His Twitter Show

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Twitter's CEO Had Already Been Selling Ads for the Don Lemon Show That Elon Musk Suddenly Canceled - Futurism

Supreme Court hearing arguments whether social media platforms have right to restrict free speech – WFAA.com

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Social media sites argue they're like newspapers and can make editorial judgments, but some states say otherwise.

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Published: 10:28 PM CST February 26, 2024

Updated: 10:28 PM CST February 26, 2024

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Watch SpaceX launch Cygnus cargo ship to space station – Olean Times Herald

SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched a cargo resupply mission Tuesday to the International Space Station from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. #spacex #space #cygnus

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Tech Giants Amazon and Cloudflare Under Fire for Controversial Employee Terminations – BNN Breaking

Tech Giants Amazon and Cloudflare Under Fire for Controversial Employee Terminations

Two tech industry employees, one from Amazon and another from Cloudflare, have recently made headlines after their controversial firings, which they shared on social media platforms, began to trend. They have sparked debates on employment policies, termination procedures, and the role of social media in employee relations.

Kendall, a seven-year veteran at Amazon, turned to TikTok to express his dissatisfaction with the companys employment practices. Known to his 35,800 followers as thatamazonguyy, Kendall humorously advised people to refrain from ordering heavy items like Fiji water or dog food. He argued that the task of picking such heavy orders was unreasonable, causing waves of reactions from his viewers. The video, posted four weeks before Kendalls termination, was received with mixed reactions. While many found humor in his light-hearted complaints, some, particularly senior citizens, took offense.

Acknowledging the unintended offense, Kendall apologized, clarifying that his intentions were neither harmful nor discriminatory. Despite his public apology, Amazon decided to terminate his employment, also making him ineligible for rehire. Although the tech giant has not issued an official statement, Kendalls story continues to fuel discussions over the physical demands on Amazon workers.

Simultaneously, another employee termination was stirring controversy in the tech sector. Brittany Pietsch, a mid-market account executive at Cloudflare, recorded her own firing on a Zoom call and shared the video on social media. Her confrontational questioning of HR representatives and her visible frustration with their vague responses resonated with many viewers. The video quickly went viral, sparking debates about the companys handling of the situation and the legality of recording such calls.

Cloudflare CEO, Matthew Prince, commented on the incident, admitting that the companys approach to firing employees wasnt always perfect. Pietsch further explained on LinkedIn that her manager was left in the dark about her dismissal, expressing his shock upon discovering the news. She also stated that despite being among the top performers on her team, she was let go due to not meeting company expectations based on 2023 performance evaluations.

As the dust settles on these two high-profile firings, they serve as reminders of the precarious balance between employer expectations, employee rights, and the power of social media in shaping public opinion.

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Tech Giants Amazon and Cloudflare Under Fire for Controversial Employee Terminations - BNN Breaking

Man captures moment he speaks to astronaut after making contact with space station using homemade device – UNILAD

A man managed to contact the International Space Station (ISS) using his own radio equipment at home.

Ham radio enthusiast Doug managed to actually speak to the astronauts on the ISS as it passed overhead in July 2023.

Of all the ham radio contacts you could make, it doesn't get much cooler than that.

Doug revealed that he had wanted to talk to an astronaut for some time, and had previously attempted it.

And now he has finally got his wish, speaking to NASA astronaut Woody Hoburg.

In the video, shared to his YouTube page, Doug can be seen saying his call sign: Kilo Bravo 8 Mike, a number of times before he was finally successful.

Hoburg then replies: Kilo Bravo 8 Mike, NA1SS got you loud and clear aboard the Space Station, welcome aboard.

Underneath his video, Doug wrote: "I've made numerous voice and APRS [Automatic Packet Reporting System] contacts over the FM satellites and the ISS repeater.

"But I've always wanted to talk to an astronaut. Over the Memorial Day weekend I finally made that contact. I made contact with the ISS and talked to Woody Hoburg. What a thrill."

Many astronauts on the ISS also have ham radio licences, and often host scheduled contact sessions with people back on Earth.

NASA, ESA, CSA, and Roscosmos all participate in Amateur Radio on the International Space Station, a program which encourages children to reach out to the station to encourage interest in science.

But occasionally amateur operators do manage to make it through and speak to the astronauts using their own equipment.

If you hadn't already guessed, this is no easy feat to carry out. You can't just start spinning the dials on any old radio and hope for the best.

In fact, it's only really possible when the ISS is in certain positions, so even if you have equipment capable of reaching it you'll have to wait for it to pass overhead.

It's no use trying to contact from the US when the ISS is over Australia.

Ham radio operator Matt Payne and his daughter Isabella also managed to contact the ISS, chatting to astronaut Kjell Lindgren in August 2022.

Matt told IFLScience: It's pretty rare to speak to an astronaut outside of a scheduled educational contact. There are several factors that need to align for it to happen.

He added: The ISS must be passing within LOS [Line Of Sight]... at a time that coincides with an astronauts down time, as in they must not be working doing an official scheduled task.

"There must be an astronaut who is actively using the Amateur Radio equipment to make unscheduled contacts."

That's a pretty long shot, but clearly it does sometimes work out!

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Man captures moment he speaks to astronaut after making contact with space station using homemade device - UNILAD