DanÅke Carlsson has added a photo to the pool:
At the AI safety site Foom, science journalist Mordechai Rorvig explores a paper presented at November's Empirical Methods in Natural Language Processing conference:
[R]esearchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Georgia Tech revisited earlier findings that showed that language models, the engines of commercial AI chatbots, show strong signal correlations with the human language network, the region of the brain responsible for processing language... The results lend clarity to the surprising picture that has been emerging from the last decade of neuroscience research: That AI programs can show strong resemblances to large-scale brain regions — performing similar functions, and doing so using highly similar signal patterns.
Such resemblances have been exploited by neuroscientists to make much better models of cortical regions. Perhaps more importantly, the links between AI and cortex provide an interpretation of commercial AI technology as being profoundly brain-like, validating both its capabilities as well as the risks it might pose for society as the first synthetic braintech. "It is something we, as a community, need to think about a lot more," said Badr AlKhamissi, doctoral student in computer science at EPFL and first author of the preprint, in an interview with Foom. "These models are getting better and better every day. And their similarity to the brain [or brain regions] is also getting better — probably. We're not 100% sure about it...."
There are many known limitations with seeing AI programs as models of brain regions, even those that have high signal correlations. For example, such models lack any direct implementations of biochemical signalling, which is known to be important for the functioning of nervous systems.
However, if such comparisons are valid, then they would suggest, somewhat dramatically, that we are increasingly surrounded by a synthetic braintech. A technology not just as capable as the human brain, in some ways, but actually made up of similar components.
Thanks to Slashdot reader Gazelle Bay for sharing the article.
[R]esearchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Georgia Tech revisited earlier findings that showed that language models, the engines of commercial AI chatbots, show strong signal correlations with the human language network, the region of the brain responsible for processing language... The results lend clarity to the surprising picture that has been emerging from the last decade of neuroscience research: That AI programs can show strong resemblances to large-scale brain regions — performing similar functions, and doing so using highly similar signal patterns.
Such resemblances have been exploited by neuroscientists to make much better models of cortical regions. Perhaps more importantly, the links between AI and cortex provide an interpretation of commercial AI technology as being profoundly brain-like, validating both its capabilities as well as the risks it might pose for society as the first synthetic braintech. "It is something we, as a community, need to think about a lot more," said Badr AlKhamissi, doctoral student in computer science at EPFL and first author of the preprint, in an interview with Foom. "These models are getting better and better every day. And their similarity to the brain [or brain regions] is also getting better — probably. We're not 100% sure about it...."
There are many known limitations with seeing AI programs as models of brain regions, even those that have high signal correlations. For example, such models lack any direct implementations of biochemical signalling, which is known to be important for the functioning of nervous systems.
However, if such comparisons are valid, then they would suggest, somewhat dramatically, that we are increasingly surrounded by a synthetic braintech. A technology not just as capable as the human brain, in some ways, but actually made up of similar components.
Thanks to Slashdot reader Gazelle Bay for sharing the article.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
As 2026 begins, MIT Technology Review publishes "educated guesses" on emerging technologies that will define the future, advances "we think will drive progress or incite the most change — for better or worse — in the years ahead."
This year's list includes next-gen nuclear, gene-editing drugs (as well as the "resurrection" of ancient genes from extinct creatures), and three AI-related developments: AI companions, AI coding tools, and "mechanistic interpretability" for revealing LLM decision-making.
But also on the list is sodium-ion batteries, "a cheaper, safer alternative to lithium."
Backed by major players and public investment, they're poised to power grids and affordable EVs worldwide. [Chinese battery giant CATL claims to have already started manufacturing sodium-ion batteries at scale, and BYD also plans a massive production facility for sodium-ion batteries.] The most significant impact of sodium-Âion technology may be not on our roads but on our power grids. Storing clean energy generated by solar and wind has long been a challenge. Sodium-ion batteries, with their low cost, enhanced thermal stability, and long cycle life, are an attractive alternative. Peak Energy, a startup in the US, is already deploying grid-scale sodium-ion energy storage. Sodium-ion cells' energy density is still lower than that of high-end lithium-ion ones, but it continues to improve each year — and it's already sufficient for small passenger cars and logistics vehicles.
And another "breakthrough technology" on their list is commercial space stations:
Vast Space from California, plans to launch its Haven-1 space station in May 2026 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. If all goes to plan, it will initially support crews of four people staying aboard the bus-size habitat for 10 days. Paying customers will be able to experience life in microgravity and conduct research such as growing plants and testing drugs. On its heels will be Axiom Space's outpost, the Axiom Station, consisting of five modules (or rooms). It's designed to look like a boutique hotel and is expected to launch in 2028. Voyager Space aims to launch its version, called Starlab, the same year, and Blue Origin's Orbital Reef space station plans to follow in 2030.
Thanks to long-time Slashdot reader sandbagger for sharing the article.
This year's list includes next-gen nuclear, gene-editing drugs (as well as the "resurrection" of ancient genes from extinct creatures), and three AI-related developments: AI companions, AI coding tools, and "mechanistic interpretability" for revealing LLM decision-making.
But also on the list is sodium-ion batteries, "a cheaper, safer alternative to lithium."
Backed by major players and public investment, they're poised to power grids and affordable EVs worldwide. [Chinese battery giant CATL claims to have already started manufacturing sodium-ion batteries at scale, and BYD also plans a massive production facility for sodium-ion batteries.] The most significant impact of sodium-Âion technology may be not on our roads but on our power grids. Storing clean energy generated by solar and wind has long been a challenge. Sodium-ion batteries, with their low cost, enhanced thermal stability, and long cycle life, are an attractive alternative. Peak Energy, a startup in the US, is already deploying grid-scale sodium-ion energy storage. Sodium-ion cells' energy density is still lower than that of high-end lithium-ion ones, but it continues to improve each year — and it's already sufficient for small passenger cars and logistics vehicles.
And another "breakthrough technology" on their list is commercial space stations:
Vast Space from California, plans to launch its Haven-1 space station in May 2026 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. If all goes to plan, it will initially support crews of four people staying aboard the bus-size habitat for 10 days. Paying customers will be able to experience life in microgravity and conduct research such as growing plants and testing drugs. On its heels will be Axiom Space's outpost, the Axiom Station, consisting of five modules (or rooms). It's designed to look like a boutique hotel and is expected to launch in 2028. Voyager Space aims to launch its version, called Starlab, the same year, and Blue Origin's Orbital Reef space station plans to follow in 2030.
Thanks to long-time Slashdot reader sandbagger for sharing the article.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
MAKASSAR (ANP) - De Indonesische autoriteiten hebben wrakstukken gevonden van het vliegtuig dat vermist raakte in de provincie Zuid-Sulawesi. Naar de elf inzittenden wordt nog gezocht.
Het vliegtuig dat onderweg was naar de stad Makassar verloor zaterdag rond 13.30 uur (lokale tijd) contact met de luchtverkeersleiding. Aan boord waren acht bemanningsleden en drie passagiers. Het toestel was gehuurd door het Indonesische ministerie van Maritieme Zaken en Visserij voor luchttoezicht op de visserij. De passagiers waren medewerkers van het ministerie.
De wrakstukken werden zondagochtend op verschillende locaties rond de berg Bulusaraung in de regio Maros gevonden. Het hoofd van de reddingsdienst van Zuid-Sulawesi zei op de lokale televisie na het vinden van het wrak dat 1200 mensen worden ingezet om naar de vermiste inzittenden te zoeken. "Onze prioriteit is het zoeken naar de slachtoffers, en we hopen dat we er een aantal veilig kunnen evacueren", zei hij.
WASHINGTON (ANP) - Democraten in de Amerikaanse Senaat willen met een wetsvoorstel voorkomen dat de door president Donald Trump aangekondigde importheffingen voor acht Europese landen worden ingevoerd. Dat zegt de Democratische fractievoorzitter in de Senaat Chuck Schumer.
"Donald Trumps roekeloze tarieven hebben de prijzen al opgedreven en onze economie beschadigd en nu maakt hij de zaken alleen maar erger", zegt Schumer in een verklaring.
Trump kondigde zaterdag aan met ingang van 1 februari heffingen van 10 procent op te leggen aan landen die hebben aangekondigd militairen naar Groenland te sturen voor een verkenningsmissie, waaronder Nederland.
"Het is ongelofelijk dat hij de domheid nog hardnekkiger wil benadrukken door tarieven op te leggen aan onze nauwste bondgenoten om zijn onrealistische poging om Groenland over te nemen. De Democraten in de Senaat zullen een wetsvoorstel indienen om deze tarieven te blokkeren voordat ze verdere schade aanbrengen aan de Amerikaanse economie en onze bondgenoten in Europa", aldus Schumer.
DE BILT (ANP) - In het midden van het land waarschuwt het KNMI in de nacht van zaterdag op zondag voor plaatselijke dichte mist. Voor de provincies Gelderland, Flevoland en Noord-Holland heeft het weerinstituut code geel afgegeven.
Het verkeer kan hinder ondervinden van de mist. Het zicht kan lokaal afnemen tot minder dan 200 meter.
In de loop van de nacht en zondagochtend kan de mist verder uitbreiden naar het noordoosten. In de tweede helft van de ochtend verdwijnt de dichte mist weer.
BERLIJN (ANP) - Meer dan vijftig mensen zijn zaterdag gewond geraakt bij confrontaties tussen supporters en de politie voorafgaand aan de voetbalwedstrijd in de Duitse tweede divisie tussen Hertha BSC en koploper Schalke 04.
Volgens de politie liepen zeker 31 supporters van Hertha en 21 agenten verwondingen op. Meerdere mensen werden naar het ziekenhuis gebracht. Over de ernst van hun verwondingen is niets bekendgemaakt.
De politie sprak van massaal supportersgeweld en verrichtte meerdere arrestaties. De supportersvereniging van Hertha legde de schuld juist neer bij wat ze te agressief politieoptreden noemde in de aanloop naar het duel. De supportersvereniging van de club uit Berlijn klaagde in een persbericht over wat zij beschouwden als buitensporige huiszoekingen door de politie bij supporters thuis in de dagen voorafgaand aan de wedstrijd.
Tijdens de wedstrijd, die in 0-0 eindigde, reageerden supporters van beide clubs op het politieoptreden met een collectief stilteprotest. Ook klonken af en toe beledigende spreekkoren richting de politie.
Een notaris belde: ene mevrouw Bramer uit Lunteren liet geld na. Veel geld. „Zó zeg”, zeiden de bestuursleden, en vroegen elkaar: „Ken jíj deze mevrouw?” En iedereen schudde van…
:format(jpeg):fill(f8f8f8,true)/s3/static.nrc.nl/podcasts/wp-content/blogs.dir/131/files/2020/11/nrcpodcastfeatured-image1280x768v01vandaag.png)
rajbhoy has added a photo to the pool:
Morning fog in the Grose Valley, as seen from Govetts Leap lookout. In Blackheath, Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia.
jspeter9191 has added a photo to the pool:
Today morning at Carlingford Balaka waterfall, Sydney, Australia.
God loves you.
The ACEAC visual identity is rooted in the essence of contemporary dance: movement, rhythm, and energy. Typography does not only convey information, it becomes an active visual element. It stretches, tilts, vibrates, and responds, as if it were dancing itself. The movement of the letterforms is choreographed, translating the dynamics of dance into a graphic language. Vivid, high-contrast colors create a strong presence and a sense of freshness, while emphasizing ACEAC's progressive and experimental spirit. The combination of color fields and typographic rhythms forms an instantly recognizable visual world across posters, digital platforms, and motion-based content. The concept consciously preserves the foundations of ACEAC's original visual identity while expanding it with new, contemporary layers. Movement as a motif is organized into a cohesive system that can adapt to the festival's diverse program while remaining consistent.