To reliably complete various manual tasks, robots should be able to handle a variety of objects, ranging from items found in households to tools used in specific professional settings. While many existing robotic systems can now complete basic manual tasks, such as picking up objects and carrying them to a set location, most systems still struggle with tasks that entail the dexterous manipulation of objects.To reliably complete various manual tasks, robots should be able to handle a variety of objects, ranging from items found in households to tools used in specific professional settings. While many existing robotic systems can now complete basic manual tasks, such as picking up objects and carrying them to a set location, most systems still struggle with tasks that entail the dexterous manipulation of objects.[#item_full_content]
In a new analysis, two UCL researchers argue that the present system used to allocate billions in research funding was designed for a world without AI agents and may no longer be fit for that purpose.In a new analysis, two UCL researchers argue that the present system used to allocate billions in research funding was designed for a world without AI agents and may no longer be fit for that purpose.Business[#item_full_content]
Cyclists can feel safe at the very moment they are most at risk, according to new Monash research that could reshape how cities design shared streets. The study, published in Accident Analysis & Prevention, found that after a vehicle overtakes a cyclist, riders often experience a short “perceptual relief period” where they feel safer, even though the risk from vehicles behind them remains high.Cyclists can feel safe at the very moment they are most at risk, according to new Monash research that could reshape how cities design shared streets. The study, published in Accident Analysis & Prevention, found that after a vehicle overtakes a cyclist, riders often experience a short “perceptual relief period” where they feel safer, even though the risk from vehicles behind them remains high.[#item_full_content]
Hundreds of millions of people consult artificial intelligence chatbots on a daily basis for everything from product recommendations to romance, making them a tempting audience to target with potentially below-the-radar advertising. Indeed, our research suggests AI chatbots could easily be used for covert advertising to manipulate their human users.Hundreds of millions of people consult artificial intelligence chatbots on a daily basis for everything from product recommendations to romance, making them a tempting audience to target with potentially below-the-radar advertising. Indeed, our research suggests AI chatbots could easily be used for covert advertising to manipulate their human users.Business[#item_full_content]
Jury selection starts in Elon Musk’s legal battle with OpenAI
Elon Musk’s courtroom showdown with Sam Altman got underway here Monday with the start of jury selection in a trial over the billionaire’s accusation that his OpenAI co-founders betrayed a non-profit mission to build artificial intelligence for the good of humanity and not for the money.Elon Musk’s courtroom showdown with Sam Altman got underway here Monday with the start of jury selection in a trial over the billionaire’s accusation that his OpenAI co-founders betrayed a non-profit mission to build artificial intelligence for the good of humanity and not for the money.Machine learning & AI[#item_full_content]
Taylor Swift files to trademark her voice amid AI clone boom
Taylor Swift has filed applications with the US intellectual property office to trademark her voice, a move similar to one made by actor Matthew McConaughey, as AI-generated content surges.Taylor Swift has filed applications with the US intellectual property office to trademark her voice, a move similar to one made by actor Matthew McConaughey, as AI-generated content surges.Business[#item_full_content]
Bananas, cups and peelers: Robots learn how to handle curved objects like fruits and tools
It does not take much to confuse some robots. A machine might be great at handling a simple object like a box, yet when it tries to work with a more irregular shape like a banana, it often fails.It does not take much to confuse some robots. A machine might be great at handling a simple object like a box, yet when it tries to work with a more irregular shape like a banana, it often fails.[#item_full_content]
Why deepfake ads may win trust faster when framed as ‘artificial media’
A study into the use of deepfake technology in advertising has found that public acceptance of synthetic media generated by artificial intelligence (AI) is closely tied to how familiar someone is with technology and the way such content is framed. The research, published in the International Journal of Artificial Intelligence Governance and Human Rights, raises questions for regulators and advertisers alike regarding transparency and trust.A study into the use of deepfake technology in advertising has found that public acceptance of synthetic media generated by artificial intelligence (AI) is closely tied to how familiar someone is with technology and the way such content is framed. The research, published in the International Journal of Artificial Intelligence Governance and Human Rights, raises questions for regulators and advertisers alike regarding transparency and trust.Consumer & Gadgets[#item_full_content]
OpenAI officially discontinued its video generation tool, Sora, on April 26, 2026. I’m a computer scientist who’s been developing AI tools and studying their evolution and adoption for the past decade, and I wasn’t surprised by OpenAI’s decision to shut down Sora.OpenAI officially discontinued its video generation tool, Sora, on April 26, 2026. I’m a computer scientist who’s been developing AI tools and studying their evolution and adoption for the past decade, and I wasn’t surprised by OpenAI’s decision to shut down Sora.Business[#item_full_content]
AI chatbots can grant almost any request—a celebrity in love with you, a research assistant, a book character sprung to life—instantly and with little effort. New research presented at the 2026 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems suggests that this genie-like quality is fueling AI addiction, and that chatbot design could be partly to blame.AI chatbots can grant almost any request—a celebrity in love with you, a research assistant, a book character sprung to life—instantly and with little effort. New research presented at the 2026 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems suggests that this genie-like quality is fueling AI addiction, and that chatbot design could be partly to blame.Consumer & Gadgets[#item_full_content]
