Latest Stories from Jamie
Antarctic sea ice reaches lowest levels on record again
Polar scientists are scrambling for answers after recent examinations showed record lows in Antarctic sea ice. The diminishing continent could drive sea levels up drastically if current erosion rates continue. We’re breaking records year on year, but no one is celebrating. For nearly 45 years, satellites have helped scientists keep track of how much ocean ice is floating around Antarctica’s 18,000km coastline. Within these observations, it’s normal to see drastic fluctuations throughout...
Snapchat announces its own integrated chatbot ‘My AI’
Snap has announced its own ChatGPT-style chatbot called ‘My AI,’ rolling out to paying subscribers and eventually everyone. This is billed as more a virtual friend, than all-powerful writing machine. Being ahead of the curve isn’t necessarily always best. In the realm of tech, sitting back and learning from rival mistakes can sometimes be the better recipe for success. With an eager eye on the commercial AI race unfolding between Microsoft...
Explaining the ‘Atomic Heart’ controversy and links to Russian state
This month’s standout Game Pass title Atomic Heart has been a source of constant controversy since its development. Now, the Ukraine government is calling for Microsoft, Sony, and Valve to ban it. Here’s why. When it comes to gaming controversies surrounding specific titles, feuds are typically fought between publishers and consumers. Unrest can usually be traced back to either unethical business practices, lack of product quality, or greedy in-game mechanics. In short,...
A beginner’s side hustle guide for introverted entrepreneurs
If at the end of a normal working day, the prospect of yet more formal interaction doesn’t appeal, here are some ways you can generate extra funds while keeping to yourself. It takes all sorts to make a world, but everyone deserves a chance to make bank. Side hustle is a word that has increasingly entered the zeitgeist in recent years. Having a second paid gig on the fly to supplement...
Spotify launches AI DJ for personalised playlists with virtual hosts
Everyone wants their go with the aux, and Spotify is no different. The ubiquitous music streamer has created an AI DJ feature capable of curating original playlists while providing intermittent commentary like a radio host. Let’s face it, AI is inevitably coming for all of our livelihoods - commercial or creative. Not even DJs are safe. The central story with AI at the moment is understandably Microsoft vs Alphabet, and...
The rise of AI chatbots could create an ecological nightmare
The race for Silicon Valley giants to integrate AI language generators into internet search engines could cause a five-fold demand in computing power and massive carbon emissions. The commercial road-map for AI text generators has now been established. With humble beginnings in recreational uses, like creating original song lyrics, poems, and even acing school assignments, the technology has now become a lucrative obsession for Silicon Valley giants. In early February, news...
Scientists examine Antarctica’s thawing ‘Doomsday Glacier’
Scientists have gotten a first look at what’s thawing away Antarctica's giant Thwaites ice shelf - dubbed the ‘Doomsday Glacier’ due to its huge sea rise potential. There’s positives and negatives to be taken. Sea levels are said to have risen between 21 and 24 centimetres since 1880, and high-tide flooding is twice as common as it was a decade ago. Primarily attributed to melting ice sheets and glaciers, there are...
NASA’s graphene battery could overtake lithium in the EV revolution
NASA has been testing a new graphene battery that could one day sustainably power our electric planes and road vehicles. Have we already found the natural progression beyond lithium EV batteries, even though they’ve yet to replace gas? Possibly is the answer. Beyond its space-based endeavours, NASA is occupied with furthering humanity as we strive to solve our biggest problems. In the ultimate goal of avoiding irreversible shifts to our climate, there...
Male contraceptive pill prototype stops sperm swimming
Scientists have developed a prototype for a non-hormonal male contraceptive pill which actively prevents sperm cells from being able to swim. When it comes to contraception, the burden of responsibility has traditionally been put on the woman in the equation, particularly when talking about means of chemical prevention. Scientists are working to create alternatives that can be taken by men to temporarily limit fertility, however, expanding options beyond just condoms or...
Oil from Super Bowl food is being turned into airplane fuel
The greasy snacks bought by some 15,000 Super Bowl attendees on Sunday will imminently be used to sustainably power commercial airplanes. Work that one out. What was your highlight of the Super Bowl LVII on Sunday... Rihanna’s questionable yet spectacular halftime performance, perhaps Kansas City’s dramatic late comeback spearheaded by injury doubt Patrick Mahomes? All close contenders, our standout moment resided in the stadium carpark where three 270-gallon vats filled with...
