Opinion – Why HS2 may be a huge infrastructural failure
The new high-speed railway will connect Manchester, Birmingham, and London as part of government efforts to ‘level-up’ the North. But with numerous contingencies, mounting costs, and environmental damages, HS2 might be the biggest major infrastructure failure in recent memory. HS2 was first proposed by Labour government in 2009. A massive...
Current in Technology
Virtual rapper FN Meka dropped from Capitol Records
FN Meka is an AI rapper that was signed to Capitol Records two weeks ago. After racist lyrics and depictions of police brutality were discovered the bot was quickly dropped. Are computer-generated artists set to become an industry staple? You may remember we wrote about AI voice technology that...
Researchers are using AI to predict criminal activity
AI is reportedly capable of predicting where crimes will take place up to a week ahead of time. The tech’s accuracy is around 90%, but there are concerns about its potential to perpetuate biases. It may sound like something straight from the Bat Cave, but this tech exists for real...
Kenya introduces coding to school curriculum
Kenya is the first African country to introduce coding as a subject in both primary and secondary schools curricula. The new initiative focuses on redefining education through tech employment. Kenya plans to empower Gen Zers and future generation through tech-focused employment programs. East Africa’s economic powerhouse is already a spot...
Instagram’s new tool allows users to block weight loss ads
The option for Instagram users to customise their targeted ads was introduced in early June, with a ‘body weight control’ category only added this week. Is this enough to stifle the toxic culture that festers within the appearance-obsessed platform? Amidst the rise of body positive values in marketing tactics and...
Electric planes may be closer to reality than we thought
Determined to ensure that the world’s emission-free future can take flight, a Swedish start-up is in the midst of putting a battery-powered 30-seat passenger aircraft into service by 2028. Unless you’re a member of the Kardashian family, you’ll be well aware that flying is terrible for the environment. In fact, although...
Why are all AI assistants feminised?
Ever wondered why Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant all answer our beck and call in sweet dulcet tones? The female gendering of AI technology is pervasive and largely unquestioned – but does it enforce damaging stereotypes? Rather disconcertingly, AI assistants are now an omnipotent presence in day-to-day life. Whether you use them for weather updates, fun-facts, or quick math equations (guilty), most of us interact with AI on a regular...
Ethereum crypto moves to cut its CO2 output by 99%
Ethereum, the second largest cryptocurrency, has finally moved to a ‘proof of stake’ system. This means the carbon emissions associated with mining its coins could be cut by 99%. While environmentalists are staunchly anti-crypto at the moment, Ethereum has shown that the industry can shed its problematic link to fossil fuels. The second largest cryptocurrency globally has just completed a software upgrade it’s calling ‘the merge.’ This will drastically alter the...
Co-Op faces legal issues over facial recognition technology
The Big Brother Watch is accusing shopping chain Co-Op of misusing facial recognition technology in ‘Orwellian’ policy that matches shoppers against a database without their consent. Are you a frequent Co-Op shopper? It’s likely you’ve been inputted into a database via facial recognition technology. Big Brother Watch has sent an official complaint to the Information Commissioner’s Office concerning biometric surveillance technology which is currently in use at 35 Co-Op stores. ...
Could futuristic tech help to end China’s record droughts?
China, renowned for being first with technological advancements, is exploring cloud seeding, GM crops, and a multibillion-dollar water transfer project to address its severe drought problem. Following an unprecedented 2-month heatwave, China is being forced to show its mettle as a leading innovator to survive record water shortages. Between mid-June and August, the average temperature increase across provinces was reportedly around 1.2C higher than the seasonal norm. While this may not sound...
