Bloomberg's Peter Coy spotlights a report by the MIT Task Force on the Work of the Future that examines how to help workers build stable and fulfilling careers. The Task Force finds, “countries that make well-targeted, forward-looking investments in education and skills training should be able to deliver jobs with favorable earnings and employment security.”
A study by Prof. Pierre Azoulay finds that the death of star scientists can benefit their fields of research by opening the door for an influx of new ideas and contributors, reports Colleen Flaherty for Inside Higher Ed. Flaherty explains that the findings provide “a reason for journal editors and funding agencies to think even harder about who they’re supporting, and why.”
Quartz reporter Jenny Anderson writes about how Blakeley Payne developed an ethics in AI program this summer for middle-school students. Anderson explains that Payne hopes the course will help kids become “more conscious of how AI is designed and how it can manipulate them. These lessons also help prepare them for the jobs of the future, and potentially become AI designers rather than just consumers.”
Quartz reporter Olivia Goldhill writes that a new study by MIT researchers examines the issue of ongoing election interference. Goldhill explains that the researchers call for “scientists to study election interference, and for social media companies to release the data that makes research possible.”
Writing for Scientific American, Tim Hornyak highlights how MIT researchers have developed a robotic system that consists of multiple units and can operate as a cluster. “In our system, each particle is very simple, and there is no central control over the cluster,” explains Prof. Daniela Rus. The units “work together without relying on any particular individuals.”
Smithsonian reporter Jason Daley writes that MIT researcher have created a new magnetically-controlled robotic thread that can wind its way through the human brain. “In the future, it could move through blood vessels in the brain to help clear blockages,” Daley explains.
Forbes reporter Michael Nuñez writes that researchers from MIT and Facebook are using the videogame Minecraft to help train a new AI assistant that can multitask. “Researchers hope that the AI can learn from the different interactions with human players and ultimately increase the range of tasks that it’s able to perform,” Nuñez explains.
A study by MIT researchers examines the impact of social media manipulation campaigns on elections, reports Martin Finucane for The Boston Globe. “This is a blueprint for understanding the effects of election manipulation and interference on election outcomes,” explains Prof. Sinan Aral. “It can be applied to data retrospectively and proactively in near-real-time during, for instance, the 2020 election.”
Motherboard reporter Becky Ferreira writes that MIT researchers have developed a robotic thread that could be used to treat neurological blood clots or strokes. The robot could be equipped with drugs or lasers “that could be delivered to problem areas in the brain. This type of minimally invasive technique may also be useful in mitigating damage from neurological emergencies such as strokes.”
A study co-authored by Prof. Pierre Azoulay finds that 45 is the average age of the founders of successful companies started in the U.S. between 2007 and 2014, reports Seema Jayachandran for The New York Times. Jayachandran writes that the study “provides the first systematic calculation of the ages of the founders of high-growth start-ups in the United States.”
TechCrunch reporter Darrell Etherington writes that MI researchers have developed a new robotic thread that could be used to make brain surgeries less invasive. Etherington explains that the new robotic threads could “potentially make it easier and more accessible to treat brain blood vessel issues like blockages and lesions that can cause aneurysms and strokes.”
TechCrunch reporter Darrell Etherington writes that MIT researchers have developed an algorithm that allows a fleet of autonomous boats to change configurations to form new structures. The algorithm is a key step towards the researchers’ goal of creating “truly utilitarian robots that can assemble and reassemble on-demand.”
Popular Mechanics reporter John Wenz explores the significance of MIT researchers developing a microprocessor out of carbon nanotubes. "Carbon nanotubes have been a promising material for next generation electronics for almost two decades now," says Prof. Max Shulaker. "But there has always been a giant disconnect between the promise of carbon nanotubes and being able to build a real working system out of them."
MIT researchers have found that increases in heat and humidity caused by climate change could make the Hajj pilgrimage extremely dangerous in future years, reports Robert Preidt for U.S. News & World Report. The researchers found that “n the potentially dangerous years ahead, it may be necessary to severely limit the number of participants allowed to take part in the ritual.”
Gizmodo reporter Andrew Liszewski writes that a new thread-like robotic work developed by MIT researchers could be used to quickly clear blockages and clots that lead to strokes. “The robot would not only make the post-stroke procedure faster and faster, but it would also reduce the exposure to radiation that surgeons often have to endure,” Liszewski explains.