Irving Wladawsky-Berger writes about research by Professor David Autor on the impact of technology on the workforce presented at this year’s Jackson Hole Federal Reserve Symposium. Autor argues that artificial intelligence still struggles to perform tasks that require flexibility, judgment and common sense.
Kate Levingston of Boston.com interviews mother and MIT Media Lab researcher Catherine D’Ignazio about the upcoming breast-pump hackathon at the Media Lab. As one of the organizers, D’Ignazio hopes the event will help to improve breast pump function and make breast pumping more acceptable in everyday life.
The Boston Globe editorial board weighs in on the MIT Bitcoin Project, a student-led experiment that involves giving each undergraduate $100 of the digital currency: “Surely bitcoin deserves the skepticism with which it’s been greeted, but if it can work anywhere, it’s at MIT."
Stephen Ansolabehere and David Konisky write for The Boston Globe about a survey on public opinion on energy in the U.S. conducted by the MIT Energy Initiative and the Harvard University Center on Environment. The survey found that Americans have better knowledge of the policy debate than might be expected.
Kelly Gifford of The Boston Globe profiles MIT Alumnus Emily Calandrelli. “As producer and host of Fox’s new syndicated series ‘Xploration Outer Space,’ Calandrelli explains and explores the wide and mysterious world of space in an approachable (and entertaining) way,” writes Gifford.
In an article for USA Today, Megan Cahill highlights MIT’s top-ranked biology program. “As a top research university with small class sizes, MIT offers a program that allows students to work closely with professors and their peers on various research projects,” she writes.
“It might not be the first thing that comes to mind after the word ‘hackathon,’ but organizers of an upcoming one at MIT say the world is long overdue for a better breast pump,” writes John Johnson for USA Today. The Media Lab event is slated for later this month.
Executive Director at the MIT Center for International Studies John Tirman writes for WBUR about President Obama’s plan for combating ISIS. Tirman argues that without a coherent diplomatic strategy, the President’s plan is unlikely to succeed.
MIT PhD Student Tom O’Grady writes for The Washington Post about the upcoming vote on independence in Scotland. O’Grady argues Scotland’s case is unique in that nationalists and progressives are united in their support for leaving the UK.
Kat McGowan of The Scientific American cites research by Professor Angelica Amon that indicates recent findings may overestimate the amount of genetic variation in healthy human bodies. “Having the wrong chromosome number is not a good thing,” says Amon.
Scientists at the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology have discovered a new way to test for malaria using magnets, reports Charlotte Seager of The Guardian. The new method will allow for individual diagnostic tests to be performed for less than 10 cents.
David Weininger reports for The Boston Globe on Professor Evan Ziporyn’s upcoming concert to celebrate his “20,000th day on earth.” The concert is slated for Tuesday and will be held in Killian Hall.
A team of MIT researchers has developed an algorithm that will help NASA crews clean up debris in space, reports Nick Stockton for Wired. The research will allow crews to clear pieces of satellites spinning so wildly that they would typically be dangerous to collect.
Brooke Borel profiles edX CEO Professor Anant Agarwal for Popular Science. Agarwal recalls what the experience of failing his physics midterm as a college freshman taught him about how the quality of education varies throughout the world.
Wall Street Journal reporter Rani Molla writes about which colleges have the highest paid graduates. “After 10+ years in their career, grads from Harvey Mudd ($133,800), USNA ($130,000) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($128,800) topped the list for highest median pay,” Molla writes.