Guest Thinkers — December 21, 2010

Al-‘Ujayri’s Mother

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

Also for those interested in videos, you can watch al-‘Ujayri’s mother on a new program on Yemeni television.

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

The letters "AI" appear with a glitch effect in multicolored pixels against a black background.

AI skeptic Gary Marcus on AI’s moral and technical shortcomings

The cognitive scientist argues the current AI environment is failing us as consumers and a society. But it’s not too late to change course.

A collage featuring hands holding a plant, additional hands in sepia tone, a grid background, orange accents, and the text "Reclaim Meaning" with the number 4.

Thinking

How to reclaim meaning in a changing world

What if the barrier to a fulfilled life isn’t technology but culture?

A grand, ornate setting with three figures in flowing attire standing before a large, luminous circular window overlooking a vibrant cityscape.

High Culture

Why we need a better Turing test for AI art

With no reliable way to discern the author of an artwork, we may eventually abandon the question of whether something was made by humans or not.

Two scientists in lab coats and gloves examine a small transparent plate with colorful dots, held by tweezers, in a laboratory setting.

The Future

The big problems driving nanotech development

It’s been 65 years since Richard Feynman saw “plenty of room” in the nano-world. Are we finally getting down there?

A smartphone with a red case displays a world map on the screen, set against a vibrant orange background.

Health

Dr. AI will see you now

The integration of artificial intelligence into public health could have revolutionary implications for the global south—if only it can get online.

Up Next

Guest Thinkers

Tuesday Papers: or Al-Qaeda sentencing guidelines

Al-Sharq al-Awsat and al-Quds al-Arabi both devote their coverage of Yemen to yesterday’s death sentence handed down to the six al-Qaeda suspects. Following the sentencing it seems as though the […]