How China Is Trying to Invent the Future as a Science Superpower
In its quest for scientific achievement, China’s research and development spending has grown rapidly over the past two decades, making it second only to the United States
Can Robotics Solve Its Diversity Problem?
Fetch Robotics CEO Melonee Wise talks about the need for standardizing robots and diversifying engineering teams
Could the Self-Repairing Star Wars Droid L3-37 Come to Life?
We're not that close to making self-modifying robots, expert says
Powder Pulls Drinking Water from Desert Air
A structure known as a metal organic framework traps water vapor by night, then releases it when heated the next day. Christopher Intagliata reports.
"Plugged In" Says Farewell
Plugged In will unplug on Friday. It’s been a great seven years and we look forward to continuing the conversations that we started here
Private Smarts: Can Digital Assistants Work without Prying into Our Lives?
Personalized AI requires personal data. Apple, Google and others say they can now grab more of it while keeping privacy and security intact
Computers Go Head-to-Head with Humans on Face Recognition
The best facial-recognition algorithms are now as good as the best forensic examiners are. But the best results come by combining human and computer skills. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Making Electricity Consumes a Lot of Water--What's the Best Way to Fix That?
Reducing water consumption from power plants is a worthy conservation strategy, but the cost may outweigh the benefits compared with alternatives like desalinating saltwater
So, Umm, Google Duplex’s Chatter Is Not Quite Human
A systems scientist breaks down the intricacies of making a machine that can fool humans into thinking it’s one of us
Girl Subject? No Such Thing
Techbridge Girls believes in the power of creating a space where students feel like they belong
Mars Lander Will Peer Inside the Red Planet
The InSight Mission will look at Mars's seismic activity and latent heat to find out more about how planets get made--and how humans might live there.
Does Renewable Energy Increase Electricity Prices? See for Yourself
How much does electricity cost in your state? Where does it come from? Here's a chart