
Criminal AI is Here—And Anyone Can Subscribe
A new AI platform called Xanthorox markets itself as a tool for cybercrime, but its real danger may lie in how easily such systems can be built—and sold—by anyone

Criminal AI is Here—And Anyone Can Subscribe
A new AI platform called Xanthorox markets itself as a tool for cybercrime, but its real danger may lie in how easily such systems can be built—and sold—by anyone

How NASA Can Make the Moon Great Again
An unhinged 2026 U.S. budget proposal would hollow NASA to a husk bent to Elon Musk’s whims. Only one mission can save the space agency


How Being Watched Changes How You Think
We live in an era of constant surveillance. Psychology research shows how this might change how we perceive the world—even unconsciously

Could AI Really Kill Off Humans?
Many people believe AI will one day cause human extinction. A little math tells us it wouldn’t be that easy

Self-Driving Cars Have New Rules in the U.S. Here’s Why That Matters
New rules that trim crash reporting requirements and widen testing access for U.S. robotaxis are hailed as an innovation edge and criticized for eroding safety oversight

If a Chatbot Tells You It Is Conscious, Should You Believe It?
AI systems could show signs of consciousness. We need to develop better tests to show whether they are actually aware

What the Amazon versus SpaceX Satellite Mega Constellation War Means for Earth
Amazon has launched its first operational Project Kuiper satellites in its attempt to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink—but experts remain concerned about space debris and astronomy

Science Isn’t about Domination. It’s about Democracy
Science is key to diplomacy, unity and democracy. What the Trump administration is trying to do to it will weaken the U.S.

The Past 35 Years of Science and Technology from Our Editor Gary Stix’s Perspective
Hear takeaways from 35 years at Scientific American from Gary Stix, our recently retired mind and brain editor.

Future Paleontologists Will Understand Modern Humans through Our ‘Technofossils’
Discarded authors Sarah Gabbott and Jan Zalasiewicz, observers of the geological past, look into the future

Tech Use Isn’t Driving Dementia in Older Adults
Smartphone and computer use hasn’t put today’s older adults at increased risk of cognitive decline

Fusion Energy Needs Continued U.S. Leadership to Secure Our Energy Future
The U.S. leads the world in fusion energy research. It can’t squander that lead like it did with microchips