Back in 1985, the best robotic surgeon we had was the Puma 560, a manipulator arm just barely more advanced than Rocky Balboa’s robo-butler. Just barely. The Puma was nevertheless revolutionary. It was the very first mechanical operator, progenitor to steady-handed robo-surgeons like the DaVinci system. But in the near future, robots will no longer be cutting into us — from the outside, at least.
Continue reading… “Edible robot surgeons will cure you from the inside out”
RAY KURZWEIL HAS invented a few things in his time. In his teens, he built a computer that composed classical music, which won him an audience with President Lyndon B. Johnson. In his 20s, he pioneered software that could digitize printed text, and in his 30s he cofounded a synthesizer company with Stevie Wonder. More recently, he’s known for popularizing the idea of the singularity—a moment sometime in the future when superintelligent machines transform humanity—and making optimistic predictions about immortality. For now, though, Kurzweil, 69, leads a team of about 35 people at Google whose code helps you write emails.
Continue reading… “What is Ray Kurzweil up to at Google? Writing your emails”
If you could construct a sexual partner that was faithful, beautiful, and responsive to your every wish, would you?
Continue reading… “Humans and robots are on the cusp of a sexual intimacy we may never reverse”
Airbnb has reached a new milestone: 4 million listings worldwide.
Continue reading… “Airbnb now has more listings worldwide than the top five hotel brands combined”
Capable of firing semi-automatic weapons and 40mm grenades, it really is death from above.
Continue reading… “Gun-wielding drones are now a thing, and that’s somewhat worrying”
Long relegated to the world of science fiction, lasers and rail guns are increasingly appearing in real life.
For many, a toothache may bring up their deepest and darkest fears. The reality for many is that the dentist can send you through a wave of emotions, to the point that you may end up trying to avoid your appointment entirely.
Continue reading… “Will stem cells replace dental implants?”
When it comes to artificial intelligence (AI), there’s a common question: Will AI technology render certain jobs obsolete? The common prediction is that yes, many jobs will be lost as a result. But what do the numbers say? Even more importantly, what does logical thought suggest?
NOTE: For anyone interested in learning the fine art of becoming a professional freelancer, check out the upcoming Freelance Academy at the DaVinci Institute.
According to a recent report in Nature Biotechnology, about 70 percent of eligible donated hearts never get utilized and up to 20 percent of donated kidneys are discarded in the United States today. And worldwide only 10 percent of the organ need is being met, according to the World Health Organization who calls the shortage “among the greatest crises facing bio-medicine today.”
Continue reading… “Making on-demand organ transplants possible with cryopreservation”
Fewer people in China are tying the knot – a trend alarming families and worrying the government. Gender inequality is at the heart of this phenomenon, writes Xuan Li.
Continue reading… “Why people aren’t getting married in China”
Last October, we announced the Debug Project, an initiative at Verily to reduce the devastating global health impact that disease-carrying mosquitoes inflict on people around the world. Today, I’m happy to announce the launch of Debug Fresno, our first field study in the U.S. to test a potential mosquito control method using sterile insect technique in collaboration with MosquitoMate and Fresno County’s Consolidated Mosquito Abatement District (CMAD).
Upworth has released its latest quarterly list of the skill gaps companies are looking for freelancers to fill. This latest list sees a new No. 1 skill: virtual reality, which took the top spot from natural language processing in the previous list. Here’s the full list of the top 20 skills:
Continue reading… “These are the 20 fastest growing freelance skills in demand right now”
By delving into the futuring techniques of Futurist Thomas Frey, you’ll embark on an enlightening journey.
Learn More about this exciting program.