OPENAI READY FOR WAR.

OpenAI recently revised its usage policy, removing specific language that prohibited using its technology for military purposes. The original policy explicitly banned weapon development and military applications, effectively preventing its use by defense departments. The new policy focuses on broader principles like not using the service to harm others and mentions weapon development as an example, but no longer explicitly bans military and warfare use. Niko Felix, an OpenAI spokesperson, stated the aim was to create universal, easily understood principles, noting the shift towards more general guidelines. However, there’s ambiguity over whether the new “harm” ban includes all military uses. Heidy Khlaaf, an expert in machine learning and autonomous systems safety, observed that the policy change emphasizes legal compliance over safety, potentially allowing lawful military applications, despite the risks in AI safety, especially in military contexts. The practical impact of this policy change remains unclear. The ambiguity raises questions about how OpenAI will enforce the revised policy amidst growing military interest. This development coincides with increased military focus on incorporating machine learning, despite concerns about the accuracy and ethical implications of AI in military operations. The Pentagon, for instance, is exploring large-language models like ChatGPT, balancing the potential benefits with the technology’s current limitations and ethical concerns. (The Intercept)

AN AI CHATBOT HAS BETTER BEDSIDE MANNER THAN DOCTORS.

A Google-developed AI chatbot, trained for medical interviews, demonstrated accuracy in diagnosing certain conditions, surpassing human doctors in empathy and information gathering. Named Articulate Medical Intelligence Explorer (AMIE), this large language model (LLM)-based system outperformed physicians in diagnosing respiratory and cardiovascular issues. The study, yet to be peer-reviewed, involved actors simulating patients to test the AI, which is still experimental. Challenges in development included a lack of real medical conversation data, prompting innovative training methods. The AI was trained with existing datasets and simulated self-critiquing conversations. Despite its promising performance, the tool is far from clinical application. Experts urge caution, emphasizing that AI should supplement, not replace, human interactions in healthcare. Concerns remain about potential biases and the ethical implications of testing with real patients. Ensuring fairness and addressing privacy issues in data handling are crucial next steps for this technology. (Nature)

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THE EAST COAST OF AMERICA IS SINKING.

Subsidence, the gradual sinking of land, poses a significant risk to coastal areas, particularly along the US Atlantic Coast. A new study reports that this coast is experiencing subsidence at rates surpassing sea level rise, affecting millions of people and properties. In places like New York City, the weight of buildings contributes to sinking, while in California’s San Joaquin Valley, intensive agriculture has caused dramatic elevation drops. The study, using satellite measurements, found that up to 74,000 square kilometers along the Atlantic Coast are affected by subsidence, impacting millions of residents and properties. This sinking land increases vulnerability to storm surges and flooding, with coastal infrastructure like levees and transportation networks at risk. For example, New York’s JFK Airport exhibits variable subsidence rates, threatening its structural integrity. Subsidence varies regionally due to different geological conditions and groundwater extraction rates. Addressing this issue requires detailed data on subsidence and groundwater management to mitigate future risks. The study underscores the urgency of early diagnosis and intervention in managing subsidence, likening it to treating a disease to prevent more costly, uncertain outcomes. (Wired)

GOF BAN HAS SCIENTISTS WORRIED.

A Wisconsin bill proposing to restrict research that could make human pathogens more dangerous has raised concerns among scientists. This state-level move reflects a wider debate on gain-of-function (GOF) research, particularly after suggestions that such research might have contributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Wisconsin bill, still in early legislative stages, echoes similar initiatives in Florida and Texas, aiming to limit or ban research on enhanced potential pandemic pathogens (ePPPs). Originating from fears stoked by modifications of the H5N1 bird flu virus in 2011, the bill could significantly affect microbiological studies, especially in research institutions like the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Critics argue that the broad pathogen definitions in the bill could obstruct essential research for disease understanding and vaccine development. The scientific community is also anticipating new federal restrictions on GOF research. The bill’s future, however, remains uncertain due to both political and scientific considerations. (Science)

IMPORT CORALS TO SAVE ENDANGERED ONES?

Corals in the Caribbean are facing severe decline due to climate change, pollution, and a recent devastating heatwave, leading researchers to consider radical solutions, including transplanting hardier corals from the Indo-Pacific region. Mikhail Matz, a coral geneticist, presented this idea at a meeting in Seattle, emphasizing the urgency as Caribbean reefs are rapidly deteriorating. Transplanting could take decades, and the current reef infrastructure is at risk of collapse. Indo-Pacific corals, known for their resilience and ability to thrive, contrast starkly with the Caribbean’s poor recruiters. The proposition of introducing these foreign species is controversial and fraught with risks, such as introducing new diseases and disrupting local ecology. Conservation efforts have traditionally focused on restoring native corals, but these have largely failed to halt the decline. Other potential solutions include using CRISPR genome editing to enhance native species’ heat resistance or introducing microorganisms for disease resistance. However, each approach carries risks to the natural ecosystem. The scientific community faces tough decisions on how far to intervene, balancing the need to save the reefs with the risks of altering the natural environment. (Nature)

Thanks for reading. Let’s be careful out there.

WORDS: The Biology Guy.

IMAGE CREDIT: NASA.