AI FACES CHALLENGE IN HUMANITY’S LAST EXAM TEST
Artificial intelligence (A.I.) has advanced to the point where traditional tests used to evaluate its abilities are no longer sufficient. Researchers are struggling to create new benchmarks that A.I. systems can’t easily pass. In response, a new evaluation called “Humanity’s Last Exam” has been developed, aiming to measure A.I. across a range of complex subjects, from philosophy to rocket engineering. The test includes difficult questions from top experts, and A.I. models have struggled to perform well on it, with OpenAI’s system scoring just 8.3%. Despite their challenges, these models are expected to improve quickly, potentially surpassing human experts. This raises concerns about how to measure A.I.’s potential and impacts in fields like math, science, and economics. While A.I. may excel at answering questions, it still faces limitations in less structured tasks like research, showing a gap between test performance and real-world application. (New York Times)
AI THREATENS MENTAL HEALTH OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
A study published in The Lancet highlights the dangers AI poses to the mental health of children and adolescents, warning that society may repeat the same mistakes made with social media and the internet. Researchers caution that as young people rapidly adopt AI, its harmful effects may not be recognized until it’s too late. One in 12 children worldwide suffers sexual abuse or exploitation each year, and AI exacerbates this risk by creating harmful content, such as fake videos, deepfakes, and inappropriate material. AI also personalizes content in ways that may expose minors to dangerous online groups or material, leading to anxiety, isolation, and risky behaviors. Experts stress the importance of early digital education, parental controls, and open dialogue to protect minors. The study calls for research, regulation, and better safeguards to address the growing influence of AI, as current measures have proven inadequate. (El Pais)
JAPAN LAUNCHES MOST ADVANCED PUBLIC SUPERCOMPUTER ABCI 3.0
Japan’s most advanced public supercomputer, ABCI 3.0, began full-scale operation on January 20, 2025, at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture. With a government investment of 36 billion yen ($232 million), the supercomputer features a large number of GPUs that accelerate AI calculations. ABCI 3.0 has the highest computing capacity of any public supercomputer in Japan, capable of performing 6.2 quintillion computations per second, three times the AI calculation power of the Fugaku supercomputer. The supercomputer’s GPUs were sourced from Nvidia Corp. AIST plans to use ABCI 3.0 for developing multimodal generative AI, integrating various data formats, and enhancing robotics. It will also support research by universities, startups, and companies, helping Japan stay competitive in the global AI race. This marks the latest iteration after ABCI 1.0 and 2.0, which were used for advanced AI development, including Large Language Models like ChatGPT. (Asahi Shinbun)
ADULTS WITH ADHD IN UK FACE LOWER LIFE EXPECTANCY
A study published in The British Journal of Psychiatry revealed that adults diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (A.D.H.D.) in the UK have a significantly lower life expectancy, dying about seven years earlier for men and nine years earlier for women compared to the general population. The study, which analyzed over 30,000 adults, highlighted various risks associated with A.D.H.D., such as higher rates of smoking, substance abuse, autism, self-harm, and personality disorders. These individuals are also more prone to risky behaviors due to difficulties with impulse control. While the study did not identify the causes of early death, it emphasized the need for healthcare systems to adapt to better support A.D.H.D. patients, particularly in addressing substance abuse and mental health concerns. Experts stress the importance of lifelong management of A.D.H.D. and call for more tailored healthcare strategies to improve outcomes for neurodivergent individuals. (New York Times)
TAIWAN PLANS TO CULL 120000 GREEN IGUANAS THREATENING FARMING
Taiwan plans to cull up to 120,000 green iguanas, which have become a significant agricultural threat. With an estimated 200,000 iguanas inhabiting southern and central Taiwan, where farming is crucial, these reptiles have caused extensive damage. The iguanas were initially released as pets, but without natural predators, they thrived and reproduced rapidly. Special hunting teams culled 70,000 iguanas last year, with bounties offered for their capture. Local governments have urged the public to help identify nests and recommend using fishing spears as a humane method of control. Green iguanas, native to Central America and the Caribbean, are not aggressive but pose a threat to local ecosystems. Despite being popular pets, they are difficult to maintain in captivity. The Reptile Conservation Association of Taiwan advocates for humane treatment and safer methods for farmers, who are now receiving training on effective and safe ways to deal with the iguanas. (AP)
ORCAS CAUSING GREAT WHITE SHARKS TO FLEE SOUTH AFRICA
In 2017, the first great white shark carcass washed up in South Africa, triggering a mysterious disappearance of sharks from Gansbaai. Marine biologist Dr. Alison Towner and her team discovered that several sharks had been killed with surgical precision, their livers removed, indicating orca attacks. Orcas Port and Starboard were identified as the culprits, responsible for killing multiple sharks and severing their livers, a behavior also observed in Mossel Bay in 2022. As a result, great white sharks began fleeing the area, leading to an ecological imbalance. The absence of these apex predators allowed prey species, such as cape fur seals, to thrive, creating a trophic cascade that impacted local ecosystems, including the spread of rabies among seals. This highlights the vulnerability of marine ecosystems to both orca predation and human activities like overfishing, which is contributing to a global decline in shark populations and threatening marine biodiversity. (The Guardian)
Thanks for reading. Let’s be careful out there.
WORDS: The Biology Guy.
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