Prof. David Mindell speaks with Moira Gunn of KQED’s Tech Nation about his book “Our Robots, Ourselves,” and the future of autonomy. “All software embeds human values in one way or another,” says Mindell. “When we think about autonomy and driving, what are those values that are going to be embedded in our software?”
Prof. Sherry Turkle speaks with Arianna Huffington about her new book and how smartphones affect our ability to connect with one another. Turkle explains that her research shows “we are too busy connecting to have the conversations that count.”
Matthew Nisbet, a professor at Northeastern University who focuses on climate change communication, writes for The Conversation about MIT’s Climate Action Plan. Nisbet writes that MIT’s plan can “serve as a model for how major research universities can accelerate effective societal actions on climate change by collaborating with a diversity of industry members.”
In an excerpt from Prof. David Mindell’s new book published on Slate, Mindell argues that humans have a presence on Mars thanks to rovers that are exploring the planet and are controlled by human operators on Earth. “The rovers are more like programmable, mobile laboratories than scientists, physical more than cognitive surrogates,” writes Mindell.
MIT researchers have developed a self-sustaining water-purification system for a remote Mexican village, according to The Guardian. “The villagers are able to operate and maintain the water purification system themselves,” The Guardian reports.
In honor of “Back to the Future II,” in which Marty McFly travels 30 years into the future, BBC reporter Jane O’Brien speaks with Media Lab Director Joi Ito about how technology might advance over the next 30 years. Ito says that his “dream invention is machine learning artificial intelligence that connects directly to my brain in some non-invasive way.”
Richard Waters of the Financial Times writes about Prof. David Mindell’s new book, “Our Robots, Ourselves,” which examines robotics and automation. Waters writes that, “Mindell brings an altogether refreshing perspective to a field that can sometimes get lost in the ‘what if.’”
Forbes reporter Bruce Dorminey writes about a new MIT study showing that refueling at the moon would make Mars missions more efficient. Prof. Olivier de Weck explains that this strategy could “represent a savings of $5.8 billion per mission.”
In an article for Wired, Cara McGoogan writes about Prof. Hiroshi Ishii’s vision for the future of technology. We need to "envision what kind of future we want to create," explains Ishii. "To inspire people, to make them think differently. Art is so important as a driving force."
John Charles, vice president of IS&T, speaks with Josephine Wolff of The Atlantic about the need to protect computer security on university campuses, while still maintaining academic openness. “To support high-velocity collaboration, high-velocity innovation, high-velocity research and do it at scale…we have to make sure we don’t put barriers in place that make it more difficult,” explains Charles.
MIT researchers have developed an algorithm that detects tax evasion, writes Lynnley Browning for The New York Times. “The goal is to give the I.R.S. a better way to investigate sophisticated tax shelters that strip tens of billions of dollars from federal coffers each year,” writes Browning.
Kyle Clauss reports for Boston Magazine on an algorithm, created by MIT researchers, which can detect efforts by corporations to evade taxes. “The findings are a promising development in the ongoing struggle against tax evasion of the most sophisticated sort,” writes Clauss.
Fortune reporter Claire Zillman writes that MIT is starting an “‘inverted admissions’ program in which students who excel in a series of free online courses—and a subsequent examination—will have better chances of being accepted into the school’s full master’s program.”
“That makes MIT’s approach seem pretty noble: finally, a more affordable way to get the same high-caliber degree, no matter your academic record, so long as you can prove your mettle,’” writes Christian Science Monitor reporter Molly Jackson of MIT’s new path to a master’s degree.
Drew Bent writes for The Tech about MIT’s new pilot program, through which students will be selected to enter the Supply Chain Management master’s program based on their performance in online courses. “The hybrid model allows for both types of learning to take place while also letting more students receive an MIT education,” writes Bent.