Government
The Download: the future of AlphaFold, and chatbot privacy concerns
In 2017, fresh off a PhD on theoretical chemistry, John Jumper heard rumors that Google DeepMind had moved on from game-playing AI to a secret project to predict the structures of proteins. He applied for a job. Just three years later, Jumper and CEO Demis Hassabis had led the development of an AI system called AlphaFold 2 that was able to predict the structures of proteins to within the width of an atom, matching lab-level accuracy, and doing it many times faster--returning results in hours instead of months. Last year, Jumper and Hassabis shared a Nobel Prize in chemistry. Now that the hype has died down, what impact has AlphaFold really had? How are scientists using it?
He Hunted Alleged Groomers on Roblox. Then the Company Banned Him
YouTuber "Schlep built a huge following tracking down alleged child predators on Roblox before being kicked off. The platform is facing multiple lawsuits over child safety. Last month, Kentucky attorney general Russell Coleman announced the details of yet another lawsuit against Roblox over suspected pedophiles lurking on the hugely popular gaming platform. While doing so, Coleman singled out the work of one self-described "predator hunter" who claims to have helped identify alleged abusers mixing with young gamers. "Roblox is even trying to silence those who raised these security risks," Coleman said. "The famous case of one of their developers, Schlep, immediately comes to mind." Schlep is in fact Michael, a 22-year-old Texan who has spent the last two years working with a group of other Roblox players to track down and identify people purportedly seeking to groom young children on the platform--predators like the one Schlep says allegedly groomed him a decade ago, which he says led ...
Trump 'wants us to capitulate' to Russia: Ukrainians aghast at peace plan
What is in the 28-point US plan for Ukraine? Why is Europe opposing Trump's peace plan? Is the fall of Pokrovsk inevitable? 'A corruption scandal may well end the Ukraine war' Trump'wants us to capitulate' to Russia: Ukrainians aghast at peace plan The timing for United States President Donald Trump's new peace plan and a menacing ultimatum for Ukraine could not be worse. Russian troops, drones and fog-generating robots have punctured the southeastern front line as civilians in the city of Zaporizhzhia hear new, harrowing notes in their almost nightly cannonade - the sound of heavy gliding bombs.
Can Tech Get Rid of Bad Trips?
Can Tech Get Rid of Bad Trips? In this episode of, we talk about some of the latest drug trends and all the ways drugs are changing as they continue to be intertwined with tech. Whether it's teenagers reviving the Benadryl TikTok challenge or people signing up for an out-of-body experience program previously used by the CIA, some of us are chasing unconventional trips--bad trips, essentially. But these trends are happening at a time when AI companies are also looking to create a "cleaner" trip for users, and others are using AI chatbots to therapeutically guide their psychedelic trips. Host Michael Calore sits down with staff writer Boone Ashworth and senior editor Manisha Krishnan to discuss these trends--and the promises and limitations of relying on tech to avoid bad trips. Young People Are Tripping on Benadryl--and It's Always a Bad Time The CIA Used This Psychic Meditation Program. It's Never Been More Popular Please help us improve by filling out our listener survey . Write to us at uncannyvalley@wired.com . You can always listen to this week's podcast through the audio player on this page, but if you want to subscribe for free to get every episode, here's how: If you're on an iPhone or iPad, open the app called Podcasts, or just tap this link . Hey, Mike, how are you? This is your first appearance on, is it not? It's really nice to be back in the studio.
Revealed: The five key stages of the human brain - with the 'adolescent' phase lasting until age 32
'Guerilla' liberals form a'Fight Club' to oust Schumer after walking right into Trump's Oval Office trap Billionaire family posts VERY unusual obituary after heir, 40, met violent end at $2.8m hunting lodge following marriage scandal I know why Usha Vance ditched her wedding ring. Most women would do the same if they'd suffered her humiliation: KENNEDY'Canceled' comedian Louis C.K. devours Hollywood legend's widow on streets of NYC as steamy romance is revealed Troubled 350lbs son of Hollywood icon is forced to humiliating new low... as his movie star brother luxuriates in $7m Montecito mansion Brigitte Bardot, 91, is rushed to hospital again as she battles a'serious illness' after undergoing surgery'Dementia gene' now linked to another devastating neurological disease, study shows Trump's losing control... MAGA's imploding... and White House insiders tell me why they're REALLY worried: ANDREW NEIL Anna Kepner's grim cause of death aboard Carnival cruise ship confirmed, as homicide investigation continues Dawson's Creek star James Van Der Beek looks healthy in new social media video as his wife gushes'he's bouncing back' amid cancer battle Her moving videos about the handsome boyfriend who ghosted her went viral and catapulted her to overnight fame. Pam Bondi's furious response after beauty queen prosecutor who upstaged her has Comey and James indictments thrown out by judge Google Maps blunder turns tiny village into shortcut route, causing it to be'bombarded' by lorries that are damaging people's Grade II-listed homes READ MORE: Scientists issue warning over mind-altering'brain weapons' There are five key stages of the human brain, a new study has revealed. Researchers from the University of Cambridge compared brain scans of 3,802 people aged between 0 and 90. Their analysis revealed that the average human life is split up by four pivotal'turning points' between five key stages - childhood, adolescence, adulthood, early ageing, and late ageing.
Sam Bankman-Fried Goes on the Offensive
Two years after he was found guilty of fraud, FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried is pursuing a legal appeal--and firing up his X account. On September 23, for the first time in more than six months, an X account belonging to disgraced FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried published a post . It simply read, "gm"--internet slang for "good morning." The account has been posting consistently since. Bankman-Fried--known widely as SBF--is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence in California.
Russia and Ukraine trade deadly strikes overnight
Russia and Ukraine have conducted overnight drone strikes against each other, killing at least five people. Officials in Kyiv said a massive overnight Russian drone strike on the city had killed at least two people and injured six more. The attack in the early hours of Tuesday also hit at least two residential buildings, triggering fires and disrupting electricity and water supplies. Meanwhile, Russian officials said at least three people had been killed in a Ukrainian strike in the Rostov region. The latest attacks come after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed proposed changes to the controversial 28-point US peace plan for ending the war with Russia.
Macquarie Dictionary announces 'AI slop' as its word of the year, beating out Ozempic face
A viral video of a colony of bunnies seemingly enjoying jumping on a trampoline, posted in July, had more than 200m views - but was identified as AI-generated. A viral video of a colony of bunnies seemingly enjoying jumping on a trampoline, posted in July, had more than 200m views - but was identified as AI-generated. Macquarie Dictionary announces'AI slop' as its word of the year, beating out Ozempic face AI slop is here, it's ubiquitous, it's being used by the US president, Donald Trump, and now, it's the word of the year. The Macquarie Dictionary dubbed the term the epitome of 2025 linguistics, with a committee of word experts saying the outcome embodies the word of the year's general theme of reflecting "a major aspect of society or societal change throughout the year". "We understand now in 2025 what we mean by slop - AI generated slop, which lacks meaningful content or use," the committee said in a statement announcing its decision.
Trump launches 'Genesis Mission' to harness AI for scientific breakthroughs
Trump launches'Genesis Mission' to harness AI for scientific breakthroughs United States President Donald Trump has unveiled a national initiative to mobilise artificial intelligence (AI) for accelerating scientific breakthroughs. Trump signed an executive order on Monday to establish "The Genesis Mission", the latest iteration of his administration's aggressive strategy for spurring AI development through deregulation, infrastructure investment and public-private collaboration. Under the initiative, US supercomputers and data resources will be integrated to create a "closed-loop AI experimentation platform", according to the order. The White House, which likened the initiative to the Apollo programme that put the first man on the moon, said priority areas of focus would include the "greatest scientific challenges of our time," such as nuclear fusion, semiconductors, critical materials and space exploration. Michael Kratsios, the White House's top science adviser, said the initiative took a "revolutionary approach" to scientific research.