Archive: Aug 2017

What is the difference between a normal cell and a cancer cell? The answer lies in their DNA. Cancer results from the accumulation of genetic mutations, which trigger uncontrolled cell growth. Cancer’s mutated DNA can reveal its presence early on in…

by Chamith Fonseka figures by Rebecca Senft The concept of artificial intelligence (AI) tends to evoke images of self-aware computers and robots – Knight Rider, Wall-E, the Terminator – but for the most part, this technology is, for now, restricted to…

by Katherine Wu I don’t have many fond memories from middle school. The few bright spots that do exist in my memory, though, revolve around the three essential pillars: television, books, and AOL Instant Messenger. There were few things as satisfying as…

by Harbing Lou figures by Shannon McArdel AI, the foundation of all video games If you have ever played a video game, you have interacted with artificial intelligence (AI). Regardless of whether you prefer race-car games like Need for Speed, strategy…

by Franklin Wolfe figures by Franklin Wolfe and Kimia Mavon Earlier this year, Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft and the richest man on Earth, wrote an essay online at “The blog of Bill Gates,” to college students graduating worldwide in 2017. He stated,…

by Rockwell Anyoha Can Machines Think? In the first half of the 20th century, science fiction familiarized the world with the concept of artificially intelligent robots. It began with the “heartless” Tin man from the Wizard of Oz and continued with the…

by Sherif Gerges figures by Olivia Foster Most of a physician’s working hours involve pattern recognition and high-level problem solving. Throughout his or her professional tenure, a dermatologist will analyze over two hundred thousand skin lesions,…

by Henry Wilkin figures by Rebecca Clements The original dream of research in artificial intelligence was to understand what it is that makes us who we are. Because of this, artificial intelligence has always been close to cognitive science, even if the…

by Julia Nguyen figures by Alexandra Was What would you give for a brain chip that seamlessly translates any language into your native tongue? Or a retinal implant that lets you see in the dark? Or an implant that lets you record every single memory and…

by Tim Menke figures by Neal Akatsuka Imagine getting into your car in the morning, sipping your coffee and sitting back to relax while your car drives you to work. Then you remember to call a friend who you have not spoken to in a while, or you have a…