More from Emma Stoltzfus
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Is it alive? How AI’s uncanny valley could threaten human interaction
The uncanny valley as a concept has been around for decades. But as artificial intelligence develops, technology is several steps closer to tricking human brains and manipulating emotions. The term uncanny valley is used to describe the emotional response from humans when encountering robots that appear human-like. AI expert and philosopher Aleksandra Przegalińska said humans… -
Why we fear AI, from a PhD in philosophy of artificial intelligence
Conversations around artificial intelligence are often filled with fear and threat. Much of it can be traced back to movies, news stories, and even comments by those developing the technology, according to a Harvard senior research associate with a Ph.D. in the philosophy of artificial intelligence. “Instead of focusing on things that are to be… -
UAW strike could cost billions. See the price of these 5 strikes in history.
United Auto Workers are striking against Detroit’s Big Three automakers at the same time for the first time. The impact could be financially devastating. Economists estimate 10 days on the picket lines against General Motors, Ford and Fiat Chrysler-parent Stellantis could cost the U.S. economy $5.6 billion and push Michigan into a recession. Strikes can… -
Americans say media bias divides the nation. This chart shows most polarizing.
For the first time in recorded history, more Americans report having no trust in mass media reporting the news fully, accurately and fairly than those who trust media a fair or great amount. The results from the most recent Gallup poll on the topic show overall trust in media remains near a record low. Meanwhile,… -
With college spending sprees, students and taxpayers foot much of the bill
Student loan debt is again accruing interest without much reform following a 3.5-year payment pause. Meanwhile, millions of current college students will soon join the existing indebted borrowers that have racked up around $1.8 trillion in debt to date. University spending sprees are far outpacing enrollment and inflation, fueling the student debt crisis. As colleges… -
White House pledges $95M to shore up Hawaii electric grid after deadly wildfires
The White House has announced it will allocate $95 million toward the Hawaii power grid through a 2021 infrastructure law as part of its response to the deadly Maui wildfires. However, Hawaiian Electric had been petitioning for a grant from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to modernize the island’s electrical infrastructure since soon after the bill… -
‘Crazy’ auto loan payments of $1,000 or more: When will car market cool down?
Will those looking to buy a car ever catch a break? With interest rates around 7% and average monthly payments above $700, it has never been more expensive to buy and finance a new car while affordable used cars remain hard to find. A glimmer of hope has arrived for hopeful buyers: According to a… -
Prigozhin aside, Aug. 23 was good to Ukraine
Yevgeny Prigozhin may be dead, but Wednesday, Aug. 23 was a good day for Ukraine. The Ukrainian armed forces took out a major missile installation in Crimea. Prigozhin’s reported death marked the second occasion in the mercenary’s time on Earth when he reportedly died in a plane crash. The first happened in the Congo in… -
China’s population problem: Aging people, fewer babies, ‘lying flat’ youth
At one point, China was so worried about its rapidly growing population that the Chinese Communist Party implemented notorious family-planning policies. But now its population has peaked, its workforce is aging and the party can’t convince its people to have more kids. In 2023, India will take the long-held title of the world’s largest population… -
Russia sanctions ‘weaponized’ US dollar and now countries want to move away
The latest swell of dedollarization really gained steam after the U.S. levied harsh financial sanctions against Russia for invading Ukraine. Russia, its allies and economic partners have gone as far as discussing creating a brand new currency to combat dollar dominance. As the current world reserve currency, the U.S. dollar is at the center of… -
The dollar is king but for how much longer? How reserve currencies fell.
The U.S. dollar has been the world’s dominant reserve currency for as long as most people alive can remember. Dedollarization talk in the past has never amounted to much, but with renewed calls to dedollarize, is king dollar about to lose its reign? I should say never is a very long time. I shouldn’t say… -
Could BRICS nations dethrone US dollar dominance with a new currency?
The U.S. dollar’s global dominance has been a sure thing for about a century. Now emerging economies are looking to dethrone it. Foreign ministers from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, nations known collectively as BRICS, have recently discussed using alternative currencies to challenge U.S. global influence. Representatives from the bloc gathered in Cape… -
Countries are souring on the US dollar. Is dedollarization really a risk?
Is the U.S. dollar really at risk of losing its reserve currency status? Dedollarization talks are heating up as more countries look to cut the U.S. dollar out of trade transactions. What would a move away from the U.S. dollar mean for the U.S. economy and what currency could replace it? Geopolitical strategist Peter Zeihan…