The Artificial Intelligence Database
Crisis Mode
Simulation Tech Can Help Predict the Biggest Threats
In the face of myriad global problems, Single Synthetic Environments will make life-and-death decisions easier to navigate.
By Joe Robinson
mirror image
Gaming Giant Unity Wants to Digitally Clone the World
The company is leveraging its technology to help clients make “digital twins”—virtual copies of real-life objects, environments, and even people.
By Cecilia D'Anastasio
Special Series
If AI Is Predicting Your Future, Are You Still Free?
Part of being human is being able to defy the odds. Algorithmic prophecies undermine that.
By Carissa Véliz
Special Series
The History of Predicting the Future
Humans have long tried to determine the shape of what’s to come. But even the most advanced technology can’t solve the fundamental issues with predictions.
By Amanda Rees
AI-ntibiotics
An AI Finds Superbug-Killing Potential in Human Proteins
A team scoured the human proteome for antimicrobial molecules and found thousands, plus a surprise about how animals evolved to fight infections.
By Max G. Levy
Cloud Support
My Music App Knows Me Way Too Well. Am I Stuck in a Groove?
WIRED’s spiritual advice columnist on predictability, freedom—and the duality of rebellion.
By Meghan O'Gieblyn
Art-ificial Intelligence
Can AI Truly Give Us a Glimpse of Lost Masterpieces?
Recent projects used machine learning to resurrect paintings by Klimt and Rembrandt. They raise questions about what computers can understand about art.
By Suhita Shirodkar
Buy by AI
Why Zillow Couldn’t Make Algorithmic House Pricing Work
The real estate site went into the business of buying and selling homes. But the pandemic messed up its predictions.
By Chris Stokel-Walker
Troubled Waters
As the Arctic Warms, AI Forecasts Scope Out Shifting Sea Ice
Global warming is making it harder to predict the movement and location of the ice cover, crucial information for fishing and global shipping.
By Eric Niiler
Age estimation
This AI Predicts How Old Children Are. Can It Keep Them Safe?
Yoti’s tech may be enticing for Big Tech companies: It works out if you’re under or over 13, the age most social media platforms require to create an account.
By Matt Burgess
Non-Trivial Pursuit
This AI Resurrects Ancient Board Games—and Lets You Play Them
What tabletop games did our ancestors play in 1000 BC? A new research project wants to find out, and make them playable online too.
By Samantha HuiQi Yow
Opinion
Americans Need a Bill of Rights for an AI-Powered World
The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy is developing principles to guard against powerful technologies—with input from the public.
By Eric Lander
Bad Math
A New Formula May Help Black Patients’ Access to Kidney Care
The prior algorithm adjusted calculations for Black patients—making it harder for them to qualify for transplants and other treatments.
By Tom Simonite
A Little Birdie
This AI Helps Detect Wildlife Health Issues in Real Time
A system that scans animal rehabilitation center data could provide early alerts when a disease is spreading.
By Jennifer Clare Ball
Cover Story
The Pain Was Unbearable. So Why Did Doctors Turn Her Away?
A sweeping drug addiction risk algorithm has become central to how the US handles the opioid crisis. It may only be making the crisis worse.
By Maia Szalavitz
Inside Out
These Algorithms Look at X-Rays—and Somehow Detect Your Race
A study raises new concerns that AI will exacerbate disparities in health care. One issue? The study’s authors aren’t sure what cues are used by the algorithms.
By Tom Simonite
What's This?
Google Launches a New Medical App—Outside the US
The dermatology AI app won approval for use in the EU but not with the FDA, an odd twist on Europe's reputation for tough rules on tech.
By Tom Simonite
False Alarms
An Algorithm That Predicts Deadly Infections Is Often Flawed
A study found that a system used to identify cases of sepsis missed most instances and frequently issued false alarms.
By Tom Simonite
Goals
DeepMind Wants to Use AI to Transform Soccer
The Alphabet-owned company is working with Liverpool to bring computer vision and statistical learning to the high-stakes world of sports.
By Amit Katwala
Opinion
Hackers Used to Be Humans. Soon, AIs Will Hack Humanity
Like crafty genies, AIs will grant our wishes and then hack them, exploiting our social, political, and economic systems like never before.
By Bruce Schneier