Research

Why our brains are bad at climate change

From Our Neurons to Yours is a podcast that crisscrosses scientific disciplines to bring you to the frontiers of brain science. Nik Sawe, a neuro-economist who uses brain imaging to study environmental decision making helps us understand why are our brains so bad at perceiving this existential, long-term risk to our society and our planet. And are there ways we could work with our brains' limitations to improve our decision-making around environmental issues and the future more broadly?

AI Index: State of AI in 13 Charts

This year's AI Index, an independent initiative at the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI) is out. The 500 page report tracking 2023's worldwide AI trends is available here. This year’s report covers the rise of multimodal foundation models, major cash investments into generative AI, new performance benchmarks, shifting global opinions, and new major regulations. The high level overview in 13 charts is available here.

‘Ruler for light’ could enable detailed measurement in personal devices

Stanford researchers have unveiled a new type of frequency comb, a high-precision measurement device, that is innovatively small, ultra-energy efficient, and exceptionally accurate. Among the many applications the researchers envision for their versatile technology are powerful handheld medical diagnostic devices and widespread greenhouse gas monitoring sensors.

A replacement for traditional motors could enhance next-gen robots

Researchers at Stanford University have invented a way to augment electric motors to make them much more efficient at performing dynamic movements through a new type of actuator, a device that uses energy to make things move. Their actuator, published March 20 in Science Robotics, uses springs and clutches to accomplish a variety of tasks with a fraction of the energy usage of a typical electric motor. 

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