Last month, the heads of seven major American AI companies emerged from the White House with an agreement on “self-regulation.” On the other side of the Atlantic, Europeans debate the long-awaited EU AI Act, the next major digital regulation following the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). The DSA is aimed at containing “systemic risks” from tech that include the “potentially rapid and wide dissemination of illegal content and of information” that is “incompatible with” large online platforms’ terms and conditions.

The Singapore MIT-Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART), MIT’s research enterprise in Singapore, has launched a new interdisciplinary research group aimed at tackling key social and institutional challenges around the rise of artificial intelligence and other new technologies. The group, known as “Mens, Manus and Machina: How AI Empowers People, Institutions, and the City” in Singapore (M3S), aims to advance knowledge in these fields and foster collaborative research for society in Singapore and the world.

Seeking to redefine the boundaries of AI, automation, and robotics through interdisciplinary research, knowledge sharing, and effective collaborations, SMART M3S endeavors to design inclusive, resilient, and innovative solutions that empower individuals, institutions, and cities. By exploring the intricate relationship between human capabilities, emerging technologies, and societal structures, SMART M3S will drive scientific, societal, and commercial impact in Singapore and beyond.

Many employees are asking, “Do we really need to go to the office?” as the leadership at major companies like Amazon, Apple, Disney, Starbucks, and JP Morgan mandate three or more days a week of office-based work. Employees are adamant that they are doing their jobs effectively at home, and data support the improved productivity of remote work. But many leaders are concerned about a range of issues, from problematic communication and coordination to cybersecurity, which they feel remote work undermines.

However, with the advent of generative AI like ChatGPT, we’re on the cusp of realizing the full potential of remote and hybrid work by reducing—while not eliminating—the benefits of office visits. AI isn’t just a futuristic buzzword; it’s a transformative force that’s reshaping the workplace and redefining the meaning of work.

To move delicate products or powders, most processors do extensive homework before purchasing a tubular drag-cable conveyor to ensure that it meets their needs for function and price. After the purchase, the conveyor must be expertly assembled and tested to ensure smooth production startup and continued performance.

However, typical third-party contractors that install plant systems might need to become more familiar with specialized conveyors, and thus are more prone to make costly errors. A more prudent choice is using the OEM’s team of experienced technicians. The OEM’s experts have the advantage of designing the specialized conveyor and understanding its installation, operational requirements, and potential problem areas.

The microscope is an iconic symbol of the life sciences, and for good reason. From the discovery of the existence of cells to the structure of DNA, microscopy has been a quintessential tool of the field, unlocking new dimensions of the living world not only for scientists but also for the general public.

For the life sciences, where understanding the function of a living thing often requires interpreting its form, imaging is vital to confirming theories and revealing what is yet unknown.

This selection of stories from The Conversation’s archive presents a few ways in which microscopy has contributed to different forms of scientific knowledge, including techniques that take visualization beyond sight altogether.

Apple’s Vision Pro announcement has sparked a renewed interest in the world of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). Looking through the lens of industrial environments, these technologies have already made significant contributions in manufacturing, maintenance, and training processes. Here, we’ll examine key areas where they hold potentially transformative power for the industrial sector, with input from Hubs’ in-house engineers as well as other industry experts.

It’s frustrating for customers to be told that a coveted mobile phone is out of stock, or worse, be bumped off an overbooked flight. Disgruntled consumers could turn to rival products or hurt the business’s reputation with negative reviews. But holding excess stock to avoid disappointing customers isn’t a solution because it also incurs costs in the form of storage, spoilage, or working capital requirements.

Companies have long tried to mitigate the cost-service trade-off through risk pooling. The practice comes in various guises, including merging inventories of different stores in a single location, code-sharing (for airlines), and lateral transshipments, which essentially entails moving goods from a well-stocked location to another that is struggling to meet demand.