Technology

Of Course This Is How the Intelligence Leak Happened

National-security leaks. Insurrections. Bank runs. Group chats are now the most powerful force on the internet.

Meet the World’s Least Ambitious AI

Martin is designed to fail at its only task—a reminder that AI doesn’t actually need humanlike smarts to be useful.

How Shoppers Got Tricked By Vegan Leather

Pleather has a new name.

The Problem With Weather Apps

How are we still getting caught in the rain?

Where’s the AI Culture War?

Somehow, artificial intelligence has remained strikingly nonpartisan.

Phones Will Never Be Fun Again

I tried to shop for a flip phone. All I found was slabs.

We Settled for Catan

Klaus Teuber’s creation captured hearts, and wallets, because everyone could tolerate it.

The New ‘Transparent’ Twitter Isn’t Very Transparent

Elon Musk offered a rare look into the social platform’s algorithm. Experts say you shouldn’t take it too seriously.

AI Is Running Circles Around Robotics

Moravec’s paradox strikes again!

Return of the People Machine

No one responds to polls anymore. Researchers are now just asking AI instead.

The Real Taylor Swift Would Never

Fans are using AI tools to synthesize the star’s voice, demonstrating how new technology is blurring the boundaries between reality and fiction.

The Influencer Industry Is Having an Existential Crisis

People who make their living by sharing content on giant social-media platforms have tried to strike, organize, and even unionize, but they don’t have much to show for it.

Something Odd Is Happening With Handbags

Where do shoppers turn when an industry built on novelty runs out of new ideas?

Why You Fell for the Fake Pope Coat

The pope didn’t actually wear that great jacket, but a lot of people were ready to believe he did.

ChatGPT Has Impostor Syndrome

AI doesn’t know its own strengths.

A Classic American Car Is Having an Identity Crisis

Ford’s electric Mustang, the Mach-E, is attracting an unusual bunch of drivers—including me.

Nine AI Chatbots You Can Play With Right Now

The machines may change the world as you know it. But first, they’ll write a sonnet based on your favorite cereal.

AI Is Exposing Who Really Has Power in Silicon Valley

Your data helped build ChatGPT. Where’s your payout?

AI Is Like … Nuclear Weapons?

The new technology is beyond comparison.

People Aren’t Falling for AI Trump Photos (Yet)

Fake images of Trump getting arrested may not fool anyone—but the next thing cooked up by AI might.