Teslas Start Off New Year by Crashing Into Buildings, Again and Again

Another day, another Tesla catastrophically plowed itself into a wall in Pennsylvania. A Tesla sedan smashed into a South Philadelphia building [at South 18th and Snyder streets] early Monday, leaving cinderblocks scattered on the ground and the air bags deployed in the car on New Year’s Day. In related Texas news, police say a driver … Continue reading Teslas Start Off New Year by Crashing Into Buildings, Again and Again

South Africa Has Banned SpaceX

It is noteworthy to acknowledge historical aspects related to Elon Musk’s grandfather, who expressed support for Hitler during World War II. [Musk’s grandfather was] leader in a fringe political movement that called itself Technocracy Incorporated, which advocated an end to democracy and rule by a small tech-savvy elite. During World War II, the Canadian government … Continue reading South Africa Has Banned SpaceX

Injustice Robots: Real and Present Danger of Police Overconfidence in AI

This New Yorker story about unjustified overconfidence in AI — expensive and flashy policing toys technology — reminds me of the trouble with radar detectors. …technology has only grown more ubiquitous, not least because selling it is a lucrative business, and A.I. companies have successfully persuaded law-enforcement agencies to become customers. […] Last fall, a … Continue reading Injustice Robots: Real and Present Danger of Police Overconfidence in AI