New £4m scientific institution to investigate animal consciousness
Launching on September 30, the centre will focus on investigating animal consciousness and sentience.
Among its projects, researchers will explore how artificial intelligence could enable humans to "speak" with their pets.
The centre aims to develop ethical guidelines for the responsible use of AI in relation to animals, addressing concerns about potential misinterpretations and the current lack of regulation.
Experts involved believe this research is crucial for understanding animal welfare and could also offer insights into human consciousness.
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The Guardian
4 hours ago
- The Guardian
New research centre to explore how AI can help humans ‘speak' with pets
If your cat's sulking, your dog's whining or your rabbit's doing that strange thing with its paws again, you will recognise that familiar pang of guilt shared by most other pet owners. But for those who wish they knew just what was going on in the minds of their loyal companions, help may soon be at hand – thanks to the establishment of first scientific institution dedicated to empirically investigating the consciousness of animals. The Jeremy Coller Centre for Animal Sentience, based at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), will begin its work on 30 September, researching non-human animals, including those as evolutionarily distant from us as insects, crabs and cuttlefish. Harnessing a wide range of interdisciplinary global expertise, the £4m centre's work will span neuroscience, philosophy, veterinary science, law, evolutionary biology, comparative psychology, behavioural science, computer science, economics and artificial intelligence. One of its most eye-catching projects will be to explore how AI can help humans 'speak' with their pets, the dangers of it going wrong – and what we need to do to prevent that happening. 'We like our pets to display human characteristics and with the advent of AI, the ways in which your pet will be able to speak to you is going to be taken to a whole new level,' said Prof Jonathan Birch, the inaugural director of the centre. 'But AI often generates made-up responses that please the user rather than being anchored in objective reality. This could be a disaster if applied to pets' welfare,' said Birch, whose input to the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act led to it being expanded to include cephalopod mollusks and decapod crustaceans. Birch points to separation anxiety: dog owners often want reassurance that their pet is not suffering when left alone for long periods. Futuristic 'translation' apps based on large language models could promise to provide that reassurance, but end up causing harm by telling owners what they want to hear rather than what the animal actually needs. 'We urgently need frameworks governing responsible, ethical AI use in relation to animals,' said Birch. 'At the moment, there's a total lack of regulation in this sphere. The centre wants to develop ethical guidelines that will be recognised globally.' Birch also points to the lack of regulation around animals and driverless cars: 'We have a lot of debate around them not hitting people but we don't talk about them also avoiding cats and dogs.' AI and farming was another urgent issue for the centre. 'Farming is already embracing automation in a huge way and that's going to increase at pace,' Birch said. 'But it is happening without much scrutiny or discussion, which raises huge ethical questions about what the limits are: should farming involve caring relationships with animals? If so, the current direction is not the way in which we want farming to go.' The centre will work with non-governmental organisations to develop guidance, research and codes of practice that can be lobbied for around the world. Jeff Sebo, the director of the Center for Environmental and Animal Protection, at New York University, said issues of animal sentience and welfare, the effects of AI on animals, and public attitudes towards animals were 'among the most important, difficult and neglected issues that we face as a society'. 'Humans share the world with millions of species and quintillions of individual animals, and we affect animals all over the world whether we like it or not,' he said. Prof Kristin Andrews, one of the new centre's trustees, said she believed it could answer what she regards as the biggest question in science: what is human consciousness – and how can it be switched back 'on' in cases of stroke and other medical emergencies? 'We still don't understand what makes humans conscious, or why anyone starts or stops being conscious,' she said. 'But we do know that the way to get answers is to study simple systems first: science has made great strides in genomics and in medicine by studying simple organisms.' Dr Kristof Dhont, another trustee, said he was fascinated by human attitudes towards animal sentience. 'One of the most pressing behavioural challenges of our time is how to close the gap between what people believe about animals and how they actually behave towards them,' he said. 'Most people care deeply about animals but there are all these systems, habits, norms and economic profits that get in the way of translating that into the way we treat animals. 'I want to use behavioural science to understand, for example, why there's resistance to eating cultivated meat even though we all agree that it would save creatures who feel pain from being killed.' Jeremy Coller, whose foundation made the multiyear commitment to the centre, said his aim was to change attitudes in our 'speciesist species'. 'Only when we have a better understanding of how other animals feel and communicate will we be able to acknowledge our own shortcomings in how we treat them,' he said. 'Just as the Rosetta Stone unlocked the secrets of hieroglyphics, I am convinced the power of AI can help us unlock our understanding of how other animals experience their interactions with humans.'
The Guardian
6 hours ago
- The Guardian
Some gut microbes can absorb and help expel ‘forever chemicals' from the body, research shows
Certain kinds of gut microbes absorb toxic Pfas 'forever chemicals' and help expel them from the body via feces, new first-of-its-kind University of Cambridge research shows. The findings are welcome news as the only options that exist for reducing the level of dangerous Pfas compounds from the body are bloodletting and a cholesterol drug that induces unpleasant side effects. The microbes were found to remove up to 75% of some Pfas from the gut of mice. Several of the study's authors plan to develop probiotic dietary supplements that boost levels of helpful microbes in the human gut, which would likely reduce Pfas levels. 'If this could be used in humans to create probiotics that can help remove Pfas from the body then this would be a nicer solution in that it wouldn't have so many side effects,' said Anna Lindell, Cambridge doctoral student and a co-author of the study. Pfas are a class of about 15,000 compounds most frequently used to make products water-, stain- and grease-resistant. They have been linked to cancer, birth defects, decreased immunity, high cholesterol, kidney disease and a range of other serious health problems. They are dubbed 'forever chemicals' because they do not naturally break down in the environment. The US Environmental Protection Agency has found no level of exposure to Pfos or Pfoa, two of the most common Pfas compounds, in drinking water is safe. They have a half-life in human blood of anywhere from two to five years, by most estimates. That means the body expels half the amount of the chemical that is in blood during that period. Depending on blood levels, it can take decades to fully expel Pfas naturally. Though the findings represent the first time gut microbes have been found to remove Pfas, they have been found to alleviate the impacts of other contaminants, such as microplastics. The researchers didn't set out to determine if the gut bacteria expelled Pfas specifically, but instead looked at a suite of 42 common food contaminants. No Pfas limits for food exist in the US, but there is broad consensus that it is among the main exposure routes. Some microbes performed well in expelling Pfas, so the study's authors zoomed in on those. The authors introduced nine of a family of bacterial species into the guts of mice to humanize the mouse microbiome – the bacteria rapidly accumulated to absorb Pfas eaten by the mice, and the chemicals were then excreted in feces. The bacteria seem to absorb the chemical, then use a 'pump' mechanism that pushes toxins from the cells and aids in excretion, the authors wrote. The mechanism by which the chemicals are pulled into the cell is not yet understood, Lindell said, but she suspects there may be a similar pump. These are developed by microbes to expel other contaminants, drugs or antibiotics, Lindell added. Sign up to Detox Your Kitchen A seven-week expert course to help you avoid chemicals in your food and groceries. after newsletter promotion The microbes largely addressed 'long-chain' Pfas, which are larger compounds and more dangerous than smaller 'short chains' because they stay in the body longer. The body more efficiently discharges short-chain Pfas through urine because the compounds are generally water-soluble. Among the most common and dangerous long chains are Pfoa and Pfna, which the microbes expelled at rates of up to 58% and 74%, respectively. Lindell and other study leaders have started a company, Cambiotics, that will develop a probiotic based on their findings. They are planning to follow up the research with a human study. However, Lindell stressed that the probiotic would not solve the broader Pfas crisis: 'This should not be used as an excuse to downplay other sustainable solutions or to not address the bigger Pfas problem.'
Geeky Gadgets
7 hours ago
- Geeky Gadgets
xAl Grok 4 : Elon Musk's Latest AI Model Demonstrated
What if the future of artificial intelligence wasn't just about solving problems but fundamentally reshaping how we think, create, and interact? Enter Grok 4, the latest breakthrough from XAI, a system so advanced it blurs the line between human ingenuity and machine precision. From acing PhD-level problems to optimizing real-world industries, Grok 4 doesn't just set new standards—it obliterates them. In a world increasingly reliant on AI, this isn't just another upgrade; it's a paradigm shift. And who better to unveil its fantastic potential than Elon Musk, a figure synonymous with pushing technological boundaries? Brighter with Herbert explore how Grok 4's reasoning and tool integration are redefining what AI can achieve. From transforming biomedical research to crafting immersive entertainment experiences, its applications span industries and disciplines, promising to reshape both economies and everyday life. But beyond its technical brilliance lies a deeper question: how will humanity adapt to a tool this powerful? Join us as we delve into the capabilities, challenges, and future implications of Grok 4, and discover why it's not just a technological leap—it's a glimpse into a new era of possibility. Grok 4: AI Revolution Unmatched Capabilities and Real-World Achievements Grok 4 demonstrates exceptional versatility across a wide range of disciplines, achieving near-perfect scores on academic benchmarks such as the SAT, GRE, and even advanced PhD-level problems. Its reasoning abilities extend beyond theoretical challenges, excelling in fields such as mathematics, physics, engineering, and the humanities. This remarkable performance is driven by advanced reinforcement learning techniques and seamless tool integration, allowing Grok 4 to solve complex problems with extraordinary precision. Real-world applications of Grok 4 further underscore its adaptability and fantastic potential: Optimizing vending machine networks in business simulations, showcasing its ability to manage intricate operations and improve efficiency. Analyzing massive biomedical datasets to uncover insights that could accelerate medical research and innovation. These achievements highlight Grok 4's capacity to address pressing challenges across industries, making it a valuable tool for businesses, researchers, and policymakers alike. Training and Computational Advancements The development of Grok 4 involved a substantial increase in computational resources, with a tenfold boost in training compute compared to its predecessor, Grok 3. This was made possible by using a vast infrastructure of 200,000 GPUs, allowing the refinement of its algorithms on an unprecedented scale. 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Its ability to analyze vast datasets and generate actionable insights streamlines workflows, drives innovation, and enhances decision-making processes. Key applications include: Automation: Enhancing efficiency in manufacturing and logistics by optimizing processes and reducing operational costs. Enhancing efficiency in manufacturing and logistics by optimizing processes and reducing operational costs. Creative industries: Assisting in the generation of assets for video games, movies, and other interactive content, fostering creativity and innovation. Assisting in the generation of assets for video games, movies, and other interactive content, fostering creativity and innovation. Biomedical research: Supporting medical diagnostics and hypothesis testing by processing complex datasets and identifying patterns. For example, Grok 4's ability to simulate real-world scenarios and generate video content positions it as a valuable tool for businesses, researchers, and creative professionals. Its adaptability ensures that it can meet the unique demands of various sectors, driving progress and efficiency. Future Innovations and Multimodal Capabilities The roadmap for Grok 4 includes significant advancements in multimodal capabilities, allowing it to process and understand images, video, and audio with greater sophistication. These developments will unlock new possibilities in areas such as: Interactive content creation: Facilitating the development of AI-generated video games, immersive entertainment experiences, and dynamic storytelling. Facilitating the development of AI-generated video games, immersive entertainment experiences, and dynamic storytelling. Social media platforms: Enhancing user engagement through AI-generated video and audio content tailored to individual preferences. Enhancing user engagement through AI-generated video and audio content tailored to individual preferences. Humanoid robotics: Allowing real-world interactions and collaborative problem-solving with humans, paving the way for advanced robotics applications. Additionally, specialized coding models are being developed to streamline software development processes, making them faster, more efficient, and accessible to a broader range of users. Addressing AI Safety and Ethical Challenges As AI systems like Grok 4 grow more powerful, making sure their alignment with human values and ethical principles becomes increasingly critical. XAI has prioritized the integration of transparency, accountability, and truth-seeking behaviors into its models to ensure societal benefit. Key safety measures include: Rigorous testing: Identifying and mitigating potential risks to ensure the system operates reliably and safely. Identifying and mitigating potential risks to ensure the system operates reliably and safely. Safeguards: Implementing measures to prevent misuse and unintended consequences, protecting users and society at large. By addressing these challenges, XAI aims to build trust in AI systems and their applications, making sure they remain beneficial and aligned with societal interests. Economic and Societal Impacts The economic implications of Grok 4 are profound. By automating complex tasks and driving innovation, it has the potential to significantly boost productivity and expand the global economy. Industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, and entertainment stand to benefit from increased efficiency, reduced costs, and enhanced capabilities. On a societal level, Grok 4's advancements could improve quality of life through innovations in education, healthcare, and cultural expression. Its ability to generate creative content, such as video games and movies, opens new opportunities for engagement, storytelling, and artistic exploration. Advancements in Voice and Interaction Grok 4 introduces new improvements in voice synthesis, delivering natural-sounding AI voices with enhanced emotional expression and reduced latency. These advancements make interactions with AI systems more intuitive, engaging, and human-like. Applications include: Customer service: Improving user experience through natural voice interactions and personalized support. Improving user experience through natural voice interactions and personalized support. Education: Allowing personalized learning experiences through conversational AI, tailored to individual needs and preferences. Allowing personalized learning experiences through conversational AI, tailored to individual needs and preferences. Entertainment: Offering immersive and lifelike interactions in virtual environments, enhancing user engagement and enjoyment. Benchmark Performance and Leadership On key benchmarks, Grok 4 consistently outperforms its competitors, demonstrating exceptional reliability, adaptability, and robustness. Its ability to tackle long-term simulations and solve complex problems positions it as a leader in the field of artificial intelligence, setting new standards for performance and innovation. Shaping the Future of AI Grok 4 represents a fantastic step in the evolution of artificial intelligence. Within the next year, AI-generated video games, movies, and interactive content are expected to become mainstream, driven by Grok's advanced capabilities. The continued acceleration of AI development promises to unlock new possibilities, fostering progress in both practical and creative domains. With its advanced reasoning, tool integration, and real-world applications, Grok 4 is poised to redefine the boundaries of AI. Its potential to transform industries and society underscores the profound impact of this technological milestone, shaping the future of innovation and human progress. Media Credit: Brighter with Herbert Filed Under: AI, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
