3 Questions. 3 Hints. 3 Answers.
March 22, 2016
- What have we come to rely on that in some cases is not so reliable?
Hint:
Answer: while digital assistants may often be able to provide accurate directions, a new study points to their flaws in certain situations, such as personal crises. The most popular assistants (e.g. Siri, Cortana, etc.) were “unable to recommend solutions when users expressed severe mental anguish, or reported domestic violence, sexual assault or forms of imminent danger.” When asked basic health or violence-related questions, the digital assistants did not address them in a complete and consistent manner. The authors of the study are calling for performance improvements for the technology to be reliable in these particular situations. For now, as Yale’s David Gelernter might say, AI is still a ways away from reproducing certain necessary human qualities. Read more here.
2. How is natural, pure and organic once again revealing its dark side?
Hint:
Answer: perhaps we should be more concerned with organic labels than proposed GMO labels. In January 2016, the Listeria-related death of one person and illness of another was genetically linked to raw chocolate milk produced by Miller’s Organic Farm in Pennsylvania, suggesting it is the likely culprit of the infections. Read the details here.
3. We have heard about red wine’s beneficial health properties, but what about this drink?
Hint:
Answer: it seems that beer, thanks to hops, might be good for our health. This is due to beer hops’ anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties, the highest concentration of which are found in IPAs. Read the details here.