Meet the John Wick of Robots That Can Pick Up a Pringle Without Breaking It—And It's Changing the Game for AI

Ah, Pringles. The chip that's led to countless snack-based existential crises, like, "Why can't I fit my hand inside this darn tube?" and "How many of these can I eat before I'm officially a slob?" But folks, the game has changed. A bimanual robot powered by a new kind of AI is now sophisticated enough to pick up an individual Pringles chip without smashing it to smithereens. This robot is basically the John Wick of snack retrieval—precise, smooth, and so cool it's almost scary.

So here's the techy scoop. Researchers from the University of Bristol’s Bristol Robotics Laboratory (yeah, that’s a mouthful) have been showing off their latest robotic marvel: the "Bi-Touch" system. Published in a science paper that's fresher than a mint leaf, the team explains that their two-armed (that’s right, TWO) robot uses real-time tactile feedback to handle objects with the grace of a ballerina tiptoeing through a minefield. The AI that controls this bad boy can actually learn specific tasks in just a few hours through simulations. Imagine you learning to parallel park that fast. Yeah, didn't think so.

Now, let's geek out a bit more. What makes this thing special is that it uses not one but two robotic arms. This is like playing pat-a-cake with yourself but with an engineering degree. Most robotic projects only go mono-limbo, but these Bristol brainiacs said, "Why not double the fun?" Even crazier? Training both of these arms still takes only a couple of hours, all thanks to the wonderful world of simulation. It's like The Matrix, but for robots who love Pringles.

Now, let's dial down the enthusiasm a notch. As phenomenal as this tech is (and trust me, my inner nerd is somersaulting), it's a teeny bit terrifying. Why? Imagine this system applied to more complex scenarios that humans can't yet manage or would rather avoid. It's like creating a non-human workforce that could potentially make some jobs obsolete. But let's not go all Skynet just yet; the team envisions positive applications too, like fruit-picking, domestic services, and even prosthetics.

The best part? The Bi-Touch system relies on "affordable" software and hardware. Translation: We're about to see some open-source robotic shenanigans, as the code will be available for other brilliant minds to tinker with. And that, my friends, is how we get closer to a world where robots fetch us snacks while we decide whether we really can fit one more Pringle in our mouths. Cheers to the future! 🤖🥳

Boomers and Gen X Are Letting AI Manage Their Cash—Why Millennials and Gen Z Are Saying 'New Phone, Who Dis?'

Hold onto your avocado toast, Millennials and Gen Z! Guess what? Boomers and Gen Xers are beating you at being cool with AI for financial advice. Yep, that's the latest dish served hot from the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards (CFP Board). According to their survey, 62% of our Gen X and Boomer buddies are down with AI advice on their portfolios, compared to a measly 38% of us younger folks.

I get it. We’ve been exposed to every online scam and algorithmic glitch since you learned to type, so you're wary. Darin Myman, CEO of DatChat, explains that it’s precisely because we grew up digital that we’re super cautious. Our Boomer friends had to evolve from Rolodexes to TikTok, while we're native citizens of this land of pixels and data. For them, the jump to trusting tech feels like less of a leap. For us, we’ve seen the Matrix; we know how deep the rabbit hole goes.

But get this, even after we side-eye advice from generative AI or social media, over half of us are totally fine with acting on it if a human financial planner gives it a thumbs-up. Which actually makes me wonder, isn't the whole point of AI to make things simpler? Kevin R. Keller, CEO of the CFP Board, swoops in like a wise old owl to say, “AI ain't a substitute for a handshake and eye contact, kiddo.” Basically, AI's role is to start the conversation, and it's humans who have to seal the deal.

So, how many of us are really ready to let AI make calls on our Wall Street bets? Survey says: not many. Only 8% of the sub-45 crowd are ready to dive head-first, and the over-45 crowd is only slightly braver at 15%. Phil Siegel, founder of CAPTRS, warns that diving into AI advice without due diligence could end up being a swan dive off a fiscal cliff. AI models might have data, but not necessarily the most current or nuanced insights. Think of asking Siri what the weather is like “next year.” Yeah, good luck with that.

The bottom line? AI's still got a long way to go before it's the financial Yoda we all hope it'll be. But Frank Hu, COO of ByteTrade Lab, says that skepticism isn't about being tech-averse. We're just savvy enough to know that early tech is like an awkward teenager—it’s got issues that will eventually clear up.

But don't write off AI as a financial dead-end. Christine M. Haas, CEO at Christine Haas Media, calls AI a “digital gold mine” for tasks beyond just financial planning. From writing killer articles to spicing up marketing campaigns, it's your multipurpose Swiss army knife in the digital realm. Imagine replacing an entire crew of content creators with one super-efficient AI model. But hey, even then, you'll still need that human touch to make sure you're not fishing in the wrong waters.

How Brain Implants Are Giving Speech Back to the Speechless: The Jaw-Dropping Tech That's Rewriting the Rules of Communication

Imagine losing the ability to speak, only to regain it through the magic of micro-sized tech. Two brave women, one grappling with ALS and the other recovering from a stroke, volunteered for experimental brain implants that now let them communicate through a computer at nearly the speed of regular chitchat. These aren't just lab demos; they're life-changing leaps in technology.

How did they pull this off? Over at Stanford, researchers used a tiny sensor known as the Utah array, which boasts 64 needle-like bristles that capture the brain's activity. These brainwaves then get translated into words by a clever artificial neural network. Meanwhile, the crew at UCSF employed a surface array and deep learning to give voice to a stroke survivor's thoughts, even going so far as to create a "digital avatar" to vocalize for her.

While awe-inspiring, these systems still have some growing up to do. We're talking about bumping up the conversational speed, reducing error rates, and—here's the big one—going wireless. It's like watching a toddler taking its first steps; you know they're going to sprint eventually.

So what's the catch? Well, Stanford's implanted electrodes provide a detailed but less stable stream of data, while UCSF's surface array offers a broader, though less detailed, perspective. It's a bit like choosing between a rollercoaster and a ferris wheel—both thrilling in their own right, but with different experiences.

The future looks even more astonishing, with companies like Neuralink and Paradromics entering the fray. Soon we might be mind-texting our coffee orders or who knows what else. And let's be real: if someone had told us ten years ago that we'd have tech like this, we would've said they've been watching too much science fiction.

Why does all of this matter? Because it changes the game for those with communication impairments. This isn't just tech innovation for the sake of novelty; it's about restoring connection, identity, and humanity. All while we still struggle with the autocorrect on our phones, right?

So there you have it—a glimpse into a future where paralysis doesn't silence voices. Where digital avatars and brain arrays take center stage in technology's ongoing tango with medicine. And you thought your smartphone was cool.

Meet Code Llama: Meta's New Coding Superstar That's Turning Programming on Its Head

Meet Code Llama, the new coding superstar that's more than just a catchy name. Think of it as a sassy coding assistant with a taste for Python, C++, and everything in between. With its three sizes of 7B, 13B, and 34B parameters, Code Llama is primed to make your developer workflow smooth and efficient, even if you're just learning the coding ropes.

But what makes Code Llama truly special? It's not just a one-size-fits-all model. Depending on your needs, you can choose from three flavors: the nifty 7B for real-time code completion, the robust 34B for heavy-duty assistance, or the specialized variations like Code Llama – Python and Code Llama – Instruct for those specific tasks.

Remember those hours spent manually writing functions and debugging? Code Llama's here to say, "No more!" With its ability to generate code and even insert code into existing pieces, it's like having a programming buddy who's always on point. It supports many popular programming languages, meaning it's ready to jam with you, no matter your coding preferences.

But Code Llama's potential extends far beyond code generation. Its open approach aims to drive innovation, making it a stepping stone to new tech advancements. By releasing models like this, the entire community can evaluate, fix vulnerabilities, and inspire others to leverage tools for research and commercial products.

So, next time you find yourself in a coding conundrum, just call on Code Llama. It's more than just a tool; it's a glimpse into a future where programming is faster, more efficient, and downright enjoyable. Now, if only it could make my morning coffee, too… But hey, one step at a time, right?