Category Physics

Artificial intelligence (AI) makes important decisions that affect our everyday lives. These decisions are implemented by firms and institutions in the name of efficiency. They can help determine who gets into college, who lands a job, who receives medical treatment and who qualifies for government assistance.

As AI takes on these roles, there is a growing risk of unfair decisions—or the perception of them by those people affected. For example, in college admissions or hiring, these automated decisions can unintentionally favor certain groups of people or those with certain backgrounds, while equally qualified but underrepresented applicants get overlooked.

Or, when used by governments in benefit systems, AI may allocate resources in ways that w...

Artificial intelligence (AI) makes important decisions that affect our everyday lives. These decisions are implemented by firms and institutions in the name of efficiency. They can help determine who gets into college, who lands a job, who receives medical treatment and who qualifies for government assistance.

As AI takes on these roles, there is a growing risk of unfair decisions—or the perception of them by those people affected. For example, in college admissions or hiring, these automated decisions can unintentionally favor certain groups of people or those with certain backgrounds, while equally qualified but underrepresented applicants get overlooked.

Or, when used by governments in benefit systems, AI may allocate resources in ways that w...

Researchers develop a novel edge-highlighting visualization technique for more comprehensible 3D-scanned objects. Improvements in three-dimensional (3D) scanning have enabled quick and accurate scanning of 3D objects, including cultural heritage objects, as 3D point cloud data. However, conventional edge-highlighting visualization techniques, used for understanding complex 3D structures, result in excessive line clutter, reducing clarity. Addressing these issues, a multinational team of researchers have developed a novel technique, involving independent rendering of soft and sharp edges in 3D structures, resulting in improved clarity and depth perception.

Recent advances in three-dimensional (3D) scanning, particularly in photogrammetry and laser scanning, have made it possible to ...

Researchers at Tampere University have developed the world’s first soft touchpad that can sense the force, area and location of contact without electricity. The device utilises pneumatic channels, enabling its use in environments such as MRI machines and other conditions that are unsuitable for electronic devices. Soft devices like soft robots and rehabilitation aids could also benefit from this new technology.

Researchers at Tampere University have developed the world’s first soft touchpad that is able to sense the force, area and location of contact withou...