This week, we examine the trend among generative AI chatbots to flirt, stammer, and try to make us believe they’re human—a development that some researchers say crosses an ethical line.
Most Recent Articles
Nintendo Is Suing 'Palworld' Creator Pocketpair
Nintendo and The Pokémon Company are suing the company behind the game, which fans dubbed “Pokémon with guns,” for patent infringement.
The 22 Best Movies on Apple TV+ Right Now (September 2024)
Wolfs, Fancy Dance, and The World’s a Little Blurry are just a few of the movies you should be watching on Apple TV+ this month.
Strange Visual Auras Could Hold the Key to Better Migraine Treatments
Research on the visual patterns that foreshadow migraines may reveal clues on how painful headaches arise from the brain even though it has no pain receptors.
Laura Loomer: The ‘Free Spirit’ Whispering in Trump’s Ear
Is Laura Loomer a mirror for Trump’s worst tendencies, or is she fueling them?
First Israel’s Exploding Pagers Maimed and Killed. Now Comes the Paranoia
The explosion of thousands of rigged pagers and walkie-talkies will likely make Hezbollah operatives fear any means of electronic communication. It’s having the same effect on the Lebanese population.
11 Best Weighted Blankets, Robes, and Eye Masks (2024)
These accessories might not cure your anxiety or insomnia, but they can feel like a hug when you really need one.
Everything You Need to Know About the WIRED & Octopus Energy Tech Summit 2024
Get ready for the return of the annual energy summit in Berlin on October 10.
Your Phone Won’t Be the Next Exploding Pager
Thousands of beepers and two-way radios exploded in attacks against Hezbollah, but mainstream consumer devices like smartphones aren’t likely to be weaponized the same way.
How to Factory-Reset Your Phone Before You Sell It
Upgrading to a shiny new device? Here’s how to restore your old phone to its factory settings.
The iPhone 16’s Battery Is Easier to Replace, Finally
Apple has outfitted the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus with a new kind of adhesive that makes it faster and safer to swap out the battery.
Why Threads Is All the Rage Bait
This week on Gadget Lab, we talk about engagement bait on Threads, and why the social network is prioritizing posts that ask infuriating questions and stir drama.
Barron Trump Is Finally Taking the Stage
For years, internet users have seen what they want to in Donald Trump's youngest son. Now a freshman at NYU, he's being obsessively filmed—and making his first appearances alongside his father.
28 Years Later: Danny Boyle’s New Zombie Flick Was Shot on an iPhone 15
Next summer’s horror blockbuster is the biggest release yet to be shot with iPhones—and not even Apple’s latest model.
iFixit Portable Soldering Iron Review: Worthy of Your Work Bench
The repair gurus at iFixit have created the soldering iron that you didn’t know you’ve always wanted.
A Game Designer Just Hid a Gold Trophy in the Woods for a Real-Life Treasure Hunt. It Starts Now
For years, Jason Rohrer put out bizarre, beloved video games. Now, with Project Skydrop, he launches (yes, today) the real-world treasure hunt of his dreams.
Anti-Immigrant Election Deniers Have Turned Their Online Following Into an Army of Activists
A coordinated effort called “National Only Citizens Vote” has been rolled out this week by a coalition of people pushing conspiracy theories about immigrants voting in the November election.
The Outrageous Scheme to Capture and Sell Greenland’s Meltwater
A startup says shipping meltwater from Greenland’s glaciers internationally will boost the local economy and could help ease water pressures in arid regions—but what does that actually mean for...
Online Casino Workers Went on Hunger Strike Over Working Conditions
Protests against online gaming company Evolution have gone to extremes in Europe—and are reverberating in the US.
Content Creators in the Adult Industry Want a Say in AI Rules
A group that includes sex workers, sex tech businesses, and sex educators has demanded a seat at the table to shape AI regulations that they say could lead to discrimination against them.
The United Nations Wants to Treat AI With the Same Urgency as Climate Change
A UN report proposes that the organization take a much more active role in the monitoring and oversight of AI.