In January, the Chinese AI start-up DeepSeek released an open-source and free AI chatbot. No more gatekeeping by tech behemoths; now, anyone with an idea and an Internet connection can summon machine intelligence to solve problems, write computer code, or dream up something entirely new. The result? AI’s integration into everything will likely accelerate—untangling traffic snarls, dictating drug prescriptions, rewriting the rules of scientific discovery. For better or worse, AI is our future.
In a new collector’s edition from Scientific American, immerse yourself in a world of artificial intelligence: trained on the entirety of the Internet and our data—millions of Web sites, social media posts, reviews, recipes, forums—Large Language Models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT 4o and Anthropic’s Claude run on powerful statistical algorithms and can sound uncannily human. But they are in no way capable of higher reasoning, memory, spatial perception or myriad other skills. They sometimes even invent things out of thin air, or give downright bad advice.
At the same time, intelligent machines promise to revolutionize everyday life and scientific exploration. New smart algorithms could ease gnarly traffic, and help users navigate a complicated world of choices, acting as digital “agents.” AI tools are already helping researchers decode ancient writings, and in the future could help us talk to alien civilizations.
AI’s integration into everything—untangling traffic snarls, dictating drug prescriptions, rewriting the rules of scientific discovery—is accelerating quickly. Read More
A Google experiment to improve stoplights shows early positive results. But AI-assisted software won’t replace human traffic engineers just yet. Read More
Systems that operate on behalf of people or corporations are the latest product from the AI boom, but these “agents” may present new and unpredictable risks. Read More
A Nobel laureate in economics explains how artificial intelligence will affect inequality—and how solutions such as a shorter work week might mitigate its negative effects. Read More
