January Current Events 2023: Science & Technology News
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The world is a very busy place, and it's hard to stay on top of everything. Infoplease has got you covered. Here are the Science & Technology news events you need to know so far for January 2023.
- Apple Launches AI Narrators For Its Audiobooks
- Sony To Roll Out Controller Models For Disabled Gamers
- UN Report Projects Healing Process Of The Ozone Layer
- Russia Launches Mission To Rescue Stranded Astronauts
- Scientists Develop Laboratory Alternative To Palm Oil
- Microsoft Commits To Investing Billions In ChatGPT And OpenAI
Apple Launches AI Narrators For Its Audiobooks
Photo Source: AP Photo/Andy Wong
Wednesday, January 4, 2023 – Apple recently a different catalog of audiobooks only narrated by Artificial Intelligence. This is a big stride in the audiobook industry, which has experienced major progress in recent times, and it is expected to shape the future of book listening.
The movie has a high possibility of reducing the popularity and need for human narrators as time goes by, which could cause a backlash by professional narrators. Although the main advantage, according to Apple, is that the AI narration would cost publishers less.
According to reports, the developers will find it hard to replicate certain intonations of the human voices, but if successful, many things will change in audiobook narration for everyone.
Other technology giants, including Amazon and Google, are trying to create the perfect AI narrator.
Source: The Guardian
Sony To Roll Out Controller Models For Disabled Gamers
Photo Source: AP Photo/John Locher
Thursday, January 5, 2023 – Coming into the new year, game giant Sony in collaboration with their accessibility experts, announced controllers for disabled players of PS5. It features an adjustable kit that lets players rearrange the orientation of the buttons to suit their gaming needs.
Sony commented that the controller was an endeavor of passion based on 28 years of design experience. The move also gained support from third-party charities in the western world.
The customizable Kit development, named Project Leonardo, has no official release. Still, the team at Sony has a positive outlook that when it is released, it will serve an immense purpose for those with disabilities, especially since they aim to help gamers play more easily and for longer periods.
Source: BBC
UN Report Projects Healing Process Of The Ozone Layer
Photo Source: NASA via AP, File
Tuesday, January 10, 2023 – According to the UN, human effort to restore the ozone layer has been successful and may recover in a matter of decades. According to the primary evaluation, a worldwide agreement in 1987, “the Montreal Protocol,” aimed at stopping the use of dangerous chemicals that were eroding the layer, was effective.
The ozone layer is a thin layer of the Earth's atmosphere that absorbs most of the Sun's UV energy. This radiation can reach the surface when depleted, posing a risk to humans and other living things.
In the 1970s, the ozone layer began to deplete. CFCs, which were often found in spray cans, refrigerators, foam insulation, and air conditioners, were accused of depleting the ozone layer. Scientists detected the breach in 1985. The Antarctic ozone hole grew until 2000, when its size and depth gradually improved.
The new report claims that if present policies are followed, the ozone layer will be restored to 1980 levels.
Source: BBC
Russia Launches Mission To Rescue Stranded Astronauts
Photo Source: Sergei Korsakov, Roscosmos State Space Corporation via AP, File
Wednesday, January 11, 2023 – In the coming months, Moscow will deploy a rescue ship to the International Space Station to bring home three crew members who are effectively trapped in space after a meteoroid struck their original capsule.
While Russia's space agency, Roscosmos, stated that the hit posed no immediate threat to the space station's crew, it raised questions about whether everyone aboard the orbiting outpost, Soyuz MS-22, could return to Earth in an emergency.
After much debate, Roscosmos has decided to move the Soyuz MS-23 launch from March to February 20 to take Russian cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitry Petelin, as well as US astronaut Francisco Rubio, down to Earth. MS-23 was supposed to carry three new crew members to the ISS but will now sail empty as a rescue vessel.
The damaged MS-22 Capsule will return empty once a replacement is launched into orbit.
Source: The Guardian
Scientists Develop Laboratory Alternative To Palm Oil
Photo Source: AP Photo/Jae C. Hong
Tuesday, January 17, 2023 — A decade-long idea to reduce deforestation has successfully developed a yeast-grown alternative to palm oil. This innovation is expected to help reduce the dependency of food and cosmetic companies on traditionally produced palm Oil.
Palm Oil is a cash crop that is very popular due to its high productivity, accounting for over 40% of global vegetable oils, and the fact that it is an odorless oil that can be added to the cosmetic product with ease while maintaining its integrity under extreme temperatures.
The laboratory-derived product is produced after a yeast strain is allowed to feed on sugar from sugarcane in a process that takes 7 days. This is expected to bypass the years needed to grow the palm tree and some destructive processes involved in its production.
Source: BBC
Microsoft Commits To Investing Billions In ChatGPT And OpenAI
Photo Source: AP Images/Peter Morgan
Tuesday, January 24, 2023 – Following the viral trend of OpenAI’s interactive chatbot, ChatGPT, Microsoft has announced an extension of its investment in Artificial intelligence. Microsoft had previously invested $1 billion in the company founded by Elon Musk and Sam Altman.
Concerns have also risen over possible misuse of the technology, from assisting students in test cheating to developing malware, which has gone hand in the side with claims that it has the ability to revolutionize several industries, including search engines. In an attempt to address some of these concerns, Microsoft said it was dedicated to "developing AI systems and solutions that are trustworthy and safe."
Microsoft stated that its Azure cloud computing platform would continue to support OpenAI. Earlier rumors stated that Microsoft was considering investing an extra $10 billion in OpenAI, but the company's announcement did not specify the amount.
Source: BBC
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