Technology
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Armchair assassins enter ethical minefield
Are drone pilots morally indefensible? With a click of a button, they can kill dozens. Now, the British Army is training ethicists to teach them about the morality of remote-control killing.
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Level up! UK’s first esports degree launched
Is it a waste of time? Students at Staffordshire University have begun studying for a controversial new degree in esports. Meanwhile, competitive gaming is becoming bigger than ever.
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US scientists crack secrets of personality
Should we pay attention to personality tests? American scientists have used big data to split humanity into four distinct personality types. Science like this has a controversial history.
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How Apple became the first $1 trillion company
Can it stay on top? Yesterday, Apple unveiled a range of new iPhones. The original handset was launched in 2007, sparking a phenomenon that made Apple the global tech superpower it is today.
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Joy and anger as Twitter bans Alex Jones
Did Twitter make the right decision? The site has followed Facebook and YouTube in banning the right-wing conspiracy theorist. His views may be extreme — but fear is growing over big tech...
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The virtual models taking Instagram by storm
Are CGI supermodels creepy or cool? A luxury French fashion label has unveiled a new “army” of digital supermodels — continuing a rising trend of virtual celebrities sweeping social media.
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Fake news, Facebook and a threat to democracy
Is Facebook putting democracy at risk? That is the verdict of a committee of British MPs who spent 18 months investigating fake news, Brexit and social media advertising. Are they right?
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Terminate! Scientists vow to block killer bots
Should we ban killer robots? Thousands of artificial intelligence experts have declared they will never build autonomous army robots. Some fear an AI arms race could spark a third world war.
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Race against the rain for trapped Thai boys
What makes the story so compelling? For almost two weeks, 12 children have been trapped underground in a Thai cave. But as monsoon rains approach, the rescue operation hangs in the balance.
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Happy Birthday NHS! Now bring on the robots
Will technology save the NHS? The National Health Service turns 70 today, but tight budgets and surging demand have put its future in doubt. Here are five ways futuristic tech could help.
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Official! Gaming addiction is mental illness
Is the World Health Organisation right? It has made “gaming disorder” an official mental illness. While fun for some, excessive gaming can tear lives apart — and the solution is unclear.
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How the EU plans to transform data privacy
Who should own our data? With just days to go before Europe introduces tough new privacy laws, yesterday Mark Zuckerberg apologised (again) for any “harm” caused by Facebook.
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The hit quiz app taking the world by storm
Is trivia good for us? Valued at $100 million, with millions of daily players, HQ Trivia is the new social quizzing app sensation. Some have even called it the future of television.
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Fortnite craze is ‘damaging’, says minister
Can video games be a force for good? In response to parental concerns about the Fortnite craze, culture secretary Matt Hancock has warned against the dangers of “too much screen time”.
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The curious ethics of cruelty to robots
Should cruelty to robots be a crime? That is the premise of Westworld, whose second season premiered last week. It calls into question everything we think about morality...