Mike Elgan

Technology Journalist at Freelance

Writer at Machine Society

The world’s only cyberpunk non-fiction writer. Subscribe free to my newsletter ☞︎ ☞︎ ☞︎ https://t.co/L4Ri6kzCq7

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Articles

Why we're renaming the podcast

4 days ago | unicornroast.com | Emily Forlini |Mike Elgan

In this episode, Mike Elgan and Emily Forlini discuss the evolution of their podcast's name, the essence of podcasting, personal preferences in content, the current state of journalism, the importance of disagreement and diverse perspectives, the craft of writing, and monetization in podcasting (they're against it). Emily and Mike then talk about Apple's recent AI features (they suck) and their impact on user experience (it's bad).
Taste the Magic of Provence: Your Gastronomad Journey Awaits — Gastronomad

1 week ago | gastronomad.net | Mike Elgan

As June draws near, my thoughts drift to the sunlit hilltop villages of Provence. I imagine winding along the country roads of the Luberon, where wild herbs scent the air, lavender fields begin to bloom, and lively Provençal markets overflow with vibrant, fresh produce. Every village feels like it’s been lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale, alive with charm and history. I’m counting the days until we return for our Provence Gastronomad Experience. I can’t wait to share its magic with you.
When AI fails, who is to blame?

1 week ago | computerworld.com | Mike Elgan

To state the obvious: Our species has fully entered the Age of AI. And AI is here to stay. The fact that AI chatbots appear to speak human language has become a major source of confusion. Companies are making and selling AI friends, lovers, pets, and therapists. Some AI researchers falsely claim their AI and robots can “feel” and “think.” Even Apple falsely says it’s building a lamp that can feel emotion.
Surveillance tech outgrows face ID – Computerworld - Business And America

2 weeks ago | businessandamerica.com | Mike Elgan

More than 400 clients, including police departments, universities, the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, and others, are already using Track, Veritone says.
Surveillance tech outgrows face ID

2 weeks ago | computerworld.com | Mike Elgan

I travel constantly and internationally. Whenever I return to the United States, I enjoy using Global Entry, which is like E-ZPass for customs. Here’s what it’s like: As you approach customs, you see a sign that says “Global Entry,” which leads you into a corral formed by retractable belt stanchions containing connected kiosks. A uniformed TSA agent tells you to stand in front of one of the stations, which takes your picture in about 2 seconds.
Why the Jony Ive, OpenAI gadget sounds like a loser

2 weeks ago | machinesociety.ai | Mike Elgan

OpenAI is getting into the hardware racket. They're doing this by acquiring io, a hardware startup co-founded by former Apple design chief Jony Ive, for $6.5 billion in OpenAI stock. (Ive and his design firm, LoveFrom, will stay independent but take on a significant creative and design role within OpenAI.
The Gastronomad spirit and why community matters — Gastronomad

2 weeks ago | gastronomad.net | Mike Elgan

This year, more than ever, I’ve noticed so many people feeling a sense of loss, disappointment, frustration, and even anger about what’s happening in the United States and the world. I feel it too, sometimes. It’s easy to get swept up in all the negativity and forget what truly matters most during our short time on this beautiful planet we call home. But during our recent Sicily Gastronomad Experience, I was reminded of something truly powerful.
Amazon Vulcan, une révolution tactile dans la robotique - Le Monde Informatique

2 weeks ago | lemondeinformatique.fr | Mike Elgan

Dans un contexte d’automatisation croissante des entrepôts, Amazon a dévoilé Vulcan, un robot armé de deux bras déjà mis en service dans les entrepôts de Spokane (État de Washington) et de Hambourg (Allemagne), où il a traité plus d’un demi-million de commandes.
Amazon invents another robot — this time with feeling! – Computerworld - Business And America

2 weeks ago | businessandamerica.com | Mike Elgan

If you’re familiar with my views on anthropomorphization (i.e., “humanizing”) of robots and AI, you might guess what I’m about to say. Amazon says its Vulcan robot can feel (without quotation marks). This isn’t true. When a robot like Vulcan “feels” something, it uses sensors that measure force, pressure, and sometimes texture or shape, turning these signals into data that AI can interpret.
Amazon invents another robot - this time with feeling!

3 weeks ago | computerworld.com | Mike Elgan

Amazon recently unveiled a new warehouse robot that can “feel,” according to the company. Called the Vulcan robot, the two-armed beast is already working in Amazon fulfillment centers in Spokane, WA, and Hamburg, Germany, where it’s handled more than half a million orders. The Vulcan’s sense of touch comes from force-sensitive grippers and sensors on its joints, which provide data to its AI about the edges, contours, and resistance of the items it picks up, moves, and places in a new location.