Related Current Events:

• Debate: Should Law Enforcement Rely on Facial Recognition?

  

  Law enforcement’s use of facial recognition databases is expanding, but the technology is not as accurate as it could be. Nearly half of all American adults, more than 117 million people, have been entered into a database for use by police and FBI. In large databases, it is more likely to find people who look similar. This technology also does not work well with darker skin. Listen to hear more about this technology and debate whether law enforcement should rely on facial recognition.

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• Debate: Are Deliveries by Robots a Good Idea?

  

  Instead of going to a restaurant to pick up food, you can have it delivered to your home. That’s nothing new. But some restaurants are experimenting with using a robot to deliver orders. The robot is equipped with cameras that allow it to observe the street signs, lights, and roads around them to know how and when to cross streets. Some fear this invention may replace jobs held by people, but the company says they are not a replacement for humans. Listen to learn the capabilities of these delivery robots and then debate: Are deliveries by robots a good idea?

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• Debate: Should AI Be Allowed to Assess Suicide Risk on Facebook?

  

  Facebook has been using artificial intelligence (AI) to try to help prevent suicide and self-harm. Facebook’s head of safety says that the AI system, which triggers alerts when Facebook chatter indicates potential risk, was used several times in its first year. While some people support this use of AI, others want the social media giant to be more transparent about its use. Many worry that this development could lead to more AI surveillance. Listen to hear more about how the AI system works and debate: Should AI be allowed to assess suicide risk on Facebook?

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• Debate: Are Driverless Cars a Good Idea?

  

  Driverless cars will soon be cruising the streets of Seattle, Washington. Advocates say the all-electric robotaxis, which will be guided by computerized sensors, are safer and more reliable than human drivers and will reduce carbon emissions. However, opponents question whether the vehicles can judge road conditions well enough to keep passengers and pedestrians safe. They say the sharp increase in demand for lithium batteries means more mining, a process that can harm both people and the environment. Listen to learn more about the controversy over autonomous vehicles and then debate: Are driverless cars a good idea?

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