Filter by positivity: This new A.I. could detoxify online comment threads
Internet comments frequently descend into toxic hate speech. Could an algorithm that instead focuses on highlighting 'help speech' be the answer? A.I. researchers from Carnegie Mellon University believe it could. Here's what they've developed -- and why they believe it may be so useful.
Gamers in the U.S. create as much carbon dioxide as 5 million cars, study says
A new study puts the spotlight on gaming's power consumption, and it's not good news. It finds that gaming energy use in the United States puts out carbon dioxide equal to 5 million cars, more than all freezers nationwide.
This monstrous, 826-ton wave buoy turns rough seas into renewable energy
Ocean Energy has spent the better part of the past decade perfecting a wave power generator that’s not only tough enough to survive the seas, but also capable of capturing huge amounts of energy from them. The result? A hulking, 826-ton marvel of modern engineering known as the OE Buoy.
IBM contest winners answer call by developing lifesaving tech for firefighters
Could smart sensor technology help make firefighters’ jobs a bit less dangerous? That’s the hope of Prometeo, a Spanish team that was announced as the winners of IBM’s Call for Code 2019 competition. Here's what the team has developed -- and how it promises to help.
Waiting in the wings: How drones are revolutionizing the battle against hunger
How do you use drones to save lives following a disaster? The World Food Programme, the food-assistance branch of the United Nations, is doing its bit to use drone technology to help humanity. Here are some of the ways that it is using unmanned aerial vehicles right now.
No soil? No problem. H2Grow can cultivate crops practically anywhere
Through tailor-made hydroponic systems, H2Grow aims to solve hunger in arid regions and help vulnerable communities become more self-reliant by securing food resources. H2Grow, a project from the United Nations World Food Programme, is helping crops flourish in unexpected places.
Fighting world hunger with a trivia game? It’s not as crazy as it sounds
Freerice is a quiz game from the United Nations' World Food Programme. It lets players donate the equivalent of 10 grains of rice for every correct answer. The recently revamped version of the game featurre a variety of categories, including languages, math, literature, and more.
Where do AirPods go when they die? The big problem with tiny earbuds
True wireless headphones are tiny and convenient, but they’re also among the most ephemeral tech products you can buy. With relatively short lifespans and designs that make them exceedingly difficult for disposal or repair, industry leaders like Apple are creating a potential e-waste problem with ever pair they sell.
Google Nest gives 100,000 Home Minis to people living with paralysis
Google Nest is giving away 100,000 free Home Minis to people who are living with paralysis. The company announced a partnership with the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Friday to provide the devices to paralyzed individuals to help them gain some additional independence.
The grid of the future will be powered by … giant subterranean bagpipes?
In order to transition to a more renewable-focused energy system, we need to scale up our grid storage capacity -- and our existing methods aren't going to cut it. Could compressed air be the key?
Climeworks wants to clean the atmosphere with a fleet of building-sized vacuums
Using machines that resemble jet engines, Climeworks wants to fight climate change by extracting CO2 from thin air. The gas can then be sold to carbonated drink and agriculture companies, or sequestered underground.
Inside the Ocean Cleanup’s ambitious plan to rid the ocean of plastic waste
In 2013, Boyan Slat crowdfunded $2.2 million to fund the Ocean Cleanup, a non-profit organization that builds big, floating trash collectors and sets them out to sea, where they’re designed to autonomously gobble up garbage. The organization has since raised over $35 million and a lot of questions from incredulous experts.
Inside the high-tech lab that makes the world’s safest bike helmet
Trek and Bontrager have developed a new cycling helmet technology that looks to dramatically improve performance and safety. Dubbed WaveCel, the new tech uses three processes – flex, crumple, and glide – to disperse the energy absorbed on contact in an accident, providing up to 48 times more protection against head injury.
My niece lost her hearing. This is a story about how technology brought it back
When my niece was diagnosed with severe profound loss, her parents had to decide whether to get a cochlear implant. We spoke to them and Australian company, Cochlear, about how the system restores hearing. We also look at the latest features made available through the mobile app.
ElliQ is a smart home companion designed for your grandparents
ElliQ is a standalone smart home companion that provides an easy way to check the news, listen to music, chat with friends, or play a few games.
What I’ve learned after a year of driving the best-selling plug-in hybrid in the U.S.
After a year and 6,000 miles driving my Wrangler 4xe, here's what I've loved and hated about owning a plug-in hybrid. And why I know I'm not ready for an EV.
Genesis Electrified GV70 first drive review: a killer high-end EV with one flaw
The Genesis Electrified GV70 takes the much loved GV70 crossover and slaps a battery and electric powertrain in it. Is that the right strategy?
Our 5 favorite iPhone and Android apps by Black developers
As Black History Month comes to a close, here are five of some of the most thought-provoking apps made by Black developers in the U.S.
How NASA’s astronaut class of 1978 changed the face of space exploration
NASA's 1978 astronaut class was a turning point for the agency, and it set the stage for the more diverse and inclusive space program we have today
This AI cloned my voice using just three minutes of audio
My Own Voice certainly isn't the only voice-cloning tool out there, but what's impressive about it is that it only needs a tiny amount of input.
Digital Trends’ Tech For Change CES 2023 Awards
Of all the world-changing technologies and innovative ideas on display at CES 2023, these ones impressed us the most.
Gaming to boost mental health: 5 tips from a clinical psychologist
Clinical psychologist and video game designer Dr. Kelli Dunlap shares how to reap the mental health benefits of gaming while avoiding the pitfalls.
Digital Trends’ Tech For Change CES 2022 Awards
Of all the world-changing technologies and innovative ideas on display at CES 2022, these four impressed us the most.
Sensor breakthrough brings us closer to blood glucose monitoring on wearables
A medical breakthrough courtesy of Kennesaw State University promises a smartphone-connected device offering a noninvasive method of blood sugar analysis.
When will we know if NASA’s asteroid defense test was a total success?
NASA has successfully crashed a spacecraft into an asteroid in a planetary defense test. But when will we know if the impact has altered the asteroid's path?
How the Galaxy Z Flip 4 fixed my unhealthy phone habits
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4's outer display has helped me fight the urge to get lost in the flurry of unwanted notifications and social media posts.
Big Tech’s superficial support is undermining the right-to-repair movement
Big names like Google, Samsung, and Apple are all starting to get on board with right to repair, but how substantial are their latest programs?
Samsung lays out plan for net zero emissions by 2050
Samsung has detailed a decades-long road map to sustainability across its many business arms.
Beer maker transforms brewing waste into denim jeans
A Japanese beer maker is using upcycling technology to turn waste products from the brewing process into blue jeans, winning the company new fans.
Jeep is launching its first two electric SUVs in the U.S. in 2024
Jeep plans to launch four electric SUVs by 2025, with two confirmed for the U.S.
Meta wants to supercharge Wikipedia with an AI upgrade
Meta, the company formerly known as Facebook, has proposed a surprisingly simple way to make Wikipedia articles more transparent and trustworthy
Xbox again teams up with the Special Olympics for inclusive esports event
Gaming for Inclusion 2022 will once again feature Special Olympics athletes and Unified partners in online competitions in Rocket League.
Meet the startup that gives wheelchairs aftermarket superpowers
Rather than starting from scratch and building a cutting-edge wheelchair from the ground up, these inventors built a high-tech wheelchair upgrade kit.
How ChromeOS Flex turns old PCs into Chromebooks for free
Google's ChromeOS Flex is now out of beta and can help you repurpose your old computer to a Chromebook.