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This week: A very, very difficult AI test

This week: A very, very difficult AI test

plus robot vacuum, 1 second treatment, bees with codes

Brett Bouchard
January 25, 2025

Wise Tech - Technology news for non-tech humans!

Care to think about taking a 3,000 problem test?!

1. Humans May Soon Be Unable to Create Tests Hard Enough for AI

What’s the tech
Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to computer programs that can learn and solve problems, sometimes better than humans. Researchers are finding that AI is becoming so advanced that it might soon be impossible for people to design tests that truly measure its abilities.

How it’s used
AI is used in many areas, like helping doctors diagnose diseases, assisting with customer service, and even creating art or writing. To check how smart these programs are, experts give them tests—like reading comprehension or problem-solving challenges. But now, AI is starting to outperform even the hardest tests we can create.

Why it's news now
As AI keeps improving, it raises important questions. If humans can't challenge AI with tests, how can we know what it's truly capable of? Scientists are now working on new ways to test AI fairly.

2. Robot Vacuum Now Has Legs to “Climb” Stairs

What’s the tech
This new robot vacuum combines smart cleaning with tiny robotic legs. It can now "climb" stairs and step over obstacles, which is something regular robot vacuums couldn't do before.

How it’s used
The vacuum moves around your home, picking up dust and dirt as usual. But now, instead of getting stuck at staircases or ledges, it can step up and down, reaching more areas without needing human help.

Why it's news now
Traditional robot vacuums only work on flat floors. This upgrade means more people can enjoy fully automated cleaning, even in homes with stairs or different floor levels.

3. One Second Cancer Treatment Could Replace Radiation

What’s the tech
Scientists have developed a new cancer treatment that works in just one second. Unlike traditional radiation therapy (which uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells over weeks or months), this method could offer faster and safer treatment.

How it’s used
Patients typically receive radiation treatment over multiple sessions, which can be tiring and cause side effects. This new technique delivers a very quick and powerful dose, targeting cancer cells instantly while reducing damage to healthy tissues.

Why it's news now
If proven successful, this could change cancer treatment worldwide, making it faster, less stressful, and possibly more effective. Clinical trials are underway to see how well it works for different types of cancer.

Bonus Topic: What Tiny QR Codes Attached to Bees Tell Us

What it does
Researchers are attaching tiny QR codes (square barcodes that can be scanned with a phone) to bees. These codes help scientists track the bees' movements and behaviors.

How it’s used
The QR codes act like name tags for each bee. By scanning them, researchers can learn where bees go, how they collect pollen, and if their habits change due to things like pesticides or climate change.

Why it's popular
Bees are important for pollinating plants, which helps produce food. Understanding their behavior can help protect them and ensure our food supply stays strong. This high-tech tracking is giving scientists new insights into bee health.

Conversation starter
"Did you know scientists are using tiny QR codes to track bees and learn more about how they help pollinate our food?"