NAW

Leading figures often described as the godfathers of artificial intelligence have issued a warning that AI could trigger a runaway 'intelligence explosion', in which systems rapidly improve themselves beyond human control. The caution from prominent researchers is renewing debate among scientists and the public about how quickly advanced AI should be developed and regulated.

Library advocacy group EveryLibrary is warning that book banning in the United States has escalated beyond removals from shelves, with new state laws potentially exposing librarians and educators to criminal prosecution for distributing materials deemed offensive. The group says many people are unaware of these legal risks and is urging the public to learn more about the legislation.

The European Space Agency has released its annual space environment report, warning that the number of objects in low Earth orbit is increasing at a 'skyrocketing, runaway' pace. The agency cautions that debris from satellite launches, collisions and break-ups is accumulating faster than it can be removed, raising the risk of cascading collisions that could threaten spacecraft and future missions.