New ‘AI scientists’ are improving – but reveal their fundamental limits

By Karin Verspoor, Dean, School of Computing Technologies, RMIT University, RMIT UniversityMay 20, 2026

More ‘natural’ collaboration between scientists and computers won’t necessarily be more effective.

AI interviewers can’t connect with people the way human researchers can – they can produce only data, not meaning

Anthropic developed an AI interviewer it claims can help social scientists conduct research at scale. But AI models lack the human qualities that make qualitative research unique.

Priya C. Kumar, Assistant Professor of Information Sciences and Technology, Penn State·May 19, 2026

The Conversation

Accentism for profit? What Telus is getting wrong about accents

An AI accent manipulation tool may be “cool” technology, but it is arguably also a form of discrimination against workers whose voices are being altered.

Amanda Cardoso, Lecturer, Department of Linguistics, University of British Columbia·May 20, 2026

Nautilus

They Call It Stupid Hot For a Reason

How heat muddles animal brains The post They Call It Stupid Hot For a Reason appeared first on Nautilus.

Marta Zaraska·May 23, 2026

Nautilus

Gaze into the Stunning Crystal Ball Nebula

And see a vision of the past The post Gaze into the Stunning Crystal Ball Nebula appeared first on Nautilus.

Jake Currie·May 22, 2026

Literary Hub

How This is Your Brain on Music Transformed Neuroscience

Twenty years ago, when This Is Your Brain on Music was published, the idea that music could be studied with the tools of biology and neuroscience was a niche one. When it came out, I was junior faculty at Northwestern,

Elizabeth Margulis·May 20, 2026

Longreads

I’m a Normie. Can Normies Really Vibe Code?

"Apparently anyone can vibe code anything these days. So Claude and I tried to make a database for tracking the petty grievances of the masses."

Krista Stevens·May 20, 2026