Nation Aug 23 As artificial intelligence rapidly advances, experts debate level of threat to humanity The development of artificial intelligence is speeding up so quickly that it was addressed briefly at both Republican and Democratic conventions. Science fiction has long theorized about the ways in which machines might one day usurp their human overlords. As…
Nation Aug 12 A look at the Social Security funding gap and ways to fix it Seventy million Americans receive Social Security benefits. But the program is paying out more than it’s taking in. Economics Correspondent Paul Solman looks at whether or not that financing gap spells doom and what can be done.
Nation Jul 23 Developers claim AI can help combat loneliness, but critics say it can’t be trusted There have been amazing advances in artificial intelligence with software and robots that listen and respond to human conversation with a kind of realism rarely seen before. That's both exciting and disturbing to experts about what it can mean for…
Nation Jul 04 AI and the energy required to power it fuel new climate concerns Google announced this week it is well behind on a pledge to all but eliminate its net carbon emissions by 2030. The company’s greenhouse gas outflow has increased in recent years mainly due to artificial intelligence and the energy required…
Nation Jun 12 How expensive parts on modern cars have driven up repair and insurance costs The inflation report finally contained some good news about auto insurance premiums. They've been rising for months and are one part of why inflation has had such a bite. While they finally dipped just a bit, they remain much higher…
Education Jun 04 Why some universities are returning to standardized testing in admissions process Headlines around higher education this year have centered on protests, free speech and student safety. But some important changes on the academic and admissions front have gotten less attention, including some schools turning back to standardized testing after deciding they…
Economy May 15 Inflation cools but rising prices still dominate Americans’ view of economy Inflation cooled somewhat in April, according to new numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The consumer price index rose at an annual rate of 3.4 percent, in line with expectations. But overall, inflation hasn't yet come down quite to…
Nation Apr 18 The benefits of a 4-day workweek, according to employers Nearly one-third of large U.S. firms are exploring new schedules like the four-day workweek. Economics correspondent Paul Solman takes a look at what happened at some companies that tried out a four-day, 32-hour week at the same pay.
Nation Mar 28 Major League Baseball opens season with controversy over ‘papery’ uniforms Thursday is Opening Day for Major League Baseball and it comes after a Spring Training chock full of controversies. Among the eye-catching storylines: a clothing snafu. Economics correspondent Paul Solman has been pulling threads to bring us this report.
Nation Mar 11 How a complicated benefits system lets some fall through the safety net Amid many of the debates around entitlements and benefits, one thing is often lost to the public: Many people who qualify for help struggle to get and keep their benefits because it can be difficult to navigate the system. Economics…