Ananya
Ananya is a freelance science writer, journalist and translator, with a research background in robotics. She covers all things algorithms, robots, animals, oceans, urban and the people involved in these fields. Her interest in the storytelling power of audio has led her to work with podcasts too.

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All Stories by Ananya
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Measuring progress in health care AI performance relies heavily on question-answer tests, researchers argue, and not enough on evaluating real-world medical tasks. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/030325_ac_ai-health-apps_feat.jpg?fit=680%2C383&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/030325_ac_ai-health-apps_feat.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1">
Artificial IntelligenceMedical AI tools are growing, but are they being tested properly?
AI medical benchmark tests fall short because they don’t test efficiency on real tasks such as writing medical notes, experts say.
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Reflections in the eyeballs of these images reveal that the one on the right is AI-generated, while the image on the left is a real photo (of the actress Scarlett Johansson). " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/072624_a_spotting-deepfake_feat.jpg?fit=680%2C383&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/072624_a_spotting-deepfake_feat.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1">
Artificial IntelligenceWant to spot a deepfake? The eyes could be a giveaway
Reflections in the eyes of AI-generated images of people don’t always match up, researchers report.
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AI performs well on cognitive benchmarks, but how do we know if it really understands? " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/071324_ai_feat.jpg?fit=680%2C383&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/071324_ai_feat.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1">
Artificial IntelligenceAI’s understanding and reasoning skills can’t be assessed by current tests
Assessing whether large language models — including the one that powers ChatGPT — have humanlike cognitive abilities will require better tests.
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People are increasingly using chatbots that respond in humanlike ways. As with any technology, there are benefits and also drawbacks. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/121623_YE_Ai_feat.jpg?fit=680%2C383&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/121623_YE_Ai_feat.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1">
Artificial IntelligenceGenerative AI grabbed headlines this year. Here’s why and what’s next
Prominent artificial intelligence researcher Melanie Mitchell explains why generative AI matters and looks ahead to the technology’s future.
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Researchers created a new type of robot (shown) that can shorten its legs to traverse narrow paths. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/020823_an_robot_feat.jpg?fit=680%2C383&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/020823_an_robot_feat.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1">
TechThis robot automatically tucks its limbs to squeeze through spaces
Inspired by ants, a robot with telescoping legs can crawl under low ceilings, climb over steps and move on grass, loose rock and mulch.
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Giant honeybees form open nests uncovered by other materials and “shimmer” when some predators come near. A study is revealing new details about what sets the bees in motion. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/091322_AN_shimmer-bees_feat.jpg?fit=680%2C383&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/091322_AN_shimmer-bees_feat.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1">
LifeHere’s what triggers giant honeybees to do the wave
A new study is revealing details about what sets off a defensive behavior in open-nesting bees known as shimmering.