Asteroid 2024 YR4 could hit Earth in 7 years. Here’s what could happen — and what’s being done about it
A recently discovered asteroid, named 2024 YR4, has a 2.8% to 3.1% chance of hitting Earth in 2032, according to NASA and the European Space Agency. While the odds of an impact are slim, astronomers are closely tracking the space rock to uncover more details — a process that could soon involve the most powerful observatory ever launched into space. Not much is known about 2024 YR4, but the asteroid is estimated to be 131 to 295 feet (40 to 90 meters) wide, a “size range comparable to that of a large building,” said Dr. Paul Chodas, manager for the Center for Near-Earth Object Studies, or CNEOS, at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.
An asteroid’s chances of hitting Earth keep shifting. Here’s why that is happening
A recently discovered asteroid, named 2024 YR4, is now the riskiest asteroid ever detected. On Tuesday, NASA calculated that the space rock had a 3.1% chance of hitting Earth in 2032, while the European Space Agency’s risk assessment sits at 2.8%. The narrow difference is due to the two agencies’ use of different tools for determining the asteroid’s orbit and modeling its potential impact. But both percentages rise above the 2.7% chance of collision once associated with an asteroid discovered in 2004 called Apophis, making 2024 YR4 the most significant space rock to be spotted within the past two decades.
How US tech giants supplied Israel with AI models, raising questions about tech’s role in warfare
U.S. tech giants have quietly empowered Israel to track and kill many more alleged militants more quickly in Gaza and Lebanon through a sharp spike in artificial intelligence and computing services. But the number of civilians killed has also soared, along with fears that these tools are contributing to the deaths of innocent people. Militaries have for years hired private companies to build custom autonomous weapons. However, Israel’s recent wars mark a leading instance in which commercial AI models made in the United States have been used in active warfare, despite concerns that they were not originally developed to help decide who lives and who dies.
As Israel uses US-made AI models in war, concerns arise about tech’s role in who lives and who dies
U.S. tech giants have quietly empowered Israel to track and kill many more alleged militants more quickly in Gaza and Lebanon through a sharp spike in artificial intelligence and computing services. But the number of civilians killed has also soared, fueling fears that these tools are contributing to the deaths of innocent people. Militaries have for years hired private companies to build custom autonomous weapons. However, Israel’s recent wars mark a leading instance in which commercial AI models made in the United States have been used in active warfare, despite concerns that they were not originally developed to help decide who lives and who dies.
Odds of massive asteroid striking Earth increase again: NASA
The chances of an asteroid as large as the width of an NFL field striking Earth continue to tick up, according to NASA. The recently discovered Asteroid 2024 YR4 now has a 2.6% probability of impact, or 1 in 38 chance. That’s up from a 1.9% probability following and an initial 1% chance in late January. On the flip side, this means that there is a more than 97% chance the asteroid will whiz past Earth.
Downloads of DeepSeek’s AI apps paused in South Korea over privacy concerns
DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence startup, has temporarily paused downloads of its chatbot apps in South Korea while it works with local authorities to address privacy concerns, South Korean officials said Monday. South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Commission said DeepSeek’s apps were removed from the local versions of Apple’s App Store and Google Play on Saturday evening and that the company agreed to work with the agency to strengthen privacy protections before relaunching the apps.
Earth’s magnetic field triggers a superpower in sea turtles that makes them ‘dance’
One of Earth’s deepest mysteries lies beneath our feet: the planet’s inner core. Made of iron and nickel, the hot, solid sphere is about 70% the size of the moon. Recent research suggested this dense center reversed its spin, and now, scientists have also found evidence that the shape of the inner core is changing. Scientists inferred signs of deformation from earthquakes strong enough to reach the planet’s heart. But never fear — this shape-shifting won’t directly affect life on Earth. Over time, changes to this innermost layer could impact the planet’s magnetic field, which shields our world from solar radiation — and helps guide the migrations of many animals.
Google hub in Poland to develop AI use in energy and cybersecurity sectors
Google and Poland on Thursday signed a memorandum for developing the use of artificial intelligence in the country’s energy, cybersecurity and other sectors. Poland has largely cut its previous dependence on Russian fuels, and is being targeted by various forms of cyberattacks and sabotage actions believed to be sponsored by Russia.
Thomson Reuters scores early win in AI copyright battles in the US
Thomson Reuters has won an early battle in court over the question of fair use in artificial intelligence-related copyright cases. The media and technology company filed a lawsuit against Ross Intelligence — a now-defunct legal research firm — in 2020, arguing they had used materials from Thomson Reuters’ own legal platform Westlaw to train an AI model without permission.
$750,000 apocalypse SUV comes with its own gas mask
Rezvani Motors, an innovative American automotive manufacturer, has redefined the luxury SUV market with its extraordinary Vengeance. This vehicle represents a groundbreaking fusion of military-inspired design and high-end luxury transportation. Designed by digital artist Milen Ivanov, known for his work in video game vehicle design, the Vengeance breaks conventional automotive boundaries with its aggressive styling and comprehensive security features.