Google to donate 100,000 smart speakers to people with paralysis
While smart speakers have made a lot of people’s homes more comfortable, for people with disabilities these state-of-the-art gadgets can be life-changing. The hands-free, intuitive nature of this technology allows people to control light switches, thermostats, locks and more with just their Read More...
To prevent algorithmic bias, NYC has created a position to oversee ethics in AI
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio has taken a major step forward in ensuring that the city’s AI systems are fair and bias-free after creating a position dedicated entirely to overseeing the ethics of AI and other algorithms. AI systems are based on data, but the problem is bad data can contain Read More...
The tech from self-driving cars could help prevent wildfires in the future
Last year, California had its most destructive and deadliest wildfire year on record. Increasingly dry, warm, and windy weather conditions wrought by climate change are a big reason why. But the immediate cause is often power lines: Downed lines that come into contact with nearby trees can create Read More...
Hedonistic sustainability: this clean energy plant doubles as a ski slope
How do you make a waste-to-energy plant a more appealing proposition to the public? How about putting an artificial ski slope on top of it? In Copenhagen, Denmark, city officials recently opened the “cleanest waste-to-energy power plant in the world”, capable of converting 440,000 tons of Read More...
Mexico’s 3D-printed neighborhood for impoverished families is coming to life
On May 13th of this year, the top story of the Optimist Daily was about a nonprofit called New Story that had plans to build the world’s first 3D-printed neighborhood for poor people in Latin America. Well, we’re excited to tell you that the first homes of this neighborhood have been Read More...
This startup is building post-disaster housing using a giant assembly line
After two of the worst fires in California’s history tore through the state in the last three years, a housing startup by the name of FactoryOS knew it had to do something. The homes of thousands were incinerated by the flames of the fire, and the people who used to live in those homes were still Read More...
This building produces twice the electricity it uses
There are sustainable buildings, and then there is the Powerhouse Brattørkaia—a new building from Norwegian architecture studio Snøhetta. The building, which is located in Trondheim, Norway, produces more than twice the electricity it requires each day. That makes it the world’s northernmost Read More...
North Miami is creating a park that doubles as a tool for flood prevention
There is no state that is more aware of the potential threats that the climate crisis poses than Florida. In particular, flash floods and rising sea levels could potentially leave millions at risk. Fortunately, urban designers are starting to plan ahead before disaster strikes. In North Miami, the Read More...
Fend off high blood pressure with these 6 foods
Bad news: the number of deaths from high blood pressure is on the rise in America. Good news: in many cases, dietary changes alone are enough to solve the issue. If you’re looking for a natural way to lower your blood pressure, here are six essential foods that will help do the trick. Beet Read More...
These 7 foods are proven to help you sleep deeply
The brain depends on a complex array of nutrients to ensure peaceful, uninterrupted slumber. If you’re struggling to fall asleep at night, here are seven foods that you should eat 1 to 4 hours before bed to sleep more soundly. 1. Spinach: The beauty of spinach is that it’s rich in magnesium Read More...