Shift: Living in the Digital Age: Recent Episodes
DW.COM | Deutsche Welle
Can I use blockchain technology? Will artificial intelligence take over my career? What exactly is "Machine Learning"? These are some of the questions „SHIFT – Living in the Digital Age“ tries to answer. The program focuses on a single topic – in depth and in detail. We talk to experts, present the key facts and explain complicated subjects in a simple manner. SHIFT – substantial, never superficial.
Immersing yourself in an opera with virtual reality glasses is possible with the VR productions of the Augsburg State Theater. They also incorporate augmented reality, so that anywhere can become a theater stage.
'Good' hackers managed to outsmart AI models in order to improve security. Hacked AI could tell you how to build a bomb or steal your private data. How do you get an AI to go rogue? And why is the problem so hard to fix?
Tech developers are promising us better dating luck with the help of digital technologies: more great dates with less effort. But there are downsides to this trend, too. Could AI become your 21st century cupid?
Time travel is now possible, thanks to VR technology—which recreates realistic worlds with architectural precision. Visitors can travel through past decades using just a headset.
An increasing number of schools and museums are offering VR experiences that allow users to participate in historic events—unique adventures that leave a lasting impression.
The brain treats information in a VR world the same way as stimuli in the real world—generating real emotions. But the quality of the experience depends on various factors.
The VR experience is cheaper, more environmentally friendly, and less dangerous—but can it replace a real vacation? At the moment, this new technology is only used in vacation preparation.
Holographic AR apps are poised to change online shopping. They will allow users to better assess how new furniture will look in their own home or which glasses are the best fit.
AI-generated models are a cost-effective way for fashion companies to add diversity to their product promotions. Some ad agencies have already specialized in AI-generated advertising. But others are voicing their concerns.
Using personal data from users, artificial intelligence can individualize commercials, a process called hyper-personalization. For example, geo-data can be used to target advertising locally.
Startups like Rephrase.ai are making ads tailored to small businesses featuring superstars like Bollywood's Shah Rukh Khan. All it takes is a short clip of the star and an AI video generator.
How can you tell humans from AI? Sam Altman’s “Worldcoin” aims at creating digital passports that verify you as a real human – by scanning your eyes. Users who were previously without an ID could do business online.
From big data-driven diagnostics to personalized therapy: AI is expected to revolutionize medicine. What’s in for us patients? And in which fields do human doctors outdo artificial Intelligence?
Many of South America's best AI specialists are migrating to richer countries — leaving behind thousands of lesser skilled workers that North America then uses for outsourced low-wage jobs.
When AI learns something new, it retains the information forever. That makes data protection more important than ever.
Many people in India have high hopes for AI as a new source of economic revenue. But the government fears that regulation could threaten the young new industry before it has taken off.
Could artificial intelligence help us learn to play piano or even surf? Researchers at the Dresden University of Technology are developing machines that could teach us complex skills. The goal: an "Internet of Skills."
When will you fly around town? Several air taxi companies are targeting to start operations by 2024 or 2025. Here’s everything you need to know!
Fake online reviews are a huge problem for consumers – but also a huge market: Worldwide, millions of people write fake reviews for money. Online retailers like Amazon try to tackle the problem – with AI.
With its googly eyes and cute sounds, the robot Lovot was designed to be loveable. Why are such robot companions especially popular in Japan? And can they ever provide people with the kind of companionship they need?
Social media can help against loneliness. But sociologist Anne Deremetz says we must also continue meeting in person or we risk falling out of practice – and technology can never replace face-to-face interactions.
Dawn Café in Tokyo has found a way to use robots to boost inclusivity. The robots who wait on tables here are piloted by people with illnesses or disabilities. This creates jobs for those who are homebound and increases their social participation.
War video games are becoming more and more realistic and brutal. Are scenes of violence or obvious political bias acceptable?
"Reporters Without Borders" have created a palace full of books and articles in Minecraft. They want to provide independent information to people living under authoritarian regimes.
In this first-person shooter, users slip into the role of a Ukrainian soldier. Part of the profits goes to fund Ukrainian aid projects.
Games like "Death from Above" are deliberately political. They play an important role in the information war.
Games depicting wars, promise action and adventure in historical or fictional battles. But how does this affect players?
AI is modeled on the human brain. To copy the brain's functions, an Australian startup has grown human brain cells on electrodes in a petri dish. This means the new chip is, in a sense, alive.
The human brain is much more energy-efficient than current AI systems. Australian startup Cortical Labs hopes its biological chips made with human neurons will be a game changer.
So far, brain-computer interfaces have been tested mainly for people with disabilities. But tech companies are already dreaming up brain implants that could be used in a variety of fields.
A brain-computer interface developed by Australian startup Synchron allows a person to send an email with their thoughts alone. It's given patients with advanced neurological diseases like ALS a new way to communicate.
A paralyzed man can walk again after an experimental operation performed by neurosurgeons in Switzerland. Thanks to brain implants, AI, and electrodes in his spinal cord, the patient can now move his legs again.
The leaked “Vulkan files” are the first insight into Putin’s cyberwarfare. They link the Kremlin to hacks around the world and could help experts prepare for coming attacks. Here’s what’s in them.
3D printing technology could be crucial in future space missions like the planned journey to Mars. Food and other important things could be printed during long interplanetary journeys. Here’s what you need to know.
Canadian rapper Drake is one of many artists whose voice has been used for so called audio deepfakes — without his consent. Creating them is becoming easier and easier, but what are the legal and ethical implications?
For years, Goran Jevtic from Austria trolled political opponents on the web. He made fun of them, threatened them, collected and published private information about them. But then he had a change of heart.
Marginalized groups are particularly at risk of being marginalized by trolls, says Anna-Lena von Hodenberg. She is the CEO of HateAid and works to combat online aggression and its consequences.
Marginalized groups are particularly at risk of being marginalized by trolls, says Anna-Lena von Hodenberg. She is the CEO of HateAid and works to combat online aggression and its consequences.
Insults, bullying, even death threats: trans woman Jessica Zemer faces hateful comments on social media all the time. Rather than ignoring them, she responds to the trolls with humor.
Research into "Artificial General Intelligence" aims to create computer systems with intelligence comparable to humans. These systems would be able to learn and solve problems independently.
Text-to-image generators like DALL-E or Midjourney can be used to create photorealistic or painting-like images. Artists see the threat to their livelihoods. Some are already filing lawsuits.
The European Commission wants to regulate AI systems according to different risk levels. All systems that are considered a threat to security, livelihood, and human rights are to be banned.
Writing texts, programming websites, or doing tax returns. AI systems like ChatGPT can take a lot of work off our hands. The downside: Chatbots sometimes simply invents "facts." Just how reliable is AI?
The TikTok algorithm ensures that the feed is varied and entertaining because it's very good at recognizing personal preferences. As a result, users stay on the platform for up to 1.5 hours a day.
U.S. officials have been considering a ban on TikTok since the app launched. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew even had to appear before Congress. How is the app different from other social networks that collect data?
TikTok users grant the app access to a lot of personal data. But how is this information managed? Up until now, executives can't guarantee that it's one-hundred percent secure from Chinese intelligence.
Chinese apps like TikTok are banned in India. Moj or Josh have emerged as popular alternatives with comparable functionality.
When nude images are uploaded without your consent it’s a horrifying scenario. One in twelve users experience this, among them stars like Jennifer Lawrence. How can you remove revenge porn and fight this type of abuse?
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is asking citizens for their opinions on how AI could help solve problems in society. Here’s what’s great about this proposal – and how AI could improve your life.
When nude images are uploaded without your consent it’s a horrifying scenario. One in twelve users experience this, among them stars like Jennifer Lawrence. How can you remove revenge porn and fight this type of abuse?
India has been waiting for data protection laws for a long time. Privacy advocates want to know how authorities are currently collecting and processing data about the population.
Estonia has been rigorously pursuing digital transformation for years. Almost everything can be done online, from renewing passports to voting. High security standards are meant to guarantee strong data protection.
With more than 10,000 installed cameras, Hyderabad is considered one of the most heavily surveilled cities in India. How are authorities striking the balance between using the data and protecting privacy?
Big Data can help societies better assess future needs. For example, by predicting birth rates early, authorities can better plan how much teaching staff will be needed in the future.
In Hyderabad, India, authorities are using facial recognition cameras to build a widespread surveillance network. Citizens targeted by police don't know where their data is being shared. They are fighting back.
Femtech aims to reduce the gender health. From solutions to help women through menopause, and manage menstruation to technology to prevent breast cancer - Femtech is a fast-growing sector that is advancing health care.
To generate images, Lensa draws information from an open-source dataset which analyses pictures online. Some of those pictures reflect sexist or racist stereotypes and Lensa reproduces and enhances this bias.
Women haters are becoming more and more popular on social media platforms worldwide. Why do platforms like TikTok promote their misogynistic content - and what can be done against them?
With the help of AI and satellite imagery, early warning systems and smoke sensors on trees help detect forest fires quickly. This makes it easier for firefighters to contain them before they escalate out of control.
After earthquakes, rescuing survivors is a race against time. Robots and drones can help buy valuable time by collecting information in places too dangerous for humans.
Some animal species exhibit certain behaviors before natural disasters. A research project is equipping animals with sensors in the hopes the data can be used to create an early warning system for natural disasters.
The cyber attack in the Anhalt-Bitterfeld district had far-reaching effects. All official emails from the last 20 years were deleted, the cash register systems no longer worked and even the alarm systems failed.
Hackers try to steal passwords to gain access to computer networks. If they are successful, they encrypt the data. And demand a ransom for the password to remove the encryption.
Pay a ransom? Yes or no? A group of hackers took over the computers of a German administration and encrypts the data. What can cyber security experts do?
Countries and companies are at high risk of cyberattacks. By investing in cybersecurity, governments and companies are trying to protect themselves from fatal attacks that could paralyze entirbe systems.
Cyber groomers try to camouflage their identities with avatars and disguise their true intentions. But there are ways to prevent dangerous contact. These tips can help.
AI can detect groomers' speech patterns. This can help investigators detect sexual assaults online.
VR platforms aim to prevent cyber grooming with age and identity checks, strict chat filters that block inappropriate words, and reporting functions. Will this protect children successfully?
On Roblox, users can develop their own games. Groomers take advantage of this to have virtual sex with avatars in private online rooms. They also try to lure kids in there. What is Roblox doing against this?
In VR, it is easy for cyber groomers disguise their true identity and age using avatars. It is a new form of sexual harassment. How dangerous is the metaverse for children?
Chatting away on the phone and streaming movies on board of a plane: The European Union wants to make that happen - with 5G technology. But is it really safe? And do we even want that?
Microsoft bets big on Artificial Intelligence! The company wants to use the much-hyped chatbot ChatGPT to improve its search engine Bing. But how will users benefit? And what are the limitations?
An AI as your lawyer - What sounds like fiction will soon become reality. In February 2023, an AI lawyer will help a defendant fight a traffic ticket in a US court. The technology aims to reduce the cost of legal advice.
Online platforms are being misused for the modern slave trade and human trafficking. The UN has been criticizing this practice for a long time, however, it continues. So, who is in charge of stopping this?
Text-to-picture AIs seem to replicate sexist and racist stereotypes. AI images can’t be unbiased if the training datasets they use are biased. That’s also true for the portrait app Lensa.
AI tools now produce images for magazine covers, portraits, and paintings. They’re often indistinguishable from human art – but where do the ideas for AI art come from?
Artist Rainer Eisch has been using computer programs to create his art for 20 years. Like many other artists, he has mixed feelings about the images generated by AI.
Fabian Stelzer is making a film with the help of AI by using text-to-image tools to build worlds. Twitter users have a say in what happens next.
Director Fabian Stelzer inputs text through AI tools to generate images for a film. These AI tools also help with narration and music, which he then assembles into a movie.
Programs like Dall-E, Stable Diffusion, and Midjourney can create impressive images, because their AIs were trained with data sets that also contain images by human artists.
The technical challenges of building quantum computers are huge. At Google, they have so far only worked under laboratory conditions. Quantum mechanic Marissa Giustina explains why.
The calculations that conventional computers do sequentially, quantum computers can perform simultaneously. This is why quantum processors are so fast and powerful. The principle behind this is superposition.
The great strength of quantum computers is being able to calculate different scenarios very quickly. Marissa Giustina, quantum engineer at the Google Quantum AI Lab, explains when this is useful.
Hartmut Neven is one of the most respected scientists in quantum physics. As manager of the Google Quantum AI Lab, he is developing a computer to solve the problems that classical computers cannot.
After massive layoffs, experts doubt that Twitter can hold up its security standards and effectively battle fake news. This could put activists worldwide in harms way and endanger lives of people in disaster areas.
Are the rumours true? Apple is possibly gearing up for a long awaited headset launch. The headset will reportedly combine VR and AR. If successful, this could be a game changer for mixed reality.
China has witnessed its biggest wave of public protest in a decade. But searching Twitter for news on the protests in Mandarin you would find... mainly porn! We tell you why.
Metaverse developers promised users VR parties and glossy avatars. But in most places in the Metaverse, there's hardly anyone around.
The makers of virtual worlds promise users endless fun and new encounters. But so far only VR games have been truly successful. Meeting friends, shopping and working is not attractive to users.
A traditional building material meets a high-tech process – In Hungary, a chicken coop made of clay was built with the help of a 3D printer. The Okodome team plans to print a house soon.
A US startup is 3D printing tiny houses from recycled plastic. The aim is to recycle plastic waste and reduce CO2 emissions. A step toward more sustainability in construction?
A young start-up from the U.S. produces affordable and customized arm prostheses with the help of a digital twin. This means that even the smallest changes can be accommodated relatively easily.
A modern office complex in Amsterdam stores information on the building materials used and its energy consumption in a cloud. The smart building can be used in an especially resourceful and environmentally-friendly way.
U.S. scientists at the Idaho National Laboratory are experimenting with the digital twin of a mini-reactor. The virtual copy could help detect even the smallest irregularities in the nuclear reactor.
They pick up trash and plant trees and flowers. The participants of the "Quartier Vert Challenge" take care of their neighborhood, documenting and sharing their clean-ups on social media.
Aibo the robot dog has sensors, cameras and AI. Can it compete with a live animal? DW pits him against a real dog. So who wins in the categories of cuddling, romping, cleanliness, character and cost?
Scientist Ilyena Hirskyj-Douglas studies animal interaction with computers. She even developed a telephone that lets her dog call her!
Whether at hospitals, governments or energy providers, cyberattacks and network failures can have life-threatening consequences. How can sensitive sectors of society be better protected?
Whether at hospitals, governments or energy providers, cyberattacks and network failures can have life-threatening consequences. How can sensitive sectors of society be better protected?
Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and even solar storms can all threaten network stability. Around 95% of international data traffic runs through submarine cables — and these can be damaged.
Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and even solar storms can all threaten network stability. Around 95% of international data traffic runs through submarine cables — and these can be damaged.
The infrastructure of the internet is relatively robust. One reason is that it consists of many smaller networks, the autonomous systems. If some of these fail, the data traffic is simply rerouted.
The infrastructure of the internet is relatively robust. One reason is that it consists of many smaller networks, the autonomous systems. If some of these fail, the data traffic is simply rerouted.
When using health apps, people often reveal a lot about themselves and their bodies. The discussion about the potential misuse of data in so-called period trackers shows just how risky this can be.
When using health apps, people often reveal a lot about themselves and their bodies. The discussion about the potential misuse of data in so-called period trackers shows just how risky this can be.
In Nigeria, with the help of artificial intelligence and human midwives, Agnes Health sends voice and text messages to expectant mothers. This helps women prepare for all stages of pregnancy and childbirth.
In Nigeria, with the help of artificial intelligence and human midwives, Agnes Health sends voice and text messages to expectant mothers. This helps women prepare for all stages of pregnancy and childbirth.
Anasuya Sengupta wants to see more gender diversity at Wikipedia. Her "VisibleWikiWomen" initiative managed to get more than 15,000 photos of women uploaded to the site so far, and its fourth campaign is about to start.
Internet access is a key to a better professional world––an opportunity that has so far remained closed to many women in the Global South. 75 percent of all women in rural India, for example, have never been online.
Thanks to rapid analysis of satellite images and infrared data, it should be possible to issue warnings of looming environmental disasters more quickly in the future, allowing first responders to help well in advance.
Drones, firefighting robots, and helmets with augmented reality displays help firefighters tackle blazes. Better equipment will improve protection for first responders.
Forest fires will become more common in the future. With the help of artificial intelligence, early detection of potential flash points will help emergency responders around the world to prevent fire disasters.
Voice recordings don't play a role in personalized advertising, Instagram says. But then how do the social network's algorithms figure out what we like or dislike?
Again and again, advertisements for products we talked about shortly before appear on Instagram. Is Instagram eavesdropping on its users? Our reporter takes the test.
"Nollywood" is the hub of Nigerian film. The series and films it produces has fans all over West Africa. Meanwhile, Netflix and Amazon Prime are also partnering with the successful film scene.
Changing the film industry requires more than just seeing minorities in front of the camera. It also means that should be more diversity behind the camera, in script development, and in production.
"Nollywood” is the hub of Nigerian film. The series and films it produces has fans all over West Africa. Meanwhile, Netflix and Amazon Prime are also partnering with the successful film scene.
People who stand up for human rights often put themselves in danger. The dark web offers activists, journalists and people who are politically persecuted a space for encrypted communication and anonymity.
Digital technologies are data-driven. But who has access to the data, and who is allowed to use it? Digital sovereignty means that people can decide for themselves how their data is used.
Lina Khan is the chair of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. She is a strong critic of the big tech companies, and is calling for antitrust legislation that can respond to changing conditions in a digital economy.
When art historian Andrew Tallon created 3D models of Notre Dame years ago, he had no idea how valuable they would become. After a fire destroyed large parts of the cathedral, his work became key to its restoration.
African Digital Heritage is an initiative digitizing tens of thousands of books and photographs so that people around the world can access these cultural assets. Choosing what to digitize is one way of writing history.
This high-tech kite system consists of three main components: a stunt kite, specially-designed cables and a control cabin. In order to generate reliable electricity, the kites climb beyond the height of wind turbines.
An Indian company is using drones for more effective reforestation and for planting brand new forests. The drones are also helping sow seeds in hard-to-reach areas.
10% of the world's population do not have a reliable electricity source. To help rural areas get power, experiments with decentralized energy networks are currently underway. In Sierra Leone, it's all about solar energy.
In the future, people should be able to experience VR with all of their senses. Haptic gloves and suits like TeslaSuit and TactGlove are already making virtual worlds more tangible.
Although they only exist in the virtual world, Metaverse properties are selling for large sums. Traded in cryptocurrencies, they are owned as NFTs. The business is both profitable and risky.
Entire factory buildings can be reproduced in the virtual world of Omniverse. The 3D simulations look amazingly realistic. And things can be tried out in this "digital twin" without having to be on site.
In self-driving vehicles, the engine will no longer be so important. It's all about the computer—as data from radar, lidar and other sensors must be analyzed in real time and processed by the AI.
The US company Nvidia has created a driving simulation platform to train self-driving cars. A virtual world with large data sets, where all possible traffic situations are played out.
Cryptocurrencies are booming and people are increasingly using them as investments. What should you know before investing in digital currency?
Both digital hardware and software have largely been designed by men. But more and more women are entering the digital world and want their values to shape the industry.
Memes like "Bad Luck Brian"—the photo of a young man that represents persistent misfortune—are known worldwide. But there are also more multi-layered memes that only certain insiders will understand.
Can avatars die? This is what Japan's virtual pop star Hatsune Miku ponders in Keiichiro Shibuya's futuristic opera, THE END.
Successful online campaigns use a variety of tools. Hashtags, for example, can raise awareness and unite an online community. And activists can protect their identities with online encryption and anonymity.
Tatyana Kurbat is from Belarus. Masih Alinejad is from Iran. Both women now live in exile, and they are using the Internet and social media to support the fight for change in their respective home countries.
For women, being online can be dangerous. But being cut off from the Internet is also problematic. From online hate speech to the digital divide, women who are politically active have to deal with numerous challenges.
Binge-watching is consuming multiple episodes of a series, one after another. How this habit affects viewers' mental health depends on how they are consuming content. Are they "cringe-watching” or "feast-watching”?
The Japanese exoskeleton suit HAL uses wearers' brains signals to teach paraplegics how to walk by themselves again. DW reporter Cassandra Boh tried HAL out and turned the power of her thoughts into motion.
What role does a Golden Retriever play in data protection? And what do computers know about our shift moderator? Roger Ditter bravely tries out the online art project "Made To Measure".
Do algorithms cause filter bubbles on YouTube and other sites? Two new studies show a differentiated picture.
Arzu Geybulla is an Azerbaijani journalist who’s had to fight against online hate. Now she helps other women defend themselves against online abuse. But there’s no one right way to do it.
Women are supporting each other in the fight against online trolls. The worldwide #metoo movement has also been a major catalyst in making the issues that women in the Arab world face more visible.
DW reporter Mania Chaudbary has frequently been the target of insults and hate speech online. Online trolls often try to silence women like her from speaking out politically or as a journalist.
In smart cities, vehicles and traffic lights communicate directly to prevent traffic jams. Find out how the system works in Amsterdam, one place where this technology is being tested.
Cybersecurity plays a key role in smart cities. Anthony Townsend, an expert on information technology and future cities, warns a breach of the system could have disastrous consequences.
AI makes decisions regarding many areas of our daily lives - from medical care, to news feeds, to job opportunities. But AI isn't always neutral. That's why we have to include diversity in our AI, to exclude biases.
The more diverse the better: A principle that applies not only to data, but to research teams as well. Without diverse viewpoints when flagging terms for content moderation, the resulting algorithms will be faulty.
Protection from hate speech on Facebook thanks to AI? Whistleblower Frances Haugen says it doesn't work in every language. That's why social media is still being used to incite hate and violence online.
With AI programs like Musenet, Deepart and GauGAN, anyone can become an artist - in cooperation with artificial intelligence. With Toonify, your self-portrait can be turned into a cartoon figure.
Music shows how well humans and machines can work together. An AI application makes suggestions for the next line of a song. But humans still have creative control.
Thanks to smartphones, everything from shopping to searching for partners can happen in real time online. How uncomfortable is it to go a full day without these do-it-all mobile devices?
What would happen if medical professionals and tech entrepreneurs could control the impulses in our brains? Some diseases, such as addiction, could potentially be cured. But how would this impact a person's personality?
Non-invasive brain-computer interfaces fit into headphones or headbands. They allow you to dim the lights, play a video or measure your productivity – using only the power of your thoughts.
Discussions on the future of road-use have so far focused on the safety of self-driving vehicles. But the acceptance of future mobility also depends on factors such as data protection and sustainability.
Does the Instagram algorithm favor certain politicians or topics? The non-profit organization AlgorithmWatch launched a study to answer these questions. Once again, Facebook hindered the research into its algorithms.
On Instagram, right-wing extremists use beautiful photos and subtle captions about home and tradition to lure new recruits. One young woman who used to be part of this scene explains how the process works.
The more people that must be fed, the more water, soil, fertilizer and energy is used in farming. In modern greenhouses, sensors measure exactly which and how much of these resources plants need.
Mozilla's Common Voice project wants to use crowdsourcing to digitize as many languages as possible, because minority languages - especially those from Africa - are rarely found online or in language assistance systems.
Bonaventure Dossou speaks French, his mother only speaks Fon - a local language of Benin. The Beninese IT student is now programming a translation app.
Tawanda Kanhema took action when he discovered that his hometown of Harare was not shown on Google Street View. He used a 360° camera to shoot more than 3,000 kilometers of Zimbabwe to upload online.