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2023: The year we played with artificial intelligence — and weren’t sure what to do about it

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:18 GMT

Artificial intelligence went mainstream in 2023 — it was a long time coming yet has a long way to go for the technology to match people’s science fiction fantasies of human-like machines.Catalyzing a year of AI fanfare was ChatGPT. The chatbot gave the world a glimpse of recent advances in computer science even if not everyone figured out quite how it works or what to do with it.“I would call this an inflection moment,” pioneering AI scientist Fei-Fei Li said. “2023 is, in history, hopefully going to be remembered for the profound changes of the technology as well as the public awakening. It also shows how messy this technology is.”It was a year for people to figure out “what this is, how to use it, what’s the impact — all the good, the bad and the ugly,” she said.PANIC OVER AIThe first AI panic of 2023 set in soon after New Year’s Day when classrooms reopened and schools from Seattle to Paris started blocking ChatGPT. Teenagers were already asking the chatbot — re...

Aurora crews battle large overnight fire at construction site

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:18 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Aurora firefighters battled a large fire that engulfed several residential buildings that were under construction early Thursday morning.At 1:50 a.m., Aurora Fire Rescue tweeted about a third-alarm fire near the 7300 block of South Addison Court. The area is next to the Red-tailed Hawk Park in the Heritage Eagle Bend neighborhood. Arson suspect wanted in large downtown Littleton fire Photos provided by Aurora Fire Rescue show the extent of the fire.Aurora Fire Rescue battled a large fire in a neighborhood under construction on Dec. 14. (Aurora Fire Rescue)Viewer photo of Aurora Fire Rescue battling a large fire on Dec. 14. (Viewer: Oscar)Aurora Fire Rescue battled a large fire in a neighborhood under construction on Dec. 14. (Aurora Fire Rescue)Aurora Fire Rescue battled a large fire in a neighborhood under construction on Dec. 14. (Aurora Fire Rescue)Since the fire started at residential buildings under construction, crews said they ran into several obstacles, inc...

Denver weather: Sun, clouds with seasonal temperatures

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:18 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Skies will continue to slowly clear Thursday, giving most of the Front Range a mix of sun and clouds with seasonal highs in the Denver weather forecast.Weather today: Partly cloudy skiesAfter a foggy start to the day, Denver will see partly cloudy skies with light winds. Broken rail caused Colorado train derailment that collapsed bridge, preliminary findings show Afternoon highs will be close to seasonal averages in the low 40s.Pinpoint Weather: Daily forecast on Dec. 14 Weather tonight: Clearing continuesThe clouds will gradually continue to clear overnight as lows dip below freezing. Denver will see lows in the middle 20s with light winds.Pinpoint Weather: Overnight forecast on Dec. 14 Looking ahead: Weekend warmingFriday is back to mainly sunny skies to round out the workweek with mild highs in the lower 50s. Denver City Council to vote on $1.15M in funding to rebrand 16th Street Mall Saturday kicks off the weekend with plenty of sunshine and warm highs in th...

Pembroke Pines school employee arrested for child pornography

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:18 GMT

An after-school counselor at Pembroke Pines Charter Elementary FSU Campus was arrested after police searched his residence, Wednesday. Authorities said rthey discovered numerous explicit images and videos depicting children aged 3 to 14.Douglas Jing Chin, 21, has his employment immediately suspended after he was arrested. Chin now faces multiple felony charges for the possession of child pornography. In a release, the Pembroke Pines Police Department stated that they are committed to protecting all members of our community, especially children. Investigators said there is no evidence that Chin had inappropriate contact with the students he took care of at the school, but they encourage parents to speak to their children to discuss the matter. Anyone who may have additional information pertaining to Mr. Douglas J. Chin is urged to contact lead Detective Ralph Rienzo with the Special Victims Unit at [email protected] or direct office line 954-743-1616. Pembroke Pines Charter Elementa...

Perfume thieves caught on camera stealing in Coconut Creek Sephora

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:18 GMT

Two perfumes thieves were caught on camera stealing thousands of dollars worth of perfumes in Coconut Creek.Authorities are now seeking public assistance in identifying the two women who stole from a Sephora store at the Promenade Shops near Lyons and Wiles Road in Coconut Creek. The thieves were seen hiding perfume boxes under their skirts before casually walking out.Police urge anyone with information to come forward to aid in the identification of the suspects involved in the November incident. If you have any information on this crime, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.

Detectives pursuing leads after surge of thefts hits Oakland Park storage facility

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:18 GMT

A surge in thefts at Prime Storage in Oakland Park has left multiple victims feeling angry, including Jose Pain, whose trailer was stolen earlier this month. Pain said he had to helplessly watch his surveillance cameras last week showing a man hooking up Pain’s RV to a pickup truck and taking it after recieving a call from the storage faciliy where he keeps it. ‘It was like ‘oh somebody has moved it’ and i was like ‘no I haven’t authorized anyone to move it,’ said Pain. Days before Pain’s RV was stolen, Broward Sheriff’s Office detectives said they were investigating a string of incidents at the facility, located at 1100 NE 45th St.Last week, deputies responded to multiple theft reports at Prime Storage, uncovering a series of incidents. Detectives suspect the same individual(s) are behind these thefts and are diligently pursuing leads. No suspects have been identified nor detained. Pain said detectives recovered his RV a day la...

Rush University doctors perform first of its kind surgery on a monkey

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:18 GMT

CHICAGO (WBBM) — It’s the first of its kind surgery done in the world.And it happened in Chicago. but you might be surprised who worked together to save a monkey’s life.Meet Zhang – he’s a François’ langur living at Lincoln Park Zoo.He recently had surgery to remove a malignant tumor from the roof of his mouth. It’s the first time doctors have been able to identify and treat the endangered species with this kind of oral cancer.The zoo’s director of veterinary medicine Dr. Kathryn Gamble asked the Director of Rush’s Head and Neck Cancer Program, Doctor Kerstin Stenson to consult.Together they came up with a treatment plan and performed two surgeries over the past 18 months.Dr. Gamble said it made such a difference knowing about the research and finally being able to do something about it.Zhang is now cancer-free. The successful surgery means more langurs can be saved with early detection.The zoo hopes to continue its relationship ...

Voyager 1 stops communicating with Earth

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:18 GMT

(CNN) — NASA’s Voyager 1 spacecraft has experienced a computer glitch that’s causing a bit of a communication breakdown between the 46-year-old probe and its mission team on Earth.Engineers are currently trying to solve the issue as the aging spacecraft explores uncharted cosmic territory along the outer reaches of the solar system.Voyager 1 is currently the farthest spacecraft from Earth at about 15 billion miles (24 billion kilometers) away, while its twin Voyager 2 has traveled more than 12 billion miles (20 billion kilometers) from our planet. Both are in interstellar space and are the only spacecraft ever to operate beyond the heliosphere, the sun’s bubble of magnetic fields and particles that extends well beyond the orbit of Pluto.Initially designed to last five years, the Voyager probes are the two longest-operating spacecraft in history. Their exceptionally long lifespans mean that both spacecraft have provided additional insights about our solar system and beyond after...

Watergate: Contaminated bottles handed out in European Parliament

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:18 GMT

Members of the European Parliament in Strasbourg were warned Thursday not to drink water from bottles handed out inside the hemicycle, after people fell sick from a suspected contamination. “You are requested not to drink from any water bottles in the EP premises in Strasbourg,” stated an emergency text message sent out to thousands of staffers and politicians. The SMS gave an emergency medical number to contact “in case of exposure” and said that the bottles were also distributed in the offices of President Roberta Metsola Thursday. The European Parliament press service said that the French authorities had been informed. “Due checks are ongoing,” the press service wrote. “The precautionary message was sent as part of the duty of care of the institution,” they added. An EU official said that a number of people had become ill but since recovered after drinking bottled water, possibly from a badly washed glass bottle.“Good thing I...

Restaurant review: GOGI Brussels

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:18 GMT

Quai aux Briques 18, 1000 BruxellesWhat’s good? The menu is massive, offering Korean drinks, such as soju inspired cocktails and imported beers, traditional desserts, and everything in between from bibimbap to chicken wings.The set barbecue menus can help with decision paralysis, providing a sample of the classics: comforting miso soup, sticky rice, sour kimchi, refreshing cucumber and, of course, classic meat like bulgogi and pork belly.What’s not? The meat marinade did not provide much of a punch alone. A delicious sauce comes separately that you can dollop on yourself, but we were hoping for more exciting flavors.Vibe: Bustling, loud and warm! Neon lights and upbeat music give the packed restaurant a lively feel as staff cater to various tables and people without reservations are turned away. Given that most of the tables are actively emitting heat, it is toasty to say the least — so dress appropriately!Who’s picking up the check? While Korean barbecue i...