4/17/2026
4/17/2026 – Recent AI News
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Jacob Andreas and Brett McGuire named Edgerton Award winners
Published: Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:40:00 -0400 | (Link)
The associate professors of EECS and chemistry, respectively, are honored for exceptional contributions to teaching, research, and service at MIT. -
Bringing AI-driven protein-design tools to biologists everywhere
Published: Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 | (Link)
Founded by Tristan Bepler PhD ’20 and former MIT professor Tim Lu PhD ’07, OpenProtein.AI offers researchers open-source models and other tools for protein engineering. -
Human-machine teaming dives underwater
Published: Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400 | (Link)
Researchers are developing hardware and algorithms to improve collaboration between divers and autonomous underwater vehicles engaged in maritime missions. -
Q&A: MIT SHASS and the future of education in the age of AI
Published: Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400 | (Link)
As the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences marks 75 years, Dean Agustín Rayo reflects on how AI is reshaping higher education and why SHASS disciplines continue to be central to MIT’s mission. -
A philosophy of work
Published: Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:00:00 -0400 | (Link)
As the NC Ethics of Technology Postdoctoral Fellow, Michal Masny is advancing dialogue, teaching, and research into the social and ethical dimensions of new computing technologies. -
This simple change stops robot swarms from getting stuck
Published: Wed, 15 Apr 2026 03:45:51 EDT | (Link)
In crowded environments, more robots don’t always mean faster results—in fact, too many can bring everything to a standstill. Harvard researchers discovered a surprising fix: adding a bit of randomness to how robots move can actually prevent gridlock and boost efficiency. By allowing robots to “wiggle” slightly instead of marching in straight lines, they can slip past each other and keep tasks flowing smoothly. -
“Giant superatoms” could finally solve quantum computing’s biggest problem
Published: Mon, 13 Apr 2026 08:38:46 EDT | (Link)
In the pursuit of powerful and stable quantum computers, researchers at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, have developed the theory for an entirely new quantum system – based on the novel concept of ‘giant superatoms’. This breakthrough enables quantum information to be protected, controlled, and distributed in new ways and could be a key step towards building quantum computers at scale. -
This new chip could slash data center energy waste
Published: Fri, 10 Apr 2026 08:45:22 EDT | (Link)
A new chip design from UC San Diego could make data centers far more energy-efficient by rethinking how power is converted for GPUs. By combining vibrating piezoelectric components with a clever circuit layout, the system overcomes limitations of traditional designs. The prototype achieved impressive efficiency and delivered much more power than previous attempts. Though not ready for widespread use yet, it points to a promising future for high-performance computing. -
This new chip survives 1300°F (700°C) and could change AI forever
Published: Tue, 07 Apr 2026 01:32:38 EDT | (Link)
A team of engineers has created a breakthrough memory device that keeps working at temperatures hotter than molten lava, shattering one of electronics’ biggest limits. Built from an unusual stack of ultra-durable materials, the tiny component can store data and perform calculations even at 700°C (1300°F), far beyond what today’s chips can handle. The discovery was partly accidental, but it revealed a powerful new mechanism that prevents heat-induced failure at the atomic level.