By Paresh Dave, Jeffrey Dastin (Reuters) – Alphabet Inc’s Google fired staff scientist Margaret Mitchell on Friday, they both said, a move that fanned company divisions on academic freedom and diversity that were on display since its December dismissal of AI ethics researcher Timnit Gebru. FILE PHOTO: The Google sign is shown on one of the company’s office buildings in Irvine, California, U.S., October 20, 2020. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo Google said in a statement Mitchell violated the… Source link

Red fireworks speckle the page when you Google “Perseverance rover.” (Image credit: Google Screenshot) You should Google “Perseverance rover.”  If you’ve been following the dramatic success of yesterday’s Mars touchdown, you may have Google’d “Perseverance rover” today (Feb. 19). If you did, you probably noticed your page lighting up with (Martian) red fireworks.  As a fun little internet Easter egg, Google is setting off virtual fireworks across screens everywhere: All you have to do is… Source link

Google has fired Margaret Mitchell, the founder and former co-lead of the company’s ethical AI team. Mitchell announced the news via a tweet. Google confirmed Mitchell’s firing in a statement to TechCrunch; Google said: After conducting a review of this manager’s conduct, we confirmed that there were multiple violations of our code of conduct, as well as of our security policies, which included the exfiltration of confidential business-sensitive documents and private data of other… Source link

Former Cleveland Browns tight end Kellen Winslow II will spend 14 years in prison after agreeing to a new plea deal Friday, according to USA Today. Winslow pleaded guilty to rape and sexual battery charges in November of 2019. He revised that deal in an agreement submitted Friday in San Diego Superior Court. Under his previous agreement, Winslow was sentenced to 12 to 18 years in prison. The length of his sentence was to be determined at a hearing. As part of Friday’s deal, Winslow pleaded… Source link

Right now there’s a $1.9 trillion COVID relief package being drafted, and it’s going to be President Biden’s first big legislative push. However, the American Rescue Plan that Biden previewed in January is likely to go through some big changes before it goes to a vote — including the possible removal of an increase in the minimum wage to $15. Yahoo News explains why obscure Senate rules could dictate what ends up in the next round of stimulus. Video Transcript [MUSIC PLAYING] SAM… Source link

Right now there’s a $1.9 trillion COVID relief package being drafted, and it’s going to be President Biden’s first big legislative push. However, the American Rescue Plan that Biden previewed in January is likely to go through some big changes before it goes to a vote — including the possible removal of an increase in the minimum wage to $15. Yahoo News explains why obscure Senate rules could dictate what ends up in the next round of stimulus. Source link

Google tries to distinguish press releases from other types of content and may treat them differently in search results, says Search Advocate John Mueller. This topic is discussed during the Google Search Central SEO hangout recorded on February 19. SEO Michael Lewittes mentions to Mueller that he regularly sees news outlets cover press releases and rank above the original source. Sometimes the original source is a reputable organization such as the Associated Press or Reuters. Lewittes asks how… Source link

The number of new COVID-19 cases continues to fall in the U.S., and health experts are promoting the use of CO2 monitors as a way to keep that trend going in the right direction as the country begins lifting social distancing restrictions. How would CO2 monitors help restaurants, schools and businesses to reopen? Alex Huffman, aerosol scientist and associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry at the University of Denver, explains. Source link

Google is changing its policies related to research and diversity after completing an internal investigation into the firing of ethical AI team co-leader Timnit Gebru, according to Axios. The company intends to tie the pay of certain executives to diversity and inclusivity goals. It’s also making changes to how sensitive employee exits are managed. Although Google did not reveal the results of the investigation, the changes seem to be direct responses to how the situation with Gebru… Source link

In a heartfelt moment speaking about racial disparities related to student debt, Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) recently revealed that she defaulted on her student loans at one point. “Like 85% of Black students, I had to borrow; and like so many of those students, I also defaulted on those loans,” Pressley said during a press conference organized by the American Federation of Teachers. “We know that Black and Brown students are five times more likely to default for those loans, than… Source link