Answer Explanations

• Artificial intelligence yields scientific breakthroughs as experts call for caution

  user-650267
  I believe that the AI spreading misinformation and manipulating humans is the single greatest threat to our collective knowledge.
• 2023 becomes the hottest year on record

  user-45613
  this is the most consequential (and frightening) story.
• Artificial intelligence yields scientific breakthroughs as experts call for caution

  user-907207
  AI is impacting so many areas of science at a rapid pace, including toxicology. Staying abreast of recent developments and evaluating their positive and negative implications is crucial.

  
  
• Other (please explain)

  user-577556
  The apparent capture of the FDA and CDC by the pharmaceutical industry. 
• Covid-19 entered a new phase

  user-959374
  After the Great Influenza epidemic or the Spanish flu that caused significant mortality across the world in 1918,  COVID-19 became the next pandemic which created significant stress on global healthcare and economy. The COVID-19 vaccination was indeed instrumental in controlling the spread of the disease, although some mutant variants appeared in several parts of the world. WHO reported an increase in new cases by 52% by the end of 2023. However, there was a significant reduction in mortality. Thus, COVID-19, which shook the world from 2020-2022, entering a new phase was the most significant science story in my opinion.  
• Artificial intelligence yields scientific breakthroughs as experts call for caution

  user-676866
   Artificial intelligence (AI) is now used in many applications. For example in the field of healthcare, AI can provide the following benefits:

  
  1. Ability to analyze data to improve diagnosis 

  2. Real-time data  
  3. Better patient care 
  4. Reduced stress of medical staff  
  5.  Health monitoring  

  6. Reduced cost of care 

  
  
• 2023 becomes the hottest year on record

  user-9932
  The first news brings attention to a long warning call made by specialists about the global climate change, with catastrophic implications in the coming years.
• Other (please explain)

  user-698082
  Quantum computing  --IBM launched a new quantum chip with lowest error rates ever - Dec 2023
  Fusion --net positive energy breakthrough at Lawrence Livermore in July 2023
  
  
• Artificial intelligence yields scientific breakthroughs as experts call for caution

  user-402415
  I hesitate between "hottest year" and "AI" ... both are extremely important to realize what they are capable of ! 
  
  
• 2023 becomes the hottest year on record

  user-98823
  This should convince doubters outside of the academic community that climate change is real. 
• 2023 becomes the hottest year on record

  user-269814
  Climate change is the issue which is going to affect humanity most severly and should be treated.
• Wildfires burned through Canada and Hawaii

  user-673903
  Wildfires have become a major toxicological disaster. This can be a result of climate change.
• 2023 becomes the hottest year on record

  user-208008
  There is no doubt that this is the most important story of the year. It impacts all that we do. Wish it weren't true.
• Artificial intelligence yields scientific breakthroughs as experts call for caution

  user-65368
  AI has demonstrated its potential to accelerate scientific discoveries and breakthroughs across various fields, from drug discovery and genomics to climate science and material science. However, as AI becomes more prevalent in scientific research, ethical considerations surrounding data privacy, bias in algorithms, and potential misuse of technology come to the forefront. Experts emphasize the need for responsible AI development and usage.
• Other (please explain)

  user-885071

  first CRISPR therapy for sickle cell disease and β-thalassemia is a historic milestone

  When I was a teenager these diseases came in my textbooks as examples of enormous medical and genetic problems. Today, they are absolutely curable. Very expensive for now, but biotechnology has already found the cure. This indicates that it may be the end of many rare diseases as we know them and a historic milestone for a humanity that almost 100 years ago also found antibiotics to survive. There is no doubt that this achievement is the most impactful in our lives.
• Artificial intelligence yields scientific breakthroughs as experts call for caution

  sab2x
  The potential uses of AI for rapid drug development, 3-D modeling of proteins (and folding), medical diagnosis, etc. are many and impressive.   The call for caution is well stated though, as any AI tool will only be as good as the databases used to create it.   The call for caution needs to include concern about publications with falsified data, the inability to replicate some studies, and the need to be sure that retractions are also removed from AI databases.
• 2023 becomes the hottest year on record

  user-659046
  Hopefully to convince politicians that we need to act now!
• 2023 becomes the hottest year on record

  user-66641
  This is a serious concer about humanity
• 2023 becomes the hottest year on record

  user-544685
  To me, climate changes no longer belong to the future but are a present reality. This has drastic impolicances in human health and Planet Heart behaviour. Being 2023 the hottest year on record since data set is known, is a prof of evidence of that.
  
  
• 2023 becomes the hottest year on record

  user-601144
  The impact of global warming is starting to become immense and anxious to learn where it goes, what the underlying mechanisms are, and what can be done.
• 2023 becomes the hottest year on record

  user-663996
  General public is not aware of all the consequences of global warming. This news (fact) needs to be publicized for everybody to understand that we all live on the same planet and that pollution will make it unlivable for humans. People mistakenly think, and often say that we (humans) will destroy the planet which is not true. We will just make it unfriendly and unhealthy for survival.
• Artificial intelligence yields scientific breakthroughs as experts call for caution

  user-36048
  This news story brings the power of AI to more people's attention. It has immediate relevance to everyone as to do different work in a more efficient way but still follow the basic ethics. The question is, what is the basic ethics that everyone should follow when using AI for assistance. 
• Artificial intelligence yields scientific breakthroughs as experts call for caution

  user-108495
  AI is the future.
• 2023 becomes the hottest year on record

  user-111815
  It's the most important thing to me!
• Artificial intelligence yields scientific breakthroughs as experts call for caution

  user-952391
  The role of AI and ML offers exciting opportunities for insights. There is an incredible wealth of knowledge that has been generated across many fields, but the extent of data is too extensive for current analytic techniques. The outcomes from the data are limited by current analytic tools as well as our ability to handle limited quantities of data. When AI/ ML will be coupled with quantum computing, our ability to find deeper insight and understanding will be greatly expanded. 
  
  However, it is clear that racial and social discrepancies are being ingrained into AI and ML programming. Researchers are now beginning to realize that the guardrails that need to be placed are more about our current biases being hidden within AI rather than AI gaining true independence of thought.
• Covid-19 entered a new phase

  user-205166
   

  “COVID-19 is the first truly global crisis we have seen in our lifetimes. No matter where we live, the pandemic affects every one of us. It is a major health emergency and a threat to global public health rarely encountered. 
  
  

  According to WHO, the pandemic continues to spread at the regional and global levels. As of 11 March 2023, the global cumulative incidence reached 760 061 055 reported cases and 6 886 364 associated deaths at a case-fatality ratio (CFR) of 0.91%. Meanwhile, the 22 countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) have reported a total of 23 271 778 cases, representing about 3.06% of the global count, with 349 712 associated deaths (CFR 1.50%). Most countries in the Region are in the community transmission phase. It is creeping back into the new cycle  and the new coronavirus strain, JN.1, has arisen from the most recent variant  before it, named BA 2.86. The latter is itself part of the lineage of the Omicron variant – a more severe strain of COVID-19 that peaked last year.The new variant exhibits a greater genetic divergence from its predecessors, signifying an ongoing evolution of the virus. So that the pandemic continues its global impact and terrorism which makes it as a top and one of the most significant science stories of 2023. 
  
  
• 2023 becomes the hottest year on record

  user-139059
  This topic is an existential threat
• 2023 becomes the hottest year on record

  user-533989
  this story poses the greatest threat to mankind's future well bring
• Artificial intelligence yields scientific breakthroughs as experts call for caution

  user-377267
  AI is on the rise and influences everyday's life more and more. We just start to understand the opportunities and risks. This will challenge all aspects of our societies.
• Wildfires burned through Canada and Hawaii

  user-11762
  We need to get a handle on these fires as well as the increase in and severity of the storms that are devastating and killing so many.  It is climate change related.
• Artificial intelligence yields scientific breakthroughs as experts call for caution

  user-321504
  The hottest year on record was certainly important news for society, but I don't think it was particularly novel.  I believe the AI story has huge potential for both positive and negative outcomes, and serves as a new call to action.
• Artificial intelligence yields scientific breakthroughs as experts call for caution

  user-740731
  Artificial intelligence will play a significant role in scientific applications. Still, its use in critical analysis of facts, synthesis, and discovery needs to be highly cautious because of the artificiality of such analysis, discoveries, and synthesis.
• 2023 becomes the hottest year on record

  user-741891
  Feina human cultural achievement Generative AI is he biggest new OFBTHE year, and the century, too.
• Covid-19 entered a new phase

  user-672631
  We transitioned from the pandemic to the endemic phase of the disease.
• Artificial intelligence yields scientific breakthroughs as experts call for caution

  user-248213
  I believw that AI will definitely bring enormous changes that will forever change the course of humanity. 
• NASA retrieves asteroid bits to shine light on Earth’s origins

  user-509404
  NASA enters a new era into rare metal (element) extraction
• 2023 becomes the hottest year on record

  user-86448
  Climate change affects all mankind. We, as humans, are responsible for what is happening globally.
• NASA retrieves asteroid bits to shine light on Earth’s origins

  user-830315
  Global warming is not big news. With the COVID pandemic there was a slight slow down of it, but it was pretty obvious that it would keep on getting worse. As for AI, it is not a 2023 discovery per se. Of course, the more it is public, the more we'll have to face the consequences of it. Being an internal medicine doctor, majored in cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, there have been some interesting breakthrough this year, but I would not put them in the "world-changing" cathegory. 
  On the other hand, better understanding of the Earth origin and "where do we come from" can spread some light on the whole life forming and evolution.
• Covid-19 entered a new phase

  user-798662
  Considering the damage the COVID-19 pandemic has had across almost all facets of human life, knowing what’s next about this pandemic is not only important but a must. Knowing how to go along with the pandemic in 2023 and beyond is something that all sectors of the society should take interest in.
• Artificial intelligence yields scientific breakthroughs as experts call for caution

  user-625125
  Many researchers reflect an awareness of the significant advancements and implications of artificial intelligence (AI) in the scientific realm during 2023.
  
  In the rapidly evolving landscape of science and technology, AI has emerged as a transformative force, contributing to groundbreaking discoveries and advancements across various disciplines. From drug discovery to climate modeling, AI has demonstrated its capacity to accelerate research and unravel complex scientific problems that were once considered insurmountable. The ability of AI algorithms to analyze massive datasets, identify patterns, and generate insights at speeds beyond human capability has ushered in a new era of scientific discovery.

  
  However, the recognition of these achievements is tempered by a growing awareness of the ethical and societal implications associated with the widespread adoption of AI. Experts are increasingly emphasizing the need for caution in the development and deployment of AI technologies. Concerns range from issues related to bias in algorithms to potential job displacement and questions about accountability and transparency. The acknowledgment of these challenges highlights the importance of a thoughtful and ethical approach to AI, ensuring that the benefits of technological progress are balanced with responsible and sustainable practices.
  
  
  
  
• 2023 becomes the hottest year on record

  user-37487
  The rate of climate change increased between 2011-2020.  The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) made a report, “the Global Climate 2011-2020: A Decade of Acceleration” emphasizing the need for much more ambitious climate action to try to limit global temperature rise. Are we truly interested in those actions? What has been done? Are we really taking care of the planet for future generations?
• Artificial intelligence yields scientific breakthroughs as experts call for caution

  user-21090
  In my opinion, the advancement AI technologies is the greatest scientific news story of the past year. The implementation of large language models and other AI technologies stands to revolutionise many industries, while also raising the risk of wide-spread job losses as AI replaces roles once completed by humans. Without proper regulation or planning, this shift may lead to further exacerbation in income inequality as corporations improve productivity and profits whilst reducing employment costs. 
• 2023 becomes the hottest year on record

  user-368158
  Important indicator of climate change are trends in temperature. 2023 smashed the record.
• Artificial intelligence yields scientific breakthroughs as experts call for caution

  user-438279
  AI has been a breakthrough that happened in 2023. So much has happened since Open AI announced ChatGPT. In 2022, everyone was talking about Metaverse. One of the most influential companies even jumped to change its name which doesn't make any sense at all. After that, we noticed the hype of the metaverse had silently died. What I still remember was also a lot of media hype on this thing called Web 3.0. Again we have seen no progress. But then of all a sudden open AI made the big bang which I believe pushed the world decades forward. The future is even more exciting but I am nervous about the negative impacts of AI. I am seeing high-precision drones, autonomous helicopters, and many other tiny but extremely accurate drones being rolled out as a killing machine. Academic research is more collaborative and open but military guys sit behind closed doors, take open-access science from academia, and use it for warfare. This is the biggest threat I have ever thought of. I am more disappointed with the military ppl stealing tech discoveries from academia and the open-access industry.  Another is the potential of AI to steal privacy data, identity theft, etc. There are many extremely dangerous applications. I hope we will not go into that trouble. But ppl are already using it for their evil gains.  
• Covid-19 entered a new phase

  user-215595
  Covid-19 has changed our life in every way; our behaviour, dynamics, activities, etc.
• 2023 becomes the hottest year on record

  user-186020
  Hot weather is a major cause of wildfires. 
• Artificial intelligence yields scientific breakthroughs as experts call for caution

  user-187415
  The impact of AI on society, business, science, and technology seems to be monumental in the upcoming days. The early effects of AI are creating curiosity and serious discussion. Both positive and negative effects are now being considered very seriously by govt. and business entities. Thus, a demand for careful approaches to develop AI technologies is needed.
• Artificial intelligence yields scientific breakthroughs as experts call for caution

  user-704344
  The tremendous potential of AI coupled with valid concerns about interpretability, bias, and misuse make it one of the most important science stories. How society navigates the responsible development of AI will significantly influence the future of scientific discovery.