Traditional social-networking sites are great for connecting people with like interests; meetup.com, for example, helps facilitate real-world gatherings arranged by appointed organizers. The next wave of sites might bring people together at a wider array of local events–such as concerts–without the involvement of organizers. Boston-based HeyLetsGo uses technology developed by computer scientists from MIT’s Media Lab and the Georgia Institute of Technology to scour the Web for listings of local events, which it combines with feeds from ticketing sites and posts by users themselves. Users link their online profiles to event listings, post messages about mutual interests, and, maybe, connect. Judith Donath, director of the sociable-media research group at MIT, says, “People like it, and I think the idea is solid.” The hope, says cofounder Rebecca Xiong, is that with HeyLetsGo, “online is not separate from offline.” The site plans rollouts in several U.S. cities this year.
Keep Reading
Most Popular
DeepMind’s cofounder: Generative AI is just a phase. What’s next is interactive AI.
“This is a profound moment in the history of technology,” says Mustafa Suleyman.
What to know about this autumn’s covid vaccines
New variants will pose a challenge, but early signs suggest the shots will still boost antibody responses.
Human-plus-AI solutions mitigate security threats
With the right human oversight, emerging technologies like artificial intelligence can help keep business and customer data secure
Next slide, please: A brief history of the corporate presentation
From million-dollar slide shows to Steve Jobs’s introduction of the iPhone, a bit of show business never hurt plain old business.
Stay connected
Get the latest updates from
MIT Technology Review
Discover special offers, top stories, upcoming events, and more.