Intelligent Machines: Making AI Work in the Real World
Eric Schmidt suggests, somewhat controversially, that Apple Music’s use of humans rather than algorithms is “elitist.”
—Will Knight, senior editor, AI

The Innovation Game
The Economist made some cool and informative illustrations of data from the “Global Innovation Index,” a high-profile annual report that ranks countries according to certain measures of their ability to innovate.
—Mike Orcutt, associate editor

Coal Use in China Is Slowing
The Energy Information Administration has an interesting post looking at how and why China’s coal consumption patterns are changing.
—Mike Orcutt

How Inefficient Climate Policies Can Build Support for Efficient Ones
In typical bare-knuckles fashion, Vox climate-change essayist David Roberts goes after those who think industrial policies favoring clean energy are a bad idea: “Serious political change requires … that the status quo be substantially disrupted.“
—Richard Martin, senior editor, energy

Barbie Wants to Get to Know Your Child
A new version of the Barbie doll uses AI software to try to act like a real friend.
—Tom Simonite, San Francisco bureau chief