Shiny Shiny daily round up: Google launches Global.Health

Google has worked with researchers to create a new Covid-19 tracking database that will help governments monitor how the easing of lockdown measures is affecting case rates and spot the next wave before it spreads. Global.health, which launches today, will pool anonymised data on Covid-19 cases, allowing researchers to chart factors such as whether people had been…

Shiny Shiny daily round up: Google fires head of AI ethics unit

Google has fired the founder and co-head of its artificial intelligence ethics unit, claiming she violated the company's code of conduct. In a statement, Google said an investigation found Margaret Mitchell had moved files outside the company. The ethics unit has been under scrutiny since December, following the departure of another senior figure, Timnit Gebru.…

Shiny Shiny round-up: Facebook unfriends Australia, BP backs geo-thermal

Facebook has blocked Australian media organisations and users from sharing news content on the platform, in an escalating disagreement between tech firms and the Australian government that could ultimately become a test case for media regulations and the way people consume news around the world. Read more: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2268431-facebooks-australian-news-ban-is-a-fight-the-whole-world-should-watch/#ixzz6mpa1Fipc Hopes that next-generation geothermal energy technologies could…