MIT Media Lab

A groundbreaking study reveals how we want machines to treat us

A self-driving car is crashing on a busy street. Who does it kill? Who does it save? Your answer will be shaped by where you live, says an MIT study.

MIT’s new tool erases anything (or anyone) from old photos

The reality distortion field is real, and it’s getting better every day.

Meet 4 design heroes who are defending democracy online

They’re fighting for fairness and accuracy in algorithms and on digital platforms.

The gorgeous future of 3D printing

A new technique, from MIT Media Lab’s Mediated Matter Group, produces some of the most stunning 3D models we’ve seen yet.

Disney’s Crazy Jacket Makes You Feel Like You’re Covered In Bugs

But do you really want to simulate that?

This Data Viz Site Makes College Hunting Way Less Miserable

The college search can be a long slog. But thanks to the site Data USA, you can arm yourself with reliable data from government sources.

Inventing The Next Computer

Keyboards? A thing of the past. Screens? Forget them.

This New Prosthetic Limb Transmits Sensations Directly To The Nervous System

Even with the most advanced prosthetics, amputees cannot feel the ground when they walk on a synthetic leg, or know if someone is touching a mechanical arm. This new MIT tech hopes to change that.

This Plan For An AI-Based Direct Democracy Outsources Votes To A Predictive Algorithm

MIT Media Lab’s Cesar Hidalgo imagines a system of direct democracy fueled by personalized digital agents that vote on issues for us.

MIT Invents A Way To Turn “Silent Speech” Into Computer Commands

A new wearable out of the MIT Media Lab uses subvocalization to communicate with computers.

Can This New Electric Rickshaw Stop Cars From Taking Over Asian Cities?

As more middle-class people purchase vehicles, cities like Dhaka, Kathmandu, and Manila are getting stuck in ever worsening gridlock. This rickshaw is designed to modernize the more sustainable transportation option.

This MIT Startup Is Developing A Fitness Tracker For Your Brain

The Embrace smartwatch was designed for epilepsy patients. But its impact could be much broader.

Facial Recognition Systems Are Even More Biased Than We Thought

AI from Microsoft, IBM, and Face ++ is much less accurate when detecting dark-skinned female faces than light-skinned male faces.

The 6 Coolest Material Breakthroughs Of 2017

Car exhaust ink. 3D graphene. A brand new blue–and a brand new crayon.

MIT Trained An AI To Tug At Your Heartstrings

Researchers want to know what images make us feel more attached to other people. They call their project “Deep Empathy.”

Want To Try Biodesign? This Living Display Lets Anyone Design With DNA

It’s a prototyping tool to learn how to work with biomaterials.

This AI Writes Horror Stories, And They’re Surprisingly Scary

In A Creative Rut? Try MIT’s Mad Libs For Designers

This Robotic Jewelry Crawls All Over Your Outfit

Creepy, or the future of haute-tech fashion?