TL;DR: Expertise in artificial intelligence is now often worth more than a master’s degree as employers shift to skill-based hiring, whilst science confirms that love really is blind as the brain shuts down critical judgment. Meanwhile, wild parrots are found to use complex grammar in territorial war songs, “smart underwear” is created to track flatulence, and origami robots survive failure by sharing resources. Plus: AI turns walls into mirrors to see around corners, video tools are reinforcing dangerous stereotypes, and adding randomness to algorithms could shatter online echo chambers.
Rise of ‘skill-based’ hiring: AI expertise now worth more than a master’s degree
With AI skills commanding a 23% wage premium and offsetting age bias, expertise in artificial intelligence is now often worth more than a master’s degree.
The shift towards “skill-based” hiring sees employers prioritising practical ability over traditional academic credentials. This trend is opening doors for non-graduates but raising questions about the future value of university education in a rapidly automating economy.
Science confirms love really is blind as brain shuts down critical judgment
The racing heart and sweaty palms of a new romance are well-known, but science has now confirmed that love really is blind.
New research indicates that the brain actively shuts down the neural pathways associated with critical judgment when we fall in love. This biological mechanism suppresses negative assessments of a partner, effectively blinding us to their faults to facilitate bonding, even if it defies logic.
Wild parrots use complex ‘grammar’ and syntax in territorial war songs
While captive birds are famous for mimicking human speech, researchers have discovered that wild parrots use complex grammar and syntax in their own territorial war songs.
The study reveals that these birds not only repeat sounds but also structure them according to rules similar to those of human language to convey specific meanings during conflicts. This sophisticated communication suggests a level of cognitive evolution in avian species previously underestimated.
Scientists create ‘smart underwear’ that tracks every time you fart
A new wearable device that tracks human flatulence has revealed that the gut may be more talkative than we thought.
Scientists have created “smart underwear” equipped with sensors to monitor the frequency and chemical composition of farts. Whilst it may sound like a bit of a laugh, the device is designed to provide serious medical data on digestive health, helping to diagnose conditions like IBS and food intolerances.
Origami robots use ‘resource sharing’ to survive catastrophic failure
Researchers have developed a modular origami robot that reduces the probability of catastrophic failure through “resource sharing.”
Inspired by the resilience of biological systems, these robots can detach and reconfigure their parts if a section is damaged. By sharing functional modules, the system can continue to operate even after sustaining significant injury, promising more durable machines for search and rescue operations.
AI video tools reinforce dangerous racial and gender stereotypes
As realistic AI-generated footage floods the internet, a new report warns that these tools are reinforcing dangerous racial and gender stereotypes.
Analysis shows that leading video generation models often default to biased depictions of certain demographics, embedding prejudice into the web’s visual fabric. Experts warn that without intervention, this could automate discrimination at a massive scale in media and advertising.
https://thefreesheet.com/2026/02/12/ai-video-tools-reinforce-dangerous-racial-and-gender-stereotypes
New AI system turns walls into mirrors so robots can see around corners
Robots could soon possess a form of “superhuman” vision that allows them to see around corners, effectively turning walls into mirrors.
A new AI system analyses the subtle interplay of light and shadow on visible surfaces to reconstruct images of objects hidden from direct view. This capability could be a huge boost for autonomous vehicles and rescue robots navigating hazardous, clutter-filled environments.
Adding randomness to algorithms could help shatter online echo chambers
Social media algorithms are currently designed to show you exactly what you want to see, but adding a dose of randomness could be the key to shattering online echo chambers.
Researchers propose that injecting “noise” into recommendation engines – exposing users to content slightly outside their preferences – can effectively break the feedback loops that drive polarisation. This “serendipity engineering” aims to restore a shared reality to the fractured digital landscape.
Is language the key to unlocking human consciousness?
Can we be conscious without language? While we can certainly feel emotions, a new philosophical and scientific debate questions whether higher-level consciousness is unlocked by our ability to speak.
Researchers argue that language provides the framework necessary for complex thought and self-reflection. The inquiry delves into whether our internal monologue is merely a tool for communication or the very architecture of the human mind.
https://thefreesheet.com/2026/02/11/is-language-the-key-to-unlocking-human-consciousness
Tech giants urged to unite as ‘security fatigue’ leaves users overwhelmed
Significant progress has been made with the introduction of biometrics and passkeys, but experts are urging tech giants to unite as “security fatigue” leaves users overwhelmed.
With the average person managing dozens of accounts and authentication methods, many are defaulting to unsafe habits out of frustration. The industry call to action demands a unified, interoperable standard to make security seamless rather than a daily chore.
Decolonising the digital: How the Global South is reimagining AI
From “language-first” models to public supercomputers, developing nations are moving beyond Western tech dominance to reimagine AI on their own terms.
A new wave of innovation from the Global South focuses on “decolonising the digital,” creating systems that respect local cultures, languages, and needs. This movement seeks to prevent a new era of digital imperialism where AI is built solely by and for the Silicon Valley elite.
https://thefreesheet.com/2026/02/10/decolonising-the-digital-how-the-global-south-is-reimagining-ai
Global fight against greenwashing splits EU and UK regulators
As investors pour trillions into sustainable finance, the global market faces a split as EU and UK regulators take diverging approaches to fighting greenwashing.
Whilst both jurisdictions aim to stop companies from exaggerating their eco-credentials, differences in taxonomy and enforcement standards are creating headaches for international firms. The lack of alignment threatens to confuse consumers and slow down genuine green investment.
https://thefreesheet.com/2026/02/10/global-fight-against-greenwashing-splits-eu-and-uk-regulators
The ‘age of competition’: Four global risks that will define the path to 2030
With American leadership waning and a global “tech-lash” building, the world is entering an intense “age of competition” that will define the path to 2030.
Analysts identify four key risks: the fracturing of the global internet, the weaponisation of interdependence, the race for critical minerals, and the breakdown of climate cooperation. Navigating this volatile landscape will require a total rethink of diplomatic and business strategies.
A race for AI supremacy: Five strategies to accelerate adoption responsibly
With competitive pressures driving a global rush to adopt AI, organisations must balance speed with responsibility to survive the race for supremacy.
Experts outline five key strategies, emphasising that successful adoption isn’t just about buying the fastest chips. Instead, it requires robust data governance, continuous workforce upskilling, and a commitment to ethical frameworks that build trust with users and regulators alike.