Weekly Progress Roundup
HumanProgress.org is expanding. Plus the benefits of AI hallucinations, trends in US youth behavior, and more.
AI hallucinations are a boon to science
Artificial intelligence models tend to make things up. For example, when asked to provide sources for their claims, AI chatbots will sometimes reply with a list of impressive-sounding papers that do not exist. These hallucinations can be frustrating, but, as the New York Times recently reported, they are also proving to be extremely useful during the early stages of scientific research. Just as AI models can invent plausible but imaginary literature, they can also hallucinate molecules that conform closely to the forms of nature but are entirely unknown to it. Scientists can reach into this bottomless well of creativity and pull out extraordinary discoveries.
America’s youth is becoming better behaved
New survey results show that substance use among US teenagers continued to decline in 2024. The drop in alcohol consumption was particularly large; just 42 percent of twelfth graders reported drinking alcohol in 2024, down from close to 90 percent in the 1970s. Nicotine, marijuana, and amphetamines show similar, though less drastic, declines.
HumanProgress.org is expanding
HumanProgress.org is adding three new positions this year, and we are currently trying to fill the first: someone to manage our database. This is an entry-level role that requires a solid foundation in statistics as well as a general familiarity with the topics we cover, namely economics and politics. If you or someone you know fit the bill, please read or forward the application.