Dr Peter Bentley
Dr Peter Bentley is a computer scientist and author who is based at University College London. He is the author of books including 10 Short Lessons in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics and Digital Biology: How nature is transforming our technology and our lives.
Recent articles by Dr Peter Bentley
Can we communicate in dreams?
New research claims it's possible to get people's brains to communicate to one another in dreams
What is copypasta, and can it stop my data being used to train AI?
Here is how to stop social media from using your data for training AIs
How easily could AI create a digital doppelgänger of me?
Turns out, it's very easy for AI to create a digital doppelgänger of you. Here's how worried you should be about that
Could we really build a space elevator?
It needs to be 50 times stronger than steel
Humans are close to getting X-ray vision. It’s an even worse idea than it sounds
Scientists can see a massive flaw in the tech.
How close are we to mass-producing humanoid robots?
Will we ever see a future that matches science-fiction, filled with mass-produced humanoid robots? It's unlikely.
Why do batteries drain faster in cold weather?
Brrrrrilliant, my battery died.
Here's the very strange way astronauts vote in space
Even at an altitude of 400km (249 miles) and circling Earth roughly every 93 minutes, astronauts can still have their say when it comes to the election.
How much will AI change the film industry?
Written, directed and starring... artificial intelligence. Coming to a cinema near you.
How close are we to being able to record our dreams?
Tech that records your sleeping thoughts isn't necessarily the stuff of wild sci-fi imaginings.
Your brain may not be private for much longer. Here’s why
Neuralink, Elon Musk’s newest venture, hopes to merge humans and artificial intelligence. Turns out, it might not be such a crazy idea…
If AI is meant to be so intelligent, why can’t it identify a set of traffic lights?
The "I'm not a robot" box might not be so robot-proof after all.
How do IQ tests work?
IQ is useful for measuring a specific cognitive skillset but there's other ways to be smart.
The frustrating reasons electric cars are so expensive, explained by a scientist
Electric vehicles are comparatively new compared to the older combustion engine, and need different materials to power them.
Why turning a plane’s computer off and on again could save your life
Software, overflow and human errors all have the potential to cause serious problems.
Here’s what your biometric passport reveals about you
If you've applied for a British passport since 2010 you'll have a biometric passport which contains an electronic microprocessor chip.
The subtle (but simple) ways to spot a deepfake image
Deepfake technology is getting better and better. But it's not perfect.
How do robot vacuum cleaners navigate?
Just how do they avoid tumbling down the stairs?
Why do we still have dial tones on phones?
The closure of PSTN: In the biggest change to phone networks for 100 years, digital internet services will completely take over in 2025.
Why do computers and consoles need to restart to install updates?
Software comprises lots of files and programs all interacting.
Will interactive holograms ever become reality, like on the holodeck?
Step into the future as we take a closer look at the holodecks on Star Trek... they're closer than you might think.
How do apps and computers ‘get bugs’?
From coding to coffee spills, the real question is: how do computers not get bugs?
Google is killing off the password forever. Here’s what could replace it
Google’s new passkey software is a biometric replacement for old-fashioned password. Can we finally forget about having to remember what all our passwords are?
How incognito is incognito mode on your internet browser?
We have some bad news...