Venerable Psychiatric Hospital Displaying Inmates' Dreams and Nightmarish Visions
In this edition of our global news roundup, we bring you the latest updates from around the world.
China is making waves in the tech industry with its ambitious project to build an underwater data center off Shanghai. The innovative move is aimed at reducing cooling costs and is set to begin operations in September. However, it seems Microsoft has had second thoughts, reportedly shelving a similar project.
In the arts and culture scene, the Bethlem Museum of the Mind in the UK is preparing for two exciting exhibitions. "Crisis Point," which closed on August 10, offered artistic perspectives on mental health, featuring works like "Hell's Gate" by Jonathan Martin. From August 14, the museum will host "Between Sleeping and Waking," an exhibition exploring the theme of sleep and dreams. Notable works by artists who were patients at Bethlem Hospital, such as William Kurelek and Charlotte Johnson Wahl, will be on display, along with a major installation by Kate McDonnell.
Across the pond, the European Union is testing an age-verification app for social media platforms, aiming to protect minors online. France has also taken steps to safeguard young users, approving a law that requires social media platforms to verify ages and obtain parental consent for under-15s.
In the realm of AI, more than 30 Latin American institutions are collaborating to build a Spanish-language AI chatbot, "Latam-GPT." The chatbot will be trained on text from local schools, libraries, and historical documents, making it a unique and valuable resource for Spanish speakers.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands has slashed its offshore wind power generation goal by up to 40% due to rising costs. The previous target of 50 gigawatts by 2040 is no longer considered realistic.
Politics and art intersect in the UK, where former Prime Minister Boris Johnson's late mother created paintings during her stay at Bethlem's sister institution.
In international relations, the US resumed deportation flights to third countries, sending five migrants to Eswatini.
Finally, in Russia, there are calls for a return to Soviet-style censorship. Mikhail Shvydkoy, a theater critic and ally of President Vladimir Putin, has argued for stricter controls on the media. However, it's important to note that there are already major restrictions on free speech in Russia, but there are no formal pre-publication censors.
That's all for this roundup. Stay tuned for more global news updates.
Scientists are delving into new research on the potential benefits of AI in promoting mental health and wellness, aiming to create virtual assistants that can provide emotional support and therapy.
In the health-and-wellness sector, the Bethlem Museum of the Mind is set to explore the intersection of sleep, dreams, and mental health in its upcoming exhibition, "Between Sleeping and Waking."
