Samsung's AI center in Moscow has released a new algorithm capable of creating fake talking-head videos with just a few images of a person's face. Hollywood has been creating fake videos for decades via special effects so this type of technology could be seen as merely democratizing special effects. Look for its use to increase in news as well as in entertainment. Importantly, as trust in video as a source of truth declines, the importance of a trustworthy reputation should increase. Seen in Abundance Insider. https://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/samsung-ai-deepfake-videos/

A team of Chinese scientists has developed a new process that could ignificantly reduce the time needed to extract rare earths from ore, and it could also cut industry pollution. Extracting the trace metal elements is difficult and takes days to complete, but researchers have found a way to shorten the process to minutes. The 17 trace metal elements in rare earths are critical to the manufacture of nearly all hi-tech products, from semiconductors to smartphones and stealth fighter jets. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3012641/chinese-scientists-find-faster-way-extract-rare-earths-may-also

Researchers in Italy have said a "no jab no school" policy should be introduced after finding that current immunisation rates will not keep measles outbreaks at bay. Italy brought in mandatory vaccination before primary school in 2017 because of low immunisation rates and measles outbreaks. France did the same in 2018. In their paper, published in the journal BMC Medicine, the rearearchers say that vaccine rates in Australia, Ireland, Italy, the UK and the US could drop to levels where measles outbreaks will happen. Coverage needs to be 95% to prevent outbreaks. www.theguardian.com/society/2019/may/17/uk-should-consider-no-jab-no-school-policy-italian-study-says

While most of us are already used to the idea of renting an apartment at a monthly cost, what if you did the same with your couch? Or your dining table? Or your desk? Feather offers to do just that. A membership gives renters a flexible and sustainable alternative to owning furniture, a particularly attractive option for people who tend to move a lot. www.producthunt.com/newsletter/2777