Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI)

In the grand opera of technology and innovation, few figureheads loom as large, and truly divisive, as Elon Musk. An industry titan with a penchant for revolution, he has cemented himself in the public consciousness as an icon of eccentricity, a figure whose narrative reads like the pages of a graphic novel.

In a rather unusual shift from the regular sports-focused content, an intriguing article by Kyle Gelling, was recently released on Barstool Sports, of all places, about the rising prevalence of connected cars and their implications on privacy.

General Motors is under fire following a potential data privacy scandal. The carmaker has allegedly been sharing user data from its OnStar connected-car services, specifically Smart Driver, which monitors driving habits to present a safety score.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has rated many prominent automated driving systems, including Tesla's Autopilot, as 'poor' in terms of safety.

Scientists are breaking new ground by putting ChatGPT brains into robot bodies, according to a Scientific American article. While this technological fusion aims to supercharge robot capabilities, it's not without its ethical and practical challenges.

The promise of self-driving cars unfurls like an epic novel, each turn-illuminating a utopian vision of roadways absent of human error—a transportation revolution underpinned by autonomous algorithms. But beneath the glossy sheen of this narrative, rife with potential, lurks an unsettling reality. As casualties and controversies mount, the stark question that looms is this: Are we falling captive to technological exuberance at the expense of safety, and does the ascent of self-driving cars necessitate a harbinger of caution akin to Ralph Nader?

The demand for electric vehicles (EVs) is on the rise, and it's causing a sense of urgency in the world of battery technology too. Engineers and corporate leaders are struggling to keep up with the fast-paced innovation and resources needed to create top-notch batteries. This competition has led to a demand for rare materials and minerals used in battery manufacturing. Consequently, the battle over battery technology resources has become intense and potentially messy.