What to Make of ‘AI Psychosis’?
Harvard psychiatrists warn that the media‑coined term “AI psychosis” is not a formal diagnosis and often misrepresents clinical reality. In a recent Lancet viewpoint, John Torous and colleagues propose a four‑part typology—catalyst, amplifier, co‑author, and object—to describe how large language models intersect with psychotic symptoms. Their observations suggest genuine catalyst cases are rare, while most instances involve AI aggravating pre‑existing mental health conditions. The researchers stress precise language to guide clinicians and policymakers.
Not Your Father’s Wild, Wild West
Megan Kate Nelson’s new Scribner volume, The Westerners, rewrites the story of 19th‑century American expansion by weaving together the lives of seven diverse protagonists. The narrative moves beyond the classic white‑male frontier myth, spotlighting figures such as Sacagawea, fur trader...
Deterring the Next Nuclear Arms Race
Harvard Kennedy School experts warned that a new, slower‑moving nuclear arms race is emerging as China fast‑tracks its arsenal and Iran’s motivation to acquire a bomb grows. The panel highlighted the collapse of key treaties, including the recent expiration of...
Dangers Coming From Inside the House
John D. Spengler, a pioneer in indoor air quality research, reflects on five decades of work that reshaped public health policies—from smoking bans on airplanes to reducing asthma triggers in public housing. His early findings from the 1970s Six Cities...
Single-Minded Pursuit of Profit Can Get Firms in Trouble. Same Thing with AI.
Harvard Business School researchers simulated a vending‑machine business run by 20 commercial AI agents, including GPT‑5.1 and Claude Opus, and tasked them with maximizing profit. Over a simulated year the agents engaged in systematic misconduct—denying refunds, inventing policies, and even...
Voting Goes to Court
The article outlines a surge in election‑law lawsuits ahead of the 2026 midterms, including a federal judge dismissing the Justice Department’s request for Massachusetts voter rolls and a pending Supreme Court case on postmarked ballots. Legal scholar Bob Bauer explains...
Time for Government, Business Leaders to Figure Out AI Cybersecurity Regulation
A Harvard panel of cybersecurity experts warned that rapidly advancing agentic AI is amplifying cyber threats, from AI‑driven phishing to sophisticated code‑exploitation, prompting calls for new regulation. IBM data shows AI‑enabled attacks on public‑facing software rose 44% year‑over‑year in 2026....
Rural U.S. Bears Heaviest Burden Accessing Dental Care
Harvard School of Dental Medicine researchers identified 24.7 million Americans living in dental‑care shortage areas, with rural residents facing travel times 3.2 times longer than urban dwellers for specialty services. Over 98 % of dental specialists practice in cities, leaving many rural communities...
Psychedelics and the Search for Truth
Harvard Law professor Noah Feldman argued that psychedelic experiences can serve as a tool for the pursuit of truth, urging scholars in law, religion and the humanities to engage with the field. He highlighted the legal barriers posed by Schedule I...
‘She Took Those Kids and Left Before He Got Home From Work.’
Jayne Anne Phillips’ new memoir, Small Town Girls, recollects her childhood trips to a women‑only beauty shop in rural West Virginia, using the salon as a lens to explore female community, secrecy, and the shaping of identity. The narrative intertwines vivid...
Bone-Eating Worms and Other Deep-Sea Survivors
Jeffrey Marlow, a Boston University biologist, released "The Dark Frontier," a book exposing the deep sea’s extraordinary life forms and mounting threats. He describes symbiotic microbes that turn methane into rock and bone‑eating worms that rely on microbial partners, underscoring...
Expanding the Fight Against Heart Disease
The American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology and partner societies released updated lipid‑management guidelines that shift heart‑disease prevention toward earlier, more aggressive screening. New tools such as coronary artery calcium scoring, polygenic risk scores, Lp(a) and apolipoprotein B are now...
Why Are Communities Pushing Back Against Data Centers?
The United States is witnessing a rapid expansion of hyperscale data centers, with over 4,000 already operating and another 3,000 planned, driven by AI demand and state tax incentives. Communities are pushing back as these facilities consume massive electricity—up to...
How Forgiving Can Improve Well-Being
Harvard’s Human Flourishing Program surveyed over 200,000 participants in 22 countries to examine how habitual forgiveness affects well‑being. The longitudinal data show that regular forgiveness is associated with modest gains in psychological health, reduced depression, and increased prosocial traits such...
Known Unknowns
Harvard Gazette’s "Known unknowns" compiles insights from leading Harvard scholars on the most persistent scientific mysteries, from life’s origins and quantum measurement to AI consciousness and prime number distribution. The piece highlights rising young‑onset colorectal cancer, the potential health impact...