AI could make Black hires happen

+ where are our tricorders? US Edition - Today's top story: Diversity pledges alone won't change corporate workplaces – here's what will [View in browser]( US Edition | 14 August 2020 [The Conversation]( Academic rigor, journalistic flair Corporate America reacted to recent nationwide anti-racism protests by pledging hundreds of millions of dollars and vowing to hire more people of color. Kimberly Houser, an expert on unconscious bias, has seen this before. Back in 2014, Silicon Valley responded to concerns the industry was dominated by white men by making similar promises to diversify. But little has changed in six years, especially for Black tech workers. The problem, Houser explains, cannot be fixed with mere pledges or good intentions. But artificial intelligence, carefully designed, [could do the trick](, she writes. Also today: - [Cheap and fast screening tests aren’t perfect but they can still slow COVID-19’s spread]( - [Almost half of teens who date experience stalking and harassment]( - [Bees work together to keep their hive safe from disease]( Bryan Keogh Senior Editor, Economy + Business Words alone won’t make corporate America more diverse. Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images [Diversity pledges alone won’t change corporate workplaces – here’s what will]( Kimberly A. Houser, University of North Texas Recent anti-racism protests have spurred dozens of companies to vow to diversify their workforces, yet big tech's efforts to do so since 2014 show promises aren't enough to overcome the real problem. Arts + Culture - [Almost half of US teens who date experience stalking and harassment]( Emily Rothman, Boston University Many also openly admit to spying on or stalking their partners, suggesting that they may not know that there's anything wrong with the behaviors. Health - [Rapid screening tests that prioritize speed over accuracy could be key to ending the coronavirus pandemic]( Zoë McLaren, University of Maryland, Baltimore County Testing large numbers of people regularly would reduce the spread of the coronavirus in the US. Laboratory testing is slow and expensive, but rapid screening tests could be the answer. - [How one community improved COVID-19 nursing home care with collaboration and communication]( Laurie Archbald-Pannone, University of Virginia A new approach is making a big difference in Virginia. Economy + Business - [The US economy is reliant on consumer spending – can it survive a pandemic?]( Halina Szejnwald Brown, Clark University Buy, buy, buy was a social directive after WWII. Education - [Tweets show what hinders reports of sexual assault and harassment on campus]( Jason Whiting, Brigham Young University An analysis of thousands of tweets show the obstacles that hinder people from reporting sexual assault and harassment on campus. Politics/Election '20 - [Political forecast models aren’t necessarily more accurate than polls – or the weather]( John A. Tures, LaGrange College Can political prediction models pick the election winner better than the polls, the weather or Washington's football team? - [Israel suspends formal annexation of the West Bank, but its controversial settlements continue]( Dov Waxman, University of California, Los Angeles An expert of the Israel-Palestine conflict explains the history of Jewish settlements on the West Bank, and why they are so controversial. - [VP pick Kamala Harris stands on many women’s shoulders, especially Bella Abzug’s]( Pamela S. Nadell, American University Before vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris, before presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, before Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, there was Congresswoman and firebrand Bella Abzug. Science + Technology - [The COVID-19 virus can spread through the air – here’s what it’ll take to detect the airborne particles]( Suresh Dhaniyala, Clarkson University; Hema Priyamvada Ravindran, Clarkson University; Shantanu Sur, Clarkson University Miniaturized laboratory equipment is making it easier to identify airborne pathogens in the field, but there's still work ahead to be able to instantly determine if a room is safe or contaminated. Environment + Energy - [Honey bees can’t practice social distancing, so they stay healthy in close quarters by working together]( Rachael Bonoan, Providence College; Phil Starks, Tufts University Life in a honey bee hive is all about cooperating for the collective good. From our International Editions - [Mauritius is reeling from a spreading oil spill – and people are angry with how the government has handled it]( Adam Moolna, Keele University Mauritians have been volunteering to help clear an oil spill from the MV Wakashio but have been told not to. It's difficult when the threat of oil and inaction is what many have seen. - [The port of Beirut: vital, historic centre of a complex city]( Sara Fregonese, University of Birmingham The port, and surrounding neighbourhoods devastated by the explosion, are at the heart of Beirut. - [Scientists devised a cheap, ingenious trick to save this bird from a blood-sucking maggot – and it works brilliantly]( Fernanda Alves, Australian National University; Dejan Stojanovic, Australian National University The moment a chick hatches from its egg, maggots burrow into its skin to drink its blood, usually killing it. But scientists have found a way to stop the blood-sucking parasites. 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