Health

McDonald’s will be eliminating its artificial intelligence (AI) drive-thru technology from over 100 restaurants in the U.S. after the systems repeatedly annoyed guests by fumbling orders and mistaking instructions.

The AI, called the “Automated Order Taker,” was implemented in partnership with IBM in 2021.

Now, in a memo sent to franchisees this month, the fast-food giant announced plans to end the test-run without further expansion as of yet, the industry publication Restaurant Business reported.

The AI will be shut off in all restaurants by no later than July 26. (AI drive-thrus were not tested in Canada.)

Many customers who tried to order from the McDonald’s AI-powered drive-thru recorded their difficulties and shared the experiences to social media. In the videos, hungry patrons often grew frustrated with the AI as it added unnecessary items to simple orders, like ketchup and butter packets paired with what should have been only ice cream.

Another social media user found the AI’s blunder much more amusing and laughed raucously as the drive-thru technology added hundreds of dollars in chicken nuggets to her order.

One patron recorded the drive-thru screen as a McDonald’s employee had to overtake the AI system and complete an order the software could not understand.

CNBC reported the AI drive-thru tech allegedly struggled to understand different accents and dialects, and experienced difficulty distinguishing orders from background noise or nearby conversations.

McDonald’s and IBM have not commented on the overall accuracy of the axed AI, but in 2021, McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski said the tech reported about an 85 per cent accuracy rate in recognizing orders. In its memo to franchisees, McDonald’s did not rule out future use of AI-powered drive-thru technology — despite repeated public insistence that the implementation could eliminate jobs.

In defence of using the Automated Order Taker, McDonald’s told Restaurant Business the AI test-run was completed to determine if it could speed up service and simplify operations.

“As we move forward, our work with IBM has given us the confidence that a voice-ordering solution for drive-thru will be part of our restaurants’ future,” a statement from McDonald’s reads. “We see tremendous opportunity in advancing our restaurant technology and will continue to evaluate long-term, scalable solutions that will help us make an informed decision on a future voice ordering solution by the end of the year.”

McDonald’s suggested they would seek a different partnership outside of IBM to create and execute a new Automated Ordering System in the future.

At least for now, it’ll still be humans flipping burgers and taking chicken nugget orders under the golden arches.

2:09
Ontario family seeks regulation for hot drinks after child suffered second-degree burns

&copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Tokyo: Japanese drugmaker Eisai is developing a dementia treatment that it aims to commercialise in the U.S. by fiscal 2030, the Nikkei reported on Sunday.

The new drug targets a protein called tau, which causes symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, the Nikkei newspaper reported.

Eisai already has a dementia drug on the U.S. market called Leqembi, co-developed with U.S. peer Biogen.

The companies announced on Friday that they would start Leqembi sales in China, making that country the third where the treatment is available after the U.S. and Japan.

(Reporting by Kevin Buckland; Editing by Christopher Cushing)

Paging all bird enthusiasts: Researchers need your help solving a long list of mysteries — namely, what has happened to 126 species of birds and, most importantly, if they even exist anymore.

The Search for Lost Birds, a collaboration between Re:wild, the American Bird Conservancy and BirdLife International, is a newly updated dataset of bird species that have been “lost” to science, meaning they have not been accounted for in at least 10 years.

And that’s where citizen scientists come in, acting as ears and eyes to help confirm whether these species are still gracing the land and skies around the world.

To curate their lost birds list, researchers combed through more than 42 million photos, videos and audio recordings listed on citizen scientist platforms dedicated to wildlife — The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Macaulay Library, iNaturalist and xeno-canto — as well as parsing through museum collections, search engine results and research papers. Local experts were also brought in to help, giving insight into which bird species have not had a documented sighting between 2012 and 2021.

The initial analysis, published in 2021, originally identified 144 lost bird species, but in the years since they have managed to rediscover 14 of the species that were thought to be missing, two species were subject to taxonomic clarification and another two species were found living under the care of humans.

The list highlights birds that have newly disappeared, as well as many who haven’t been seen for more than 150 years. For example, the most recently lost species, the Papuan whipbird, hasn’t been documented by scientists or registered on citizen science platforms in 13 years. South America’s white-tailed tityra, however, is the longest-lost bird and hasn’t had a confirmed sighting in 195 years.

5:59
Birding in Alberta’s wetlands

Previous Video

Next Video

“Figuring out why these birds have become lost and then trying to find them can feel like a detective story,” John C. Mittermeier, the director of the Search for Lost Birds at American Bird Conservancy, said in a press release for the project.

“While some of the species on the list will be incredibly challenging or maybe even impossible to find, others might reveal themselves relatively quickly if people get to the right places. Regardless of the situation, working closely with local people and citizen scientists is the best way to find lost birds and begin conservation efforts to ensure that these species don’t become lost again.”

Interestingly, most of the undocumented species are concentrated in a handful of geographic regions, with Asia, Africa and the scattered islands of Oceania missing the most birds. In some cases, the study notes, species may be considered lost only because they were first observed in such far-flung areas of the planet that no one has been back to document more sightings.

It’s also helpful to note that most of the so-called lost birds hail from warmer regions because countries near the equator quite simply have more bird species than northern areas. These areas, too, have faced severe habitat devastation and loss due to deforestation and development.

Canadian birds in crisis

In Canada, just one bird, the Eskimo curlew, is considered lost, and the continental U.S. only has two underreported species, the ivory-billed woodpecker and the Bachman’s warbler. An additional six are reported missing in the Hawaiian islands, as well as another handful from Central America and the Caribbean.

But that doesn’t mean that Canada’s bird populations are necessarily thriving — in fact, we are just decades away from having more species added to the lost birds list, says Jody Allair, director of community engagement for Birds Canada.

“We’ve got birds right now that are not lost, but they’re living on the edge,” he tells Global News, stressing the need for both reactive conservation efforts like the Lost Birds project as well as “keeping common birds common” through preventive and direct conservation.

“There are lots of bird species in Canada that are declining — we are in a period of time right now where we’re seeing some of the largest declines in our history,” he continued, explaining that in Canada aerial insectivores are facing a 59 per cent population decline since 1970, shore birds have declined by 40 per cent and grassland birds in Alberta have declined by 57 per cent.

Allair said that while the lost birds contained in the database “all have a different story,” there are common themes behind many of the listed birds.

“Some have faced severe habitat loss, some were probably very rare on the landscape to begin with, maybe there hasn’t been an effort to go in and figure out where some these birds live and some of them have just evaded science.”

The vital role of the citizen scientist

This is where bird enthusiasts, or “birders,” come in.

At one time, birding evoked images of a retired English professor, clad in khaki and Tilly, roaming the countryside with a pair of binoculars, a notebook and perhaps a high-quality camera.

But now birders cannot be pigeon-holed into any one stereotype.

“Birding is no longer perceived as a retirement activity,” Allair says. “Everyone from every demographic is getting into birding now.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, as people were cooped up at home or seeking out more time in nature away from others, birding exploded in popularity when people turned their eyes to the skies to stave off boredom and stress.

1:40
People turning to ‘really therapeutic’ backyard birding during COVID-19 pandemic

But Allair says even as restrictions began to lift, people continued to look up.

“I think people are starting to recognize the positive mental health benefits, as well as it’s a really interesting hobby that you don’t need much to do and it’s wildly addictive. A snowflake turns to blizzard really fast when you start birding.”

Birds Canada is embracing and encouraging Canadians’ love for birding by helping common folk turn their avian obsession into important research. It offers more than 40 citizen scientist projects throughout the year, where it calls on the public to help keep an eye on bird behaviour and populations and report back with what they’ve seen and heard.

Heartwarming successes

Employing the help of citizen scientists has already led to the successful return of several species to science. In the case of the Lost Birds study, the Bismarck honeyeater, long-billed bush warbler, rusty thicketbird, and Kangean tit-babbler have all been rediscovered. Most recently, the Santa Marta sabrewing was rediscovered in Columbia in 2022 and the dusky tetraka was rediscovered through its unique song in 2023 in Madagascar.

Citizen scientist projects like the Lost Birds project and those done through Birds Canada are “not a vanity project,” Allair says.

“Losing any kind of bird species looks terrible on us, as humans. If the birds are there, they probably need some incredibly urgent conservation work to bring them back.”

2:06
Why dozens of North American bird species are being renamed

Previous Video

Next Video

&copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

City living can often be a mood killer, with pollution, loud sirens and congestion taking their toll.

However, a recent study revealed that living near diverse birds and trees can significantly lift your spirits.

Even if you reside in a condo or apartment with a small balcony, there are ways to transform your green space and bring nature to your doorstep, says Ryan Godfrey, a botanist with the World Wildlife Fund Canada (WWF) living in Toronto.

“Researchers are finding that there are positive health benefits for people to having nature close,” Godfrey said. “For me, personally, I live in a condo. I have a balcony. That’s my access to green space. The way I bring nature close is by growing a native plant garden in containers on my balcony. And so that attracts birds and insects and all kinds of biodiversity.”

2:10
Montreal woman grows banana trees in her yard

A Canadian study, published in Nature last month, found that living in a city neighbourhood rich with bird diversity and tree species was linked to increased reporting of good mental health.

The study found that people living in areas with a greater variety of birds reported feeling happier by 6.64 per cent. Similarly, those living near a wider range of tree species reported 5.36 per cent higher rates of good mental health.

And while urbanization continues to grow in Canada, city dwellers can still create small, nature-friendly spaces that boost mental well-being and contribute to a healthier urban environment.

Even with limited outdoor space, from a compact balcony to a modest backyard, these tips will help you attract birds to your haven.

When it comes to city gardens, native plants are a top choice.

“It is definitely possible to grow plants in containers on a balcony. And I recommend growing native plants — species specific to your region,” Godfrey said.

Native plants have been around for thousands of years and as a result, have developed a “special, complex and deep relationship with insects and birds in their ecosystem,” he said.

Even better, their local adaptation makes them naturally tough and low-maintenance, Godfrey added.

Examples of regionally specific native plants include Saskatoon berries, a sweet and tart fruit prevalent in the Prairies; satinflower, found on the West Coast; and the ever-popular wild strawberry in Ontario.

“Some people feel like, ‘It’s going to be a lot of work. It’s going to cost a lot of money. It’s going to stress me out,’” Godfrey said.

“But growing a native plant garden and embracing the wildness is a way to de-stress. You insert yourself into the ecosystem, you bring nature close and you get to learn about native plants, how they grow, and what kinds of pollinators they attract. And it’s something that anybody can get started with.”

If you’re short on space, container gardens can be a great solution for your balcony or patio. According to the City of Toronto website, you can use buckets, barrels, bushel baskets and plastic bins for this purpose.

For happy plants, proper drainage is essential. The website recommends ensuring your containers have drainage holes. If needed, you can easily poke or drill some holes yourself. This prevents water from accumulating and potentially rotting the roots of your plants.

Container plants also dry out faster than those in the ground due to increased sun exposure and wind. Be prepared to water frequently; most plants will need it daily during hot weather.

The website recommends growing:

• salad greens
• garlic
• tomatoes
• corn
• beans
• carrots
• herbs like thyme, oregano and mint

Vertical gardens are an excellent solution for those with limited space.

Use wall-mounted planters, hanging pots or trellises to create a vibrant, green display. Great plant choices for vertical gardens include herbs like thyme and oregano, vegetables like beans and peas and decorative plants such as ivy and ferns.

Godfrey said he’s growing peas on his balcony, where they are climbing up some of his native grasses and an edible native species called sunchokes.

4:14
Get Gardening: Vertical gardens

The City of Toronto website recommends using long and narrow window boxes for a herb garden filled with basil, oregano and parsley.

“Simply snip off leaves from the outside of the plant and they’ll continue to grow week after week,” it said.

Creating a bird-friendly environment in your green space adds life and movement, while also helping with pollination and pest control.

“I’m on the sixth-floor balcony, and I’ve recorded over 15 species of birds that have landed on the balcony, including a red-tailed hawk that came out and sat with me on the balcony. It was pretty exciting,” Godfrey said.

Native grasses with long seed heads are a favourite among birds. Leaving these seed heads intact provides a natural food source that birds will appreciate, he said.

2:14
Manitoba bird watching enthusiasts

Birds may also come to eat insects from the plants. By having a diverse range of plants, you create a space that resembles their natural habitat, making it more inviting for them to come and feed.

“Just planting a diverse wild garden will do a lot of that by yourself, providing shelter, food and space for bugs and very often birds will come,” Godfrey said.

While bird feeders and houses can be another way to attract birds, he said it’s important to remember that regular cleaning is crucial. Unclean feeders and houses can become breeding grounds for disease and parasites, potentially harming the local bird population.

The City of Toronto advises that some insects are beneficial for your garden. Ladybugs, for example, are natural predators of aphids, helping to keep those pesky pests under control. Bees and butterflies play a vital role in pollination, ensuring the reproduction of many flowering plants.

Tired of the hassle of replacing annual plants every season? Consider perennials instead, Godfrey recommended.

These plants are a long-term investment in your garden’s beauty. Unlike annuals that need replanting each year, perennials return season after season, bursting with vibrant blooms and lush foliage.

Their ability to live for multiple years reduces the need for frequent replanting, making them especially beneficial in urban settings where garden space may be limited or harder to access.

4:15
Getting the most out of perennials: Garden Tips

Also, the majority of native plants are perennials, Godfrey added, promising more suitability for urban gardening.

“Wild strawberries are the one that I recommend,” Godfrey said. “If people have no idea where to start, plant some wild strawberries. You’ll love it. They’re very fun to grow. They sort of send runners around to the plant themselves into other containers.”

London:Cartesian Therapeutics said on Tuesday that its experimental therapy helped reduce symptoms of a rare, immune-related disorder, meeting the main goal in a mid-stage study.

The therapy known as descartes-08 is a chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, or CAR-T cell therapy, to treat patients with myasthenia gravis – an autoimmune disorder that causes disabling muscle weakness and fatigue.

Myasthenia gravis has a prevalence of 20 per 100,000 people in the US, according to the National Institutes of Health.

The company said the therapy showed a statistical significance in reducing the severity of symptoms in 71 per cent of patients at three months compared to the 25 per cent who were given a placebo, as measured on a disease severity scale.

The trial enrolled 36 heavily pre-treated, highly symptomatic patients who were given descartes-08 or placebo as six weekly infusions.

Descartes-08, unlike other DNA-based CAR-T cell therapies, is designed to be given as an outpatient treatment without the need for pre-conditioning chemotherapy, the company said.

Current standard of care for the disorder includes the use of steroids and other immunosuppressants.

Approved drugs for this condition include Argenx SE’s under-the-skin injection, Vyvgart Hytrulo, and AstraZeneca’s intravenous injection, Soliris.

Separately, Cartesian entered into a financing deal to raise $130 million, under which it will sell certain shares of its common stock for $20 per share. Shares of Cartesian were down 14.3 per cent at $20.80 in premarket trading.

(Reporting by Sneha S K in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber)

Years earlier, my father told me about watching his mother take these tests at the Memory and Aging Center at the University of California, San Francisco, and desperately wanting to help her. Now, as I watched him search for keys and clocks within an image, I closed my eyes to stop myself from frantically scanning.

On test after test, my dad showed cognitive impairment, but he was in denial. I’d recently discovered missed payments, late payments, miscalculations and $150,000 worth of debt racked up on his personal credit cards, all for his beloved hi-fi audio-video business. He made the minimum payments when he came across a bill, forgetting that they didn’t actually pay down the debt. All the while, it was accruing interest at 20 percent. Credit-card companies kept sending him new cards; I found 14 of them in use. It turns out crashing credit scores are often an early indicator that someone is developing dementia. My dad still presented well, always had a plausible explanation for why stress was weighing on his performance. His primary-care physician hadn’t noticed any issues, but when I begged him to evaluate my dad’s memory, the tests shook out another truth. Seeing their results over two years, the doctor had agreed to stage an intervention. “Your cognitive abilities aren’t going to get any better,” he said. “You must close your store.” It was like amputating his arms to save him.

What made discerning the disease so difficult was that intransigence is not entirely unlike my dad’s personality. Actually, as far as I can remember, it is his personality. Alzheimer’s was only a calcification of his most irritating tendencies, the ones I had to translate for my bewildered spouse. He exploded, for example, when, as requested, I emailed him flight options for my wedding in India five years ago. “I’m busy!” he erupted, and he hung up. I rang back, and he screened my call. Again and again and again, for days, as prices kept ticking up. I knew he wanted to come, that he wouldn’t miss it, that he would take more delight in it than nearly anyone else. Two weeks later, he called to tell me he had printed out my email to study. By then, those flights weren’t even options.

Was this the beginning of his Alzheimer’s, in 2019? Or was he just a man afraid of taking time off and traveling in a formidably foreign country? I’ll never know. What I do now know is that the disease can begin 10 to 20 years before it’s detected. And in the Alzheimer’s care community parlance, his was a classic “catastrophic reaction” — the outcome of being overwhelmed when called to process too many things at once. A brain short-circuiting. “Often a catastrophic reaction does not look like behavior caused by an illness that causes dementia,” Nancy L. Mace and Peter V. Rabins write in their caregiver guide, “The 36-Hour Day.” “The behavior may look as if the person is merely being obstinate, critical or overemotional.”

Then there was his visit to meet his 3-day-old granddaughter, Vidya, one of just a few times he had closed his store in 47 years. Taking her pruney, purplish limbs into his arms, he burst into tears, in awe but a bit forlorn. “Your grandmother would have loved to meet her,” he said. Over his weeklong stay in 2021, he was weirdly helpless. He lingered in bed and didn’t eat, and at some point, I asked him my daughter’s name. “Sethalina?” he said. What was bizarre wasn’t that he forgot her name; Vidya is hard. But there was no rationalizing the oddity of the name he generated instead. He ventured a second guess: “Citralina?”

When you do go outside, wear a high-quality, tightfitting mask, like an N95. A surgical mask is not sufficient to filter out the tiny, damaging particulates in wildfire smoke, Dr. Stowell said. And change clothes when you get home, Dr. Galiatsatos suggested, to avoid bringing in any smoke particles that could contaminate the air inside your house.

Staying indoors

Make sure all the windows in your home are sealed tightly shut. Do not burn candles or smoke indoors, which creates more indoor air pollution, said Laura Corlin, an associate professor at Tufts University School of Medicine.

Air purifiers can help filter particles out of the air inside your home. People with respiratory conditions like asthma might benefit from an additional HEPA filter with the purifier, which can remove more particles from the air.

“Know who you are, and what your lungs need,” Dr. Galiatsatos said.

If you don’t have an air purifier, an air-conditioner can also help, with a few caveats. If you have a window air-conditioning unit, make sure the seal to the window is as tight as possible. If you have central air system that takes in air from outside, close the outside air damper, or switch the system to recirculate mode, Dr. Corlin suggested, so that it does not pull polluted air into your home.

If you’re able, upgrade to a higher quality filter, like a MERV 13, which captures more particles.

If you do not have air-conditioning, you can use a fan to circulate air, and turn it on at the highest setting — something is better than nothing, Dr. Corlin said. Your local health department may also run cooling centers. These air-conditioned public spaces can offer relief from the heat and protection against smoke, Dr. Stowell said. Even an air-conditioned space like a shopping mall may offer better air quality than a home without air-conditioning.