Nicholas Fearn

Nicholas Fearn

Nicholas Fearn is a freelance technology and business journalist from the Welsh Valleys. With a career spanning nearly a decade, he has written for major outlets such as Forbes, Financial Times, The Guardian, The Independent, The Daily Telegraph, Business Insider, and HuffPost, in addition to tech publications like Gizmodo, TechRadar, Computer Weekly, Computing and ITPro. Nicholas has covered a range of topics, including AI, health tech, cybersecurity, telecoms, IoT, cloud, startups, enterprise IT and consumer tech. He's particularly interested in the entrepreneurs and companies using technology to drive positive change in the world, whether it be social or environmental causes. His passion is unearthing and reporting on the change-makers of tomorrow.

Articles by: Nicholas Fearn

Illustration of human head and cog gears.

AI 'hallucinations' can lead to catastrophic mistakes, but a new approach makes automated decisions more reliable

By Nicholas Fearn published

Researchers have developed a new method to improve the accuracy and transparency of automated anomaly detection systems deployed in critical infrastructure.

Helical pattern protein illustration.

DeepMind's AI program AlphaFold3 can predict the structure of every protein in the universe — and show how they function

By Nicholas Fearn published

AlphaFold3 uses AI to helps scientists more accurately predict how proteins interact with other biological molecules.

Employees working at the computers and giant robot behind them. Artifical intelligence, automation, machine learning concept. Vector illustration.

'Master of deception': Current AI models already have the capacity to expertly manipulate and deceive humans

By Nicholas Fearn published

Large language models (LLMs) have mastered the art of deception when competing with humans in games, but scientists warn these skills can also spill out into other domains.

Artificial intelligence brain with circuitry and big data.

MIT gives AI the power to 'reason like humans' by creating hybrid architecture

By Nicholas Fearn published

MIT scientists devise three abstraction libraries that can be combined with AI systems to improve their reasoning and contextual awareness in programming, strategic planning and robotics.

Processor with a collection of qubits that are used to manipulate quantum computing algorithms.

Future quantum computers could use bizarre 'error-free' qubit design built on forgotten research from the 1990s

By Nicholas Fearn published

Qubits can be made by floating a suspended electron over a pool of liquid helium rather than being embedded them a solid-state crystal — which leads to impurities and errors.

A hand holding an unlocked padlock in front of a blurry tesla logo.

'White hat hackers' carjacked a Tesla using cheap, legal hardware — exposing major security flaws in the vehicle

By Nicholas Fearn published

Security researchers used a $169 Flipper Zero device and a Wi-Fi development board to obtain a driver's credentials, break into a Tesla Model 3 and drive away.

Close-up of remote control resting on unrecognizable person underneath blanket while dog rests in sunny spot at foot of bed

New solar cell technology could ditch batteries in gadgets for good by harvesting ambient room light

By Nicholas Fearn published

Solar cells that can be recharged using indoor low-light could be used to power devices like TV remotes and computer mice.

Medical chatbot collects patient symptoms. Artificial intelligence supports and helps clinic patients. Vector flat illustration.

Want to ask ChatGPT about your kid's symptoms? Think again — it's right only 17% of the time

By Nic Fearn published

The AI chatbot provided incorrect diagnoses in 72 pediatric cases from a sample of 100 historic cases, while offering diagnoses in a further 11 that were deemed too broad to be correct.