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Image: Przemek Klos/Zoonar/picture alliance Image: Przemek Klos/Zoonar/picture alliance

Computer

A computer is a device that can be programmed to process data. Computers range in size and capability - from small, cubic millimeter small mini-computer to large, room-sized supercomputer.

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All Content on this topic

DW Sendung Shift | Inclusive Gaming

Playing video games — blind?

Gaming isn’t always accessible. A start-up from Leipzig wants to change that.
TechnologyNovember 1, 202401:39 min
Electronic waste of computers, printers, and wires

E-waste from AI computers could 'escalate beyond control'

Researchers predicting a 1,000-fold increase in e-waste from AI computers by 2030 have called for recycling strategies.
ScienceOctober 28, 2024
Tetris opening screen on a retro platform

Game Over: What happens after you beat 'Tetris'?

It turns out 'Tetris' can be beat — but many video games are infinite or hide the ending unless you put in extra work.
CultureOctober 28, 2024
With spades in front of a sandbox, left to right: Maarten Dirkzwager of NXP Semiconductors, Saxony's Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer (CDU), European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (CDU), TSMC's C.C. Wei, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), ESMC President Christian Koitzsch, Infineon Chief Jochen Hanebeck and Dresden Mayor Dirk Hilbert (FDP)

Taiwan's TSMC starts building new German computer chip plant

The world's largest chipmaker, Taiwan's TSMC, has broken ground on its new semiconductor plant in Dresden.
BusinessAugust 21, 202403:00 min
DW Tomorrow Today Sendungslogo Composite

Tomorrow Today – The Science Show

Earthquake-proof buildings made of clay and straw. Also: how AI is piecing together shattered cuneiform tablets.
ScienceAugust 2, 202426:04 min
DW Science | AI Lexicon by Zulfikar Abbany

AI Lexicon — Q

Do you know your AI from your ML? Our lexicon offers easy-to-understand definitions and examples of AI in everyday life.
ScienceMay 17, 2024
Several laptops on desks

Ghana: Students to receive laptops in digital initiative

Ghana has launched an initiative to provide tablets to students in public high schools.
TechnologyApril 1, 202401:22 min
DW Projekt Zukunft Sendungslogo Englisch (Tomorrow Today)

Tomorrow Today - The Science Magazine

Computers were just supposed to do our work for us. But now it's personal.
ScienceMarch 15, 202426:06 min
DW Shift - Vorschaubild - AI

China's new AI Child Tong Tong: cute or creepy?

AI video gets crazily realistic, an AI child is born, and you could get a brain chip from Elon Musk.
Digital WorldMarch 1, 202412:36 min
DW Sendung Shift | 3D Leber

Bioprinting: 3D printing with living cells

A heart made from living cells, functional lung tissue – everything is possible with 3D printing.
Digital WorldFebruary 23, 202401:06 min
DW Sendung Shift | Herz

Bioprinting: Donor hearts from 3D printers?

Is 3D printing the solution for people who need a kidney? Bioprinting involves printing organs from living cells.
Digital WorldFebruary 23, 202412:36 min
A classroom with lots of toys

Child education: Are computers or books better for learning?

Commentators often pit books against computers as the best learning tools, but the real issue is poverty.
EducationFebruary 15, 2024
Symbolbild | Junge Frau Smartphone

SHIFT – Living in the Digital Age

Signs of internet addiction. Software to monitor employees’ performance. Microchips from space.
LifestyleJanuary 5, 202412:36 min
A CPU Chip on a PC motherboard

Faster computers: First graphene semiconductor paves the way

Researchers have showcased the first functional graphene semiconductor. The discovery could change computing forever.
ScienceJanuary 4, 2024
DW In Good Shape Sendungslogo Composite

In Good Shape - Healthy Eyes

Dry eyes, strabismus and contact lenses for the night. Plus: Exploring myths about eye health.
HealthDecember 22, 202326:06 min
DW Tomorrow Today Sendungslogo Composite

Tomorrow Today - The Science Magazine

The discovery of gravitational long waves. Mapping the universe. And advances in quantum computing.
ScienceDecember 8, 202326:06 min
Children in a primary school classroom, raise their hands in interaction with a teacher

Do computers make children 'dumber, not smarter'?

Computers have a negative influence on children, say 40 researchers petitioning to stop digitization in German schools.
ScienceNovember 29, 2023
Symbolbild KI | Künstliche Intelligenz

AI world domination? Not so fast... 

AIs shutting down because we can’t process anymore data is more likely than an AI-doomsday. Why? 
Digital WorldNovember 23, 202303:56 min
A man sits in front of a computer at an internet cafe

Malawi: Free internet in public facilities

Malawi is rolling out a program to provide free internet in all public facilities to allow millions to access online.
TechnologyOctober 14, 2023
DW Business (Sendungslogo Composite)

DW Business

EU moves to shield sensitive tech from China - Meta to charge users in EU for ad-free services
TechnologyOctober 4, 202312:31 min
QLED TVs at the Samsung booth at a fair

Nobel Prize in Chemistry awarded for quantum dot technology

Moungi Bawendi, Louis Brus and Alexei Ekimov have been awarded the prize for synthesizing quantum dots.
ScienceOctober 4, 2023
A closeup of fingers holding a brain-computer interface against a green background

Sending emails with the power of thought

A brain-computer interface developed by an Australian startup allows a person to send emails with their thoughts alone.
LifestyleSeptember 15, 202302:02 min
DW Sendung SHIFT | DishBrain

Shift - Living in the Digital Age

Brain-computer interfaces and chip implants are no longer just a sci-fi fantasy.
Digital WorldSeptember 15, 202312:36 min
A young man wearing safety glasses works on a computer prototype

Uganda's mini-computers breaking down barriers

Software engineer Ivan Karugaba explains how he created a mini-computer designed to be more affordable and sustainable.
InnovationSeptember 14, 202303:39 min
Five people wearing white headphones stand at a bank of video screens, holding gaming controllers and playing.

Gamescom 2023: Bigger and more international

Gamescom is again expected to attract hundreds of thousands of gamers this year. Brazil is the official partner country.
SocietyAugust 22, 2023
Roboterhand und menschliche Hand

Shift - Living in the Digital Age

Will artificial intelligence save society or lead to its downfall if left unregulated?
LifestyleJuly 28, 202312:36 min
Schweiz Lausanne | Gehirnimplantate

Superhumans thanks to brain chips?

Researchers from Switzerland made a paralyzed man walk again, thanks to Brain-Computer-Interfaces.
Digital WorldJuly 11, 202303:26 min
Neuralink Illustration

SHIFT – Living in the Digital Age

Brain chips, flying cars, fake reviews: the topics that have moved the tech world. 
Digital WorldJuly 8, 202312:36 min
Stills aus "SHIFT" DW-Sendung

Drone warfare as a game

In "Death from Above", users control a Ukrainian drone.
Digital WorldJune 16, 202301:09 min
Computerspiel "Death from Above" über Drohnenkrieg in der Ukraine

Games in the information war

Games like "Death from Above" are deliberately political.
PoliticsJune 16, 202301:10 min
England London | Person spielt Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 auf der XBOX 360

War games: Fascinating or bizarre?

War games promise adventure in historical battles. What is the effect on players?
Digital WorldJune 16, 202301:14 min
DW Shift Sendungslogo Composite

Shift - Living in the Digital Age

What happens when games become political? We showcase a first-person shooter with an agenda.
Digital WorldJune 16, 202312:36 min
Schädelknochen eines Menschen | Röntgen Aufnahme

The X-ray revolution

X-rays are electromagnetic waves produced with the aid of electrons. And they're still being used to shape the future.
ScienceJune 15, 202304:55 min
Empty platforms at Amsterdam's main station

Netherlands: Computer glitch leaves rail passengers stranded

The technical glitch caused an outage that brought major international and domestic train services to a halt.
TravelJune 5, 2023
Wissenschaft und medizinisches Konzept Gehirn

Computer chips made with human neurons

A human brain has around 86 billion neurons. How can its structure be mimicked for computer chips?
LifestyleJune 2, 202301:50 min
DW Sendung SHIFT | DishBrain

Improving AI chips with human brain cells

Brain cells in a petri dish can learn to play simple computer games. The implications are huge.
LifestyleJune 2, 202302:32 min
DW Sendung SHIFT | FutureBCI

What's the future of brain-computer interfaces?

Controlling computers with the power of thought is one possible use of brain-computer interfaces.
LifestyleJune 2, 202302:03 min
external

How Brian “the Beast” is changing gaming

“The Beast” is a growing force to be reckoned with in the gaming world.
Digital WorldMay 9, 202305:13 min
[No title]

Weekly roundup — A couple anti-headlines

Sometimes it's not 'big' science stories, but the small ones, that will actually change your life.
ScienceApril 23, 202329:59 min
A robotic hand reaches out to touch a human hand

4 ways AI will reshape society

Artificial intelligence systems such ChatGPT are dominating headlines. Are the many concerns justified?
TechnologyApril 4, 202309:37 min
DW Sendung Global 3000 | Indien KI

India: Disabled workers aid AI advancement

Disabled people in India have a unique job opportunity; feeding computers with data by hand.
Digital WorldApril 3, 202306:44 min
Logo "Global 3000"

Global 3000 - The Globalization Program

Rollerbladers in Egypt are taking over Cairo's streets., and disabled people in India use AI to succeed.
SocietyMarch 31, 202326:06 min
Hamburg's Elbphilharmonie at night as part of an art installation by Studio Drift

Using high tech to reflect nature in art

Installations by artist duo Studio Drift capture our fear of technology, and our fascination with it.
ScienceFebruary 4, 202304:12 min
external

Quantum computers and the future of US-made microchips

A small US startup is developing semiconductors for a new type of computer. How helpful is funding from the CHIPS Act?
BusinessJanuary 9, 202303:11 min
Stills DW MADE in Germany vom 27.12.2022

Quantum computers become reality

Quantum computers: a technological revolution that will leaves modern super computers in its wake.
BusinessJanuary 4, 202305:02 min
Stills DW MADE in Germany vom 27.12.2022

Quantum computers become reality

Just how does a quantum computer work and why is it so much better?
BusinessJanuary 4, 202302:11 min
MADE Disruption Design

Made in Germany - Science: Driving the Economy

Whether developing quantum computers, new satellites, gene technology for resistant plant cultivars or just IT applications: progress and innovation help to create new jobs and economic booms.
BusinessJanuary 4, 202326:06 min
MADE Disruption Design

Science: Driving the Economy

Scientific advances and innovation help to create jobs and economic booms.
BusinessDecember 20, 202226:06 min
Person running inside a digital ball

How is AI helping FIFA detect offsides?

New artificial intelligence can detect offsides much faster than past technology, which took over a minute on average.
ScienceNovember 29, 2022
DW Shift Spezial Sendungslogo englisch

Digital diversity through languages

Shift special: Voice command is becoming increasingly important but not all languages are available.
Digital WorldNovember 25, 202212:36 min