The Guardian view on the AI conundrum: what it means to be human is elusive

Editorial: Over the holidays, this column will explore next year’s urgent issues. Today we look at the challenge to regulate science that seems to defy comprehension

Academic paper based on Uyghur genetic data retracted over ethical concerns

Exclusive: Study published in 2019 used blood and saliva samples from 203 Uyghur and Kazakh people living in Xinjiang capital

The real Santa’s face: ID software sorts Father Christmas from his stand-ins

The man in red’s distinct visage emerges by algorithm, proving not any old bearded man looks like him

The 10 biggest science stories of 2023 – chosen by scientists

From insight into our human ancestry and breakthroughs on the moon to a flourishing of AI and terrifying new developments in the climate, it was a year of scientific drama

Taters the cat stars in Nasa’s first video streamed from deep space

Cat chases laser pointer dot in 15-second video, designed to test possibility of sending streaming video through deep space

Physicist Bob Coecke: ‘It’s easier to convince kids than adults about quantum mechanics’

The Belgian physicist and industrial musician on replacing maths with pictures, why he’s now working in industry – and why we all need to understand subatomic physics

AI scientists make ‘exciting’ discovery using chatbots to solve maths problems

Breakthrough suggests technology behind ChatGPT and Bard can generate information that goes beyond human knowledge

VR goggles for mice create immersive scenarios for brain research

Study suggests mice react in the same way to stimulation in virtual environment as in real world

The Moonwalkers: A Journey With Tom Hanks review – a gobsmackingly huge space spectacle

This potted history of Nasa’s space exploration featuring gigantic and crystal clear footage is invigorating if slightly hampered by its school science tone

Researchers create AI tool with a nose for fraudulent wine

Machine learning used to analyse compounds in a bottle of wine and trace them back to estate

‘I embrace the mystery’: Tom Hanks on his obsession with space, from Stanley Kubrick to The Moonwalkers

A childhood fascination led to the Apollo 13 star launching his spectacular immersive experience of the moon landings in London

AI laser that reads heartbeat through the throat could replace stethoscopes

New invention, which can be set up at home, promises to transform the way we monitor our health, say scientists

Dr Chelsea Polis: ‘The scientific world recognises when you stick your neck out and do the right thing’

The US reproductive health expert on being sued for $1m, and winning a top prize for her fight for free speech in the public interest

The Lightbulb Princess review – sparkling electrickery for kids

Sarah Punshon’s Christmas story for over-fours is about the importance of making – and saving – electricity

OpenAI’s directors have been anything but open. What the hell happened?

In the top company in the world’s most explosive industry, the boss was fired and rehired – and no one has said why