Welcome to today’s issue of The Download, our weekday newsletter delivering a daily update on events in the tech world.
US EV tax credits have come to an end. What’s the next step?
The federal EV tax incentives in the US officially ended yesterday.
These incentives, which were broadened and prolonged in the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, provided consumers with up to $7,500 for the acquisition of a new electric vehicle. They played a significant role in reducing the initial costs of EVs, encouraging more buyers to consider them and instilling confidence in manufacturers regarding anticipated demand.
The end of these incentives arrives at a moment when battery-electric vehicles constitute a minor fraction of new car sales in the nation. What lies ahead for the US EV industry?
—Casey Crownhart
This piece is from The Spark, MIT Technology Review’s weekly climate newsletter. To get it delivered to your inbox each Wednesday, subscribe here.
If you want to explore more about EVs and renewable energy, check out:
+ The US is in need of an economical electric truck. Ford has recently made a commitment for a $30,000 electric pickup, which could provide the boost the sluggish US EV market requires. Read the complete article.
+ What role should the oil and gas sector really have in climate technology?
+ China excels in EV manufacturing. These three charts illustrate its energy supremacy. Read the complete article.
+ Investing in emerging technologies like EVs may be costly, yet determining the right time to phase out public support can pose a challenging balancing act. Read the complete article.
Key articles
I’ve scoured the web to bring you today’s most entertaining/important/scary/fascinating tales about technology.
1 OpenAI has emerged as the most valuable startup globally
Step aside, SpaceX. (Bloomberg $)
+ OpenAI’s valuation now stands at a staggering $500 billion. (FT $)
+ This valuation came after employees sold approximately $6.6 billion in shares. (Reuters)
2 Music industry giants are nearing AI licensing agreements
Universal and Warner are making efforts to sidestep the pitfalls of the internet age. (FT $)
+ AI is also making its way into the music realm. (MIT Technology Review)
3 Facebook’s political advertising is filled with spam and scams
And deepfake tech is rendering them more believable than before. (NYT $)
+ Meta plans to utilize interactions with chatbots to customize ads. (WSJ $)
4 China is progressing with incorporating AI tools into children’s education
However, educators express concerns about potential negative impacts on children’s learning and social development. (Rest of World)
+ Chinese universities are encouraging students to increase AI usage rather than decrease it. (MIT Technology Review)
5 Future batteries may be developed through AI
Scientists including those from Microsoft are testing materials recommended by AI models. (IEEE Spectrum)
+ This startup aims to utilize the Earth as an enormous battery. (MIT Technology Review)
6 A historian asserts to have used AI to identify an unidentified Nazi
Digital resources assisted Jürgen Matthäus in recognizing the individual seen next to a mass grave. (The Guardian)
7 The Pentagon is exploring AI-driven machine guns capable of targeting drones
Steven Simoni’s Allen Control Systems is part of the new military shift in Silicon Valley. (Reuters)
+ A demonstration of the new AI technology behind Anduril’s vision for combat was observed. (MIT Technology Review)
8 One of Saturn’s moons might have once harbored life 🪐
Enceladus possesses all the crucial elements for life, and upcoming missions could reveal it. (Scientific American $)
+ Additionally, Blue Origin has secured a contract with NASA for a rover. (Wired $)
+ Reasons against human presence in space. (MIT Technology Review)
9 Chatbots apply various methods to keep you engaged
They are keen to prolong the conversation, a recent study has revealed. (Wired $)
10 Experiencing the journey of becoming a viral meme
Drew Scanlon, known as “Blinking Guy,” is utilizing his popularity for a noble purpose. (SF Gate)
Quote of the day
“I cannot emphasize enough how repulsive I find this kind of ‘AI’ garbage in general, let alone in these circumstances.”
—Author Luke O’Neil shares 404 Media his sentiments regarding an AI-generated “biography” of journalist Kaleb Horton, who recently passed away.
One more thing
A typical day in the life of a Chinese robotaxi driver
When Liu Yang began his job, transitioning back to driving his own vehicle proved challenging: “I instinctively reached for the passenger seat. Or when I attempted to drive, I would expect the car to stop on its own,” states the 33-year-old from Beijing, who joined Baidu as a robotaxi driver in January 2021.
Liu is among the numerous safety operators hired by Baidu, “driving” five days weekly at Shougang Park. Despite only having been with the firm for 19 months, he is already contemplating his next career steps, as his position may be phased out in a few years. Read the complete article.
—Zeyi Yang
We can still enjoy nice things
A space for relaxation, entertainment, and diversion to lighten your day. (Have any suggestions? Send me a message or hit me up.)
+ Let’s extend our congratulations to 32 Chunk, the champion of this year’s prestigious Fat Bear Week competition 🐻
+ Here’s how 10 women artists began their days on a positive note.
+ Check out this Instagram account chronicling the global adventures of a cassette player, it’s fabulous.
+ I’ll be off to listen to Arctic Outpost Radio, spinning records from the very peak of the world.
