This is the latest installment of The Download, our weekday newsletter delivering a daily insight into the happenings in the tech world.
What are the odds that your aircraft will encounter space debris?
The likelihood of flights colliding with space junk remains low, yet it is on the rise.
Approximately three remnants of outdated space technology—retired rockets and inactive satellites—enter Earth’s atmosphere daily, based on data from the European Space Agency. By the 2030s, the number could reach dozens due to the increasing number of megaconstellations orbiting.
Thus far, space debris has not resulted in any injuries, whether in the skies or on the ground. However, several near incidents have been documented in recent times.
Some projections estimate that the probability of a single fatality or injury from a ground impact by space debris might approach 10% annually by 2035. This suggests a greater than even chance that an individual on Earth will encounter fallen space junk roughly every ten years. Discover more.
—Tereza Pultarova
This article is part of MIT Technology Review Explains: our series unraveling the intricate, chaotic domain of technology to prepare you for what lies ahead. Access the complete series here.
Chatbots have proven to be quite efficient at debunking conspiracy theories
—Thomas Costello, Gordon Pennycook & David Rand
A common belief is that persuading conspiracists out of their convictions is futile.
However, this notion isn’t entirely accurate. Our studies reveal that many individuals who believe in conspiracy theories respond positively to evidence and reasoned arguments—information that can be efficiently conveyed through a personalized dialogue with an AI chatbot.
This development is promising, given the disproportionate influence that baseless conspiracy theories exert within the current political environment. While there are substantial and valid concerns that generative AI can be a powerful weapon for disseminating disinformation, our findings indicate that it can also contribute to the remedy. Read the entire article.
This article is part of MIT Technology Review’s series “The New Conspiracy Age,” examining how the current surge in conspiracy theories is transforming science and technology. Be sure to explore the complete series here.
The essential reads
I’ve scoured the internet to bring you today’s most captivating/essential/terrifying/fascinating stories related to technology.
1 China is discreetly expanding its remote nuclear test facility
Following Donald Trump’s announcement regarding America’s plans to initiate similar tests. (WP $)
+ A White House memorandum has accused Alibaba of aiding Chinese operations. (FT $)
2 Jeff Bezos is taking on the role of co-CEO at a new AI startup
Project Prometheus will concentrate on AI applications for computers, aerospace, and vehicles. (NYT $)
3 AI-powered toys are engaging in inappropriate dialogues with children
Including discussions about locating hazardous items like pills and knives. (The Register)
+ Chatbots are inconsistent and unpredictable, regardless of whether they are integrated into toys. (Futurism)
+ AI toys are gaining popularity in China—and are now hitting shelves in the US as well. (MIT Technology Review)
4 Big Tech is showing increased interest in establishing data centers in space
These facilities are accompanied by significantly less bureaucracy than their terrestrial counterparts. (WSJ $)
+ A plethora of data centers are currently stuck in the planning phase. (WSJ $)
+ Is relocating data centers to outer space a viable option? (MIT Technology Review)
5 The mafia is enlisting members through TikTok
Some gang leaders are reportedly using the platform to manage their operations from prison. (Economist $)
6 Strategies to resist AI in your workplace
Like many aspects of life, collective action is powerful. (Vox)
7 The potential for China’s EV fleet to evolve into a massive battery network
Provided economic setbacks don’t interfere with progress. (Rest of World)
+ Electric vehicle sales are increasing in South America. (Reuters)
+ An analysis of China’s energy supremacy in three charts. (MIT Technology Review)
8 Exploring the rise of domestic internet structures
Governments with authoritarian inclinations are emulating China’s model to create closed systems. (NY Mag $)
+ Is it feasible to restore the internet? (MIT Technology Review)
9 Search engine traffic? What search engine traffic?
These media startups have figured out how to prosper without relying on Google. (Insider $)
+ AI signifies the conclusion of search engines as we have understood them. (MIT Technology Review)
10 Paul McCartney has unveiled a silent single to protest AI’s encroachment on music
That ought to send a message! (The Guardian)
+ AI is infiltrating the music industry as well. (MIT Technology Review)
Quote of the day
“No amount of parental controls will shield your children from themselves.”
—Samantha Broxton, a parenting coach and consultant, explains to the Washington Post why guiding kids about the perils of technology usage is the most effective strategy for self-protection.
One final note
Exploring the contentious tree farms fueling Apple’s carbon neutrality aspirations
Apple (along with its competitors) is establishing extensive eucalyptus plantations in Brazil to mitigate their carbon output, securing some of the largest carbon credit agreements ever.
The tech giant is counting on the massive planting of eucalyptus trees in Brazil as a sustainable approach to a greener future. Some ecologists and local communities remain skeptical.
The pressing question is: Can Latin America’s eucalyptus serve as a scalable solution to climate change? Read the entire article.
—Gregory Barber
