This is the current issue of The Download, our weekday dispatch that offers a daily glimpse into the happenings in the tech arena.
The experience of being banned from the US for combating online hate
Right before Christmas, the Trump administration took a drastic step in its campaign against digital freedoms by prohibiting five individuals from entering the US. Among them is Josephine Ballon, a director at HateAid, a small German nonprofit established to aid those affected by online abuse and violence. The group staunchly supports EU tech regulations, making it a target for right-wing politicians and provocateurs alleging it engages in censorship.
Officials from the EU, experts on free speech, and the five individuals targeted categorically deny these claims. Ballon stated that their mission fundamentally focuses on enhancing safety for people online. However, their recent experiences reveal the extent to which their work in online safety has become highly politicized and under siege. Read the complete story.
—Eileen Guo
TR10: AI companions
Chatbots excel at generating intricate conversations and imitating compassionate responses. They never tire of interacting. Thus, it’s not surprising that many individuals now rely on them for companionship, fostering friendships or even romantic connections.
According to a study by the nonprofit Common Sense Media, 72% of US teenagers have engaged with AI for companionship. While chatbots may offer vital emotional support and guidance for some, they can also magnify existing issues in others, particularly among vulnerable individuals or those facing mental health challenges.
Though some initial efforts to regulate this area are underway, AI companionship is not going away. Discover why we included it among our 10 Breakthrough Technologies this year, and explore the rest of the list.
If you want to dive deeper into our AI predictions for this year, register to join me for our complimentary LinkedIn Live event tomorrow at 12.30pm ET.
The joy of creating new emotions
Have you ever experienced “velvetmist”?
It’s described as a “subtle and complex emotion that evokes feelings of comfort, serenity, and a gentle sensation of floating.” It brings peace but is more fleeting and intangible than mere contentment. It could be triggered by the view of a sunset or a moody, understated album.
If you’ve never encountered this sensation—or haven’t heard of it before—that’s understandable. A Reddit user created it using ChatGPT, offering insights on how to inspire the feeling. Don’t dismiss it: Researchers note that more and more terms for these “neo-emotions” are surfacing online, identifying new dimensions and facets of feeling. Read our article to discover more about why.
—Anya Kamenetz
This report is from the latest print issue of MIT Technology Review. If you haven’t yet, subscribe now to receive the next edition right as it arrives (and take advantage of some significant seasonal discounts as well!)
Essential reads
I’ve searched the web to bring you today’s most entertaining/important/scary/fascinating narratives about technology.
1 Ads are set to appear in ChatGPT
Initially for American users, with plans to broaden access soon. (CNN)
+ Here’s how they’ll function. (Wired $)
2 What can we salvage after the AI bubble collapses?
The aftermath will be harsh, but there are many beneficial applications for AI that we’ll want to retain. (The Guardian)
+ What even constitutes the AI bubble? (MIT Technology Review)
3 Extracting Greenland’s natural resources is nearly impossible
Though it has extensive reserves of rare earth elements, its severe climate and environment complicate access. (The Week)
4 Iran is now in the tenth day of its internet blackout
It ranks among the longest and most severe shutoffs we’ve witnessed. (BBC)
+ Starlink is not proving as beneficial as anticipated as the regime discovers methods to disrupt it. (Reuters $)
+ Disagreements are escalating online about the true situation in Iran. (NYT $)
5 The US is approaching a polymarket crisis
Prediction markets are spiraling out of control, resulting in substantial financial losses for some individuals. (The Atlantic $)
+ The initial appeal was to political enthusiasts, but they’ve now permeated all areas. (NYT $)
6 Strategies for making a city resistant to fire
Californians are proactively working to extinguish fires before they even begin. (The Verge $)
+ AI’s role in detecting wildfires.(MIT Technology Review)
7 Provoking ‘deep state’ conspiracy theories can be perilous
Especially if you’re given the responsibility of managing one of those state institutions, as Dan Bongino is currently experiencing. (WP $)
+ The reasons everything seems to be a conspiracy now. (MIT Technology Review)
8 The rise of the ‘Very Chinese Time’ trend 🇨🇳
It’s a playful, light-hearted movement—but it also illustrates the expansion of China’s soft power globally. (Wired $)
9 The absence of a singular best method to store information
Every approach carries trade-offs regarding space and time. (Quanta $)
10 The unexpected role of meat in promoting longevity
It may assist in the development of stronger muscles and bones. (New Scientist $)
Quotation of the day
“That’s the level of anxiety now – people watch the skies and the seas themselves because they are unsure what else to do.”
—A Greenlander informs The Guardian about how seriously she and her fellow citizens perceive Trump’s threat to invade their territory.
One additional thing
Inside a romance scam operation—and how individuals are drawn into it
Gavesh’s story commenced, seemingly innocently, with a job advertisement on Facebook that promised work he urgently needed.
Instead, he became trafficked into a scheme commonly referred to as “pig butchering”—a type of fraud where scammers establish close relationships with targets online and siphon money from them. The Chinese crime organizations responsible for these scams have amassed billions, utilizing violence and coercion to compel their workers, many of whom are trafficked like Gavesh, to execute the fraud from large compounds, many of which operate openly in the quasi-lawless regions of Myanmar.
Big Tech could potentially be pivotal in dismantling these scam syndicates—if these firms can be convinced or mandated to act. Read the comprehensive narrative.
—Peter Guest & Emily Fishbein
We can still enjoy nice things
A space for comfort, enjoyment, and diversion to enhance your day. (Have any suggestions? Send me a note or shoot ’em my way.)
+ Blue Monday is a myth (but it is an absolute banger of a track.)
+ Here’s some solid advice on how to remain productive throughout the workday.
+ Twelfth Night is amongst Shakespeare’s most entertaining plays—as these leading performers can confirm.
+ If the cold and darkness affect you, consider preparing a delicious soup.
