This is the current edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter delivering a daily update on the happenings in the technology realm.
Introducing the Vitalists: the fervent longevity advocates who think death is “unjust”
In April of last year, an enthusiastic audience convened at a site in Berkeley, California, for a three-day gathering known as the Vitalist Bay Summit. This event was part of a broader two-month residency that held various activities aimed at examining tools—from drug regulation to cryonics—that might aid in the battle against death.
However, one of the primary objectives was to promote the doctrine of Vitalism, a relatively radical movement founded by Nathan Cheng and his partner Adam Gries a few years back. Think of it as longevity for the most passionate followers—a grand initiative that demands nothing less than complete commitment.
While the fascination with longevity has undoubtedly surged in recent times, not everyone involved in the wider longevity landscape shares the Vitalists’ determination to render death obsolete. Nevertheless, the Vitalists sense that momentum is growing, not only for the science of aging and the advancement of lifespan-extending treatments, but also for the acceptance of their belief that overcoming death should be humanity’s foremost priority. Discover the comprehensive story.
—Jessica Hamzelou
This article features the latest installment in our Big Story series, dedicated to MIT Technology Review’s most critical, ambitious reporting. You can explore the entire series here.
What AI “recalls” about you marks the next frontier in privacy
—Miranda Bogen, head of the AI Governance Lab at the Center for Democracy & Technology, & Ruchika Joshi, fellow at the Center for Democracy & Technology specialized in AI safety and governance
The capability to remember you and your preferences is swiftly becoming a significant marketing point for AI chatbots and agents.
Tailored, interactive AI systems are designed to operate on our behalf, maintain context through discussions, and enhance our capacity to perform various tasks, from booking trips to managing taxes.
However, their capability to save and retrieve increasingly personal details about their users over time raises concerning, and all-too-familiar, privacy risks––many of which have been present since the emergence of “big data”, which hint at the power of identifying and responding to user behaviors. More troubling, AI agents now seem ready to traverse any protective measures that have been employed to prevent those vulnerabilities. So how can developers address this issue? Discover the complete story.
How the grid can withstand winter storms
The eastern part of the US experienced a massive snowstorm over the weekend. The positive aspect is that the grid has primarily managed to keep up with the frigid conditions and heightened demand. Yet, some signs of strain were evident, particularly among fossil-fuel plants.
One assessment indicated that PJM, the largest grid operator in the nation, experienced notable unplanned outages in facilities powered by natural gas and coal. Historically, these plants have struggled in severe winter weather.
A significant portion of the nation continues to endure record-low temperatures, with the potential for even more snowfall looming this weekend. What insights can we glean from this storm, and how can we reinforce the grid to handle extreme weather? Discover the full story.
—Casey Crownhart
This article is sourced from The Spark, MIT Technology Review’s weekly climate newsletter. To receive it in your inbox every Wednesday, enroll here.
The essential reads
I’ve scoured the internet to compile today’s most engaging/important/scary/captivating tales regarding technology.
1 Telegram has been inundated with deepfake nudes
Millions of users are creating and disseminating fabricated images in dedicated channels. (The Guardian)
2 China has put to death 11 individuals associated with Myanmar scam centers
The members of the “Ming family criminal gang” led to the demise of at least 14 Chinese citizens. (Bloomberg $)
+ Inside a romance scam compound—and how individuals get lured into being there. (MIT Technology Review)
3 This viral personal AI assistant presents significant privacy issues
Security experts are raising concerns regarding Moltbot, previously known as Clawdbot. (The Register)
+ It demands significantly more technical understanding than most agentic bots. (TechCrunch)
4 OpenAI has devised a strategy to keep bots off its forthcoming social network
It’s placing its trust in biometric “proof of personhood” promised by entities like World’s eyeball-scanning orb. (Forbes)
+ We previously reported on how World assembled its initial half a million test users back in 2022. (MIT Technology Review)
5 Here’s a glimpse of some technologies ICE is implementing
From facial recognition to digital forensics. (WP $)
+ Agents are also utilizing Palantir’s AI to sift through tips. (Wired $)
6 Tesla is discontinuing its Model S and Model X cars 🚗
Its Fremont factory will pivot to producing Optimus robots instead. (TechCrunch)
+ It’s the latest phase of the company’s shift towards AI… (FT $)
+ …as profits drop by 46%. (Ars Technica)
+ Tesla is still trying to recover from the fallout of Elon Musk’s political engagement. (WP $)
7 X is filled with weather influencers disseminating misinformation
They’re generating hype as massive storms approach. (New Yorker $)
8 Retailers are diving headfirst into AI
However, giants like Amazon and Walmart are adopting very different strategies. (FT $)
+ Mark Zuckerberg has indicated that Meta is developing agentic commerce tools. (TechCrunch)
+ We anticipated it—what’s next for AI in 2026. (MIT Technology Review)
9 A look inside the rise of offline hangouts
No phones, no issues. (Wired $)
10 Social media is fixated on 2016
…what’s the reason? (WSJ $)
Quote of the day
“The backlash I receive for releasing a hobby project for free is quite astonishing.”
—Peter Steinberger, the developer of the viral AI agent Moltbot, expresses his frustration regarding the criticism his project has faced from security analysts highlighting its weaknesses in a post on X.
One more thing
The flawed reasoning behind hastily implementing extreme climate solutions
At the beginning of 2022, entrepreneur Luke Iseman states, he launched a pair of weather balloons filled with sulfur dioxide from Mexico’s Baja California peninsula, in hopes that they would pop miles above the Earth.
It was an inconsequential act in itself, merely a small, DIY attempt at solar geoengineering, the contentious idea that the world could combat climate change by releasing particles that reflect additional sunlight back into space.
Entrepreneurs like Iseman cite the stark threats posed by climate change to justify their actions—even if they are uncertain about the efficacy of their interventions. However, experts argue that urgency does not provide a social mandate to overlook the underlying risks or bypass the scientific method. Uncover the entire story.
—James Temple
We can still enjoy nice things
A space for relaxation, enjoyment, and diversion to enhance your day. (Have any suggestions? Reach out or send them my way.)
+ The trendiest item in art right now? Vertical paintings.
+ There’s something peculiar in the water around Monterey Bay—a dolphin that walks on its tail!
+ Tired of hairstylists ignoring your wishes? Remember these helpful tips for your next trim.
+ Send me a one-way ticket to Japan’s finest island.
