This is the current edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter delivering daily insights into the technology sector.
The gig economy workers educating humanoid robots from their homes
After a lengthy shift at the hospital, Zeus, a Nigerian medical student, arrives at his flat, affixes his iPhone to his forehead, and begins filming himself performing household tasks.
Zeus serves as a data gatherer for Micro1, selling the footage he collects to robotics companies. As the race to develop humanoids accelerates, videos created by individuals like Zeus are emerging as the most effective training method.
Micro1 has recruited thousands of workers across over 50 nations, including India, Nigeria, and Argentina. While the pay is competitive locally, it stirs up significant concerns regarding privacy and informed consent. The role can be demanding and unconventional. Explore the complete narrative.
—Michelle Kim
Our audience has recently selected humanoid robots as the “11th breakthrough” to be included in our 2026 list of 10 Breakthrough Technologies. Discover what else made the list.
AI evaluation metrics are flawed. Here’s what we require instead.
For many years, AI has been assessed based on its ability to surpass humans in discrete tasks. However, this approach is rarely applicable in practical settings.
While AI is tested in isolation, it functions in intricate, multifaceted environments over time. This discrepancy results in a misunderstanding of its abilities, hazards, and consequences.
We require innovative benchmarks that evaluate AI’s effectiveness over extended periods within human groups, workflows, and organizations. Here’s a suggestion for one such framework: Human–AI, Context-Specific Assessment.
—Angela Aristidou, a professor at University College London and a faculty fellow at the Stanford Digital Economy Lab and the Stanford Human-Centered AI Institute.
MIT Technology Review Narrated: can quantum computers now tackle healthcare challenges? We’ll soon see.
In a lab located on the fringes of Oxford, a quantum computer crafted from atoms and light is poised for activation. The device is compact yet potent—and incredibly valuable. Infleqtion, the enterprise that possesses it, anticipates that its capabilities might secure $5 million in a competition.
The award will be granted to the quantum computer that successfully addresses genuine healthcare issues that “classical” computers cannot manage. Yet, only one can take the grand prize—if there is a victor at all.
—Michael Brooks
This represents our latest story to be transformed into an MIT Technology Review Narrated podcast, which we’re releasing weekly on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Simply go to MIT Technology Review Narrated on either service, and subscribe to receive all our new content as it becomes available.
The essential reads
I’ve scoured the internet to present you with today’s most entertaining/significant/daunting/captivating stories regarding technology.
1 OpenAI has just finalized the largest funding round in Silicon Valley history
It secured $122 billion in preparation for its upcoming IPO, anticipated later this year. (WSJ $)
+ The company is also preparing a campaign to “rethink the social contract.” (Vanity Fair $)
+ Activists are calling for users to abandon ChatGPT. (MIT Technology Review)
2 Iran has issued threats against 18 US tech companies
It’s targeting their activities in the Middle East. (Politico)
+ Enterprises at risk include Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft, and Google. (Engadget)
+ Iran recently targeted AWS data centers. (Reuters $)
3 Artemis II is on the verge of transporting humans to the Moon. Here’s the research they’ll conduct
Their studies will pave the way for future adventurers. (Nature)
+ You can view the launch attempt today. (Engadget)
4 Putin is working to gain comprehensive control over Russia’s internet
Recent outages and restrictions are isolating the nation from the rest of the world. (NYT $)
+ Is it possible to restore the internet? (MIT Technology Review)
5 A robotaxi failure in China left passengers abandoned on highways
Baidu vehicles stalled on the streets of Wuhan. (Bloomberg $)
+ Authorities are attributing the issue to a “system failure.” (Reuters $)
6 Requests from the US government for social media user data are surging
They’ve increased by 770% over the past ten years. (Bloomberg $)
+ Is the Pentagon permitted to monitor Americans with AI? (MIT Technology Review)
7 Tesla has confessed that humans occasionally operate its robotaxis
Remote operators sometimes have complete control over them. (Wired $)
8 A satellite-colliding phenomenon could spiral out of control
This data representation illustrates the risks of space crashes. (Guardian)
+ Here’s a comprehensive look at what we’ve placed in space. (MIT Technology Review)
9 Meta’s smart glasses could make you feel uncomfortable
As noted by one journalist who tested them for a month. (Guardian)
10 A Claude Code leak has revealed plans for a virtual pet
We might be poised to receive a Tamagotchi for the GenAI generation. (The Verge)
Quote of the day
“From now on, for every assassination, an American company will be destroyed.”
—Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issues threats to US tech companies in an affiliated Telegram, according to CNBC.
One More Thing
How a single mine could unlock billions in EV subsidies
In a pine forest north of the small town of Tamarack, Minnesota, Talon Metals has located one of the densest nickel deposits in the United States. Now, it intends to commence extracting the mineral.
Products derived from the nickel might secure over $26 billion in subsidies through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which is commencing to reshape the US economy. To grasp how, we calculated the potential tax credits available. Read the entire story to discover our findings.
—James Temple
We can still enjoy great things
A space for enjoyment, entertainment, and diversion to enhance your day. (Have any suggestions? Reach out to me.)
+ A group of dedicated enthusiasts attempted to sample-test every potato chip globally.
+ Find romantic inspiration in these penguins’ engagement pebbles.
+ Good news: global terrorism has reached a 15-year low.
+ Experience countless new perspectives through these windows worldwide.
