Welcome to this edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter offering a daily insight into the latest in technology.
The Trump administration is considering slashing funding for two key direct-air capture facilities
The US Department of Energy is likely to halt finance for two significant carbon-capturing plants initially expected to receive over $1 billion in federal grants, as revealed by a project list from the department obtained by MIT Technology Review and shared among government agencies.
One facility is the South Texas Direct Air Capture Hub, which Occidental Petroleum’s subsidiary 1PointFive aimed to establish in Kleberg County, Texas. The other is Project Cypress in Louisiana, a partnership among Battelle, Climeworks, and Heirloom. Read the full article.
—James Temple
AI-enhanced toys are trending in China—and they are now making their way to US retailers
Children have traditionally interacted with stuffed animals. Now, however, these toys can respond, thanks to a surge of companies integrating chatbots and voice assistants into children’s toys.
This phenomenon has particularly gained momentum in China: A recent report from the Shenzhen Toy Industry Association and JD.com forecasts that the market will exceed ¥100 billion ($14 billion) by 2030, outpacing nearly all other segments of consumer AI. Moreover, Chinese AI toy manufacturers are looking to expand beyond domestic borders. Read the full article.
—Caiwei Chen
2025 climate tech firms to keep an eye on: Pairwise and its climate-resilient crops
The impacts of climate change will increasingly challenge crop production in numerous regions worldwide. Startup Pairwise is harnessing CRISPR gene editing to design plants that can better endure difficult conditions.
The enterprise employs advanced gene editing techniques to create crops capable of withstanding harsher climatic conditions, ensuring food supply for a growing population as global temperatures rise. Last year, it launched its first product in the US: a less bitter mustard green. Currently, it is focused on developing crops with climate-resilient characteristics, collaborating with two of the largest plant biotechnology firms globally. Read the full article.
—James Temple
Pairwise is featured in our annual roundup of 10 climate tech companies worth monitoring—our list of some of the most promising climate tech enterprises in existence.View the complete list here.
MIT Technology Review Narrated: Evaluating the returns on R&D expenditures
In light of severe cuts to federal science funding, it’s essential to pose some tough financial questions: How much should we allocate to R&D? What kind of returns do we receive from these investments?
Economists have tackled this topic in innovative ways in several recent studies. Although their inquiries vary slightly, their findings converge to a common conclusion: R&D represents one of the more beneficial long-term investments available to the government.
This is our most recent piece transformed into a MIT Technology Review Narrated podcast, published weekly on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Simply search for MIT Technology Review Narrated on either application, and subscribe to receive all our new updates as they go live.
The essential reads
I’ve scoured the web to present you with today’s most engaging/significant/alarming/captivating stories surrounding technology.
1 How OpenAI and Nvidia are driving the AI surge
Experts worry these interlinked deals may be artificially boosting the market. (Bloomberg $)
+ OpenAI will fund its AMD chip purchases with, well, AMD stocks. (TechCrunch)
+ The Bank of England has raised concerns regarding AI’s effect on tech stock valuations. (FT $)
+ What’s coming next is the big question. (NBC News)
2 About 15% of the global workforce is engaging with AI
And European countries are among the leading adopters. (FT $)
+ The EU is striving to enhance its citizen’s AI engagement. (WSJ $)
+ Conversely, public sentiment towards AI in America is deteriorating. (WP $)
3 Three scientists specializing in quantum mechanics have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics
Two were pivotal in developing Google’s functional quantum systems. (Bloomberg $)
+ Their research illuminated aspects of the subatomic world. (NYT $)
+ Quantum particles exhibit notoriously peculiar behavior. (New Scientist $)
4 The CDC has finally approved covid vaccine guidelines
Despite delays, access remains largely unchanged from previous years. (Ars Technica)
+ The Supreme Court seems skeptical of medical expertise at the moment. (Vox)
5 What makes TikTok so compelling
Even its most dedicated users can be coaxed into scrolling for hours. (WP $)
6 ICE acquired fake cell towers for surveillance of nearby phones
Previously, it utilized cell-site simulators to pursue suspects. (TechCrunch)
+ Discover the volunteers monitoring ICE agents in LA. (New Yorker $)
7 Watermark removers for Sora 2 videos are currently widely accessible
Without authorization? No issue. (404 Media)
+ What about copyright concerns for AI-generated art? (The Information $)
+ What is next for AI copyright litigation? (MIT Technology Review)
8 How diamonds can assist in cooling chips
They excel at conducting heat. (NYT $)
9 Amazon Pharmacy is introducing electronic prescription kiosks
For items such as antibiotics, asthma inhalers, and high blood pressure medications. (Reuters)
10 Is it advisable to restrict your smartphone usage to two hours per day?
Japan seems to think so. (The Guardian)
+ Strategies to disconnect.(MIT Technology Review)
Quote of the day
“OpenAI is constructing the future of AI on infrastructure it does not control, energy it cannot manage, and funding it lacks.”
—Andrey Sidorenko, head of research at data company Mostly AI, reflects on what he terms the monopolization of the AI landscape in a post on LinkedIn.
One additional topic
How AI can enhance the functionality of cities
In recent years, cities have become increasingly skilled in collecting diverse data. However, this data can have limited usefulness if government officials struggle to communicate, analyze, or utilize all the information at their disposal.
This situation has long troubled Sarah Williams, a professor of urban planning and technology at MIT. Shortly after she joined MIT in 2012, Williams established the Civic Data Design Lab to address this gap. Over time, she and her colleagues have made urban planning data more engaging and understandable through storytelling and compelling visuals. Read the full article.
—Ben Schneider
We can still enjoy nice things
A spot for solace, enjoyment, and diversion to brighten your day. (Have any suggestions? Send me an email or send me your thoughts.)
+ Life lessons from the legendary Ozzy Osbourne—what’s not to love?
+ Did you realize most countries feature their own camouflage? Explore the patterns here.
+ These hamsters undergoing an MRI are the most adorable sight you’ll see today.
+ Pumpkin chili appears to be a delightful way to warm up.
