This is the latest issue of The Download, our weekday newsletter that delivers a daily insight into the happenings in technology.
What lies ahead for carbon removal?
After a period of expansion that led to the emergence of numerous startups, the emerging carbon removal industry seems to be entering a transformative stage.
After operating for years, Running Tide, a notable aquaculture venture, ceased its activities last summer, while several other firms have also downsized, closed, or altered their strategies recently. Investment in venture capital has dropped. Moreover, the broader industry has not advanced significantly toward Running Tide’s ambitious aim of sequestering one billion tons of carbon dioxide this year.
Experts caution that the phase of excitement is ending, with the sector descending into the challenging business valley that typically follows.
The pressing issue remains: If the carbon removal industry is entering a tough yet unavoidable period of consolidation, what will its next move be? Explore the complete article.
—James Temple
This narrative is part of MIT Technology Review’s What’s Next series, which examines sectors, trends, and technologies to provide an early glimpse of the future. You can find the remaining articles here.
An AI application for assessing pain has arrived
This week I’ve been contemplating how science and technology might assist in addressing that inquiry—particularly in relation to pain.
In the most recent edition of MIT Technology Review’s print journal, Deena Mousa explains how an AI-driven smartphone app is utilized to evaluate an individual’s pain level.
This app, along with similar tools, may assist medical professionals and caregivers, being particularly advantageous for individuals unable to express their feelings.
Nonetheless, these tools are far from flawless. They raise numerous complex questions regarding how we perceive, communicate about, and even manage pain. Discover the full narrative.
—Jessica Hamzelou
This piece was initially featured in The Checkup, MIT Technology Review’s weekly biotech newsletter. To receive it every Thursday in your inbox, and to read articles like this first, subscribe here.
The essential reads
I’ve scoured the web to present you with today’s most intriguing/important/alarming/fascinating tales related to technology.
1 Meta’s legal advisors instructed employees to modify portions of its teen mental health research
Counsel advised researchers to adjust or block their work to minimize legal risks. (Bloomberg $)
+ Meta has recently terminated more than 100 employees focused on monitoring user privacy risks. (NYT $)
2 Donald Trump has granted a pardon to the convicted Binance founder
Changpeng Zhao admitted guilt to breaching US money laundering statutes in 2023. (WSJ $)
+ This action is expected to allow Binance to recommence its operations in the US. (CNN)
+ Trump has promised to adopt a more crypto-friendly stance compared to the Biden administration. (Axios)
3 Anthropic and Google Cloud have inked a significant chip agreement
The contract is valued at tens of billions of dollars. (FT $)
4 Microsoft prefers that you refrain from using profanity with its AI
It will leave such matters to OpenAI, thank you. (CNBC)
+ Copilot now features its own version of Clippy—just don’t attempt to get frisky with it. (The Verge)
+ Conversing inappropriately with DeepSeek is, however, quite simple. (MIT Technology Review)
5 Big Tech is financing Trump’s White House ballroom
Cheers to Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta, and Microsoft. (TechCrunch)
+ Crypto entrepreneurs Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss are among the contributors. (CNN)
6 US authorities have dismantled a series of advanced gambling schemes
Utilizing specially-designed contact lenses and x-ray tables. (NYT $)
+ This follows insider wagers on basketball and poker games controlled by the mafia. (BBC)
+ Automated card shufflers can also be manipulated. (Wired $)
7 Deepfake harassment tools are readily available on social media
And through straightforward web searches. (404 Media)
+ Restrictions on deepfakes have limitations—here’s what we truly require. (MIT Technology Review)
8 How algorithms can inflate prices online
Even harmless algorithms can occasionally lead to negative results for consumers. (Quanta Magazine)
+ When AIs negotiate, a less developed agent could end up costing you. (MIT Technology Review)
9 How to induce “brain rot” in an LLM
Begin by training it on short “superficial” posts from X. (Ars Technica)
+ AI systems fed with worthless data produce worthless output. (MIT Technology Review)
10 Encounter the tech professionals who utilize AI as little as feasible
In an effort to maintain their skillset. (WP $)
+ A professor believes there are alternative methods to teach individuals how to learn. (The Atlantic $)
Quote of the day
“He was found guilty. He’s not innocent.”
—Republican Senator Thom Tillis criticizes Donald Trump’s choice to pardon the convicted cryptocurrency mogul Changpeng Zhao, Politico reports.
Additionally
We’ve never comprehended how hunger functions. That could be about to change.
When you’re hungry, the sensation of hunger is akin to a relentless force. It awakens the most ancient and primal parts of the brain, commandeering other neural systems to fulfill its demands until satisfied.
While researchers have made progress in triggering hunger responses in mice, our understanding of the eating impulse remains limited. Now, some scientists are tracing known regions of the neural circuits related to hunger into unexplored areas of the brain to uncover new insights.
Their research could illuminate the reasons behind the alarming increase in the global number of overweight adults in recent years. Additionally, it may help decipher the enigmas surrounding how and why a new category of weight-loss medications appears to be highly effective. Review the complete article.
—Adam Piore
We can still appreciate pleasant things
A space for comfort, enjoyment, and distraction to elevate your day. (Have any suggestions? Reach out to me or send them my way.)
+ Middle-aged males are exploring cliff-jumping. Should you?
+ Pumpkin spice chocolate chip cookies sound delightful to me.
+ Christmas Island’s crabs are on the move! 🦀
+ Be cautious if you’re in the NY subway today: you may encounter these frightening witches.
