This is the latest issue of The Download, our weekday briefing that delivers a daily snapshot of the happenings in technology.
What are the odds of your aircraft encountering space debris?
The likelihood of aircraft being impacted by space debris remains low, yet it is increasing.
Approximately three fragments of outdated space technology—used launch vehicles and non-functional satellites—enter Earth’s atmosphere each day, according to estimates from the European Space Agency. By the 2030s, the number could rise to dozens due to the proliferation of mega-constellations in orbit.
Up to now, space debris has not harmed anyone—either in the air or on the ground. However, several near misses have been documented in recent years.
Some forecasts suggest that the chance of a single individual dying or being injured from a space debris impact on the ground could reach around 10% annually by 2035. This could imply that there is a greater than 50% chance of someone on Earth being struck by space debris roughly every ten years. Discover more.
—Tereza Pultarova
This article is part of MIT Technology Review Explains: our series unraveling the intricate and messy realm of technology to aid your understanding of what lies ahead. Access the rest of the series here.
Chatbots are unexpectedly proficient at debunking conspiracy theories
—Thomas Costello, Gordon Pennycook & David Rand
Many individuals hold the belief that it’s futile to change the minds of conspiracy theorists.
However, that isn’t necessarily the case. Our findings indicate that a considerable number of conspiracy believers are influenced by evidence and reasoning—data that can now be easily provided through a customized dialogue with an AI chatbot.
This is encouraging news, considering the significant influence that baseless conspiracy theories exert in the current political environment. So while there are extensive and valid concerns about generative AI serving as a powerful mechanism for disseminating misinformation, our research demonstrates that it can also play a role in addressing the issue. Read the complete article.
This piece is part of MIT Technology Review’s series “The New Conspiracy Age,” examining how the current surge in conspiracy theories is reshaping science and technology. Explore the remainder of the series here.
The must-reads
I’ve scoured the internet to present you with today’s most entertaining/important/scary/captivating technology stories.
1 China is subtly enhancing its remote nuclear testing facility
In response to Donald Trump’s announcement of America’s plans to resume similar tests. (WP $)
+ A White House memo has accused Alibaba of backing Chinese operations. (FT $)
2 Jeff Bezos is stepping into a co-CEO role at a new AI startup
Project Prometheus will concentrate on AI for the development of computers, aerospace, and vehicles. (NYT $)
3 AI-enhanced toys are engaging in inappropriate discussions with children
Including advice on locating hazardous items like pills and knives. (The Register)
+ Chatbots are inconsistent and unpredictable, whether integrated into toys or not. (Futurism)
+ AI toys are gaining popularity in China—and they are now making their way to shelves in the US as well. (MIT Technology Review)
4 Major Tech companies are becoming receptive to the concept of data centers in space
These facilities face significantly less regulatory hurdles compared to those on Earth. (WSJ $)
+ Numerous data centers are stuck in the planning phase. (WSJ $)
+ Is relocating data centers to space advisable? (MIT Technology Review)
5 The mafia is using TikTok for recruitment
Some leaders are leveraging the platform to manage gangs from prison. (Economist $)
6 Strategies to resist AI in your workplace
Like many aspects of life, collective power is effective. (Vox)
7 How China’s electric vehicle fleet might transform into a massive battery network
Provided that economic difficulties don’t interfere. (Rest of World)
+ EV sales are increasing in South America. (Reuters)
+ Insights into China’s energy supremacy through three visualizations. (MIT Technology Review)
8 Examining the inevitable growth of the domestic internet
Governments focused on control are imitating China’s model of creating isolated online platforms. (NY Mag $)
+ Is it possible to mend the internet? (MIT Technology Review)
9 Search engine traffic? What search engine traffic?
These media startups have discovered a method to prosper without relying on Google. (Insider $)
+ AI signifies the end of internet searches as we have known them. (MIT Technology Review)
10 Paul McCartney has unveiled a silent track to protest AI’s incursion into music
That ought to send a message! (The Guardian)
+ AI is encroaching into music as well. (MIT Technology Review)
Quote of the day
“All the parental controls in existence won’t safeguard your children from their own actions.”
—Samantha Broxton, a parenting coach and consultant, tells the Washington Post why teaching kids about the dangers of technology use is the most effective way to help them protect themselves.
One more item
Exploring the contentious tree farms fueling Apple’s carbon-neutral objectives
Apple (and its counterparts) are establishing extensive eucalyptus plantations in Brazil to counterbalance their climate emissions, securing some of the most significant carbon credit agreements to date.
The tech giant is banking on the strategy of planting millions of eucalyptus trees in Brazil to chart a path toward a more sustainable future. Some ecologists and local inhabitants remain considerably skeptical.
The primary question is: Can eucalyptus in Latin America represent a scalable climate solution? Read the complete article.
—Gregory Barber
