Here’s the current edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that delivers a daily overview of what’s happening in the realm of technology.
The significant AI hype adjustment of 2025
Some disillusionment was unavoidable. The launch of a free web application called ChatGPT by OpenAI in late 2022 redirected the trajectory of an entire sector—and impacted numerous global economies. Countless individuals began conversing with their devices, and those devices began responding. We were captivated, and we anticipated more.
However, 2025 has marked a year of reckoning. Initially, the leaders of the leading AI firms made commitments they could not fulfill. Simultaneously, enhancements to the fundamental technology are no longer the revolutionary shifts they once were.
To be frank, the past few years have been brimming with authentic “Wow” moments. Nonetheless, this extraordinary technology is merely a few years old, and in many respects, it remains experimental. Its achievements come with substantial disclaimers. Read the complete narrative to discover more about our need to recalibrate our expectations.
—Will Douglas Heaven
This article is part of our new Hype Correction collection, a series of articles meant to assist you in resetting your anticipations regarding what AI can and cannot accomplish.Explore the rest of the collection here, and you can find additional insights on why it’s time to adjust our expectations for AI in the latest release of the Algorithm, our weekly AI newsletter. Subscribe here to ensure you receive future editions directly in your inbox.
Quantum navigation may resolve the military’s GPS interference issue
Since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, thousands of flights have been disrupted by a widespread Russian initiative using radio signals to jam its GPS system.
The increasing disruption to air traffic and the potential for an actual catastrophe have underscored the fragility of GPS and directed focus towards more secure navigation methods for aircraft to traverse the challenges of jamming and spoofing, the practice of deceiving a GPS receiver into misidentifying its location.
One method that is emerging from research facilities is quantum navigation: utilizing the quantum properties of light and atoms to create ultra-sensitive sensors enabling vehicles to navigate autonomously, independent of satellites. Read the complete story.
—Amos Zeeberg
Essential reads
I’ve searched the internet to bring you today’s most entertaining/critical/frightening/intriguing technology stories.
1 The Trump administration has initiated its US Tech Force initiative
In an effort to attract engineers from Big Tech to modernize government operations. (The Verge)
+ So, essentially replacing the IT personnel that DOGE eliminated, right? (The Register)
2 Legislators are probing the impact of AI data centers on electricity prices
They aim to determine whether costs are being transferred to the public. (NYT $)
+ Calculating AI’s water consumption is also quite complex. (Wired $)
+ AI is transforming the power grid. Could it offer more benefits than drawbacks? (MIT Technology Review)
3 Ford has decided against producing a large all-electric truck
Following a decline in US government support for EVs. (Wired $)
+ Instead, the F-150 Lightning pickup will be relaunched as a plug-in hybrid. (The Information $)
+ Why Americans might finally be ready to accept smaller vehicles. (Fast Company $)
+ The US could greatly benefit from an affordable electric truck. (MIT Technology Review)
4 PayPal aims to become a bank in the US
The Trump administration is quite supportive of non-traditional financial institutions. (FT $)
+ It’s been a favorable year for the crypto sector regarding banking opportunities. (Economist $)
5 A tech trade agreement between the US and UK has been stalled
The US seems displeased with Britain’s lack of progress. (NYT $)
+ This represents a significant setback for their relationship. (The Guardian)
6 What’s stopping the development of a dengue cure?
A new antiviral medication seems to prevent infection—but its development has been halted. (Vox)
7 By 2100, the majority of the world’s glaciers are predicted to vanish
At a rate nearing 3,000 per year. (New Scientist $)
+ Discover the new efforts to save the “doomsday glacier”. (MIT Technology Review)
8 Hollywood is divided on AI
While some directors embrace it, actors are alarmed by its relentless progress. (Bloomberg $)
9 Corporate America is fixated on hiring narrative creators
It’s essentially a revamped media relations manager position tailored for the AI era. (WSJ $)
10 The idea of hacking predates the internet
Just ask this group of adolescent enthusiasts. (IEEE Spectrum)
Quote of the day
“So the federal government dissolved 18F, which was doing commendable work in modernizing the government, and then substituted it with a duplicate? What’s the rationale behind all this?”
—Eugene Vinitsky, an educator at New York University, critiques the US government’s move to form a new team to revamp its technological approach in a post on Bluesky.
One last thing
How DeepSeek turned into a fortune teller for China’s youth
As DeepSeek has surfaced as a domestic competitor to OpenAI, young individuals across the nation have begun utilizing AI to rejuvenate fortune-telling customs deeply rooted in Chinese heritage.
Throughout Chinese social media, users are disseminating AI-generated readings, testing fortune-telling prompt creation, and revisiting ancient spiritual manuscripts—all made possible through DeepSeek.
The rise in AI-driven fortune-telling coincides with a period of widespread anxiety and cynicism within Chinese society. And while spiritual practices remain concealed underground due to government restrictions, devices and screens are enabling younger generations to reclaim a sense of autonomy over their lives. Read the full article.
—Caiwen Chen
We can still enjoy lovely things
A haven for comfort, enjoyment, and diversion to brighten your day. (Have any suggestions? Contact me or send them my way.)
+ Chess has existed online since the 1800s (seriously!) ♟️
+ Jane Austen was born 250 years ago today. How well do you know her works? ($)
+ Rob Reiner, your legacy will endure eternally.
+ I found this detailed guide to everything you could ever wish to learn about New England’s wide-ranging seafood selections.
