This is the current edition of The Download, our newsletter for weekdays that provides a daily glimpse into the happenings in the realm of technology.
“Dr. Google” had its challenges. Can ChatGPT Health improve upon it?
For the last two decades, the go-to step for someone noticing new medical symptoms was clear: Search online. This practice became so prevalent that it received the derogatory label “Dr. Google.” But the landscape is shifting, and a growing number of medical-information seekers are now turning to LLMs. OpenAI reports that 230 million individuals pose health-related questions to ChatGPT each week.
This sets the scene for the introduction of OpenAI’s latest ChatGPT Health service, which launched earlier this month. The central question remains: can the evident dangers of using AI for health-related inquiries be sufficiently mitigated to ensure a net positive outcome? Read the comprehensive article.
—Grace Huckins
America’s impending conflict over AI regulation
In the last days of 2025, the struggle over AI regulation in the US reached a critical point. On December 11, after Congress’s two failed attempts to enact a law prohibiting state AI legislation, President Donald Trump enacted a comprehensive executive order aimed at preventing states from regulating the rapidly expanding sector.
Instead, he pledged to collaborate with Congress to create a “minimally burdensome” national AI guideline. This maneuver was seen as a triumph for tech giants, who had been rallying multi-million dollar funds to combat AI regulations, claiming that a fragmented approach of state laws would hinder innovation.
In 2026, the battleground will transition to the judiciary. While some states may retreat from enacting AI laws, others will forge ahead. Read our article on what lies ahead.
—Michelle Kim
This piece is part of MIT Technology Review’s What’s Next series, exploring various industries, trends, and technologies to provide you a preview of the future. You can explore the rest of the articles here.
Measles cases are on the rise in the US. Wastewater monitoring could assist.
This week marked a rather unpleasant anniversary: It has been one year since Texas recorded a measles case—the onset of a notable outbreak that spread across several states. Since January 2025, over 2,500 confirmed measles cases have emerged in the US, leading to three fatalities.
As vaccination rates decline and outbreaks persist, researchers are testing new methods for swiftly identifying fresh cases and curbing disease spread. They are witnessing early successes with wastewater surveillance. Read the complete article.
—Jessica Hamzelou
This article is sourced from The Checkup, our weekly newsletter keeping you informed on health and biotech. Subscribe to get it in your inbox every Thursday.
The essential reads
I’ve searched the internet to bring you today’s most entertaining/important/scary/intriguing stories related to technology.
1 The US is unraveling
A foreign adversary couldn’t have orchestrated a better sequence of events to damage its status globally. (Wired $)
+ We ought to discuss whether Donald Trump is perhaps losing his grip. (New Yorker $)
2 Major Tech is accruing more debt to support its AI ambitions
And the bubble keeps enlarging. (WP $)
+ Forget unicorns. 2026 appears to be the year of the “hectocorn.” (The Guardian)
+ Everyone in tech concurs we’re amidst a bubble, but there’s disagreement on what will occur when it bursts.(MIT Technology Review)
3 DOGE accessed even more personal information than we anticipated
Even now, the Trump administration is unable to specify the volume of data at risk or its usage. (NPR)
4 TikTok has completed an agreement to form a new US entity
Bringing an end to years of doubt about its future in America. (CNN)
+ Why China ends up the significant winner in all this. (FT $)
5 The US has now officially exited the World Health Organization
And it’s leaving behind nearly $300 million in unpaid obligations. (Ars Technica)
+ The US’s departure from the WHO will negatively impact us all. (MIT Technology Review)
6 AI-driven disinformation swarms threaten democracy
A potential autocrat could exploit them to convince populations to accept canceled elections or reverse results. (The Guardian)
+ The era of AI persuasion in elections is imminent. (MIT Technology Review)
7 We are about to witness more robots in everyday life
But their exact appearances remain a topic of discussion. (Vox $)
+ Chinese firms are increasingly dominating significant segments of AI and robotics. (MIT Technology Review)
8 Certain individuals appear particularly susceptible to loneliness
If you are ‘other-directed’, you might greatly benefit from reduced screen time. (New Scientist $)
9 This scholar lost two years of research with a single click
TL;DR: Do not depend on ChatGPT for data storage. (Nature)
10 How animals acquire navigational abilities 🦇🧭
Their ‘internal compass’ seems to rely on landmarks that assist them in forming a mental representation. (Quanta $)
Quote of the day
“Given the pace at which AI is evolving, I believe that by this year, we will have AI that surpasses human intelligence, no later than next year.”
—Elon Musk simply cannot refrain from making bold forecasts at Davos, Wired reports.
One last note
Africa combats escalating hunger by revisiting traditional foods
After decades of decline, global hunger is now increasing—most notably in sub-Saharan Africa.
Indigenous crops in Africa are often richer in nutrients and more adaptable to hot and arid conditions that are on the rise, yet many have been overlooked by research, leading them to be more susceptible to diseases and pests and to produce far less than their potential.
The pressing question is whether researchers, governments, and farmers can collaborate effectively to bring these crops to tables and provide all Africans with the necessary energy and nutrition to flourish, regardless of the challenges climate change poses. Read the full article.
—Jonathan W. Rosen
We can still enjoy nice things
A space for comfort, amusement, and distraction to uplift your day. (Have any suggestions? Send me a message or hit me up.)
+ The only thing I prefer dry this January is a martini. Here’s the recipe.
+ If you’re a fan of the Bic crystal pen, you might appreciate this light fixture.
+ Snuggle up with a captivating long read this winter. ($)
+ Looking to eat healthier? Take your time and filter out food ‘noise’. ($)
