This is the current issue of The Download, our newsletter published during the weekdays that offers a daily glimpse into the happenings in the technology realm.
Inside the covert startup that proposed mindless human clones
After years of working in secrecy, R3 Bio, a startup based in California, disclosed last week that it has secured funding to develop nonsentient monkey “organ sacks” as a substitute for animal experimentation. Yet, there is more to this narrative. And R3 prefers that this narrative not become public.
MIT Technology Review found out that founder John Schloendorn also proposed a shocking, ethically sensitive idea: “brainless clones” to function as backup human bodies. Discover all the specifics about the groundbreaking proposal.
—Antonio Regalado
A woman’s uterus has survived outside the body for the first time
Ten months prior, reproductive health scientists implanted a recently donated human uterus into a fresh device termed “Mother.” They linked the organ to the device’s synthetic veins and arteries and introduced modified human blood.
The apparatus preserved the uterus for a day, a remarkable accomplishment that could facilitate the long-term upkeep of wombs externally. Future iterations of this technology might illuminate pregnancies—and perhaps even enable the growth of a human fetus. Read the complete article.
—Jessica Hamzelou
The essential reads
I have sifted through the internet to gather today’s most enjoyable/critical/frightening/intriguing narratives regarding technology.
1 AI data centers can notably increase the warmth of nearby regions
The “heat islands” may be impacting 340 million individuals already. (New Scientist)
+ Mistral has secured $830M to construct Nvidia-powered AI centers across Europe.(FT $)
+ However, no one desires a data center in their vicinity. (MIT Technology Review)
2 Elon Musk is said to have participated in Trump’s call with Modi regarding the Iran War
It remains unclear what Musk’s role was during the discussion. (NYT $)
+ India has contested the report. (Independent)
+ The conflict poses a severe danger to the EV industry. (Rest of World)
3 Eli Lilly has formed an agreement to introduce AI-developed medications to the marketplace
It has finalized a $2.75 billion drug partnership with Insilico Medicine. (Reuters $)
+ AI-engineered compounds can eradicate drug-resistant pathogens.(MIT Technology Review)
4 Increasing numbers of nations are restricting children’s social media usage
Austria is the latest to consider a prohibition. (Engadget)
+ Indonesia has initiated the first measure in Southeast Asia. (DW)
+ UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated he will also “need to take action.” (Guardian)
5 Tech stocks just experienced their most challenging week in almost a year
Due to a mix of the Iran conflict and legal issues. (CNBC)
+ Industry insiders are divided regarding the AI bubble.(MIT Technology Review)
6 Meta is set to unveil new smart glasses designed for prescription users
It intends to launch them next week. (Bloomberg $)
7 Taiwan is investigating 11 Chinese companies for the unlawful poaching of tech employees
Its semiconductors are entwined in the friction with Beijing. (Reuters)
8 Bluesky has developed an AI application for personalizing social media streams
It relies on Anthropic’s Claude. (TechCrunch)
9 A psychologist is creating music with his brain implant
He believes that enjoyment is essential for the success of BCI. (Wired $)
10 The tiniest QR code could hold data for centuries
It’s smaller than bacteria. (Science Daily)
Quote of the day
“We ought to consider safeguarding youth in the digital universe instead of shielding them from the digital space.”
—YouTube CEO Neal Mohan shares his perspective to the New York Times regarding the issue of children’s safety online.
One More Thing
AI’s expansion requires the appropriate interface
One would have to be incredibly foolish to think that chatbots are the optimal way to utilize computers. The genuine potential lies in a system constructed upon the visual interfaces we are familiar with, yet navigated through a natural blend of voice and touch.
Importantly, this won’t merely be a computer available for use. It will be one we can modify and reconstruct to fit whatever purposes we desire. Rather than solely consuming technology like the mindless characters in Wall-E, we should be empowered to design it according to our needs.
This concept is already beginning to materialize. Explore the complete article to learn more.
—Cliff Kuang
We can still enjoy great things
A space for comfort, enjoyment, and diversion to enhance your day. (Have any suggestions? Send me a message.)
+ These floating designs will reshape your view of architecture.
+ Uğur Gallenkuş’s interpretations of two worlds in a single picture elegantly forge connections.
+ This is the antithesis of a Karen that is needed in the world at this moment.
+ If only we could all discover a love as sincere asthis kitty hugging its favorite toy.
