Plus, the US State Department is considering vetting social media accounts of overseas visa applicants
which provides a daily dose on what’s happening in the worlds of technology. OpenAI: the power and the pride.
OpenAI released ChatGPT 3.5, which set off an AI arms race.
The future of humanity is still a question we are still pondering and may continue to be for some time. Two recent books have attempted to understand it. Karen Hao, in Empire of AI : Dreams and Nightmares In Sam Altman’s OpenAI (19459037), tells the story of OpenAI’s rise to prominence and its impact on the world. Keach Hagey of the Wall Street Journalfocuses on Altman’s life from his childhood to the present in Optimist : Sam Altman and OpenAI: The Race to Invent the Future.
Both portray Altman as a brilliantly successful yet deeply flawed creature from Silicon Valley. He is someone who can always get what he wants but often by manipulating other people. Read the full review.
-Food the female.
Startup wants to produce more climate-friendly metals in the US.
News: A Californian company called Magrathea has just turned on a brand new electrolyzer which can make magnesium metal out of seawater. The technology could be used to produce the material that is used in vehicles and defence applications with zero greenhouse-gas emissions.
What’s the point? China dominates the production of magnesium today, and the common method produces a large amount of emissions that contribute to climate change. If Magrathea is able to scale up their process, they could provide an alternative source for the metal, and clean up industries which rely on it. This includes automotive manufacturing. Read the full article.
– Casey Crownhart
New sodium metal fuel cells could help clean transportation
An innovative fuel cell powered by sodium metal could help clean up transport. The device is a departure from lithium-based batteries, and more similar to hydrogen fuel cell system conceptually.
The sodium-air fuel cells have a higher energy density compared to lithium-ion batteries, and don’t require super-cold temperatures nor high pressures like hydrogen. This makes them more practical for transportation. Read the complete story.
–Casey Crownhart
The must-reads
I’ve combed the internet to find you today’s most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.
The US State Department is considering vetting the social media of foreign students
after ordering US embassies suspend international student visa appointments. (Politico)
+ The posts, shares, and comments of applicants could be assessed. The Trump administration wants to cut off Harvard funding as well.The Nyt($)
SpaceX’s rocket caught fire during its test flight.
This is the third explosion that the company has experienced this year. CNBC
and This was the first significant effort to reuse Starship Hardware. Elon Musk believes the problem with the engine bay is resolved.Ars Technica
The age of AI is here. (Quartz)
+ People worry that AI will take all the jobs. We’ve been through this before. MIT Technology Review
Four thousand IVF embryos were destroyed in Gaza by Israeli strikes.
A bombing destroyed the fertility clinic that housed them. (BBC)
+ Inside this strange limbo that millions of IVF eggs are in. MIT Technology Review
China’s greenhouse gas emissions are down for the first time ever
Despite an increase in energy demand. (Vox)
+ China’s complex role in climate changes. MIT Technology Review
The sun’s eruptions are reducing satellite lifespans. Musk is sabotaging Apple’s satellite-connected dreams. The Information($)
Seven European companies struggle to do business with China
This includes those that have been operating there for decades. (NYT$)
+ China’s economic slowdown makes things difficult. (Bloomberg $)
Eight US hospitals are embracing useful robots
They’re delivering medication and supplies so that nurses don’t need to. (FT $)
+ Can we trust robots? MIT Technology Review
Meet the people behind the text messages in your favorite shows
The aim is to make the messages as realistic and as intriguing as possible. The Guardian (19459036)
Ten robot dogs are delivering packages in Austin
Well at least over 100 yard distances. TechCrunch (19459036)
Quote of the Day
I wouldn’t say that there’s any hope. I wouldn’t bet that.”
–Michael Roll explains to Wired (19459036) why businesses shouldn’t get too excited about receiving refunds for Donald Trump’s tariff price increases.
Another thing
Is the digital dollar gone?
Digital currencies were one the most talked about topics in 2020. China was on its way to launching a central bank digital currency (CBDC), and many other countries, including the US, launched CBDC-related research projects.
What has changed? Even though the digital dollar doesn’t exist, it has now become political red-meat as some politicians labeled it a dystopian surveillance tool. Is the dream of a digital dollar dead? Read the complete story.
–Mike Orcutt.
You can still enjoy nice things.
A place to relax, have fun, and distract you from your daily routine. (Do you have any ideas? Drop a line to me or skeet them at me
+ Just returned from vacation? Here’s a guide to help you cope with returning to reality . Reconnecting with old friends can be a great joy.
+ A new Parisian bar has completely eliminated ice in an effort to be more environmentally friendly.
– Why being boredcan be good for you – no, really.
