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New Bacteria Discovered on China's Tiangong Space Station

2025-05-22
New Bacteria Discovered on China's Tiangong Space Station

A new bacterium, Niallia tiangongensis, has been discovered on China's Tiangong space station. This rod-shaped, spore-forming bacterium is unlike any previously known terrestrial species. It thrives in microgravity and possesses unique adaptations, including the ability to break down gelatin for survival in nutrient-poor environments and to withstand radiation damage. The discovery highlights the potential hazards of space travel and informs the development of improved sanitation protocols for future long-duration missions. While its terrestrial relative can cause sepsis, the potential risk to taikonauts remains unclear.

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(www.wired.com)
Tech space bacteria Tiangong space station

Keyword Search Warrants: Privacy vs. Law Enforcement

2025-05-22
Keyword Search Warrants: Privacy vs. Law Enforcement

A teen arson case sparks a debate over 'keyword search warrants.' Police used this method to track down suspects via search engine keywords, raising concerns about privacy and law enforcement efficiency. The article details the case, the convicts' post-incarceration lives, and explores the complex relationship between digital identities and online footprints. This case also provides a precedent for the US Supreme Court's review of the legality of keyword search warrants.

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(www.wired.com)
Tech keyword search warrants

Microsoft Shuts Down Bing Search API, Reshaping the Search Landscape

2025-05-15
Microsoft Shuts Down Bing Search API, Reshaping the Search Landscape

Microsoft's decision to shut down its Bing search API is sending ripples through the search engine ecosystem. For years, the affordable and convenient Bing API powered search engines like DuckDuckGo and Brave. However, the advent of ChatGPT and a tenfold price increase prompted many to build their own indexes. While Microsoft claims its new AI-powered system is superior, developers report reduced flexibility. This move could force Google to open its search data, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape.

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(www.wired.com)
Tech

Airbnb's Transformation: From Occasional Stays to a Super Platform

2025-05-14
Airbnb's Transformation: From Occasional Stays to a Super Platform

Airbnb is evolving from a platform for occasional travel accommodations to a more frequently used comprehensive platform. Its redesigned app features intuitive icons guiding users to three key sections: stays, services, and experiences. To enhance user trust, Airbnb rigorously vets new service providers (chefs, masseuses, etc.), conducting background checks and professional photography. Future plans include developing user profiles into primary internet IDs and enhancing messaging functions to create a community platform for travelers, while avoiding advertising. This transformation is driven by CEO Brian Chesky's admiration for Apple's design philosophy and his collaboration with former Apple designer Jony Ive.

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(www.wired.com)
Startup Platform Transformation

Trump's Proposed 'Gold Card': A Fast Track to US Citizenship for the Wealthy?

2025-05-07
Trump's Proposed 'Gold Card': A Fast Track to US Citizenship for the Wealthy?

A proposed 'gold card' program, allowing wealthy individuals to obtain US green cards for a $5 million investment, has sparked debate. This initiative would potentially replace the EB-5 investor visa, which requires a $1.05 million investment and job creation. While the EB-5 program has rigorous vetting to prevent illicit funds, the proposed 'gold card' lacks clarity on its screening process, raising concerns about potential abuse by wealthy individuals, particularly foreign oligarchs. Supporters argue it boosts the economy, while critics cite increased inequality and potential for misuse. The program's launch date remains uncertain.

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(www.wired.com)
Startup gold card

Meta's AI Copyright Battle: Did Using Pirated Books to Train AI Cross the Line?

2025-05-05
Meta's AI Copyright Battle: Did Using Pirated Books to Train AI Cross the Line?

Meta faces a copyright lawsuit from authors including Sarah Silverman and Ta-Nehisi Coates over its AI tools. The judge is questioning whether Meta illegally used their books, obtained through 'shadow libraries,' to train its AI and whether this harms the authors' sales. Meta claims 'fair use,' but the judge suggests that significantly impacting or destroying the market for their work might invalidate this defense. This case will set a precedent for future AI copyright cases, hinging on proving actual harm to the authors' commercial prospects.

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(www.wired.com)
Tech

US Ebola Research Facility Shut Down Amidst Safety Concerns

2025-05-01
US Ebola Research Facility Shut Down Amidst Safety Concerns

The Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, Maryland, a US National Institutes of Health facility studying Ebola and other deadly infectious diseases, has been ordered to halt all research activities. The order, from the Department of Health and Human Services, follows identified personnel issues compromising the facility's safety culture. Research on Lassa fever, SARS-CoV-2, and Eastern equine encephalitis has been suspended. The facility's director has been placed on administrative leave, and staff face an uncertain future. This disruption raises concerns about the impact on infectious disease research and the management of federal science agencies.

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Tech infectious disease research safety culture

Mystery Programmer Uses AI to Rewrite HUD Regulations, Sparking Controversy

2025-04-30
Mystery Programmer Uses AI to Rewrite HUD Regulations, Sparking Controversy

Chris Sweet, a University of Chicago student on leave, joined Elon Musk's DOGE and used AI to review and revise regulations at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Sweet's application analyzes regulations and suggests revisions, prompting questions from HUD staff about his role and methodology. Some find the effort redundant, while others question his qualifications. Sweet's background is shrouded in mystery, with extensive experience in finance and investment, yet a sparse online presence. The incident also raises concerns about DOGE's activities within HUD, with Representative Maxine Waters accusing DOGE of stealing funds, illegally terminating staff, and accessing confidential data.

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(www.wired.com)
Tech Government Regulation

Connected Cars: Privacy's Price Tag?

2025-04-29
Connected Cars: Privacy's Price Tag?

Automakers are increasingly pushing subscription models to unlock car features, raising concerns about government surveillance. Police records reveal law enforcement's ability to access data from connected cars, with varying access levels depending on manufacturers and internet providers. This highlights how corporate policies and technology, not laws, largely determine driver privacy. GM, for example, requires court orders for location data, while others haven't responded to inquiries. Experts emphasize the role tech companies play in setting data access standards, mirroring practices seen with Google, Facebook, and Apple.

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(www.wired.com)
Tech

ChatGPT Adds Shopping: Personalized E-commerce Search

2025-04-28
ChatGPT Adds Shopping: Personalized E-commerce Search

OpenAI announced that ChatGPT will soon allow users to buy products directly through the chat interface. This feature, rolling out to all users regardless of login status, redirects shoppers to the merchant's website for checkout. Leveraging ChatGPT's memory of user preferences and web-sourced product reviews, the AI provides personalized recommendations. OpenAI emphasizes that results are organic, not ads or sponsored placements, offering a more conversational and personalized shopping experience based on understanding user reviews and discussions.

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(www.wired.com)
Tech AI Shopping

Google AI's Nonsense: Seriously Wrong Answers

2025-04-24
Google AI's Nonsense: Seriously Wrong Answers

Google's AI Overview feature provides definitions and origins for any made-up phrase, even nonsensical ones. It uses a probabilistic model, predicting the next most likely word based on its training data, generating seemingly plausible explanations. However, this approach ignores semantic correctness and may cater to user expectations, leading to seemingly reasonable explanations for meaningless phrases. This highlights the limitations of generative AI in handling uncommon knowledge and minority perspectives, and its tendency to 'please' the user.

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(www.wired.com)
AI

Objective-C: The Unexpected Legacy of a Polarizing Language

2025-04-18
Objective-C: The Unexpected Legacy of a Polarizing Language

Leibniz's dream of a 'characteristica universalis' lives on in programming languages. This story recounts the author's experience with Objective-C, a verbose and polarizing language that unexpectedly became the foundation of Apple's ecosystem. Despite its criticisms, Objective-C's unique syntax and role in early iOS development left a lasting impact, as the author shares their personal journey and the surprising power of this often-overlooked language.

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(www.wired.com)
Development

Arizona County Delays $500K AI Crime-Fighting Software Purchase Amidst Concerns

2025-04-17
Arizona County Delays $500K AI Crime-Fighting Software Purchase Amidst Concerns

Pinal County, Arizona, considered a $500,000 contract for Overwatch, an AI-powered crime-fighting software from Massive Blue. The software, using 50 AI bots, aims to combat human trafficking, drug trafficking, and gun trafficking. However, concerns arose regarding its unproven effectiveness; despite claims of assisting in an arson investigation, no arrests have been made. After questioning from supervisors about the lack of demonstrable results, the county board delayed the vote, requesting further evaluation before committing taxpayer funds.

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(www.wired.com)
Tech Law Enforcement

AlphaGo's Stunning Victory: A Glimpse into the Future of AI

2025-04-17
AlphaGo's Stunning Victory: A Glimpse into the Future of AI

The historic match between AlphaGo, Google's AI, and Lee Sedol, one of the world's best Go players, concluded with AlphaGo winning 4-1. AlphaGo's move 37 in game two was hailed as a moment of genius, a move no human would make. However, Lee Sedol's response in game four demonstrated the enduring brilliance of human intuition. This match showcased not only the remarkable advancements in AI but also the resilience and creativity of the human mind. AlphaGo's victory marks a significant leap for AI in complex game playing, hinting at transformative potential across various fields, while simultaneously prompting reflection on the ethical implications of AI's rapid advancement.

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(www.wired.com)
AI

Nobel Laureate Explains: Why We Die

2025-04-17
Nobel Laureate Explains: Why We Die

Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, 2009 Nobel laureate in Chemistry, delves into the mechanisms of aging and death in his new book, Why We Die. He reveals that death isn't genetically programmed but a consequence of evolution's focus on efficient gene transmission. Lifespan isn't simply accumulated cellular wear and tear, but a balance between resource allocation for maintaining bodily functions and repair versus growth, reproduction, and nurturing offspring. Ramakrishnan shared his findings at the Milan Longevity Summit, challenging conventional understanding of death and aging.

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(www.wired.com)
Tech

SSA Moves to X, Sparking Concerns Amidst Massive Layoffs

2025-04-11
SSA Moves to X, Sparking Concerns Amidst Massive Layoffs

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is shifting its public communication exclusively to X, abandoning press releases and internal memos. This comes amidst significant staff cuts, raising concerns about access to information for beneficiaries and employees. While the White House claims the move optimizes service delivery, sources reveal an approximately 87% reduction in regional office staff. This aligns with Elon Musk's efforts to downsize the federal workforce and highlights the role and potential risks of X as a primary information source.

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(www.wired.com)
Tech Social Security Administration

Bluesky's Eternal September: Navigating New User Etiquette

2025-04-08
Bluesky's Eternal September: Navigating New User Etiquette

The influx of new users to platforms like Bluesky echoes the 'Eternal September' phenomenon of the early internet, frustrating longtime users accustomed to established online norms. The article explores strategies for navigating this, such as thoughtful replies, avoiding redundant jokes, and utilizing robust blocking features. Some users view blocking as a proactive measure to maintain a positive environment, while others emphasize empathy for newcomers unfamiliar with online culture. The article highlights the contrast between Bluesky's approach and the more abrasive environment of platforms like X (formerly Twitter).

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(www.wired.com)
Tech online etiquette

New Mexico Bans 'Forever Chemicals' in Consumer Products

2025-04-08
New Mexico Bans 'Forever Chemicals' in Consumer Products

After discovering PFAS, or 'forever chemicals', in a furniture protectant, New Mexico Environment Secretary James Kenney spearheaded legislation banning added PFAS in consumer products. This makes New Mexico the third state to ban PFAS through legislation, reflecting a growing national concern over the health and environmental risks of these chemicals. The chemical and consumer products industries are fighting back, lobbying state legislatures and even suing to prevent the laws from taking effect.

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(www.wired.com)
Tech chemicals

How Much Does the Internet Weigh?

2025-04-07
How Much Does the Internet Weigh?

The question of the internet's weight, seemingly absurd, has spurred scientific inquiry. Early estimates pegged it at roughly 50 grams, equivalent to a few strawberries. However, with the explosive growth of data, this figure is outdated. This article explores three calculation methods: server energy consumption, electron information transmission, and DNA storage density. The final calculation, based on the law of conservation of energy, reveals an incredibly small mass: 53 quadrillionths of a gram. Yet, regardless of its physical weight, the internet's impact on humanity remains immense.

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(www.wired.com)
Tech data

Halley's Hollow Earth: A Beautiful Blunder

2025-04-04
Halley's Hollow Earth: A Beautiful Blunder

In the 17th century, astronomer Edmond Halley proposed a hollow Earth theory, suggesting three concentric spheres within our planet, each inhabited and held together by magnetism. While based on limited scientific knowledge and ultimately disproven, his theory ingeniously explained variations in the Earth's magnetic field. Although incorrect, Halley's meticulous geomagnetic data collection and insightful speculation about Earth's interior laid groundwork for future geological research, showcasing the spirit of bold hypothesis and experimentation in scientific inquiry.

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(www.wired.com)
Tech geomagnetism

Indiana University Professor Under Investigation for Undisclosed Chinese Research Funding

2025-04-02
Indiana University Professor Under Investigation for Undisclosed Chinese Research Funding

Indiana University (IU) data privacy professor Xiaofeng Wang and his wife are under investigation for allegedly failing to disclose research funding received from China. The university began reviewing whether Wang received unreported funding months before the FBI raided two of the couple’s homes last week. A statement, purportedly written by a long-time collaborator, reveals IU contacted Wang in December about a 2017-2018 Chinese grant listing him as a researcher. The statement alleges IU was concerned Wang failed to properly disclose the funding to the university and in US federal grant applications. While Wang claims to have explained the situation, the investigation continues. The allegations involve research misconduct, including failure to properly disclose the principal investigator and not fully listing co-authors. Wang regularly collaborated with researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Information Engineering, but his publications show his primary funding came from US government agencies and corporations. No evidence currently suggests impropriety in the collaborations.

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(www.wired.com)
Tech US-China research collaboration

Simulating a Worm: A Decade-Long Quest for Digital Life

2025-03-30
Simulating a Worm: A Decade-Long Quest for Digital Life

Amidst fierce Santa Ana winds, the author ran a worm simulation, part of the OpenWorm project aiming to create a digital twin of a nematode, accurate down to the molecule. The simulation, using 10 hours of compute time to generate a mere 5 seconds of worm movement, highlights the immense challenge of creating such a complex biological simulation. However, as Los Angeles wildfires raged, the author's simulated worm unexpectedly moved, prompting reflection on the relationship between life science and technology: Why dedicate 13 years to digitally recreating a microscopic worm?

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(www.wired.com)
Tech Biological Simulation Technological Exploration

The Man Who Put the Queen on the Internet

2025-03-30
The Man Who Put the Queen on the Internet

Peter Kirstein, a pioneer of the internet, enabled Queen Elizabeth II to become one of the first heads of state to send an email in 1976. He not only set up her email account (username: HME2) but also played a crucial role in bringing the ARPANET, the precursor to the internet, to Great Britain. His efforts in connecting the UK to the ARPANET and promoting the adoption of TCP/IP protocols were pivotal in the development of the global internet. Kirstein's contributions have earned him a place in the Internet Hall of Fame alongside internet luminaries like Vint Cerf, Bob Kahn, and Tim Berners-Lee.

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(www.wired.com)
Tech

Survival Game: Strategy, Betrayal, and Survival

2025-03-29
Survival Game: Strategy, Betrayal, and Survival

The author participated in a survival game called CTG, where players survive by completing challenges and voting. To survive, the author learned from previous players' experiences: staying low-key and avoiding the spotlight. In the game, players displayed various roles: leaders, organizers, data nerds, and so on. By meticulously observing and recording, and actively participating in challenges, the author successfully avoided early elimination. However, on day three, a high-risk collective abstention strategy ended in failure, and suspicion and accusations quickly spread among the players.

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(www.wired.com)
Game survival game

AI-Powered Romance Scam Costs Woman $300,000

2025-03-29
AI-Powered Romance Scam Costs Woman $300,000

Evelyn, a Los Angeles woman, lost $300,000 to a romance scam orchestrated through the Hinge dating app. The scammer, posing as "Bruce," lured her into a cryptocurrency investment scheme, ultimately stealing her life savings. This case highlights the growing use of AI in scams: AI writing tools make it easier to create convincing narratives, while deepfakes enhance credibility, making scams harder to detect. Evelyn's story serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing the importance of caution in online dating and the dangers of high-yield investment promises.

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(www.wired.com)
AI AI Technology

DOGE's Risky Plan to Migrate SSA's COBOL Code Sparks Concerns

2025-03-28
DOGE's Risky Plan to Migrate SSA's COBOL Code Sparks Concerns

The core systems of the US Social Security Administration (SSA) still rely on outdated COBOL code. A group called DOGE is planning to migrate millions of lines of this code to a modern language within months, but this plan has sparked serious concerns. The migration process could result in system failures affecting millions of beneficiaries' payments. Experts warn of the extreme risk of system crashes, given the SSA's complex and fragile system, likened to a house of cards or a Jenga tower. DOGE plans to utilize AI to assist in code conversion, but testing and resolving all potential edge cases would take years, not months.

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(www.wired.com)
Tech

Signal Downloads Soar After Trump Admin Scandal

2025-03-27
Signal Downloads Soar After Trump Admin Scandal

The accidental inclusion of The Atlantic's editor in a Signal group chat used by Trump administration officials to plan a Yemen bombing, dubbed 'SignalGate', has led to a massive surge in downloads for the encrypted messaging app. The incident, which exposed secret plans and raised concerns about security protocols, caused Signal's US downloads to double their usual rate, marking the app's largest ever US growth spurt. This surpasses even the growth seen in 2021 when WhatsApp's privacy policy changes spurred a mass exodus to Signal. Sensor Tower data confirms a 105 percent increase in US downloads compared to the previous week, and a 150 percent increase compared to the average week in 2024.

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(www.wired.com)
Tech

arXiv's 20-Year Odyssey: One Programmer's Reluctant Reign

2025-03-27
arXiv's 20-Year Odyssey: One Programmer's Reluctant Reign

Paul Ginsparg's arXiv preprint server, a cornerstone of scientific communication, has undergone a dramatic transformation over two decades. Initially a solo project, its growth led to management challenges, code maintenance nightmares, and friction with library staff. Despite attempts to relinquish control, Ginsparg remained deeply involved until the Simons Foundation's funding enabled a much-needed restructuring and modernization. This article details the story of a brilliant programmer's tenacious yet bittersweet journey, and the arduous evolution of an open-source platform.

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(www.wired.com)
Development

Google's Gemini: Billions Invested, Profits Elusive

2025-03-26
Google's Gemini: Billions Invested, Profits Elusive

Google's ambitious Gemini AI application, aiming for Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), faces a significant challenge: profitability. Its downloads lag far behind OpenAI's ChatGPT, and the massive R&D costs and energy consumption of generative AI remain hurdles. Google is attempting to monetize Gemini through in-app advertising, while simultaneously facing potential massive revenue losses from antitrust lawsuits. Internal anxieties about workload and future prospects are also prevalent. Despite expanding functionalities, accuracy issues persist, as exemplified by a recent ad miscalculating global Gouda cheese consumption. Google is cautiously navigating Gemini's development, aiming to avoid past missteps and maintain its leading position in the AI race.

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(www.wired.com)
Tech

Zombie Mastermind: How Wasps Turn Caterpillars into Bodyguards

2025-03-19
Zombie Mastermind: How Wasps Turn Caterpillars into Bodyguards

Glyptapanteles wasps employ a horrifying life cycle: females inject up to 80 eggs into caterpillars. The larvae feed, then collectively emerge, leaving the caterpillar alive but manipulated. The larvae control the caterpillar, turning it into a bodyguard protecting their cocoons until it starves to death. Research by ecologist Arne Janssen at the University of Amsterdam shows this manipulation drastically improves the wasps' survival rates. This isn't simple parasitism; it's a brutal, efficient survival strategy showcasing nature's darker wonders.

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(www.wired.com)
Tech parasitic wasps caterpillar behavioral manipulation
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