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AI Takes Center Stage: Power Grids Embrace Artificial Intelligence

2025-07-15
AI Takes Center Stage: Power Grids Embrace Artificial Intelligence

PJM Interconnection, the nation's largest grid operator, partnered with Google to leverage AI software, Tapestry, for improved grid planning and faster connections for new power generators. Texas's ERCOT is exploring similar technologies. Australia's New South Wales showcases advanced AI applications, predicting rooftop solar power production and automatically adjusting grid integration. This shift highlights AI's expanding role in energy, moving beyond data center power needs to enhance grid efficiency and resilience, presenting significant opportunities for a modernized power infrastructure.

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(www.technologyreview.com)
Tech

IBM's Starling: A Giant Leap Towards Practical Quantum Computing?

2025-06-10
IBM's Starling: A Giant Leap Towards Practical Quantum Computing?

IBM aims to launch its 'Starling' quantum computer in 2029, boasting 200 logical qubits and the ability to perform 100 million consecutive logical operations with high accuracy—a significant leap beyond current capabilities. While experts question its immediate practicality for solving real-world problems, Starling represents a crucial milestone in quantum computing. IBM's modular approach, connecting multiple modules to scale, is key to its design. The roadmap involves smaller intermediate machines like Loon and Kookaburra before culminating in Starling. This ambitious project signifies quantum computing's move toward practical applications, though technical hurdles remain.

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(www.technologyreview.com)
Tech Starling

Xona's Anti-Jamming Satellite Navigation System

2025-06-08
Xona's Anti-Jamming Satellite Navigation System

Xona Space Systems is tackling the vulnerability of GPS signals to jamming and spoofing. Their upcoming Pulsar-0 satellite will transmit signals 100 times stronger than GPS by significantly reducing the distance to ground receivers. This enhanced strength improves resistance to interference and enables more accurate indoor positioning. Crucially, this addresses the limitations of current GPS systems, particularly for applications like autonomous driving and drones that require high precision, especially in urban environments.

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(www.technologyreview.com)
Tech Anti-Jamming

AI's Energy Hunger: A Growing Concern

2025-05-20
AI's Energy Hunger: A Growing Concern

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence presents a significant energy consumption problem. The article highlights that large language models and image generation models require massive amounts of electricity, much of which still comes from fossil fuels, resulting in substantial carbon emissions. Data centers are often located in areas with dirtier power grids and run around the clock, exacerbating the issue. While some tech companies pledge to increase renewable energy use, progress is slow. In the future, as AI applications become more prevalent and powerful, energy consumption will grow exponentially, demanding careful consideration of how to balance AI development with environmental protection.

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(www.technologyreview.com)
Tech

Montana's Right-to-Try Bill: A Medical Tourism Gamble?

2025-05-15
Montana's Right-to-Try Bill: A Medical Tourism Gamble?

Montana's controversial new law allows access to unapproved experimental drugs, sparking debate. While proponents claim it promotes equitable access, experts question its safety and feasibility. US courts have previously rejected the right of patients to access unapproved experimental treatments. The bill mandates that experimental treatment centers allocate a percentage of profits to support local residents' access, but this might introduce further risk as doctors lack efficacy guarantees. Additionally, the law limits sales to drugs manufactured within Montana, contradicting federal requirements for FDA approval of interstate drug commerce. Despite these hurdles, several clinics have expressed interest, potentially creating a unique medical tourism market.

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(www.technologyreview.com)
Tech medical bill experimental drugs medical tourism

Gene-Edited Pigs: A Biotech Breakthrough or Ethical Grey Area?

2025-05-02
Gene-Edited Pigs: A Biotech Breakthrough or Ethical Grey Area?

Genus has created pigs genetically resistant to the devastating PRRS virus by removing the virus's cellular receptor. While similar to the controversial CRISPR babies experiment, the pig project faces fewer ethical concerns due to its economic benefits—PRRS costs the US over $300 million annually. The article contrasts this achievement with other, less serious gene-editing projects, such as attempts to resurrect extinct animals and create fantastical creatures, highlighting the potential and ethical dilemmas of genetic engineering in agriculture and beyond.

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(www.technologyreview.com)
Tech biotech

China Achieves Milestone with Thorium-Based Reactor: Online Refueling

2025-05-01
China Achieves Milestone with Thorium-Based Reactor: Online Refueling

China has made significant strides in nuclear technology. A small thorium-based reactor, operational since June 2024, recently achieved online refueling, a milestone for thorium reactor technology. While the reactor is small, generating only two megawatts of heat, this achievement holds significant implications for the future of nuclear energy, especially given China's rapid advancements in nuclear power and the global interest in alternative fuels and advanced reactor designs. This technology, initially researched extensively in the US, is now seeing significant progress in China, offering promising new possibilities for global nuclear energy development.

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(www.technologyreview.com)
Tech thorium reactor nuclear technology China nuclear power

Yahoo's Mismanaged Dissident Fund Settles After Lawsuit

2025-04-23
Yahoo's Mismanaged Dissident Fund Settles After Lawsuit

A fund established by Yahoo to support Chinese dissidents was mismanaged by its nonprofit partner, the Laogai Research Foundation, with most of the money diverted. In 2017, six formerly imprisoned Chinese dissidents sued Yahoo, Laogai, and its leadership. The settlement compensates the dissidents, and remaining funds will establish a new fund managed by Humanitarian China to continue supporting individuals imprisoned for their speech in China. This funding is crucial for dissidents facing economic and social hardship after release, symbolizing international support for their cause.

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(www.technologyreview.com)
Misc

Maldives Fights Rising Seas with Self-Assembling Island Tech

2025-04-22
Maldives Fights Rising Seas with Self-Assembling Island Tech

Off the coast of Malé, researchers are testing a novel approach to combat rising sea levels: growing islands. The 'Growing Islands' project utilizes self-assembling technology, deploying a structure called the 'Ramp Ring'—six large geotextile bladders that passively capture sand year-round. Unlike previous experiments limited by seasonal currents, the Ramp Ring's omnidirectional design allows for continuous sand accumulation, offering a promising solution for island building and beach restoration. This technology holds potential for global application in similar coastal environments.

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(www.technologyreview.com)
Tech island building

The Armatron: From 90-Degree Rotation to 360-Degree Freedom

2025-04-20
The Armatron: From 90-Degree Rotation to 360-Degree Freedom

Hiroyuki Watanabe, the inventor of the Armatron robotic arm, initially drew inspiration from a newspaper clipping depicting a mechanical arm. However, the first prototype could only rotate 90 degrees and had a complex control panel. Watanabe's hobby of flying radio-controlled helicopters provided the breakthrough; he designed a system allowing 360-degree rotation and simpler controls, resulting in a toy classic.

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(www.technologyreview.com)
Design Toy Design Robotic Arm Product Innovation

Bodyoids: A Technological Leap with Ethical Quandaries

2025-04-08
Bodyoids: A Technological Leap with Ethical Quandaries

The concept of 'bodyoids,' artificially grown human-like tissues or organs, is no longer science fiction. While offering potential solutions to organ transplantation and ethical concerns surrounding animal research and food production, bodyoids raise profound ethical questions. The central dilemma: should bodyoids, created without pregnancy or parental involvement, be considered human and afforded the same rights and respect? Consent for using cells to create them, and the potential devaluation of human life lacking consciousness, are key issues needing careful consideration before this revolutionary technology is further explored.

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(www.technologyreview.com)
Tech tissue engineering

3D-Printed Heat Exchanger Offers a Cooling Breakthrough

2025-04-03
3D-Printed Heat Exchanger Offers a Cooling Breakthrough

Global air conditioning energy consumption is soaring, with ACs sometimes accounting for over 70% of residential energy demand during peak hours. MIT Technology Review highlights innovative solutions. New energy storage-based AC systems charge during off-peak hours, reducing grid strain. Energy-efficient desiccant cooling systems handle humidity more effectively. Excitingly, researchers 3D-printed a heat exchanger outperforming standard designs, paving the way for AC innovation. While a complete solution to the looming AC crisis remains distant, this breakthrough offers hope for energy efficiency. Policy and public support are crucial for widespread adoption.

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(www.technologyreview.com)
Tech air conditioning energy consumption heat exchanger

Bodyoids: The Ethical and Technological Tightrope of Future Medicine

2025-03-28
Bodyoids: The Ethical and Technological Tightrope of Future Medicine

Scientists propose 'bodyoids,' human-like constructs grown from cells, for medical research and organ transplantation. While offering potential solutions to ethical dilemmas like animal testing, this technology raises profound ethical questions. Do bodyoids deserve human rights? How do we define their life status? How do we secure informed consent for cell donation? These issues demand careful consideration for responsible development and application.

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(www.technologyreview.com)
Tech bioethics

China's EV Giants Pivot to Humanoid Robots

2025-02-20
China's EV Giants Pivot to Humanoid Robots

A new trend is emerging in China's tech scene: leading electric vehicle companies are heavily investing in humanoid robot development. This is closely tied to the booming EV market in China, which significantly surpasses the US market share, driven by price competition, government subsidies, and well-established infrastructure. The recent appearance of dancing humanoid robots on China's New Year Gala, while sparking some technical debate, showcases China's rapid advancements in robotics. This trend could have profound implications for the global tech landscape and potentially impact policies like those of the Trump administration.

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(www.technologyreview.com)
Tech

Lunar 4G: Nokia's Cell Network for Artemis

2025-02-18
Lunar 4G: Nokia's Cell Network for Artemis

NASA's Artemis program, aiming to establish a permanent lunar presence, necessitates a more advanced communication system than traditional point-to-point radio. Nokia has developed a 4G cellular network for the moon, housed in a radiation-hardened, temperature-resistant 'network in a box'. This compact solution, requiring only an antenna and power source, will enable enhanced communication between the lunar lander and other vehicles during missions like IM-2. However, its functionality will be limited to a few days due to the harsh lunar environment.

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(www.technologyreview.com)
Tech lunar communication 4G network Artemis program

SpaceX's Ambitious Sea-Based Launches: A Risky Proposition?

2025-02-16
SpaceX's Ambitious Sea-Based Launches: A Risky Proposition?

SpaceX's plans for frequent Starship launches necessitate innovative solutions, including sea-based launch platforms. However, the history of Sea Launch, plagued by legal, environmental, and safety concerns, serves as a cautionary tale. While SpaceX currently shelved its sea launch project, executives hint at its potential return. This raises critical questions about international regulations, environmental protection, and the long-term effects of high-frequency rocket launches. The future of sea-based launches remains uncertain.

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(www.technologyreview.com)
Tech Sea Launch

AI Voice Synthesis: Censorship and the Plight of ALS Patients

2025-02-14
AI Voice Synthesis: Censorship and the Plight of ALS Patients

Joyce, an ALS patient, was banned from ElevenLabs' AI voice synthesis service for a mildly complaining remark, sparking a debate about censorship. While reinstated, the incident highlights inconsistencies; other ALS users haven't faced similar scrutiny, and some platforms even encourage diverse voice samples. This underscores ethical and inclusivity challenges in AI applications.

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(www.technologyreview.com)
AI voice synthesis

Bioengineered Teeth: A Breakthrough in Tooth Repair?

2025-02-06
Bioengineered Teeth: A Breakthrough in Tooth Repair?

Scientists have grown bioengineered teeth in the lab using cells from pig teeth, offering a revolutionary approach to tooth repair. Traditional fillings and implants have limitations such as limited lifespan and infection risks. This bioengineered tooth aims to overcome these drawbacks, providing a more durable and natural tooth replacement. Researchers cultured tens of millions of cells from pig jawbones and seeded them onto biodegradable tooth-shaped scaffolds, which were then implanted into rats. This research opens up new avenues for repairing damaged teeth and has the potential to revolutionize the field of dentistry.

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(www.technologyreview.com)
Tech bioengineering tooth repair

Xanadu's 12-Qubit Photonic Quantum Computer: A Promising First Step

2025-01-31
Xanadu's 12-Qubit Photonic Quantum Computer: A Promising First Step

Xanadu's latest research, published in Nature, details their 12-qubit photonic quantum computer, Aurora, built using 35 chips. While significantly fewer qubits than Google or IBM's offerings, this represents a key advancement in photonic quantum computing. Researchers highlight advantages like noise resilience and ease of networking, crucial for a future quantum internet. However, practical quantum computing applications require thousands, if not millions, of qubits. The achievement is compared to building a hotel—one room has been constructed, but the feasibility of building the entire hotel remains to be seen.

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(www.technologyreview.com)
Tech photonic quantum computer

CRISPR Creates Mice with Two Dads

2025-01-29
CRISPR Creates Mice with Two Dads

Chinese scientists have used CRISPR to create mice with two fathers that survive to adulthood. By editing 20 imprinted genes, they bypassed the developmental abnormalities usually seen in bi-paternal mice. This research offers insights into genomic imprinting and potential reproductive technologies, but highlights significant ethical and safety concerns regarding human applications.

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(www.technologyreview.com)
Tech gene editing genomic imprinting

The Underground Hydrogen Rush: A New Energy Race

2025-01-23
The Underground Hydrogen Rush: A New Energy Race

MIT Technology Review reports on an emerging energy race: the search for and exploitation of vast underground hydrogen reserves. Unlike traditional fossil fuel exploration, this race targets iron-rich rocks like olivine, which, under high temperature and pressure, undergo chemical reactions to produce hydrogen. Studies suggest that underground hydrogen deposits could reach a trillion tons, enough to meet humanity's needs for centuries. While challenges remain, such as hydrogen leakage and high transportation costs, the potential environmental benefits and positive impact on climate change make it a highly attractive energy option. This technology borrows from the oil and gas industry's expertise, but also faces the challenge of more efficient exploration and extraction methods.

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(www.technologyreview.com)
Tech hydrogen energy underground energy

OpenAI's Lobbying Surge: A Sevenfold Increase in Political Influence

2025-01-22
OpenAI's Lobbying Surge: A Sevenfold Increase in Political Influence

OpenAI's government lobbying spending soared to $1.76 million in 2024, a nearly sevenfold increase from the previous year. This marks OpenAI's significant entry into the political arena, aiming to shape AI policy. Their lobbying efforts focused on legislation related to AI research centers and benchmark testing. The company hired several seasoned lobbyists, including former staff of Senator Lindsey Graham. While still less than major tech competitors, OpenAI's increased influence is evident, as they push for favorable energy policies, national security contracts, and relaxed regulations.

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(www.technologyreview.com)
Tech Lobbying AI Policy

Saving Bluesky's Protocol: Preventing the Next Tech Oligarchy

2025-01-19
Saving Bluesky's Protocol: Preventing the Next Tech Oligarchy

The experiences of Facebook and Twitter demonstrate the vulnerability of centralized social media platforms to the whims of capricious billionaires. This article calls for protecting Bluesky, built on the open AT Protocol, from a similar fate. Bluesky's decentralized architecture allows for user-defined content moderation and independent platform building, avoiding single points of control. However, the article points out Bluesky's current reliance on venture capital and advocates for creating a non-profit foundation to govern the AT Protocol, building redundant servers to ensure user data portability and platform independence, thus creating a user-driven social media ecosystem akin to Wikipedia.

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(www.technologyreview.com)
Tech decentralized social media

OpenAI's AI Model Revolutionizes Stem Cell Reprogramming

2025-01-18
OpenAI's AI Model Revolutionizes Stem Cell Reprogramming

OpenAI, in collaboration with longevity research firm Retro Biosciences, has developed a fine-tuned language model, GPT-4b micro, that significantly improves stem cell reprogramming efficiency. By redesigning Yamanaka factor proteins, the model achieved over 50 times improvement in converting cells into stem cells. This groundbreaking research marks a milestone in AI's contribution to scientific discovery, offering new hope for anti-aging research and regenerative medicine. While the exact mechanism remains under investigation, the results are promising.

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(www.technologyreview.com)
AI Stem Cells

Generative Search: AI Revolutionizes Internet Search

2025-01-11
Generative Search: AI Revolutionizes Internet Search

Generative AI is reshaping internet search. Forget keyword searches and link sorting; conversational search powered by AI is providing direct answers, integrating real-time information from across the web. Google's AI Overviews, OpenAI's web-integrated ChatGPT, and other search engines are vying for dominance, but face challenges like copyright disputes and AI hallucinations. Trillions of dollars are at stake, alongside concerns about information reliability and the future of publishers.

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(www.technologyreview.com)
Tech

Generative Search: How AI Is Rewriting the Rules of Internet Search

2025-01-07
Generative Search: How AI Is Rewriting the Rules of Internet Search

This article explores the transformative impact of generative AI on internet search engines. From keyword searches to conversational AI-powered searches, the shift is towards AI generating answers based on real-time web data, rather than simply providing links. Giants like Google, OpenAI, and Microsoft are vying for dominance, but challenges like copyright infringement and AI hallucinations remain. The future of generative search is rife with both opportunity and risk, promising to reshape how we access information and the very fabric of the internet.

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(www.technologyreview.com)
Tech Search Engines

2024's Biggest AI Fails: From 'AI Slop' to Out-of-Control Chatbots

2025-01-02
2024's Biggest AI Fails: From 'AI Slop' to Out-of-Control Chatbots

2024 saw significant advancements in AI, but also exposed numerous shortcomings. The proliferation of generative AI led to a flood of low-quality content ('AI slop') across the internet, impacting model training effectiveness. AI-generated fake images distorted perceptions of real-world events, such as false event promotions. Elon Musk's xAI company's Grok image generator, lacking necessary safety restrictions, generated violent and illegal content, raising concerns. Out-of-control chatbots and inaccurate information output also caused negative impacts, such as an airline chatbot providing incorrect refund policies. Erroneous AI search result summaries and the spread of deepfake pornography further highlighted the inadequacy of AI ethics and safety regulations.

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(www.technologyreview.com)
AI AI failures