This is today’s edition download, Our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s happening in the world of technology.
Inexpensive submarines operating on the seabed could boost deep-sea science and mining
Last week, two rectangular neon submersibles began descending about 6,000 meters into the Pacific Ocean. For the rest of May, they will map the ocean floor in search of important mineral deposits.
If all goes well, the vehicles built by Orpheus Ocean could help scientists probe the depths of the deep ocean and the resources they contain, at a fraction of the cost of existing systems.
But those same submersibles are also attracting deep-sea mining companies, raising concerns about environmental impacts. Find out why they’re attracting so much attention.
-Hanna Richter
The new war room: 10 things that matter in AI right now
A new kind of system has entered the war room: conversational AI tools that commanders use not only for analysis, but also for advice.
An American defense official told MIT Technology Review That personnel can give these advice engines a list of potential targets to help them decide which to attack first. China is also introducing similar equipment.
But as the systems gain momentum, they are also raising concerns about AI-generated errors, a lack of transparency and the undue influence of Big Tech over what information is seen.
Here’s how these AI advice engines could impact the battlefield.
-James O’Donnell
The new war room is one of 10 things that matter in AI right nowOur list of the big ideas, trends and advances in the field that are driving progress today – and will shape what’s possible tomorrow.
MIT Technology Review Described: Is Fake Grass a Bad Idea? The Astroturf wars are not over yet.
In 2001, Americans installed more than 7 million square meters of synthetic turf. By 2024, that number will be 79 million square meters – enough to carpet all of Manhattan and then some. This increase worries those who study microplastics and environmental pollution.
While the plastics manufacturing industry insists that synthetic spheres are safe if installed properly, many researchers think this is not the case.
-Douglas Main
This is our latest Story This will be turned into the MIT Technology Review Narrated Podcast, which we publish every week spotify And apple podcasts. Simply navigate to MIT Technology Review Narrated on any platform, and follow us to get all our new content as it is released.
Must read
I’ve scoured the internet to find you today’s funniest/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.
1 Elon Musk pushes to pursue OpenAI commercially, its chairman testifies
Greg Brockman said Musk tried to turn it into a profitable company years ago. (NYT $)
+ Musk reportedly wanted full control so he could raise $80 billion to colonize Mars. (reuters $)
+ Tesla’s CEO claims he intends for OpenAI to remain non-profit. (BBC)
+ Here’s what happened in the first week of Musk vs. Altman. (MIT Technology Review)
2 Google and Meta are building an AI agent to compete with OpenClaw
Google’s Gemini Agent will take actions on behalf of users. (business insider)
+ Meta will be powered by its Muse Spark AI model. (foot $)
+ Hustlers are taking advantage of China’s OpenGL AI craze. (MIT Technology Review)
3 Anthropic will spend $200 billion on Google’s cloud and chips
The investment will be spread over five years. (Information $)
+ This is part of the broader AI compute war. (axios)
4 DeepSeek is nearing a valuation of $45 billion
A state-backed “big fund” will lead a new investment round in the company. (foot $)
+ Beijing is pushing to create an alternative to Nvidia and OpenAI. (bloomberg $)
+ That’s why DeepSeek’s new model makes sense. (MIT Technology Review)
5 Anthropic is launching AI agents for banks and financial firms
The 10 tools cover a broad mix of financial services functions. (WSJ $)
+ They’re part of an effort to conquer Wall Street. (bloomberg $)
6 Apple to pay $250 million to settle AI lawsuit
It was accused of misleading iPhone buyers about Apple Intelligence. (BBC)
+ Some iPhone owners are eligible to receive up to $95. (NYT $)
7 Inexpensive laptops and phones could disappear due to demand for AI
Competition for memory chips is driving up gadget prices around the world. (Guardian)
8 Google DeepMind employees in the UK have voted to form a union
As a result of Google’s work with the Pentagon. (wired $)
9 Pennsylvania is suing Character.AI over chatbots pretending to be doctors
Investigators say the bots claimed to have medical licenses. (npr)
+ How well do AI health tools work? (MIT Technology Review)
10 Scientists have created a “living” plastic that destroys itself on command
This can help eliminate microplastics. (gizmodo)
today’s thought
“I want AI to benefit humanity, not lead to genocide.”
-An anonymous Google DeepMind worker tells Patron that Google’s work with the Israel Defense Forces had inspired his vote to unionize.
one more thing
How tracking animal movements can save the planet
For decades, wildlife researchers have dreamed of creating an “Internet of Animals” – a big data system that monitors and analyzes animal behavior to help us understand the planet. Advances in sensor, AI, and satellite technology are now bringing that vision into reality.
Scientists want the system to track 100,000 sensor-tagged animals. They believe this could reveal how species respond to climate change and ecosystem loss – and could even predict environmental disasters. Read the full story on how his idea could save our planet.
-Matthew Ponsford
we can still have good things
A place of relaxation, fun and distractions to brighten your day. (Any ideas? drop me a line.)
+ master The Art of Fried Chicken With this definitive chef’s guide.
+ find out Why do some birds jump and others walk In this disintegration of bird lifestyle.
+ this vintage hollywood map Shows what the California landscape was like for everything from the Nile River to the Alps.
+ Here’s a hottie look at “flatbed” Airplane that was amazingly efficient on paper but never left the hangar.
