That is at the moment’s version of The Obtain, our weekday e-newsletter that gives a each day dose of what’s happening on the earth of know-how.
DeepSeek might have discovered a brand new means to enhance AI’s means to recollect
The information: An AI mannequin launched by Chinese language AI firm DeepSeek makes use of new strategies that might considerably enhance AI’s means to “bear in mind.”
The way it works: The optical character recognition mannequin works by extracting textual content from a picture and turning it into machine-readable phrases. This is similar know-how that powers scanner apps, translation of textual content in pictures, and plenty of accessibility instruments.
Why it issues: Researchers say the mannequin’s fundamental innovation lies in the way it processes info—particularly, the way it shops and retrieves knowledge. Enhancing how AI fashions “bear in mind” may scale back how a lot computing energy they should run, thus mitigating AI’s massive (and rising) carbon footprint. Learn the total story.
—Caiwei Chen
The AI Hype Index: Knowledge facilities’ neighbors are pivoting to energy blackouts
Separating AI actuality from hyped-up fiction isn’t all the time simple. That’s why we’ve created the AI Hype Index—a easy, at-a-glance abstract of every part that you must know in regards to the state of the trade. Check out this month’s version of the index right here.
Roundtables: in search of local weather options in turbulent instances
Yesterday we held a subscriber-only dialog exploring how corporations are pursuing local weather options amid political shifts within the US.
Our local weather reporters James Temple and Casey Crownhart sat down with our science editor Mary Beth Griggs to dig into essentially the most promising local weather applied sciences proper now. Watch the session again right here!
MIT Expertise Overview Narrated: Supershoes are reshaping distance operating
“Supershoes” —which mix a light-weight, energy-returning foam with a carbon-fiber plate for stiffness—have been behind each damaged world file in distances from 5,000 meters to the marathon since 2020.
To some, it is a signal of progress—for each the sector as an entire and for athletes’ our bodies. Nonetheless, some argue that they’ve modified the game too shortly.
That is our newest story to be changed into a MIT Expertise Overview Narrated podcast, which we’re publishing every week on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Simply navigate to MIT Expertise Overview Narrated on both platform, and observe us to get all our new content material because it’s launched.
The must-reads
I’ve combed the web to search out you at the moment’s most enjoyable/necessary/scary/fascinating tales about know-how.
1 Hurricane Melissa often is the Atlantic Ocean’s strongest on file
There’s little doubt in scientists’ minds that human-caused local weather change is accountable. (New Scientist $)+ Whereas Jamaica is essentially with out energy, no deaths have been confirmed. (BBC)
+ The hurricane is at the moment sweeping throughout Cuba. (NYT $)
+ Right here’s what we find out about hurricanes and local weather change. (MIT Expertise Overview)
2 Texas is suing Tylenol over the Trump administration’s autism claims
Although the scientific proof is unfounded. (NY Magazine $)
+ The lawsuit claims the agency violated Texas legislation by claiming the drug was protected. (WP $)
3 Two US Senators need to ban AI companions for minors
They need AI corporations to implement age-verification processes, too. (NBC Information)
+ The looming crackdown on AI companionship. (MIT Expertise Overview)
3 Trump’s “golden dome” plan is significantly flawed
It’s unlikely to supply something just like the safety he claims it is going to. (WP $)
+ Why Trump’s “golden dome” missile protection concept is one other ripped straight from the flicks. (MIT Expertise Overview)
4 The Trump administration is backing new nuclear vegetation
To—shock shock—energy the AI growth. (NYT $)
+ The grid is straining to assist the extreme calls for for energy. (Reuters)+ Can nuclear energy actually gasoline the rise of AI? (MIT Expertise Overview)
5 Uber’s subsequent fleet of autonomous automobiles will comprise Nvidia’s new chips
Which may finally make it cheaper to hail a robotaxi. (Bloomberg $)
+ Nvidia can also be working with an organization referred to as Lucid to carry autonomous automobiles to shoppers. (Ars Technica)
6 Weight reduction medicine have gotten extra commonplace the world over
Semaglutide patents are resulting from expire in Brazil, China and India subsequent 12 months. (Economist $)+ We’re studying extra about what weight-loss medicine do to the physique. (MIT Expertise Overview)
7 Extra billionaires hail from America than some other nation
Nearly all of them have made their fortunes working in know-how. (WSJ $)
+ China is closing in on America’s international science lead. (Bloomberg $)
8 Australian police are creating an AI instrument to decode Gen Z slang
It’s in a bid to fight the rising networks of younger males focusing on susceptible women on-line. (The Guardian)
9 This robotic housekeeper is managed remotely by a human 
Nothing bizarre about that in any respect… (WSJ $)
+ The people behind the robots. (MIT Expertise Overview)
10 Cameo is suing OpenAI
It’s sad about Sora’s new Cameo function. (Reuters)
Quote of the day
“I don’t imagine we’re in an AI bubble.”
—Jensen Haung, Nvidia’s CEO, conveniently dismisses the rising issues across the AI hype practice, Bloomberg experiences.
Yet another factor
Methods to befriend a crow
Crows have grow to be minor TikTok celebrities due to CrowTok, a small however extraordinarily energetic area of interest on the social video app that has exploded in recognition over the previous two years. CrowTok isn’t nearly birds, although. It additionally typically explores the relationships that corvids—a household of birds together with crows, magpies, and ravens—develop with human beings.
They’re not the one clever birds round, however usually, corvids are sensible in a means that resonates deeply with people. However how simple is it to befriend them? And what can it train us about consideration, and persistence, in a world that usually appears to have little of both? Learn the total story.
—Abby Ohlheiser
We are able to nonetheless have good issues
A spot for consolation, enjoyable and distraction to brighten up your day. (Bought any concepts? Drop me a line or skeet ’em at me.)
+ Congratulations to Flava Flav, who’s been appointed Crew USA’s official hype man for the 2026 Winter Olympics!
+ Why are Spirographs so hypnotic? Solutions on a postcard.
+ I like this story—and delightful pictures—celebrating 50 years of the World Homosexual Rodeo.
+ Axolotls actually are exceptional little creatures.
