This is at this time’s version of The Download, our weekday publication that gives a day by day dose of what’s occurring on this planet of know-how.
People are apprehensive that AI will take everybody’s jobs. We’ve been right here earlier than.
It was 1938, and the ache of the Great Depression was nonetheless very actual. Unemployment within the US was round 20%. New equipment was reworking factories and farms, and everybody was apprehensive about jobs.
Were the spectacular technological achievements that had been making life simpler for a lot of additionally destroying jobs and wreaking havoc on the economic system? To make sense of all of it, Karl T. Compton, the president of MIT from 1930 to 1948 and one of many main scientists of the day, wrote within the December 1938 difficulty of this publication concerning the “Bogey of Technological Unemployment.”
His essay concisely framed the controversy over jobs and technical progress in a manner that continues to be related, particularly given at this time’s fears over the affect of synthetic intelligence. It’s a worthwhile reminder that worries over the way forward for jobs aren’t new and are finest addressed by making use of an understanding of economics, slightly than conjuring up genies and monsters. Read the complete story.
—David Rotman
This high-tech mouthguard would possibly assist stop concussions
When athletes or troopers have a concussion, essentially the most useful plan of action is to easily get them off the taking part in area or out of the motion to allow them to get better. Yet a lot about head accidents stays a thriller, together with the explanation why some impacts end in concussion whereas others don’t.
New measuring gadgets, such because the Impact Monitoring Mouthguard, are being developed that might assist ship a wealth of details about head impacts. By giving a right away warning that an individual must be faraway from motion or play, they may assist shield troopers and athletes alike from mind harm. Read the complete story.
—David Hambling
Join us to debate crucial AI points in Europe and past
Artificial intelligence took the world by storm in 2023. Its future—and ours—will likely be formed by what we do subsequent. Register now to affix MIT Technology Review journalists for a free LinkedIn Live dialogue tomorrow at 11am ET as they discover what’s subsequent for AI in Europe, the US, and past.
The must-reads
I’ve combed the web to seek out you at this time’s most enjoyable/necessary/scary/fascinating tales about know-how.
1 X has blocked all searches for Taylor Swift
It’s a heavy-handed try to cease the circulation of AI-generated specific pictures of her. (FT $)
+ X is reportedly engaged on a brand new content material moderation HQ in Texas. (Bloomberg $)
+ The viral AI avatar app Lensa undressed me—with out my consent. (MIT Technology Review)
2 Big Tech is determined to sever its dependence on Nvidia’s chips
Unfortunately for them, it’s not as straightforward as merely constructing their very own semiconductors. (NYT $)
+ Japan is investing closely in its personal chip manufacturing strains. (FT $)
+ Huawei’s 5G chip breakthrough wants a actuality examine. (MIT Technology Review)
3 China has accepted dozens of AI fashions for public use
Regulators accepted 14 up to now week alone. (Reuters)
+ The US is spooked, and needs cloud companies to flag international purchasers. (Bloomberg $)
+ Four issues to learn about China’s new AI guidelines in 2024. (MIT Technology Review)
4 Meta is optimistic about going head-to-head with Apple
The warfare of the combined actuality headsets is beginning to warmth up. (WSJ $)
+ 2024 hasn’t been plain crusing for Apple thus far. (Economist $)
+ These minuscule pixels are poised to take augmented actuality by storm. (MIT Technology Review)
5 A George Carlin “AI comedy special” was, the truth is, written by a human
Faced with a lawsuit, the video’s creators admitted an algorithm had not generated the fabric. (NYT $)
6 US spies are sifting via huge quantities of public knowledge
They’re lastly tapping into OSINT knowledge. (Bloomberg $)
+ Leaked datasets are a trove of data, if you realize what you’re on the lookout for. (Motherboard)
7 Decarbonizing the economic system is simpler mentioned than executed
The authorized obstacles are even harder to navigate than the excessive prices. (The Atlantic $)
+ That doesn’t imply it’s not value pursuing, although. (MIT Technology Review)
8 Instacart is utilizing gross AI-generated meals images
Which makes your complete platform look spammy. (Insider $)
9 BeReal is courting celebrities now
The downside is, they aren’t precisely recognized for his or her authenticity. (Wired $)
10 What it takes to develop meals in area
Mmm, tasty 3D-printed meals! (The Guardian)
+ Future area meals may very well be created from astronaut breath. (MIT Technology Review)
Quote of the day
“Organizations want to say, ‘Yeah, we have a chief AI officer,’ because that makes them look good.”
—Consultant Randy Bean means that corporations’ rush to capitalize on the AI growth is usually a type of company bragging, he tells the New York Times.
The huge story
How existential danger grew to become the most important meme in AI
June 2023
Who’s afraid of the massive unhealthy bots? Lots of people, it appears. Hundreds of scientists, enterprise leaders, and policymakers have not too long ago made public pronouncements or signed open letters warning of the catastrophic risks of synthetic intelligence, from deep studying pioneer Geoffrey Hinton to California congressman Ted Lieu.
We’ve been right here earlier than: AI doom follows AI hype. But this time feels totally different. What had been as soon as excessive views are actually mainstream speaking factors, grabbing not solely headlines however the consideration of world leaders.
Has AI actually turn out to be (extra) harmful? And why are the individuals who ushered on this tech now those elevating the alarm? Or is the looming specter of regulation responsible? Read the complete story.
—Will Douglas Heaven
We can nonetheless have good issues
A spot for consolation, enjoyable and distraction in these bizarre occasions. (Got any concepts? Drop me a line or tweet ’em at me.)
+ Patrick Swayze traditional Road House has had a 2024 makeover.
+ I don’t know when you’ve seen, however taprooms are fairly fancy lately.
+ The champagne bottles onboard the fateful Titanic are nonetheless intact. How?
+ Happy 57th anniversary to the Mantra-Rock Dance, the apex of San Francisco’s hippie period.
+ A Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot is within the pipeline, in line with, err, Dolly Parton.