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The Download: introducing the Bear subject
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That is today’s edition ofThe Download,our weekday e-newsletter that provides a daily dose of what is happening in the world of technology.
Introducing: the Bear case
Building is a conventional tech industry motif—specifically in Silicon Valley, where “Time to build” has become something of a call to action. But the future is built brick by brick from the flawed decisions we make in the present.
We don’t often realize that the apparent steps forward we are taking today might later be seen as steps backward in the years to come. Occasionally, the things we don’t do, or the steps we skip, have greater implications than the actions we take.
These are the subject matters we delve into in our Bear subject. Try these reviews from the magazine:
Try these reviews from the magazine:
+ Our quilt story from Melissa Heikkilä investigates whether or not the AI exclaim is going to herald robotics’ very own ChatGPT moment.
+ Louisiana’s houses are sinking. Can a government-led effort build the role up and out of disaster?
+ Axiom Utter and diverse commercial corporations are making a bet they are going to construct internal most constructions to interchange the Global Utter Attach of dwelling.
+ An appealing look at the unparalleled uncommon history of brainwashing and how the United States became smitten by waging psychic war against China.
+ Why the rise of generative AI means we need a new term to replace ‘user.’
+ AI was supposed to make police bodycams better. What happened?
+ How we remodel to a fully decarbonized world. A world powered by electricity from ample, renewable sources is now within reach.
That is just a small sample of what’s on offer. Subscribe if you don’t already to see the full issue. Enjoy!
This solar giant is moving manufacturing back to the US
Every time you see a solar panel, most of its components likely come from China. The US invented the technology and once dominated its manufacturing, but over the last two decades, government subsidies and low costs in China have led most of the solar manufacturing supply chain to be concentrated there.
Nonetheless the US authorities is trying to change that. Through high tariffs on imports and hefty domestic tax credits, it’s a long way making an attempt to make the cost of manufacturing solar panels in the US competitive enough for companies to want to return and set up factories.
To realize its possibilities of success, MIT Technology Review spoke to Shawn Qu, founder and chairman of long-standing solar company Canadian Solar. After a prolonged time of mostly manufacturing in Asia, Canadian Solar is pivoting back to the US. He told Zeyi Yang, our China reporter, why he sees a genuine chance for a solar industry revival.
To learn more about the role of Chinese tech in the US, including climate tech stars, try the latest edition of China Report, our weekly e-newsletter covering tech, policy and energy in China. Sign up to receive it in your inbox every Tuesday.
The must-reads
I’ve searched online to find today’s most important, interesting, or concerning technology news.
1 The US Senate has passed the bill that could ban TikTok
It could either force parent company ByteDance to sell TikTok, or face a nationwide ban. (WP $)
+ Senators say TikTok’s ownership poses a serious threat to the US. (FT $)+ However, ByteDance is very unlikely to complete a sale within the short timeframe. (Reuters)
+ Here’s what is likely to happen next. (NOW $)
2 The AI industry is desperate for more data centers
Demand is so high, it’s causing a shortage of essential components. (WSJ $)
+ Energy-intensive data centers are quietly expanding in cities. (MIT Technology Review)]
3 Hackers try out cyberattacks in rising nations
Africa, Asia and South America are targeted before they move onto richer countries. (FT $)
+ Australia is afraid that AI is supercharging online extremist activity. (Bloomberg $)
4 Google has pushed back its plan to phase out cookies—again
It’s the third time the company has delayed the effort. (Bloomberg $)
5 How General Motors spied on its customers
It tracked driving data and sold it to the insurance industry. (NOW $)
+ The advertising industry is kicking its heels as it waits. (WSJ $)
+ China’s automobile companies are turning into tech companies. (MIT Technology Review)
6 How AI might help make sense of complex theories
String theory, anyone? (Quanta Magazine)
+ Is it possible to truly understand someone else’s thoughts? (MIT Technology Review)
7 The NFL is diving into big data
In terms of optimizing athletic performance, data is power. (Knowable Magazine)
8 A new industry is trying to game Reddit with AI-generated product promo
It’s the kind of sneaky tactic the Reddit community famously hates. (404 Media)
+ A GPT-3 bot posted comments on Reddit for a week and no one noticed. (MIT Technology Review)
9 AI beauty pageants are a thing now ????
Which no doubt undermines the level of beauty contests. (The Guardian)
10 X’s newest style is infuriating
Witness down at my keyboard? Fully now not. (Insider $)
Quote of the day
“If the Chinese authorities wants data on Individuals, they don’t need TikTok to get it.”
—Alan Z. Rozenshtein, an associate professor of law at the University of Minnesota, reflects on the US Senate’s risk to pressure ByteDance into selling TikTok or face a national ban, Platformer reports.
The broad story
The lucky break behind the first CRISPR cure
December 2023
The world’s first commercial gene-editing cure is set to begin changing the lives of people with sickle-cell disease. It’s called Casgevy, and it was approved last November in the UK.
The cure, that can per chance per chance perchance simply be sold within the US by Vertex Prescribed capsules, employs CRISPR, that can per chance per chance perchance simply be without complications programmed by scientists to sever DNA at staunch areas they settle.
But where do you aim CRISPR, and how did the researchers know what DNA to change? That’s the lesser-known story of the sickle-cell breakthrough. Read more about it.
—Antonio Regalado
We are in a position to hold nice issues
A put for comfort, fun and distraction to brighten up your day. (Obtained any tips? Drop me a line or tweet ’em at me.)
+ The Monument Valley video games are calming, if you’ve never played them, and their music is especially poignant.
+ There’s nothing more satisfying than a good pressure washer video.
+ Have you ever seen your doppelgänger in an art gallery? These people have.
+ Replacing red meat with fish in classic recipes—with surprisingly tasty results.
Originally reported by technologyreview.com. Adapted for our readers.
