This is today’s download., Our weekly newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s happening in the world of technology.
When hydrogen helps climate change – and when it doesn’t.
When used as a fuel for cars or steel mills, hydrogen is hailed as a climate hero because there are no direct carbon emissions to worry about. As the world tries to reduce our fossil fuels, there may be a lot of new demand for this carbon-free energy source.
But how hydrogen works can determine how useful it is. Last week, the European Commission issued regulations defining what hydrogen green means. But what exactly does it mean, and how can we produce it? Read the full story.
– Casey Crownheart
Casey’s story comes from Spark, her weekly newsletter that gives you the inside scoop on all things climate. sign up To receive it in your inbox every Wednesday.
New Report: Generative AI in Industrial Design and Engineering
Generative AI has the potential to transform industrial design and engineering, making it more important than ever for leaders in those industries to stay ahead. So MIT Technology Review has created a new research report highlighting the pros and cons of this new technology.
The report includes two case studies from industrial and engineering companies that are already implementing generative AI in their operations – and includes many takeaways and best practices from industry leaders. Available now to download for $195.
It should be read
I’ve scoured the internet for the most entertaining/important/scary/amazing stories about technology today.
1 Supreme Court Is Examining Whether Twitter Aids Terrorists
The jury is expected to reach a conclusion in June. (Vox)
+ The case is the second this week to test the legal liability of internet platforms. (now $)
+ The court seems wary of making legal changes. (Bloomberg $)
2 Bing doesn’t want to talk about your feelings.
And it shuts down any question that mentions “feelings”, so don’t even try. (Bloomberg $)
+ The search war fueled by ChatGPT is bigger than Microsoft or Google. (MIT Technology Review)
+ European AI startups are being overshadowed by their American rivals. (filtered)
+ Why the Microsoft Clips mascot is the spiritual predecessor of ChatGPT. (Fast Company $)
3 Google claims to have reached the quantum level.
He claims to have found a way to correct the errors in today’s quantum machines. (FT$)
+ What’s in store for quantum computing? (MIT Technology Review)
4 Russian propagandists are buying Twitter’s blue checks.
Allowing them to spread false information under the guise of legitimacy. (WP$)
+ RT, a Russian-controlled publication, is said to have been banned, but is still on YouTube. (the guard)
5 Major Ransomware Attacks Tried to Extort Victims’ Bitcoins
It is clearly one of the most widespread ransomware attacks on record. (FT$)
+ The US government is investigating how the military emails were leaked. (Bloomberg $)
+ Why the ransomware crisis suddenly feels so persistent. (MIT Technology Review)
6 Arizona is on its way to becoming a major US chip hub.
It’s time for the US government to provide federal funding. (NYT$)
+ These simple design rules could turn the chip industry on its head. (MIT Technology Review)
7 Your smartwatch can interfere with your heart rate monitor.
Wearables can cause electrical interference that prevents heart devices from working properly (The Guardian)
8 Take a closer look at the demilitarized zone on the Korean Peninsula
Courtesy of Google Street View. (WSJ$)
9 How to create your own AI clone
Even if it looks the part, the sound will be a dead giveaway. (motherboard)
10 Your Headphones Could One Day Be Made From Mushrooms
This particular fungus is coming as a substitute for plastic. (The Verge)
+ Shrimp shells are also the new skin. (wired $)
+ Plastic insulation (as) (MIT Technology Review)
Quote of the day
“‘Commenting to Reach’ Turns Us All into Robots Drooping at the Feet of Algorithms.”
—Olivia Nelson, who works at an education technology company, told the Wall Street Journal that she had enough LinkedIn users to ‘comment’ on posts in an effort to make them go viral.
The big story
The cognitive distortions of watching the end of Roe unfold online
August 2022
In the year On June 24, 2022, the United States Supreme Court issued Roe v. When it overturned Wade, thousands of people first heard of the decision by reading the SCOTUSblog news site. The blog’s media editor Katie Barlow was one of the few reporters on camera the moment the idea was released, reading it to her audience on Tiki Talk.
These days, the phone may still be how you find out about a six-judge decision, but now that device can help us travel to a state where it’s legal to abort a stranger. Read the full story.
– Melissa Gira Grant
We can still have something good.
A place of comfort, relaxation and distraction in these strange times. (Do you have an idea? Drop me a line Or Tweet at me.)
+ I really enjoyed the unexpected surprises of Google reviews (thanks, Charlotte!).
+ What do you mean, a bar of soap doesn’t exactly prevent restless leg syndrome!?
+ It’s fair to say that farcical horror film. Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey It was not as poorly received as it was maligned by critics.
+ This misleading time frame a Nesting Blue Tit It is really very sweet.
+ If I lived in 17th century Germany I would definitely be forced to wear one of these Gossip Punishment Masks.
