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This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology.
Introducing: The AI Hype Index
The pace of change in the AI sector is undeniable, with new announcements, product debuts, and grand assertions emerging on a weekly basis. However, distinguishing between genuine developments and exaggerated claims can prove challenging. To address this, we have developed the AI Hype Index, a concise summary that captures the current landscape of the industry. Dive into what we’ve highlighted.
The debut of the AI Hype Index appears in the latest print edition of MIT Technology Review, which explores the intriguing intersections of technology and food. If you’d like to stay updated, consider subscribing for future issues.
Google DeepMind Makes AI Text Watermarking Tool Open Source
What’s new: Google DeepMind has introduced SynthID, a tool designed to detect AI-generated text, and has opted to release it as open source. This tool is part of an extensive suite of watermarking technologies aimed at generative AI outputs.
Why it matters: The implementation of watermarks is becoming increasingly vital for identifying AI-created content, which can play a crucial role in mitigating issues like misinformation. Nonetheless, they are not a comprehensive answer to all challenges. Read the full story.
—Melissa Heikkilä
The Complexities of Addressing Agricultural Emissions
Food items that many enjoy, such as burgers, chicken sandwiches, and various dairy products, present a significant challenge in the context of climate change. Altering people’s dietary preferences can be a formidable task.
It’s essential to encourage choices that could lower emissions linked to food. However, we also need innovative solutions that not only cater to existing preferences but also reform agricultural practices.
In a recent online Roundtables event, our climate team, James Temple and Casey Crownhart, engaged with executives from agricultural firms Pivot Bio and Rumin8 to discuss the pressing challenges they are addressing and their strategies for solutions. Read the full story.
This article is part of The Spark, our weekly climate and energy newsletter. Sign up for updates sent to your inbox every Wednesday.
The must-reads
I’ve scoured the web to bring you today’s most significant and engaging stories in technology.
1 Russia’s Disinformation Tactics Target Kamala Harris
Microsoft researchers express concern over the potential for inciting violence during a crucial election period. (AP News)
+ Donald Trump and Harris engage in a digital battle for the Gen Z demographic on TikTok. (FT $)
+ Marjorie Taylor Greene is promoting misinformation regarding voting technology. (NYT $)
2 AI Search Engines Promote Scientific Racism
Claims rooted in debunked eugenics reemerge across platforms like Google and Microsoft. (Wired $)
+ Perplexity is seeking partnerships with news organizations following a recent legal dispute. (WSJ $)
+ Explaining the inaccuracies of Google’s AI Overviews. (MIT Technology Review)
3 FAA Greenlights Air Taxi Operations
The first significant new category of aircraft has been approved in nearly eight decades. (WP $)
4 Apple Reduces Vision Pro Headset Production
The tech giant may cease production entirely next month. (The Information $)
+ Recently, Apple announced its first film specifically designed for the Vision Pro. (Variety $)
5 Nvidia Introduces Hindi Language AI Model
The company experiences significant demand in India for AI technologies. (Reuters)
+ Another company is focusing on AI for African language support. (MIT Technology Review)
6 China’s Censorship Expands to Satellite Internet
New broadband services will include censorship mechanisms. (IEEE Spectrum)
+ Currently, Hong Kong remains unaffected by the Great Firewall. (MIT Technology Review)
7 California Tackles Wood Waste Issues
Good intentions meet significant obstacles in wildfire management. (Bloomberg $)
+ Conservation of nature is not a national priority in the USA. (Vox)
+ Efforts to create homes resilient to wildfires are ongoing. (MIT Technology Review)
8 Transitioning from Passwords to Passcodes
Though more secure, we must consider their memorability. (Vox)
+ The implications of a password-free future. (MIT Technology Review)
9 Innovative Robots Enhance Grape Harvesting
Given the limited time frame for harvest, these machines may be pivotal. (Economist $)
10 Vinted Expands Beyond Clothing Sales
Competition is brewing for eBay. (FT $)
Quote of the day
“It’s akin to an artist envisioning a painting, but it remains unrealized without the right materials.”
—G Dan Hutcheson, vice chair of consultancy firm TechInsights, highlights the semiconductor industry’s dependence on sophisticated design software to create cutting-edge chips the Financial Times.
The big story
Innovative Solutions for Climate-Impacted Seals
April 2024
In Finland, natural snowdrifts have historically provided essential shelter for seals during harsh winter months. These formations have allowed seals to create dens to protect their young. However, climate change has compromised these processes, leading to a significant decline in the seal population due to fewer reliable snow deposits.
In response to this environmental challenge, dedicated humans have taken the initiative to build artificial snowdrifts over the past 11 years using handheld snowplows. This intervention has become vital, as these man-made shelters now accommodate approximately 90% of seal pups, marking a crucial effort in the conservation of the Saimaa seal from near extinction. Read the full story.
—Matthew Ponsford
We can still have nice things
A place filled with comfort, fun, and distractions to uplift your spirit. (Have suggestions? Send your thoughts or tweet them to me.)
+ Struggling with clutter? It might be time to implement an interior optical illusion.
+ Ensure your zippers remain functional for longevity.
+ Beware of electronic duplicates—they often aren’t worth the supposed savings.
+ Hold on—don’t unsend that message!
Source
www.technologyreview.com