That is at this time’s version of The Obtain, our weekday e-newsletter that gives a every day dose of what’s occurring on the earth of expertise.
How “personhood credentials” may assist show you’re a human on-line
As AI fashions grow to be higher at mimicking human conduct, it’s turning into more and more tough to tell apart between actual human web customers and complex programs imitating them.
That’s an actual drawback when these programs are deployed for nefarious ends like spreading misinformation or conducting fraud, and it makes it loads more durable to belief what you encounter on-line.
A gaggle of researchers have developed a possible answer— a verification idea referred to as ‘personhood credentials’ that proves its holder is an actual individual, with out revealing any additional details about their id. Learn the complete story to be taught the way it works.
—Rhiannon Williams
The race to interchange the highly effective greenhouse fuel that underpins the ability grid
The ability grid is underpinned by a single fuel that’s used to insulate a variety of high-voltage tools. The issue is, it’s additionally an excellent highly effective greenhouse fuel: a nightmare for local weather change.
Sulfur hexafluoride (or SF6) is much from the commonest fuel that warms the planet, contributing round 1% of warming thus far—carbon dioxide and methane are way more well-known and considerable. However emissions of the fuel are steadily ticking up yearly.
Now, firms want to cast off tools that depends on the fuel and looking for replacements that may match its efficiency. Learn the complete story.
—Casey Crownhart
Unveiling the 2024 Innovator of the 12 months
Yearly, MIT Know-how Evaluate acknowledges 35 Innovators Beneath 35. These younger entrepreneurs, researchers, and humanitarians are inventing supplies and constructing programs to assist sort out the world’s most urgent issues in biotechnology, computing, and local weather science.
On Monday, September 9, we’ll introduce our 2024 Innovator of the 12 months reside on LinkedIn. Be part of us at 12.30pm ET to seek out out who it’s, and study their work and the impression they’re having on this particular broadcast forward of the checklist’s publication. Register right here to be among the many first to know!
The must-reads
I’ve combed the web to seek out you at this time’s most enjoyable/necessary/scary/fascinating tales about expertise.
1 X is loads quieter with out its Brazilian customers
The extraordinarily on-line nation ran lots of X’s hottest fan accounts. (NYT $)
+ Brazil’s Supreme Court docket is below fireplace from some quarters for banning entry to the platform. (FT $)+ The buyers who helped Elon Musk purchase X are significantly out of pocket. (WP $)
2 China’s on-line surveillance web is widening
Influencers’ followers are more and more turning into targets for police interrogation. (The Guardian)
+ How 2023 marked the dying of anonymity on-line in China. (MIT Know-how Evaluate)
3 Intel has a plan to revive its fortunes
The once-mighty chipmaker plans to shed as many pointless belongings as doable. (Reuters)
+ Its gross sales are shrinking, and rival Nvidia is flourishing. (Bloomberg $)
4 We’d like way more grid storage
EVs haven’t absolutely taken off, so battery makers want to the grid as an alternative. (Economist $)
+ New iron batteries may assist. (MIT Know-how Evaluate)
5 Courting apps are creating AI wingmen that can assist you flirt
Tinder, Hinge, Bumble and Grindr’s new bots will recommend clean chat-up strains. (FT $)
6 US sanctions are pushing China and Russia to construct new cost programs
To assist them skirt the US-dollar-dominated world monetary order. (Insider $)
+ Is the digital greenback lifeless? (MIT Know-how Evaluate)
7 These scientists need to retailer organic samples on the moon
Seeds, plant, animal and microbial samples may very well be safer there than on Earth. (Wired $)
+ Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft is making bizarre noises. (Ars Technica)
+ Future area meals may very well be constructed from astronaut breath. (MIT Know-how Evaluate)
8 Making video calls from jail is significantly costly
However US regulators are lastly capping how a lot personal firms can cost. (WSJ $)
9 Interest apps are exploding in recognition
Social media fatigue is actual, and Strava and Letterboxd are reaping the advantages. (Bloomberg $)
+ Need to see what your mates are as much as? Examine your Venmo. (The Atlantic $)
+ The right way to repair the web. (MIT Know-how Evaluate)
10 Why AI is such a compelling film villain
From 2001: A Area Odyssey to the Terminator to the Matrix. (WP $)
Quote of the day
“Pls flip off historical past.”
—A Google worker tells others to show off their chat historical past whereas discussing delicate topics, which the US Federal Authorities claims is proof that employees knew to keep away from making a authorized paper path, 404 Media reviews.
The massive story
The race to supply uncommon earth supplies
Abandoning fossil fuels and adopting lower-carbon applied sciences are our greatest choices for heading off the accelerating risk of local weather change. And entry to uncommon earth parts, key substances in lots of of those applied sciences, will partly decide which nations will meet their objectives for reducing emissions.
Some nations, together with the US, are more and more frightened about whether or not the availability of these parts will stay secure. Because of this, scientists and firms alike are intent on growing entry and enhancing sustainability by exploring secondary or unconventional sources. Learn the complete story.
—Mureji Fatunde
We will nonetheless have good issues
A spot for consolation, enjoyable and distraction to brighten up your day. (Obtained any concepts? Drop me a line or tweet ’em at me.)
+ Now fall is formally on its method, it’s time to replace your autumnal studying checklist ($)
+ I really like this picture of a neuroscientist and her child captured by an MRI machine.
+ My favourite Olympic sport? Snail racing! You’ll be able to learn extra about how the snails energy their little automobiles right here (thanks Claire!)
+ Marginal beneficial properties actually do work.