The Obtain: AI classes for the US election, and our local weather tech record is coming

That is immediately’s version of The Obtain, our weekday publication that gives a each day dose of what is going on on on the earth of expertise.

What the US can be taught from the position of AI in different elections

When the generative AI increase kicked off, one of many greatest considerations was that hyperrealistic deepfakes might be used to affect elections. However new analysis from the Alan Turing Institute not too long ago discovered that AI-generated falsehoods appear to have had no impact on election outcomes world wide up to now this yr.

Nevertheless, one of the vital consequential elections of the yr continues to be forward of us. In simply over a month, Individuals will head to the polls to decide on Donald Trump or Kamala Harris as their subsequent president. And, up to now, exterior state actors are relying way more closely on previous tried-and-tested ways than newfangled AI instruments to intervene. Right here’s what the US can do to counter these extra fast harms. 

—Melissa Heikkilä

This story is from The Algorithm, our weekly AI publication. Enroll to obtain it in your inbox each Monday.

Coming quickly: Our 2024 record of 15 Local weather Tech Corporations to Watch

Final yr MIT Know-how Evaluate got down to acknowledge 15 corporations from world wide that demonstrated they’ve an actual shot at meaningfully driving down greenhouse-gas emissions and saving us from the worst impacts of local weather change.

We’re excited to announce that we took up the duty once more this yr and can publish our 2024 record of 15 Local weather Tech Corporations to Watch on October 1. We’ll reveal it first on stage to attendees at our upcoming EmTech MIT occasion, then share it on-line later that day.

We hope you’ll have a look, ideally be taught one thing new, and maybe even go away feeling inspired. Learn the total story.

—James Temple

If you wish to be among the many first to know who’s made this yr’s record, be part of us both in-person on the MIT Media Lab in Cambridge or through our digital livestream for Emtech MIT between September 30 and October 1. Even higher—The Obtain readers get 30% off tickets with the code DOWNLOADM24!

The must-reads

I’ve combed the web to search out you immediately’s most enjoyable/necessary/scary/fascinating tales about expertise.

1 The US is contemplating banning Chinese language tech in linked vehicles 
Over considerations the {hardware} and software program might be used to spy. (WP $)
+ Any potential ban would embody Russian-made tech, too. (FT $)
+ Neither nation’s tech is broadly utilized in US-made vehicles in the intervening time. (BBC)

4 Meta’s Ray-Ban sensible glasses have gotten… cool?
Simply because it prepares to unveil a brand new pair at its annual developer convention. (WSJ $)
+ Right here’s what I made from Snap’s new augmented-reality Spectacles. (MIT Know-how Evaluate)

5 Russia’s crypto miners are heading underground
In a bid to evade a crackdown from officers. (Reuters)

6 Our cells can die in numerous shocking methods
Right here’s why that issues. (Knowable Journal)
+ Modern new cell therapies might lastly get at tough-to-target cancers. (MIT Know-how Evaluate)

7 What’s Huawei’s signature laptop computer tells us in regards to the state of Chinese language tech
Native elements and software program recommend its home provide chain is getting higher. (FT $)

8 A serious lockmaker will begin making a robots entry system🚪🦾
Permitting Boston Dynamics’ Spot robotic canines to walk round unencumbered. (The Verge)
+ This robotic canine simply taught itself to stroll. (MIT Know-how Evaluate)

9 A online game has prompted vacationers to flock to a distant Chinese language province
Black Fantasy: Wukong is a colossal hit internationally. (Bloomberg $)
+ This viral recreation in China reinvents hide-and-seek for the digital age. (MIT Know-how Evaluate)

10 How memes revived Creed’s profession
The post-grunge band is again in vogue because of web trolling. (Wired $)

Quote of the day

“It is a TikTok transfer.”

—Steve Man, the worldwide head of auto analysis at Bloomberg Intelligence, tells Wired why America’s touted plans to ban Chinese language-made automotive software program and {hardware} echo its bid to banish TikTok.

The massive story

Are we alone within the universe?

November 2023

The search to find out if anybody or something is on the market has gained higher scientific footing over the previous 50 years. Again then, astronomers had but to identify a single planet outdoors our photo voltaic system. Now we all know the galaxy is teeming with a variety of worlds.

We’re now getting nearer than ever earlier than to studying how widespread dwelling worlds like ours really are. New instruments, together with synthetic intelligence, might assist scientists look previous their preconceived notions of what constitutes life. 

Future devices will sniff the atmospheres of distant planets and scan samples from our native photo voltaic system to see in the event that they comprise telltale chemical compounds in the precise proportions for organisms to prosper. However figuring out whether or not these planets really comprise organisms isn’t any straightforward activity. Learn the total story.

—Adam Mann

We are able to 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.)+ The primary photograph of Prince, the UK Prime Minister’s new kitten, has been launched, and he’s very cute.
+ The purple scorching Chimayo chile needs to be tasted to be believed 🌶️
+ Seeking to sleep higher? Give these enjoyable yoga poses a go.
+ Autumn or fall: which is right? And why?