Afrigather Plus: conspiracy theories concerning the tried assassination of Donald Trump are swirling
That is immediately’s version of The Download, our weekday e-newsletter that gives a every day dose of what is going on on on the planet of know-how.
AI could make you extra artistic—but it surely has limits
Generative AI fashions have made it easier and faster to supply every little thing from textual content passages and pictures to video clips and audio tracks. However whereas AI’s output can actually appear artistic, do these fashions really increase human creativity?
That’s what two researchers got down to discover by finding out how individuals used OpenAI’s massive language mannequin GPT-4 to jot down quick tales.
The mannequin was useful—however solely to an extent. They discovered that whereas AI improved the output of much less artistic writers, it made little distinction to the standard of the tales produced by writers who have been already artistic. Read the full story.
—Rhiannon Williams
CRISPR Infants: Six years later
Gene-editing can right or enhance the DNA of human embryos, primarily opening the door to ‘technological evolution’ of our species. However in 2018, a untimely try to make use of gene-editing led to a prison term for the researcher involved.
Be part of our editor in chief Mat Honan and senior editor for biomedicine Antonio Regalado in a dialog to revisit China’s CRISPR infants and the way forward for modifying in IVF clinics, in our subscriber-only Roundtables occasion. You possibly can register here to affix us on Thursday July 25 at 12.30pm ET.
The must-reads
I’ve combed the web to seek out you immediately’s most enjoyable/vital/scary/fascinating tales about know-how.
1 Conspiracies about Donald Trump’s capturing are circulating on-line
Some observers are even claiming the capturing was faked. (WP $)
+ Far-right extremists are utilizing it to name for violence. (Wired $)
+ Meta has lifted its restrictions on the previous presidents’ accounts. (CNN)
2 Google is edging nearer to closing its greatest acquisition but
It’s reportedly prepared to shell out $23 billion for safety startup Wiz. (WSJ $)
+ Antitrust regulators are sure to be watching intently. (FT $)
3 AT&T seems to have paid hackers to delete stolen telephone data
It’s only one firm caught up in a significant hacking spree that began in April. (Wired $)
+ An middleman has offered intensive particulars from the reported deal. (The Verge)
4 A Brazilian influencer has been jailed for trafficking and slavery|
Kat Torres enchanted weak girls along with her extravagant way of life. (BBC)
5 Samsung employees are defecting to a smaller chip rival
SK Hynix is hoovering up workers left dissatisfied by Samsung’s pay. (FT $)
+ What’s subsequent in chips. (MIT Technology Review)
6 Good luck renting an electrical automotive
Rental firms are attempting to shift their EV fleets—and quick. (NYT $)
+ Automotive gross sales are down throughout the board, in actual fact. (Reuters)
+ Why some firms need you to lease the battery in your EV. (MIT Technology Review)
7 Immunotherapy is being touted as a therapy for most cancers
Beginning with one of many hardest sorts to fight: mind most cancers. (NY Mag $)
+ Most cancers vaccines are having a renaissance. (MIT Technology Review)
8 Higher interval merchandise are on the horizon
Algae polymers flip menstrual blood right into a spill-limiting gel. (Economist $)
+ Tiny fake organs might crack the thriller of menstruation. (MIT Technology Review)
9 The UK is hooked on climate apps 🌩️
Dragging the nationwide fixation on the forecast into the digital age. (The Guardian)
10 This Japanese AI relationship startup desires to make ‘Her’ a actuality
Presumably with a barely completely different ending. (Bloomberg $)
+ All the things it is advisable to learn about Google and OpenAI’s supercharged assistants. (MIT Technology Review)
Quote of the day
“One of many issues I like about Sam is day by day he’s calling me and saying, ‘I would like extra, I would like extra, I would like extra.’”
—Satya Nadella displays on his working relationship with OpenAI’s Sam Altman, the New York Times studies.
The large story
Is the digital greenback lifeless?
July 2023
In 2020, digital currencies have been one of many hottest subjects on the town. China was nicely on its strategy to launching its personal central financial institution digital forex, or CBDC, and plenty of different nations launched CBDC analysis initiatives, together with the US.
How issues change. Three years later, the digital greenback—though it doesn’t exist—has grow to be political crimson meat, as some politicians label it a dystopian instrument for surveillance. And late final yr, the Boston Fed quietly stopped engaged on its CBDC challenge. So is the dream of the digital greenback lifeless? Read the full story.
—Mike Orcutt
We are able to nonetheless have good issues
A spot for consolation, enjoyable and distraction to brighten up your day. (Received any concepts? Drop me a line or tweet ’em at me.)
+ Ever questioned why we will solely see one side of the moon? Marvel no extra.
+ To not want the rest of the summer season away, but it surely’s time to order your seeds for the fall.
+ Alien isn’t only a nice sci-fi movie: it’s a fantastic mystery, too.
+ I might watch this heated wire slice into foam all day lengthy.
