Category: MIT Technology Review

  • Deepseek Became A Fortune Teller For China’s Youth

    In China, DeepSeek, an AI model, has become a digital oracle for young people seeking life advice through BaZi, a traditional fortune-telling method. It offers personalized predictions, helping users navigate uncertainty. However, concerns over the AI’s accuracy and commercial biases are raising caution, despite its growing popularity.

  • Should We Be Moving Data Centers To Space?

    With Earth’s data centers draining resources, space-based alternatives are gaining traction. Storing data on the moon or in orbit offers benefits like security, solar power, and reduced environmental impact. However, challenges like maintenance, high launch costs, and space debris need to be overcome before this becomes a viable solution.

  • A Nobel Laureate On The Economics Of AI

    Despite the hype around AI transforming the economy, Nobel laureate Daron Acemoglu predicts modest growth of just 1.1% to 1.6% in US GDP over the next decade. He argues AI’s current focus on replacing jobs limits its potential and calls for a slower, more thoughtful adoption to ensure lasting benefits for workers.

  • Your Boss Is Watching

    Workers today are under constant surveillance, from ride-share drivers to office employees, as companies track every move using monitoring software. This tracking, meant to increase efficiency, heightens stress and creates power imbalances, leaving workers vulnerable to automated decisions. With limited legal protections, there’s a pressing need for stronger privacy laws.

  • Can AI Help DOGE Slash Government Budgets?

    Elon Musk’s DOGE initiative targets reducing government waste by leveraging AI to prevent fraud in programs like Medicare and Medicaid. While using predictive models for fraud detection shows promise, critics worry that bypassing procedures could undermine democracy and lead to drastic cuts in vital services. The project’s true intentions remain uncertain.

  • Four Chinese AI Startups to Watch Beyond DeepSeek

    China’s AI startups are pushing boundaries with new innovations and strong investments. Companies like Stepfun, ModelBest, Zhipu, and Infinigence AI focus on foundational models, efficient processing, and AI infrastructure, all while competing with global tech giants. Their growth signals a transformative shift in the global AI race.

  • Meta Has An AI For Brain Typing

    Meta has developed a brain-reading system that can detect keystrokes from brain signals with 80% accuracy, but it’s far from becoming a consumer product. Using a large, expensive scanner, the research sheds light on how the brain processes language. While the technology isn’t practical yet, it could inform AI development.

  • Supersonic Planes Are Inching Toward Takeoff

    Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 jet recently broke the sound barrier, signaling a potential return to supersonic commercial flights. However, experts warn these planes could significantly harm the environment, with higher fuel consumption, emissions, and potential climate impacts. While Boom is exploring sustainable fuels, concerns remain about the effectiveness and availability of alternatives.

  • From COBOL To Chaos: The Evil Housekeeper Problem

    Elon Musk and the DOGE movement are raising alarms, drawing parallels to the “Evil Housekeeper Problem,” where internal threats can wreak havoc. With no proper safeguards, technology and government systems are vulnerable to manipulation. As key systems face disruption, the real issue is the people behind the power, not just the tech.