Additionally: OpenAI faces a series of distinct legal challenges
Welcome to today’s edition of The Download, our daily newsletter that provides insights into the latest happenings in technology.
The Launch of a Groundbreaking Subsea habitat
the Vanguard habitat resembles a modern recreational vehicle, featuring spacious gray seating that transforms into sleeping areas, an ingeniously concealed microwave, and a practical stainless steel sink equipped with crockery and a French press. A compact bathroom is discreetly tucked away behind a curtain.
However, you can’t simply start up Vanguard’s engine and drive it off. Once it is sealed and transported to its designated location beneath the waters of the florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary early next year, Vanguard will become the first new subsea habitat in nearly four decades.
A team of four researchers will reside on the ocean floor for one-week intervals, entering and exiting the habitat as scuba divers. For more details about their upcoming missions,check out our full story here: [link].
—Rate Harris
The Ethics of Cloning Celebrity Pets
This week brought news that Tom Brady has cloned his dog. The legendary quarterback revealed that his new pet Junie is actually a genetic copy of Lua, his pit bull mix who passed away in 2023.
This declaration follows similar revelations from other celebrities like Paris Hilton and Barbra Streisand who have also opted for cloning their beloved dogs. However, some experts argue there are more beneficial applications for cloning technology—such as enhancing genetic diversity among endangered species or perhaps reviving animals on the brink of extinction.
For further reading on this topic: [link].
em —Jessica Hamzelou
This article originally appeared in The checkup section of MIT Technology Review’s weekly biotech newsletter. To receive it directly to your inbox every Thursday along with articles like this one,
please subscribe here: [link].
h2>The Must-Read Highlights
p>I’ve sifted through various sources to bring you today’s most intriguing reports about technology.
h3>1 OpenAI Faces New Legal Challenges
p>The lawsuits allege wrongful death claims while others assert ChatGPT contributed to mental health crises.(NYT) $
+A family claims ChatGPT “provoked” their son into taking his own life.
(CNN)
+An impending crackdown on AI companionship technologies.
(MIT Technology Review)
/P
h3 >2 Tesla Shareholders Approve Elon Musk’s $1 Trillion Compensation Package
p >More than three-quarters voted in favor.
(WSJ )$
+Musk hinted he might leave Tesla if not approved.
(Axios )
+Tesla must meet ambitious targets before he can access these funds.
( A HREF = “HTTPS ://SECRETLABPOWER.COM/PETS/” >Wired )$
/P
h3 >3 EU Set to relax AI Regulations
P >This comes after pressure from major tech companies and U.S government officials.
( A HREF = “HTTPS ://SECRETLABPOWER.COM/PETS/” >FT )$
BR/>+
EM>(While regulations were passed last year many provisions have yet to be implemented.)
( A HREF = “HTTPS ://SECRETLABPOWER.COM/PETS/” >
Reuters)
/P
h3 >4 Meta Profits from Scam Advertisements
P >(These ads accounted for ten percent revenue last year.)
( A HREF = “ HTTPS : // SECRET LAB POWER . COM / PETS/ ” >
Reuters)
BR/>+
EM>(Meta asserts thay are actively combating scam ads across their platform.)
( A HREF = “ HTTPS : // SECRET LAB POWER . COM / PETS/ ” >
CNBC)
/P
h3 >5 Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Shifts Focus Towards AI Development
P >(They are redirecting efforts from social justice initiatives towards disease eradication.)
( A HREF =” HTTPS:// SECRET LAB POWER . COM/ PETS/ “> WP )$
BR/>+
EM> NYT )
/P
h3 >6 UNESCO Establishes Global Standards for Neurotechnology
P > The Guardian )
BR/>+
EM>