That is at present’s version of The Obtain, our weekday publication that gives a every day dose of what’s happening on this planet of know-how.
NASA is constructing the primary nuclear reactor-powered interplanetary spacecraft. How will it work?
Simply earlier than Artemis II started its historic slingshot across the moon, NASA revealed a good grander house journey plan. By the tip of 2028, the company goals to fly a nuclear reactor-powered interplanetary spacecraft to Mars.
A profitable mission would herald a brand new period in spaceflight—and would possibly simply give the US the sting within the race towards China. However the venture stays shrouded in thriller.
MIT Know-how Evaluate picked the brains of nuclear energy and propulsion consultants to learn how the nuclear-powered spacecraft would possibly work. Right here’s what we found.
—Robin George Andrews
This story is a part of MIT Know-how Evaluate Explains, our sequence untangling the complicated, messy world of know-how that can assist you perceive what’s coming subsequent. You possibly can learn extra from the sequence right here.
Coming quickly: our 10 Issues That Matter in AI Proper Now
Every year, we compile our 10 Breakthrough Applied sciences record, that includes our educated predictions for which applied sciences will change the world. Our 2026 record, nevertheless, was tougher to wrangle than regular. Why? We had so many worthy AI candidates we couldn’t match all of them in!
That acquired us pondering: what if we made a wholly new record all about AI? Earlier than we knew it, we had the beginnings of what we’re calling 10 Issues That Matter in AI Proper Now.
On April 21, we’ll unveil the record on stage at our signature AI convention, EmTech AI, after which publish it on-line later that day. If you wish to be among the many first to see it, be a part of us at EmTech AI or develop into a subscriber to livestream the announcement.
Discover out extra in regards to the record’s methodology and goals right here.
—Niall Firth & Amy Nordrum
MIT Know-how Evaluate Narrated: this firm is growing gene therapies for muscle progress, erectile dysfunction, and “radical longevity”
In January, a handful of volunteers have been injected with two experimental gene therapies as a part of an uncommon medical trial. Its long-term purpose? To realize radical human life extension.
The therapies are designed to assist muscle progress. The corporate behind them, Limitless Bio, additionally plans to trial comparable therapies within the scalp (for baldness) and penis (for erectile dysfunction). However some consultants are involved in regards to the plans.
Discover out why the trial has divided opinion.
—Jessica Hamzelou
That is our newest story to be became an MIT Know-how Evaluate Narrated podcast, which we publish every week on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Simply navigate to MIT Know-how Evaluate Narrated on both platform, and observe us to get all our new content material as it’s launched.
The must-reads
I’ve combed the web to search out you at present’s most enjoyable/vital/scary/fascinating tales about know-how.
1 Google, Microsoft, and Meta observe customers even once they choose out
Based on an impartial audit, they could be racking up billions in fines. (404 Media)
+ How our digital units put our privateness in danger. (Ars Technica)
+ Privateness’s subsequent frontier is AI “recollections.” (MIT Know-how Evaluate)
2 OpenAI has a brand new cybersecurity mannequin—and technique
GPT-5.4-Cyber is designed particularly for defensive cybersecurity work. (Reuters $)
+ OpenAI has joined Anthropic in specializing in cybersecurity just lately. (Wired $)
+ Like Anthopic, its newest mannequin is barely obtainable to verified testers. (NYT $)
+ AI is already making on-line crimes simpler. It might get a lot worse. (MIT Know-how Evaluate)
3 Amazon is shopping for satellite tv for pc agency Globalstar in a bid to rival Starlink
The $11.6 billion deal targets the profitable satellite tv for pc web market. (WSJ $)
+ Apple has chosen Amazon satellites for iPhone. (Ars Technica)
4 What it’s like to stay with an experimental mind implant
Early BCI customers clarify what the know-how provides—and takes. (IEEE)
+ A affected person with Neuralink acquired a lift from generative AI. (MIT Know-how Evaluate)
5 Dozens of AI disease-prediction fashions have been educated on doubtful knowledge
A number of would possibly have already got been used on sufferers. (Nature)
6 Uber is breaking from its gig financial system mannequin to keep away from robotaxi disruption
It’s spending $10 billion to purchase hundreds of autonomous autos. (FT $)
7 xAI is being sued over knowledge heart air pollution
Musk’s AI enterprise stands accused by the NAACP of violating the Clear Air Act. (Engadget)
+ Nobody needs an information heart of their yard. (MIT Know-how Evaluate)
8 Apple might win the AI race with out operating
It could reap the rewards of everybody else’s spending. (Axios)
9 How 4chan set a precedent for AI’s reasoning talents
The infamous discussion board examined a characteristic known as “chain of thought.” (The Atlantic $)
10 The shocking emotional toll of sporting Meta’s AI sun shades
Their shortcomings are making customers unhappy. (NYT $)
Quote of the day
“Every part acquired an entire lot worse as soon as they rolled out AI.”
—A copywriter tells the Guardian that they’re drowning in “workslop” — AI-generated work that appears polished however has main flaws
One Extra Factor
How refrigeration ruined recent food
Bananas might not be chilled within the grocery retailer, however they’re the final word refrigerated fruit. It’s solely because of a community of thermal management that they’ve develop into a worldwide commodity. And that salad bag on the shelf? It’s not only a bag however a extremely engineered respiratory equipment.
Based on Nicola Twilley—a contributor to the New Yorker and cohost of the podcast Gastropod—refrigeration has wrecked our meals system. Fortunately, there are promising various preservation strategies.
Learn the complete story on her analysis.
—Allison Arieff
We will nonetheless have good issues
A spot for consolation, enjoyable and distraction to brighten up your day. (Acquired any concepts? Drop me a line.)
+ Spotify solely exhibits 10 in style songs per artist. This device lists all of them.
+ These GIF animations are mesmerizing loops of nostalgia.
+ This web site fantastically visualizes Curiosity’s 13 years on Mars.
+ A retro-futurist designer has turned a NES console right into a working synthesizer.
