That is right now’s version of The Obtain, our weekday e-newsletter that gives a each day dose of what’s occurring on this planet of know-how.
Nokia is placing the primary mobile community on the moon
Later this month, Intuitive Machines, the non-public firm behind the primary industrial lander that touched down on the moon, will launch a second lunar mission. The plan is to deploy a lander, a rover, and hopper to discover a web site close to the lunar south pole that might harbor water ice, and to place a communications satellite tv for pc on lunar orbit.
However the mission may also carry one thing that’s by no means been put in on the moon or wherever else in house earlier than—a totally useful 4G mobile community. Learn our story to be taught why.
—Jacek Krywko
The right way to have a baby within the digital age
Earlier than journalist and tradition critic Amanda Hess even received pregnant along with her first baby, in 2020, the web knew she was attempting. She noticed being pregnant adverts means earlier than a health care provider.
Hess’s expertise is fairly typical as of late, however nonetheless raises some huge questions. How can we retain management over our our bodies when companies and the medical institution have entry to our most private info? What occurs when individuals cease counting on family and friends for recommendation on having a child and as an alternative go surfing, the place there’s a continuing onslaught of data?
In her new guide, Second Life: Having a Little one within the Digital Age, Hess explores these questions whereas delving into her firsthand experiences with apps, merchandise, algorithms, on-line boards, advertisers, and extra—every promising a neater, more healthy, higher path to parenthood. Hess asks: Is that actually what they’re delivering? Learn our interview along with her.
—Alison Arieff
This subscriber-only story is from the subsequent version of our print journal, which is all about relationships. Subscribe now to get a replica when it lands on February 26!
Inside China’s electric-vehicle-to-humanoid-robot pivot
—James O’Donnell
Whereas DOGE’s efforts to shutter federal companies dominate information from Washington, the Trump administration can be making world strikes. Many of those heart on China, which is main the world in electrical automobiles, robotaxis, drones, and with the launch of DeepSeek, maybe AI quickly too.
Now a brand new pattern is unfolding inside China’s tech scene: Corporations that had been dominant in electrical automobiles are betting huge on translating that success into creating humanoid robots. I spoke with China reporter Caiwei Chen about what it would imply for Trump’s insurance policies.
This story is from The Algorithm, our weekly e-newsletter all concerning the newest on this planet of AI. Join to obtain it in your inbox each Monday.
How will generative AI change search?
Generative AI search, one in every of MIT Know-how Assessment’s 10 Breakthrough Applied sciences of 2025, is ushering in a brand new period of the web. Regardless of fewer clicks, copyright fights, and generally iffy solutions, AI might unlock new methods to summon all of the world’s information.
Be a part of editor in chief Mat Honan and govt editor Niall Firth at 1.30pm ET right now for a subscriber-only Roundtable dialog exploring how AI will alter search. Join right here to attend, and if you happen to haven’t already, learn Mat’s characteristic about it too.
The must-reads
I’ve combed the web to search out you right now’s most enjoyable/necessary/scary/fascinating tales about know-how.
1 DOGE is on the cusp of accessing US taxpayer knowledge
What they’re planning on doing with it’s anybody’s guess. (CNN)
+ FDA workers reviewing Musk’s firm Neuralink had been fired by DOGE final weekend. (Reuters $)
+ A high official on the Social Safety Administration simply left after refusing DOGE’s request to entry delicate data. (NBC)
+ Can AI assist DOGE slash authorities budgets? It’s complicated. (MIT Know-how Assessment)
2 DeepSeek could also be shifting in direction of monetizing its AI fashions
Proper now, they’re open supply and free. How lengthy can that final? (South China Morning Put up $)
+ How DeepSeek ripped up the AI playbook—and why everybody’s going to comply with its lead. (MIT Know-how Assessment)
3 We’re inching nearer to a norovirus vaccine 
Loads of individuals may welcome this, particularly after this winter’s nasty rash of infections. (Scientific American $)
4 The warfare on range and inclusion initiatives is a smokescreen
And the individuals waging it should go a lot additional, if we allow them to. (The Verge)
5 Some states declare zero abortions
Which is unimaginable, and hints at one thing worrying: official statistics are being politicized within the US. (Undark)
6 China is searching for its personal methods to guard knowledge from quantum computer systems
It’s spurning algorithms created within the US in case they comprise secret again doorways. (New Scientist $)
+ Chinese language President Xi Jinping met a few of the nation’s high tech execs yesterday. (The Data $)
7 Reddit moderators are preventing to maintain AI slop off the platform
It’s an necessary battle to many—but it surely’s solely going to get tougher and tougher. (Ars Technica)
8 Meta has wasted $70 billion on the metaverse. This advert exhibits why.
This should presumably be the very best they might do, and but it’s simply embarrassingly dangerous. (Forbes)
9 Working from residence has turned us into workplace weirdos
However hey, perhaps that is our likelihood to carve out some higher, kinder workplace etiquette. (Enterprise Insider $)
+ To be honest, we nonetheless don’t know learn how to behave on Slack or Zoom both. (NYT $)
10 Are noise cancelling headphones inflicting listening to issues?
Audiologists say extreme use could intrude with the best way teenagers be taught to course of speech and noise. (BBC)
Quote of the day
“Folks don’t really feel secure talking out on this nation towards the federal government.”
—Ryan Calo, a legislation professor on the College of Washington, tells the Washington Put up that Elon Musk and President Trump’s keenness to take vengeance on individuals who criticize them is having a chilling impact.
The massive story
What’s AI?
What’s AI?
July 2024
Synthetic intelligence is the most popular know-how of our time. However what’s it? It appears like a silly query, but it surely’s one which’s by no means been extra pressing.
In the event you’re keen to buckle up and are available for a trip, I can let you know why no person actually is aware of, why all people appears to disagree, and why you’re proper to care about it. Learn the complete story.
—Will Douglas Heaven
We are able to nonetheless have good issues
A spot for consolation, enjoyable and distraction to brighten up your day. (Acquired any concepts? Drop me a line or skeet ’em at me.)
+ Love these glitzy, cheerful images taken behind the scenes of final evening’s BAFTAs.
+ Meet Victorian London’s ‘cat’s meat males’.
+ Led Zeppelin followers rejoice: the band’s first official documentary is out.
+ Need to really feel happier? Let Dr Laurie Santos from Yale clarify what it is advisable to do.
