The Download: Boosting AI’s memory, and data centers’ unhappy neighbors
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology.
DeepSeek may have found a new way to improve AI’s ability to remember
The news: An AI model released by Chinese AI company DeepSeek uses new techniques that could significantly improve AI’s ability to “remember.”
How it works: The optical character recognition model works by extracting text from an image and turning it into machine-readable words. This is the same technology that powers scanner apps, translation of text in photos, and many accessibility tools.
Why it matters: Researchers say the model’s main innovation lies in how it processes information—specifically, how it stores and retrieves data. Improving how AI models “remember” could reduce how much computing power they need to run, thus mitigating AI’s large (and growing) carbon footprint. Read the full story.
—Caiwei Chen
The AI Hype Index: Data centers’ neighbors are pivoting to power blackouts
Separating AI reality from hyped-up fiction isn’t always easy. That’s why we’ve created the AI Hype Index—a simple, at-a-glance summary of everything you need to know about the state of the industry. Take a look at this month’s edition of the index here.
Roundtables: seeking climate solutions in turbulent times
Yesterday we held a subscriber-only conversation exploring how companies are pursuing climate solutions amid political shifts in the US.
Our climate reporters James Temple and Casey Crownhart sat down with our science editor Mary Beth Griggs to dig into the most promising climate technologies right now. Watch the session back here!
MIT Technology Review Narrated: Supershoes are reshaping distance running
“Supershoes” —which combine a lightweight, energy-returning foam with a carbon-fiber plate for stiffness—have been behind every broken world record in distances from 5,000 meters to the marathon since 2020.
To some, this is a sign of progress—for both the field as a whole and for athletes’ bodies. Still, some argue that they’ve changed the sport too quickly.
This is our latest story to be turned into a MIT Technology Review Narrated podcast, which we’re publishing each week on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Just navigate to MIT Technology Review Narrated on either platform, and follow us to get all our new content as it’s released.
The must-reads
I’ve combed the internet to find you today’s most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.
1 Hurricane Melissa may be the Atlantic Ocean’s strongest on record
There’s little doubt in scientists’ minds that human-caused climate change is to blame. (New Scientist $)+ While Jamaica is largely without power, no deaths have been confirmed. (BBC)
+ The hurricane is currently sweeping across Cuba. (NYT $)
+ Here’s what we know about hurricanes and climate change. (MIT Technology Review)
2 Texas is suing Tylenol over the Trump administration’s autism claims
Even though the scientific evidence is unfounded. (NY Mag $)
+ The lawsuit claims the firm violated Texas law by claiming the drug was safe. (WP $)
3 Two US Senators want to ban AI companions for minors
They want AI companies to implement age-verification processes, too. (NBC News)
+ The looming crackdown on AI companionship. (MIT Technology Review)
3 Trump’s “golden dome” plan is seriously flawed
It’s unlikely to offer anything like the protection he claims it will. (WP $)
+ Why Trump’s “golden dome” missile defense idea is another ripped straight from the movies. (MIT Technology Review)
4 The Trump administration is backing new nuclear plants
To—surprise surprise—power the AI boom. (NYT $)
+ The grid is straining to support the excessive demands for power. (Reuters)+ Can nuclear power really fuel the rise of AI? (MIT Technology Review)
5 Uber’s next fleet of autonomous cars will contain Nvidia’s new chips
Which could eventually make it cheaper to hail a robotaxi. (Bloomberg $)
+ Nvidia is also working with a company called Lucid to bring autonomous cars to consumers. (Ars Technica)
6 Weight loss drugs are becoming more commonplace across the world
Semaglutide patents are due to expire in Brazil, China and India next year. (Economist $)+ We’re learning more about what weight-loss drugs do to the body. (MIT Technology Review)
7 More billionaires hail from America than any other nation
The majority of them have made their fortunes working in technology. (WSJ $)
+ China is closing in on America’s global science lead. (Bloomberg $)
8 Australian police are developing an AI tool to decode Gen Z slang
It’s in a bid to combat the rising networks of young men targeting vulnerable girls online. (The Guardian)
9 This robot housekeeper is controlled remotely by a human 🤖
Nothing weird about that at all… (WSJ $)
+ The humans behind the robots. (MIT Technology Review)
10 Cameo is suing OpenAI
It’s unhappy about Sora’s new Cameo feature. (Reuters)
Quote of the day
“I don’t believe we’re in an AI bubble.”
—Jensen Haung, Nvidia’s CEO, conveniently dismisses the growing concerns around the AI hype train, Bloomberg reports.
One more thing
How to befriend a crow
Crows have become minor TikTok celebrities thanks to CrowTok, a small but extremely active niche on the social video app that has exploded in popularity over the past two years. CrowTok isn’t just about birds, though. It also often explores the relationships that corvids—a family of birds including crows, magpies, and ravens—develop with human beings.
They’re not the only intelligent birds around, but in general, corvids are smart in a way that resonates deeply with humans. But how easy is it to befriend them? And what can it teach us about attention, and patience, in a world that often seems to have little of either? Read the full story.
—Abby Ohlheiser
We can still have nice things
A place for comfort, fun and distraction to brighten up your day. (Got any ideas? Drop me a line or skeet ’em at me.)
+ Congratulations to Flava Flav, who’s been appointed Team USA’s official hype man for the 2026 Winter Olympics!
+ Why are Spirographs so hypnotic? Answers on a postcard.
+ I love this story—and beautiful photos—celebrating 50 years of the World Gay Rodeo.
+ Axolotls really are remarkable little creatures.
