In other news, it talks about the challenges faced by the renewable energy industry, the slow progress of robot trucks, and the research milestone achieved by IBM in quantum computing. It also highlights the issue of internet censorship in US schools, the effectiveness of video doorbells in deterring crime, and the construction of China's first underwater data center. The newsletter concludes with a discussion on how to spot AI-generated text, emphasizing the need for reliable tools to differentiate between human- and AI-written text.
Key takeaways:
- AI is predominantly owned and controlled by Big Tech, with most startups and research labs dependent on these firms. This has led to a race to release systems before they are ready in order to maintain dominance.
- A patient advocate and tech entrepreneur shares his experience with a new gene-editing drug for sickle cell disease, highlighting the potential of such treatments but also the barriers to access.
- Carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels are projected to reach a record high by 2023, with carbon removal technologies proving insignificant in comparison.
- The carbon footprint of AI is a significant issue that is not being adequately addressed, in part due to a lack of transparency and standardized measurement methods from big tech companies.