That is right now’s version of The Obtain, our weekday e-newsletter that gives a each day dose of what’s occurring on the 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 area 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 in opposition to China. However the challenge stays shrouded in thriller.
MIT Expertise Overview picked the brains of nuclear energy and propulsion specialists to learn the way the nuclear-powered spacecraft would possibly work. Right here’s what we found.
—Robin George Andrews
This story is a part of MIT Expertise Overview Explains, our collection untangling the complicated, messy world of know-how that can assist you perceive what’s coming subsequent. You’ll be able to learn extra from the collection right here.
Coming quickly: our 10 Issues That Matter in AI Proper Now
Annually, we compile our 10 Breakthrough Applied sciences checklist, that includes our educated predictions for which applied sciences will change the world. Our 2026 checklist, nevertheless, was tougher to wrangle than regular. Why? We had so many worthy AI candidates we couldn’t match all of them in!
That bought us pondering: what if we made a wholly new checklist 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 checklist 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 part of us at EmTech AI or develop into a subscriber to livestream the announcement.
Discover out extra in regards to the checklist’s methodology and goals right here.
—Niall Firth & Amy Nordrum
MIT Expertise Overview Narrated: this firm is creating gene therapies for muscle development, 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 objective? To realize radical human life extension.
The therapies are designed to help muscle development. The corporate behind them, Limitless Bio, additionally plans to trial comparable therapies within the scalp (for baldness) and penis (for erectile dysfunction). However some specialists are involved in regards to the plans.
Discover out why the trial has divided opinion.
—Jessica Hamzelou
That is our newest story to be changed into an MIT Expertise Overview Narrated podcast, which we publish every week on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Simply navigate to MIT Expertise Overview 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 seek out you right now’s most enjoyable/necessary/scary/fascinating tales about know-how.
1 Google, Microsoft, and Meta monitor customers even after they decide out
In accordance with an unbiased audit, they might 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 “reminiscences.” (MIT Expertise Overview)
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 not too long ago. (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 Expertise Overview)
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 reside with an experimental mind implant
Early BCI customers clarify what the know-how offers—and takes. (IEEE)
+ A affected person with Neuralink bought a lift from generative AI. (MIT Expertise Overview)
5 Dozens of AI disease-prediction fashions have been skilled on doubtful knowledge
A couple 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 automobiles. (FT $)
7 xAI is being sued over knowledge middle air pollution
Musk’s AI enterprise stands accused by the NAACP of violating the Clear Air Act. (Engadget)
+ Nobody needs a knowledge middle of their yard. (MIT Expertise Overview)
8 Apple might win the AI race with out working
It might reap the rewards of everybody else’s spending. (Axios)
9 How 4chan set a precedent for AI’s reasoning skills
The infamous discussion board examined a characteristic known as “chain of thought.” (The Atlantic $)
10 The stunning emotional toll of carrying Meta’s AI sun shades
Their shortcomings are making customers unhappy. (NYT $)
Quote of the day
“Every part bought 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 contemporary food
Bananas is probably not 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.
In accordance with Nicola Twilley—a contributor to the New Yorker and cohost of the podcast Gastropod—refrigeration has wrecked our meals system. Fortunately, there are promising different preservation strategies.
Learn the complete story on her analysis.
—Allison Arieff
We are able to nonetheless have good issues
A spot for consolation, enjoyable and distraction to brighten up your day. (Obtained any concepts? Drop me a line.)
+ Spotify solely exhibits 10 standard songs per artist. This software lists all of them.
+ These GIF animations are mesmerizing loops of nostalgia.
+ This website fantastically visualizes Curiosity’s 13 years on Mars.
+ A retro-futurist designer has turned a NES console right into a working synthesizer.
