That is right now’s version of The Obtain, our weekday e-newsletter that gives a day by day dose of what’s happening on this planet of expertise.
Yann LeCun’s new enterprise is a contrarian wager towards massive language fashions
Yann LeCun is a Turing Award recipient and a high AI researcher, however he has lengthy been a contrarian determine within the tech world. He believes that the business’s present obsession with massive language fashions is wrong-headed and can finally fail to unravel many urgent issues.
As a substitute, he thinks we needs to be betting on world fashions—a unique sort of AI that precisely displays the dynamics of the actual world. Maybe it’s no shock, then, that he lately left Meta, the place he had served as chief scientist for FAIR (Basic AI Analysis), the corporate’s influential analysis lab that he based.
LeCun sat down with MIT Expertise Evaluate in an unique on-line interview from his Paris residence to debate his new enterprise, life after Meta, the way forward for synthetic intelligence, and why he thinks the business is chasing the improper concepts. Learn the total interview.
—Caiwei Chen
Why 2026 is a scorching yr for lithium
—Casey Crownhart
In 2026, I’m going to be intently watching the value of lithium.
Should you’re not within the behavior of obsessively monitoring commodity markets, I actually don’t blame you. (Although the information these days positively makes the case that minerals can have main implications for international politics and the economic system.)
However lithium is worthy of a detailed look proper now. The metallic is essential for lithium-ion batteries utilized in telephones and laptops, electrical autos, and large-scale power storage arrays on the grid.
Costs have been on fairly the curler coaster over the previous few years, and so they’re ticking up once more. What occurs subsequent may have huge implications for mining and battery expertise. Learn the total story. This story first appeared in The Spark, our e-newsletter all in regards to the tech we will use to fight the local weather disaster. Join to obtain it in your inbox each Wednesday.
The must-reads
I’ve combed the web to search out you right now’s most enjoyable/vital/scary/fascinating tales about expertise.
1 Trump has climbed down from his plan for the US to take Greenland
To the aid of many throughout Europe. (BBC)
+ Trump says he’s agreed a deal to entry Greenland’s uncommon earths. Consultants say that’s ‘bonkers.’ (CNN)
+ European leaders are feeling flummoxed about what’s happening. (FT $)
2 Apple is reportedly growing a wearable AI pin
It’s nonetheless within the very early levels—however this might be an enormous deal if it makes it to launch. (The Info $)
+ It’s additionally planning to revamp Siri and switch it into an AI chatbot. (Bloomberg $)
+ Are we able to belief AI with our our bodies? (MIT Expertise Evaluate)
3 CEOs say AI saves individuals time. Their staff disagree.
Many even say that it’s presently dragging down their productiveness. (WSJ $)
+ The AI increase will enhance US carbon emissions—nevertheless it doesn’t should. (Wired $)
+ Let’s additionally not overlook that giant language fashions stay a safety nightmare. (IEEE Spectrum)
4 This chart reveals how measles circumstances are exploding in America
They’ve hit a 30-year excessive, with the US on observe to lose its ‘elimination standing.’ (Axios $)
+ Issues are poised to get even worse this yr. (Wired $)
5 Your first humanoid robotic coworker will nearly positively be Chinese language
However will it’s actually helpful? That’s the even larger query. (Wired $)
+ Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says Europe may do extra to compete in robotics and AI. (CNBC)
6 Bezos’ Blue Origin is about to compete with Starlink
It plans to ship the primary ‘TeraWave’ satellites into area subsequent yr. (Reuters $)
+ On the bottom in Ukraine’s largest Starlink restore store. (MIT Expertise Evaluate)
7 Trump’s household made $1.4 billion off crypto final yr
Transfer alongside, no conflicts of curiosity to see right here. (Bloomberg $)
8 Comedian-Con has banned AI artwork
After an artist-led backlash final week. (404 Media)
+ Lots of of creatives are warning towards an AI future constructed on ‘theft on a grand scale’. (The Verge $)
9 What it’s like residing and not using a smartphone for a month
Probably blissful for you, however in all probability a bit annoying for everybody else. (The Guardian)
+ Why teenagers with ADHD are notably susceptible to the perils of social media. (Nature)
10 Elon Musk is feuding with a price range airline
The airline is profitable, in case you puzzled. (WP $)
Quote of the day
“I wouldn’t edit something about Donald Trump, as a result of the person makes me insane.”
—Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales tells Wired why he’s steering away from the US President’s web page.
Another factor
How electrical energy may assist sort out a stunning local weather villain
Cement hides in plain sight—it’s used to construct all the pieces from roads and buildings to dams and basement flooring. Nevertheless it’s additionally a local weather risk. Cement manufacturing accounts for greater than 7% of worldwide carbon dioxide emissions—greater than sectors like aviation, transport, or landfills.
One answer to this local weather disaster could be coursing via the pipes at Elegant Techniques. The startup is growing a completely new method to make cement. As a substitute of heating crushed-up rocks in lava-hot kilns, Elegant’s expertise zaps them in water with electrical energy, kicking off chemical reactions that kind the principle elements in its cement.
Nevertheless it faces enormous challenges: competing with established business gamers, and persuading builders to make use of its supplies within the first place. Learn the total story.
—Casey Crownhart
We are able to nonetheless have good issues
A spot for consolation, enjoyable and distraction to brighten up your day. (Bought any concepts? Drop me a line or skeet ’em at me.)
+ Earth could also be a rubbish fireplace, however area is stunning.
+ Have you learnt the best way to tie your shoelaces up correctly? Are you certain?!
+ I defy British readers to not really feel a pang of nostalgia at these crisp packets.
+ Going to mattress across the identical time each evening appears to be a behavior price adopting. ($)
