That is at present’s version of The Obtain, our weekday e-newsletter that gives a day by day dose of what’s occurring on the earth of expertise.
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 may simply give the US the sting within the race in opposition to China. However the mission stays shrouded in thriller.
MIT Know-how Overview picked the brains of nuclear energy and propulsion specialists to learn the way the nuclear-powered spacecraft may work. Right here’s what we found.
—Robin George Andrews
This story is a part of MIT Know-how Overview Explains, our collection untangling the complicated, messy world of expertise that can assist you perceive what’s coming subsequent. You may learn extra from the collection right here.
Coming quickly: our 10 Issues That Matter in AI Proper Now
Every year, we compile our 10 Breakthrough Applied sciences record, that includes our educated predictions for which applied sciences will change the world. Our 2026 record, nonetheless, was tougher to wrangle than regular. Why? We had so many worthy AI candidates we couldn’t match all of them in!
That received us pondering: what if we made a completely new record 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 record 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 grow to be a subscriber to livestream the announcement.
Discover out extra concerning the record’s methodology and goals right here.
—Niall Firth & Amy Nordrum
MIT Know-how Overview Narrated: this firm is growing gene therapies for muscle progress, erectile dysfunction, and “radical longevity”
In January, a handful of volunteers had been injected with two experimental gene therapies as a part of an uncommon scientific trial. Its long-term aim? To attain radical human life extension.
The therapies are designed to assist muscle progress. 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 concerning the plans.
Discover out why the trial has divided opinion.
—Jessica Hamzelou
That is our newest story to be changed into an MIT Know-how Overview Narrated podcast, which we publish every week on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Simply navigate to MIT Know-how 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 at present’s most enjoyable/essential/scary/fascinating tales about expertise.
1 Google, Microsoft, and Meta observe customers even after they decide out
In line with an unbiased audit, they might be racking up billions in fines. (404 Media)
+ How our digital gadgets put our privateness in danger. (Ars Technica)
+ Privateness’s subsequent frontier is AI “reminiscences.” (MIT Know-how 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 lately. (Wired $)
+ Like Anthopic, its newest mannequin is barely out there to verified testers. (NYT $)
+ AI is already making on-line crimes simpler. It might get a lot worse. (MIT Know-how 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 dwell with an experimental mind implant
Early BCI customers clarify what the expertise provides—and takes. (IEEE)
+ A affected person with Neuralink received a lift from generative AI. (MIT Know-how Overview)
5 Dozens of AI disease-prediction fashions had been educated on doubtful knowledge
A couple of may 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 1000’s of autonomous autos. (FT $)
7 xAI is being sued over knowledge heart air pollution
Musk’s AI enterprise stands accused by the NAACP of violating the Clear Air Act. (Engadget)
+ Nobody needs an information heart of their yard. (MIT Know-how Overview)
8 Apple might win the AI race with out operating
It could 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 function referred to as “chain of thought.” (The Atlantic $)
10 The shocking emotional toll of sporting Meta’s AI sun shades
Their shortcomings are making customers unhappy. (NYT $)
Quote of the day
“All the things received 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 might not be 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 grow to be a worldwide commodity. And that salad bag on the shelf? It’s not only a bag however a extremely engineered respiratory equipment.
In line 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 various 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. (Bought any concepts? Drop me a line.)
+ Spotify solely exhibits 10 fashionable 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.