The Download: the future of nuclear power plants, and social media-fueled AI hype
The Future of Nuclear Power Plants and the Social Media-Fueled AI Hype
As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, energy security, and technological advancements, two seemingly unrelated trends are gaining momentum: next-generation nuclear power plants and the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI). In this article, we'll explore the intersection of these two trends and their implications for the future of energy production and consumption.
Why AI Companies are Betting on Next-Gen Nuclear
The increasing demand for energy to power massive data centers and AI applications has led to a surge in investment in next-generation nuclear power plants. These new plants are designed to be cheaper to construct and safer to operate than their predecessors, making them an attractive option for companies looking to meet their growing energy needs.
One of the key benefits of next-gen nuclear power plants is their ability to provide a reliable and constant source of energy. Unlike renewable energy sources like solar and wind, which are intermittent and dependent on weather conditions, nuclear power plants can operate 24/7, making them an ideal choice for data centers and other energy-intensive applications.
How Social Media Encourages the Worst of AI Boosterism
Despite the rapid progress being made in AI research, the field is plagued by hype and exaggeration. Social media platforms have created a culture of AI boosterism, where researchers and companies are quick to announce breakthroughs and advancements without providing sufficient evidence or context.
This phenomenon was recently highlighted by Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, who responded to an overexcited post by Sébastien Bubeck, a research scientist at OpenAI, announcing that two mathematicians had used OpenAI's latest large language model, GPT-5, to find solutions to 10 unsolved problems in mathematics.
Hassabis' response was blunt: "This is embarrassing." He was right to be skeptical, as the announcement was likely an example of AI boosterism at its worst. While GPT-5 is a powerful tool, it's unlikely that it has already solved 10 unsolved problems in mathematics.
The Paints, Coatings, and Chemicals Making the World a Cooler Place
As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, researchers are turning to innovative solutions to reduce energy consumption and mitigate the effects of global warming. One such solution is radiative cooling, which uses paints, coatings, and textiles to scatter sunlight and dissipate heat.
This millennia-old idea has been updated with 21st-century technology, making it a promising solution for reducing energy consumption and improving air quality. By using radiative cooling, buildings and cities can reduce their energy consumption and create a more comfortable and sustainable environment.
MIT Technology Review Narrated: China Figured Out How to Sell EVs. Now It Has to Deal with Their Aging Batteries
As China continues to lead the world in electric vehicle (EV) sales, the country is facing a new challenge: what to do with the hundreds of thousands of used batteries that are flooding the market. Beijing and big manufacturers are scrambling to build a more orderly system for recycling and reusing these batteries, but it's a complex and expensive process.
This is a problem that many countries will face in the coming years as EV sales continue to grow. China's experience will serve as a model for other countries to follow, and it's likely that we'll see a similar trend of used batteries flooding the market in the near future.
The Must-Reads
Here are some of the most interesting and important stories about technology that we've come across recently:
- Europe is edging closer towards banning social media for minors. Spain has become the latest country to consider it, and other European nations are following suit.
- Humans are infiltrating the social network for AI agents. It turns out that some of the most viral posts on these networks may actually be human-generated.
- Russian spy spacecraft have intercepted Europe's key satellites. Security officials are confident that Moscow has tapped into unencrypted European comms.
- French authorities raided X's Paris office. They're investigating a range of potential charges against the company, including tax evasion and data protection breaches.
- Jeffrey Epstein invested millions into crypto startup Coinbase. This suggests that he was still able to take advantage of Silicon Valley investment opportunities years after pleading guilty to soliciting sex from an underage girl.
Quote of the Day
"Today, our children are exposed to a space they were never meant to navigate alone. We will no longer accept that."
—Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez proposes a social media ban for children aged under 16 in the country, following in Australia's footsteps.
One More Thing
A brain implant changed her life. Then it was removed against her will. Sticking an electrode inside a person's brain can do more than treat a disease. Take the case of Rita Leggett, an Australian woman whose experimental brain implant designed to help people with epilepsy changed her sense of agency and self.
Leggett told researchers that she "became one" with her device. It helped her to control the unpredictable, violent seizures she routinely experienced, and allowed her to take charge of her own life. So she was devastated when, two years later, she was told she had to remove the implant because the company that made it had gone bust.
The removal of this implant, and others like it, might represent a breach of human rights, ethicists say in a paper published earlier this month. And the issue will only become more pressing as the brain implant market grows in the coming years and more people receive devices like Leggett's.
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.)
- Why Beethoven's Ode to Joy is still such an undisputed banger.
- Did you know that one of the world's most famous prisons actually served as a zoo and menagerie for over 600 years?
- Banana nut muffins sound like a fantastic way to start your day.
- 2026 is shaping up to be a blockbuster year for horror films.
Deep Dive
The Download: China's dying EV batteries, and why AI doomers are doubling down
Plus: TikTok has finally signed a deal to keep operating in the US
By Rhiannon Williamsarchive page
The Download: sodium-ion batteries and China's bright tech future
Plus: This company is developing gene therapies for muscle growth, erectile dysfunction, and "radical longevity"
By Charlotte Jeearchive page
The Download: the worst technology of 2025, and Sam Altman's AI hype
Plus: China has built a major chip-making machine
By Rhiannon Williamsarchive page
The Download: cut through AI coding hype, and biotech trends to watch
Plus: read our predictions for the five hottest AI trends to watch
By Charlotte Jeearchive page
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Illustration by Rose Wong
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