The Download: Trump’s new AI order, and smart glasses for warfare
The Download: Trump's New AI Order and Smart Glasses for Warfare
5 Key Points in Trump's New AI Order
Less than two weeks after scrapping an executive order on AI, President Donald Trump signed a new one on Tuesday. Promising to promote innovation and security, the policy represents a turning point in the White House's AI governance—but is likely to attract criticism from both opponents and supporters of stricter regulation. Here are five key points from the order:
- Voluntary Review System: Tech companies will be asked to share frontier models with the government for review 30 days before they plan to release them.
- No Mandatory Licensing: The government will not require permits before software can be deployed.
- Dedicated AI Cybersecurity Clearinghouse: The new hub will coordinate security checks with the private sector.
- Watered-Down Version: The earlier version requested models 90 days before their release.
- Stronger Oversight: The policy marks a clear departure from the White House's previous hands-off approach.
MIT Technology Review Narrated: Inside Anduril and Meta's Quest to Make Smart Glasses for Warfare
The defense-tech company Anduril has shared new details about the augmented-reality headset for the military it's prototyping with Meta, including a vision for ordering drone strikes via eye-tracking and voice commands.
Quay Barnett, who leads the effort at Anduril following a career in the Army's Special Operations Command, aims to optimize "the human as a weapons system." His vision is cyborg-inspired: drones and soldiers will see together, share information seamlessly, and make decisions as one.
The Must-Reads
Here are today's most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology:
- President Trump has signed an AI order that expands model oversight: The long-awaited executive order aims to mitigate security threats.
- SpaceX plans to raise $75 billion in IPO at $135 per share: The company intends to sell 555.6 million shares.
- Meta has scaled back plans to track workers' clicks and keystrokes to train AI: All staff can pause it for 30 minutes, with some fully exempt.
- Microsoft wants to 'make users addicted' to its new AI assistant: According to internal documents for the "Scout" tool.
- Mathematicians fear that AI threatens their field: A new declaration raises concerns about AI's trustworthiness.
Quote of the Day
"SpaceX's valuation could be richer than a plate of dauphinoise potatoes."
—Dan Coatsworth, head of markets at AJ Bell, tells CNBC that SpaceX's IPO price looks overloaded with expectations.
One More Thing
Marseille's battle against the surveillance state
Heading toward Marseille's central train station, Eda Nano points out what looks like a streetlamp on the Rue des Abeilles. But this sleek piece of urban furniture is not a lamp. It's a video camera, with a 360-degree view of the narrow street.
Nano, a 39-year-old developer, wants to make Marseille residents more aware that they're being watched. She's part of a growing group of activists resisting the rise of policing cameras in their hometown.
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.)
- These aerial photos of solar farms transform renewable energy into abstract art.
- Open a window over Earth's water with this hypnotic 4K atmospheric film made from satellite imagery.
- Spend three relaxing hours with David Attenborough narrating this collection of extraordinary wildlife moments.
- Radiohead sounds beautiful on traditional Japanese instruments in this koto performance of "Weird Fishes/Arpeggi".
Deep Dive
The Download
The Download: DeepSeek's latest AI breakthrough, and the race to build world models
Plus: China has blocked Meta's $2 billion acquisition of AI startup Manus.
By Thomas Macaulayarchive page
The Download: introducing the 10 Things That Matter in AI Right Now
Plus: An unauthorized group has reportedly accessed Anthropic's Mythos.
By Thomas Macaulayarchive page
The Download: supercharged scams and studying AI healthcare
Plus: DeepSeek has unveiled its long-awaited new AI model.
By Thomas Macaulayarchive page
The Download: keeping up with AI, and the future of IVF
Plus: NASA unveiled plans for three uncrewed missions to the Moon this year.
By Thomas Macaulayarchive page
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