That is at the moment’s version of The Obtain, our weekday e-newsletter that gives a each day dose of what’s happening 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 an excellent 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 venture stays shrouded in thriller.
MIT Know-how Evaluation picked the brains of nuclear energy and propulsion consultants 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 Know-how Evaluation Explains, our sequence untangling the complicated, messy world of expertise that can assist you perceive what’s coming subsequent. You’ll be able to learn extra from the sequence right here.
Coming quickly: our 10 Issues That Matter in AI Proper Now
Every year, we compile our 10 Breakthrough Applied sciences listing, that includes our educated predictions for which applied sciences will change the world. Our 2026 listing, nonetheless, was more durable to wrangle than regular. Why? We had so many worthy AI candidates we couldn’t match all of them in!
That bought us considering: what if we made a completely new listing 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 listing 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 in regards to the listing’s methodology and goals right here.
—Niall Firth & Amy Nordrum
MIT Know-how Evaluation Narrated: this firm is creating 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 medical trial. Its long-term aim? To attain radical human life extension.
The therapies are designed to help muscle progress. The corporate behind them, Limitless Bio, additionally plans to trial related therapies within the scalp (for baldness) and penis (for erectile dysfunction). However some consultants are involved in regards to the plans.
Discover out why the trial has divided opinion.
—Jessica Hamzelou
That is our newest story to be become an MIT Know-how Evaluation Narrated podcast, which we publish every week on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Simply navigate to MIT Know-how Evaluation 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 the moment’s most enjoyable/essential/scary/fascinating tales about expertise.
1 Google, Microsoft, and Meta monitor customers even once they choose out
In keeping with an impartial audit, they could 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 Evaluation)
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 just lately. (Wired $)
+ Like Anthopic, its newest mannequin is simply accessible to verified testers. (NYT $)
+ AI is already making on-line crimes simpler. It might get a lot worse. (MIT Know-how Evaluation)
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 expertise provides—and takes. (IEEE)
+ A affected person with Neuralink bought a lift from generative AI. (MIT Know-how Evaluation)
5 Dozens of AI disease-prediction fashions had been skilled on doubtful information
A number 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 1000’s of autonomous autos. (FT $)
7 xAI is being sued over information heart air pollution
Musk’s AI enterprise stands accused by the NAACP of violating the Clear Air Act. (Engadget)
+ Nobody desires a knowledge heart of their yard. (MIT Know-how Evaluation)
8 Apple might win the AI race with out operating
It might reap the rewards of everybody else’s spending. (Axios)
9 How 4chan set a precedent for AI’s reasoning talents
The infamous discussion board examined a characteristic referred to as “chain of thought.” (The Atlantic $)
10 The shocking emotional toll of carrying Meta’s AI sun shades
Their shortcomings are making customers unhappy. (NYT $)
Quote of the day
“Every thing bought a complete 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 last word refrigerated fruit. It’s solely due to 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 keeping 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 total 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. (Received any concepts? Drop me a line.)
+ Spotify solely exhibits 10 widespread songs per artist. This software lists all of them.
+ These GIF animations are mesmerizing loops of nostalgia.
+ This website superbly visualizes Curiosity’s 13 years on Mars.
+ A retro-futurist designer has turned a NES console right into a working synthesizer.