The Download
What's up in emerging technology
West Virginia will allow “blockchain voting” in the 2020 election. That’s a risky idea.
Facebook is working on a voice assistant to embed within its products
The scientist who created CRISPR babies is on Time’s most-influential list—but not in a good way
Activists are suing Canada over plans to build a smart city in Toronto
Scientists have restored circulation to severed pig brains in a step that blurs the definition of death
May 2, 2019
MIT Media Lab
10 years in: What's next for blockchain?
You've seen how powerful blockchain technology can be, but fundamental challenges still stand in the way of world-changing applications. Join us at Business of Blockchain to learn which projects and ideas have staying power.
Register Now
From Our Current Issue
Business Impact
How the hell are cryptocurrency holders supposed to file their taxes?
Though it wasn’t in time for tax day, US lawmakers are pressuring the IRS to clarify its policies for digital currencies.
Intelligent Machines
Congress wants to protect you from biased algorithms, deepfakes, and other bad AI
Only a few legislators really know what they’re talking about, but it’s a start.
Connectivity
The first study of a twin in space looks like good news for a trip to Mars
Thanks to twin astronauts, we now have our first solid evidence of how the human body responds to long-term spaceflight—and it’s thrown up some mysteries.
Intelligent Machines
A robot has figured out how to use tools
In a startling demonstration, the machine drew on experimentation, data, and observation of humans to learn how simple implements could help it achieve a task.
Intelligent Machines
This robot can sort recycling by giving it a squeeze
The robot, called RoCycle, uses pincers to pick through garbage and identify what materials each bit contains. It could help reduce how much waste gets sent to landfill.
Rewriting Life
Chinese scientists have put human brain genes in monkeys—and yes, they may be smarter
A quest to understand how human intelligence evolved raises some ethical questions.
Intelligent Machines
This may be the Apple II of AI-driven robot arms
A new low-cost robot arm that can be controlled using a virtual-reality headset will make it easier to experiment with AI and robotics.
Features
Sustainable Energy
Landowners are earning millions for carbon cuts that may not occur
A new analysis finds California’s cap-and-trade program may vastly overestimate emissions reductions.
View from the Marketplace
For data-savvy marketers, there’s a new keyword: Intent
As more companies look to machine learning for insights, marketers need to use new tools and technology to engage potential customers at the right time and place.
View from the Marketplace
Anticipating cloud work’s most common side effects
The right technology choices can minimize complexity and help workers stay focused.
View from the Marketplace
From innovation to monetization: The economics of data-driven transformation
Used strategically, an organization’s data gains value over time. But to unlock its potential requires first establishing the right technical and cultural foundations.
Executive Briefing
Getting smart about the future of AI
Watch Video
More videos
10 Breakthrough Technologies of 2019, curated by Bill Gates 17:18
Bill Gates on making AI smarter 01:38
Bill Gates on tackling climate change 01:31
Bill Gates on reinventing the toilet 01:32
Bill Gates on the case for nuclear power 01:10
China’s Clean Energy Transition 13:33
Next-Generation Robots Need Your Help 27:36
Access to broadband is as important as access to water and electricity 01:15
We shouldn't preserve "willy nilly" the cost of production 01:00
Coffee-fetching robots 02:08
Connectivity
10 Breakthrough Technologies of 2019, curated by Bill Gates 17:18
-
SPONSORED
The new media’s role in politics
Forms of new media have introduced an unprecedented level of instability and distortion into the political communications system.
by Diana Owen, Professor of Political Science at Georgetown University
-
SPONSORED
Reality regained: An inquiry into the data age
The explosion of data and advances in computing power are radically transforming daily life.
by Jannis Kallinikos
-
SPONSORED
The crisis of social reproduction and the end of work
High-income societies are facing the rise of precarious employment.
by Helen Hester and Nick Snircek