This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology.

The First Human Test of a Rejuvenation Method Will Begin "Shortly"

Life Biosciences, a small Boston startup founded by Harvard professor and life-extension evangelist David Sinclair, has received FDA approval to initiate the first targeted human trial aimed at age reversal. The company intends to address eye disease using a novel "reprogramming" rejuvenation technique, which has recently garnered significant investment from prominent Silicon Valley firms like Altos Labs, New Limit, and Retro Biosciences, backed by influential figures in the tech industry. This groundbreaking research holds the potential to revolutionize our understanding and treatment of age-related conditions, offering hope for restoring youthful function and combating degenerative diseases. The implications of successful cellular reprogramming could extend far beyond ophthalmology, potentially paving the way for therapies that address a wide spectrum of age-related ailments and extend human healthspan. The scientific community is eagerly awaiting the results of this pioneering study, which could mark a pivotal moment in the quest for longevity and regenerative medicine.

Stratospheric Internet Could Finally Start Taking Off This Year

An estimated 2.2 billion people worldwide still lack adequate internet access, primarily due to their remote geographical locations. However, this disparity could be significantly reduced this year through advanced testing of stratospheric airships, uncrewed aircraft, and other high-altitude platforms designed for internet delivery. Despite Google’s discontinuation of its ambitious Project Loon in 2021, the development of high-altitude platform stations has continued discreetly. Several companies now claim to have overcome the technical challenges that plagued Loon and are poised to demonstrate the potential of this technology for widespread internet beaming. This initiative represents a critical step towards democratizing digital access, offering a lifeline to underserved communities and fostering economic development, education, and communication in regions previously disconnected from the global network. The successful deployment of stratospheric internet could bridge the digital divide, empowering millions and creating new opportunities for innovation and progress.

OpenAI’s Latest Product Lets You Vibe Code Science

OpenAI has unveiled Prism, a new free tool developed by its in-house "OpenAI for Science" team. Prism integrates ChatGPT directly into a text editor, aiming to streamline the process of writing scientific papers for researchers. The concept mirrors the integration of chatbots into programming editors, allowing scientists to "vibe code" their scientific writing. This innovation seeks to enhance scientific communication and productivity by providing immediate access to advanced language model capabilities within the tools scientists already use. By embedding AI assistance directly into the writing workflow, Prism has the potential to accelerate research dissemination, improve the clarity and accuracy of scientific publications, and foster new ways of conceptualizing and articulating complex scientific ideas. The development signals a growing trend of AI tools tailored for specialized professional domains, promising to reshape how knowledge is created and shared.

MIT Technology Review Narrated: This Nobel Prize–Winning Chemist Dreams of Making Water from Thin Air

While Earth is predominantly covered in water, only a mere 3% is freshwater, essential for all terrestrial life. Current desalination plants, which remove salt from seawater, are a primary source of potable water for technologically advanced desert nations like Israel and the United Arab Emirates, but they come at a substantial cost. Omar Yaghi, a Nobel laureate in chemistry in October 2025 for his work on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) – structures formed by metal ions tethered to organic molecules – is now spearheading a project that sounds like science fiction: conjuring water from thin air. His research builds upon MOFs, which create intricate structural landscapes, to develop a revolutionary method for atmospheric water harvesting. This latest story from MIT Technology Review has been transformed into an episode of the "MIT Technology Review Narrated" podcast, available weekly on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, offering an engaging audio exploration of this remarkable scientific endeavor.

The Must-Reads

I’ve combed the internet to find you today’s most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.

1. TikTok Has Settled its Social Media Addiction Lawsuit: Just before its scheduled appearance before a jury in California, TikTok reached a settlement in a lawsuit alleging it fostered social media addiction. This development, reported by the New York Times, signifies a significant legal milestone in the ongoing discourse surrounding the impact of social media on user behavior and mental well-being. While this particular case is resolved, similar claims against Meta and YouTube are set to proceed, indicating a broader legal reckoning for social media platforms concerning their addictive design elements. The outcome of these continuing legal battles could shape the future of social media regulation and user protection, potentially leading to significant changes in how these platforms operate and are designed.

2. AI CEOs Have Started Condemning ICE Violence While Simultaneously Praising Trump: Leaders of prominent AI companies, including those from Anthropic and OpenAI, have publicly condemned violence perpetrated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while also expressing support for former President Trump. This complex stance, as reported by TechCrunch, highlights the intricate relationship between the technology sector and political discourse, particularly concerning issues of immigration and law enforcement. Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, has reportedly urged the US President to "deescalate" tensions, as detailed by Bloomberg, underscoring the broader concern within the tech industry about the societal impact of these issues. Meanwhile, reports from 404 Media indicate a concerning "laissez-faire approach" by ICE towards preserving crucial surveillance footage related to abuse cases, raising further questions about accountability and transparency within the agency. This confluence of events points to a growing engagement of AI leaders with sensitive social and political issues, reflecting both their influence and the complex ethical considerations inherent in their work.

   

3. Dozens of CDC Vaccination Databases Have Been Frozen: Under the leadership of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., numerous Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) vaccination databases have reportedly ceased being updated with crucial health information. Ars Technica reports that this halt in data collection and dissemination could have significant implications for public health monitoring and research. This situation raises concerns about the continuity of vital public health initiatives and the potential impact on our understanding of vaccine efficacy and safety. In a related piece, MIT Technology Review explores why a common cold vaccine remains elusive, a question that takes on added urgency in the context of disruptions to broader public health data infrastructure. The freezing of these databases could hinder efforts to track infectious diseases, evaluate vaccine effectiveness, and develop future public health interventions, underscoring the importance of maintaining robust and accessible public health data systems.

4. China Has Approved the First Wave of Nvidia H200 Chips: Following a strategic visit by Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, China has reportedly given the green light for the import of the first batch of its H200 AI chips. This development, reported by Reuters, signals a significant move in the global AI hardware market, particularly in the context of ongoing trade restrictions and the intense demand for advanced AI processing power. The approval suggests a delicate balancing act by both Nvidia and China, aiming to navigate geopolitical tensions while facilitating access to critical technology for China’s burgeoning AI industry. The availability of these high-performance chips is crucial for China’s ambitions in artificial intelligence research and development, and their import could have far-reaching implications for the global AI landscape and competitive dynamics.

5. Inside the Rise of the AI "Neolab": A new breed of AI startups, dubbed "neolabs," are emerging with a distinct focus on prioritizing long-term research breakthroughs over immediate profit generation. As detailed by the Wall Street Journal, these billion-dollar ventures are characterized by a commitment to fundamental scientific inquiry, even in the absence of immediate products or revenue streams. This approach represents a significant shift in the startup ecosystem, harkening back to earlier eras of innovation where groundbreaking research was the primary driver. The rise of neolabs suggests a renewed emphasis on foundational AI research, potentially leading to more transformative advancements in the field, albeit with a longer investment horizon. This trend could reshape the landscape of AI development, fostering a more patient and ambitious approach to tackling complex scientific challenges.

6. How Anthropic Scanned—and Disposed Of—Millions of Books: Anthropic, a leading AI company, has reportedly scanned and subsequently disposed of millions of books as part of its efforts to train its AI models for higher-quality text generation. This practice, as uncovered by The Washington Post, raises significant questions about copyright, intellectual property, and the ethical implications of AI data acquisition. The disposal of these books, after their content has been digitized and analyzed, points to a utilitarian approach to knowledge that prioritizes the utility of information for AI training over its preservation or cultural significance. This revelation adds another layer to the ongoing debate surrounding the massive data requirements of large language models and the ethical considerations involved in their development.

7. India’s Tech Workers Are Burning Out: Tech workers in India are experiencing immense pressure and burnout, exacerbated by the increasing integration of AI into the job market, according to a report by Rest of World. The growing capabilities of AI are creating anxieties about job displacement and increasing workloads for human workers who are tasked with managing or complementing AI systems. Despite these concerns, India’s largest IT firms maintain that AI will not lead to mass layoffs, as reported by the Financial Times. This divergence in perspectives highlights the complex and evolving relationship between AI and the workforce in India’s booming tech sector. In a related piece, MIT Technology Review explores India’s efforts to achieve AI independence, suggesting a strategic national focus on developing its own AI capabilities amidst global competition and domestic workforce challenges. The situation underscores the critical need for proactive strategies to support the well-being of tech workers and to navigate the societal impact of AI adoption.

8. Google Has Forced a UK Group to Stop Comparing YouTube to TV Viewing Figures: Google has compelled a UK-based group to cease comparing YouTube’s viewership statistics to traditional television ratings. This action, reported by the Financial Times, suggests a potential reluctance on Google’s part to have YouTube’s performance directly juxtaposed with established media metrics, possibly indicating that viewership may not be as robust as often perceived. The move raises questions about transparency in digital media measurement and the methods used to gauge the reach and impact of online platforms. The comparison of online video consumption with traditional broadcast metrics is a complex issue, and Google’s intervention highlights the ongoing evolution of media measurement in the digital age.

9. RIP Amazon Grocery Stores: Amazon is reportedly shuttering all of its physical grocery stores, including Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go locations. This decision, reported by CNN, signals a significant strategic shift for the e-commerce giant in the highly competitive grocery sector. The closures come amidst increasing concerns among Amazon employees about potential layoffs, as detailed by Insider, suggesting a broader cost-cutting or restructuring initiative within the company. The withdrawal from the brick-and-mortar grocery space indicates a reassessment of Amazon’s retail strategy and a potential pivot towards other market segments or delivery models. This move is likely to impact the broader retail landscape and further fuel discussions about the future of physical retail versus online commerce.

10. This Computing Technique Could Help to Reduce AI’s Energy Demands: Thermodynamic computing presents a promising approach to mitigating the substantial energy consumption associated with artificial intelligence. As explored by IEEE Spectrum, this novel computing paradigm aims to optimize energy efficiency at a fundamental level, potentially offering a solution to one of AI’s most pressing environmental challenges. The development of more energy-efficient AI is crucial for its sustainable growth and widespread adoption. In a related piece, MIT Technology Review delves into three major unanswered questions surrounding AI’s energy burden, highlighting the critical need for innovative solutions like thermodynamic computing. This research signifies a critical step towards developing more environmentally conscious AI technologies, addressing the growing concern over the carbon footprint of advanced computation.

Quote of the Day

"Oh my gosh y’all, IG is a drug."

—An anonymous Meta employee remarked on Instagram’s addictive qualities in an internal document made public as part of a social media addiction trial Meta is facing, Ars Technica reports. This candid admission underscores the widely acknowledged addictive nature of social media platforms and the ethical considerations surrounding their design and impact on users’ mental health.

One More Thing

How AI and Wikipedia Have Sent Vulnerable Languages into a Doom Spiral

Wikipedia, a monumental multilingual project with editions in over 340 languages and development underway for 400 more obscure ones, is facing a significant challenge: the influx of AI-translated content. Volunteers working on four African languages have estimated to MIT Technology Review that between 40% and 60% of articles in their respective Wikipedia editions consist of uncorrected machine translations. This presents a wicked problem: AI systems learn new languages by scraping vast amounts of online text, and Wikipedia often serves as the largest available source of linguistic data for languages with fewer speakers. Consequently, errors introduced by AI on these Wikipedia pages can contaminate the very data sources that AI models are trained on, creating a detrimental feedback loop. Volunteers are resorting to extreme measures, including the complete deletion of certain languages from Wikipedia, to combat this issue. The article delves into the complex interplay between AI development and the preservation of linguistic diversity, highlighting the unintended consequences of technological advancement on vulnerable cultural heritage.