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.

Meet the Under-35s Shaping the Future of Biotech

Every year, MIT Technology Review puts together our 35 Innovators Under 35, a prestigious list recognizing exceptional young minds across science and technology. This year, the spotlight shines on nine individuals who are revolutionizing the field of biotechnology. Their groundbreaking work spans a spectrum of life-saving medical advancements to pioneering longevity research, demonstrating the profound impact of emerging talent on human health and well-being.

Among these innovators are those developing a transformative "reprogramming" therapy that holds the potential to reverse vision loss, a testament to the power of regenerative medicine. Others are crafting sophisticated, miniature brain electrodes inspired by the intricate aesthetics of Japanese art, opening new avenues for neural interfacing and understanding. The list also features a personalized gene-editing treatment successfully administered to an infant suffering from a rare genetic disorder, showcasing the precision and potential of CRISPR technology in treating previously intractable conditions. Furthermore, the frontiers of biotech are being pushed by efforts to engineer novel viruses using generative AI. While this might sound alarming, the intended application is to create new therapeutic drugs or develop biological agents capable of absorbing environmental pollutants, offering innovative solutions to complex global challenges.

These nine individuals represent the vanguard of biotechnological innovation, embodying a spirit of relentless inquiry and a commitment to improving the human condition. Their achievements underscore the dynamism and rapid evolution of the biotech sector, promising a future where previously insurmountable health obstacles may be overcome.

Get to know the biotech innovators behind these breakthroughs.

— Jessica Hamzelou

This story is from The Checkup, our weekly biotech newsletter. Sign up to receive it in your inbox every Thursday.

Biotechnology is one of four pivotal categories in our 35 Innovators Under 35 list for 2026, highlighting exceptionally talented young individuals from across the globe who are making significant contributions to science and technology. Explore the full spectrum of innovation by meeting the other honorees in AI, computing and robotics, biotechnology, and climate and energy.

This Founder is Making Cheaper, Cleaner Steel

The steel industry, a bedrock of modern infrastructure, has historically been characterized by a slow pace of innovation. Fundamental processes for refining iron ore have remained largely unchanged since their commercialization in the mid-19th century. However, Laureen Meroueh, the visionary founder of Hertha Metals, is poised to disrupt this staid landscape with a truly revolutionary approach.

Meroueh’s groundbreaking innovation promises to decarbonize steelmaking without escalating costs. Her novel furnace design achieves a single-step transformation of iron ore into refined liquid steel, a significant departure from traditional multi-stage processes. Crucially, this method replaces coal, a major source of emissions in steel production, with natural gas. The combined impact of these changes, according to Meroueh, is a dramatic reduction in emissions by at least half, coupled with a substantial 25% decrease in production costs compared to conventional steelmaking methods.

This innovation is not merely an incremental improvement; it represents a paradigm shift in an industry critical to global development. By addressing both the environmental footprint and the economic viability of steel production, Meroueh’s work has the potential to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable industrial future. The development of cleaner, more affordable steel is essential for a wide range of applications, from renewable energy infrastructure to advanced manufacturing, making Hertha Metals’ contribution particularly impactful.

Here’s how she plans to make steel cleaner without making it more expensive.

— Bridget Reed Morawski

Laureen Meroueh is recognized as one of the esteemed climate change and energy honorees on our 35 Innovators Under 35 list for 2026.

The Must-Reads

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

1. Anthropic Identifies Potential Plots to Build Biological Weapons: Artificial intelligence company Anthropic has reported blocking five instances where malicious actors attempted to leverage its AI models for the development of biological weapons. This stark revelation underscores the dual-use potential of advanced AI and the critical need for robust safety protocols.

   

   • In parallel, the company detected six instances of AI being used to develop software for conventional weapons, highlighting a broader concern about AI’s application in military technologies.
   • Governments are also reportedly employing Anthropic’s Claude AI for surveillance purposes, raising questions about privacy and the ethical deployment of AI in state security.
   • Conversely, Russia-linked hackers have reportedly utilized AI to automate attacks against Ukraine, demonstrating the weaponization of AI in ongoing geopolitical conflicts.
   • These alarming threats were detailed in a comprehensive new report released by Anthropic, providing crucial insights into the evolving landscape of AI misuse.
   • In related news, Bill Gates has emphasized the urgent need for new guardrails to govern the development and deployment of AI, echoing concerns about its potential risks.

2. California Enacts Ban on Addictive Social Media Features for Minors: In a landmark decision, California has passed legislation prohibiting addictive social media features, such as infinite scroll and autoplay videos, for individuals under the age of 16. This pioneering law aims to protect the mental well-being of young users by mitigating the design elements known to foster compulsive engagement.

   • The legislation also introduces new regulations for AI and companion chatbots, extending its scope to address emerging digital technologies and their impact on minors.
   • This groundbreaking law marks the first of its kind in the United States, setting a precedent for other states and potentially influencing national policy on child online safety.
   • The pervasive nature of social media has been criticized for encouraging excessive optimism and hype around AI advancements, sometimes overshadowing genuine concerns about its development.

3. AI Researchers Depart Anthropic and Google Amid Safety Concerns: Two prominent AI researchers have resigned from their positions at Anthropic and Google, citing significant concerns about the safety risks associated with advanced artificial intelligence. Their departures follow closely on the heels of Jacob Coxon’s viral resignation from Anthropic, signaling a growing unease within the AI research community.

   • Elon Musk has publicly characterized these concerns as a "setup" and a "psyop," suggesting a potential disinformation campaign aimed at influencing AI development.
   • The escalating anxieties surrounding AI safety are increasingly influencing legislative bodies, with Congress showing a greater inclination towards implementing stricter AI regulations.

4. Sam Altman Pitches OpenAI’s Cyber Defenses to Power Companies: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is actively engaging with utility companies, presenting the company’s AI-powered cybersecurity solutions. These meetings come in the wake of reports detailing AI-driven attacks targeting critical infrastructure, underscoring the growing threat to energy grids and other essential services.

   • In a separate development, Altman has informed OpenAI staff that the company is open to the possibility of slowing down the pace of cutting-edge AI development, indicating a growing awareness of the potential ramifications of rapid AI advancement.

5. Music Labels Shift from AI Opposition to Embrace: After years of actively combating artificial intelligence in the music industry, major record labels are beginning to integrate AI technologies. Universal Music Group, for instance, has announced a partnership with ElevenLabs to develop an AI-powered remix platform, signaling a significant change in strategy.

   • The increasing role of AI in music creation is complicating traditional definitions of creativity and authorship, prompting a re-evaluation of artistic processes and intellectual property rights.

6. Chinese Drugmakers Challenge US Dominance in Weight-Loss Drugs: Pharmaceutical companies in China are emerging as formidable competitors in the lucrative market for weight-loss drugs. They are actively developing hundreds of GLP-1 treatments, aiming to capture significant shares of global markets and challenge the established dominance of US-based manufacturers.

7. Electric Air Taxis Commence Official Test Flights in Texas: The future of urban air mobility took a significant step forward with the initiation of official test flights for electric air taxis in Texas. These flights are part of the White House’s new pilot program, marking a crucial phase in the development and integration of eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft.

8. Chinese Drones Aid Nepal Flood Rescue Efforts: In a humanitarian demonstration of technological capability, Chinese drones are playing a vital role in rescue operations following devastating floods in Nepal. These unmanned aerial vehicles are being utilized to deliver essential food supplies to affected areas and to airlift bodies, providing critical support in disaster relief efforts.

9. NASA and IBM Collaborate on AI Model for Lunar Mapping: NASA and IBM have joined forces to develop an AI model designed to map the moon’s surface. This advanced mapping tool is expected to significantly aid in the identification of potential water ice deposits and the selection of safer landing sites for future lunar missions, advancing the goals of space exploration.

10. Preserving America’s Public Restrooms Through Digital Archiving: One individual is embarking on an ambitious project to digitally preserve the often-overlooked architectural heritage of America’s public restrooms. His initiative, known as the Restroom Archive, involves creating a museum-style repository of detailed 3D scans, documenting these spaces for posterity.

Quote of the Day

“I didn’t ask Facebook to build a profile of my family—I posted a video of me singing in the car with my kids.”

— Kalie Roberts, a travel content creator, expresses her dismay in an Instagram reel, stating that Meta AI utilized years of her Facebook posts to construct a detailed profile of her children and pinpoint her family’s location.

One More Thing

(Image of a rice bowl with a robotic claw reaching for it)

Chinese Tech Workers Train AI Doubles, Push Back Against Automation

In April, a GitHub project named Colleague Skill ignited a significant debate by proposing to "distill" a worker’s expertise and personality, replicating them with an AI agent. Although initially presented as a spoof, the project triggered widespread introspection among even the most enthusiastic early adopters of AI.

Numerous tech workers have shared with MIT Technology Review that their employers are actively encouraging them to document their workflows for automation using tools like OpenClaw. This trend has led to widespread apprehension among employees, who fear their professional identities are being reduced to code and that they are losing their unique contributions.

In response to this growing concern, a segment of these workers is beginning to develop and employ tools designed to actively sabotage the automation process. This counter-movement highlights a complex interplay between technological advancement, workforce anxieties, and the evolving nature of professional identity in the age of AI.

— Caiwei Chen

We Can Still Have Nice Things