In the heart of Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, a groundbreaking initiative is taking root, positioning the nation as a pivotal player in the global fight against climate change. Startup Octavia Carbon has launched an ambitious test in the small town of Gilgil, harnessing the Earth’s potent geothermal energy to power a revolutionary direct air capture (DAC) technology. This bold gamble aims to prove that capturing carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere can be an efficient, affordable, and crucially, scalable solution to mitigate rising global temperatures. The technology, while promising, is not without its controversies and challenges, including its unproven scalability and high operational costs. Furthermore, the historical context of energy development in Kenya, particularly concerning the Maasai people, adds a layer of complexity and mistrust that Octavia Carbon must navigate. This pioneering effort is part of MIT Technology Review’s "The Big Story" series, which delves into the most impactful and forward-thinking technological advancements shaping our world.

The past year, 2025, has been defined by an explosive and pervasive influence of Artificial Intelligence, with a lexicon of AI-related terms becoming an inescapable part of daily discourse. The industry has witnessed a meteoric rise, with innovations like DeepSeek fundamentally altering the technological landscape. Meta, once primarily associated with its metaverse ambitions, has pivoted aggressively towards dominating the superintelligence arena. The emergence of concepts like "vibe coding" signifies the increasing integration of AI into creative and intuitive processes. MIT Technology Review has chronicled this AI revolution, compiling a comprehensive list of the 14 AI terms that defined 2025, offering clarity amidst the rapid advancements and evolving terminology.

MIT Technology Review experienced a highly productive 2025, marked by in-depth magazine features exploring themes such as power, creativity, innovation, the human body, relationships, and security. The publication hosted 14 exclusive virtual "Roundtables" with editors and industry experts, alongside two on-campus events at MIT. Hundreds of online articles were published, providing comprehensive coverage of emerging trends in computing, climate technology, robotics, and beyond. As the new year dawns, MIT Technology Review is highlighting its most popular stories of the year, offering readers a chance to revisit pivotal narratives on artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and other critical technological frontiers.

The digital landscape of 2025 was dominated by significant legal and ethical battles. Washington’s efforts to dismantle Big Tech conglomerates faced legal hurdles, with judges often opting against forcing asset spin-offs, signaling a complex and protracted regulatory struggle. The year ahead promises further major tech litigation, as existing laws grapple with novel technological challenges. Simultaneously, the geopolitical sphere was fraught with misinformation, particularly surrounding the US invasion of Venezuela. Social media platforms were inundated with disinformation, and a concerning lack of proactive moderation from major platforms was noted. Former President Trump’s sharing of a photo of captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Truth Social underscored the potent role of social media in political narratives.

Further compounding the tech industry’s ethical quandaries, significant ties between Big Tech and the Israeli military came to light. Artificial intelligence has become a cornerstone of Israel’s military operations, with major US technology firms actively contributing to its development and deployment. In healthcare, Alibaba’s AI tool, PANDA, demonstrated remarkable success in detecting challenging pancreatic cancer cases in China, highlighting AI’s potential to revolutionize medical diagnostics. This advancement occurred against a backdrop of hospitals increasingly becoming testbeds for AI technologies, exploring both their capabilities and limitations. The integration of AI into healthcare also brought to light vulnerabilities, as a medical portal in New Zealand fell victim to a cyberattack.

The societal impact of AI extended into the realm of mental well-being, with a dedicated Discord community emerging to support individuals recovering from AI-fueled delusions. This online space emphasizes the importance of human reconnection in navigating the psychological challenges posed by advanced AI. The growing prevalence of AI companionship also foreshadows a potential crackdown, as regulatory bodies begin to address the ethical implications of human-AI relationships. Meanwhile, in California, a new tool empowered residents to demand data brokers delete their personal information, though a notable catch limited its universal applicability. The conversation around AI’s impact on children also intensified, with a California lawmaker proposing a ban on AI in children’s toys.

The global circulation of Chinese peptides, unproven drugs promising enhanced focus, reduced appetite, and injury healing, has become a notable trend in Silicon Valley, with American tech workers increasingly drawn to their allure. This phenomenon raises questions about the intersection of biohacking and technological advancement. In the public sector, Alaska’s court system embarked on an ambitious project to develop an AI assistant for probate navigation, yet the initiative has been hampered by persistent delays and setbacks, mirroring challenges faced by other government AI implementations. Notably, Amsterdam’s experiment to create fair welfare AI, aiming to avoid discriminatory algorithms, also encountered significant hurdles.

Fundamental questions about the universe’s nature are being re-examined in light of discoveries in particle physics. The potential for "ghostly particles" to disrupt the standard model suggests cracks in our current understanding of the cosmos, prompting a reevaluation of fundamental physical laws. This scientific inquiry into the universe’s complexity and beauty continues to fascinate researchers. Amidst the proliferation of mainstream social media platforms, alternative networks are gaining traction, offering users diverse experiences and niche communities.

The environmental impact of the tech industry is also under scrutiny. Sharon Wilson, a former oil and gas worker, voiced alarm over the "unbelievable amount of pollution" detected by a thermal imaging camera at xAI’s Colossus datacentre, highlighting the significant carbon footprint associated with massive AI infrastructure.

Finally, the science of aging is undergoing a paradigm shift with the development of "aging clocks." These sophisticated tools offer new insights into the biological processes of aging, potentially revealing ways to understand and even reverse its effects. While physical signs of aging like wrinkles and gray hair are apparent, aging clocks delve into the deeper biological markers, differentiating between chronological age and biological age. This emerging field promises to revolutionize our understanding of mortality and longevity.

In lighter news, 2026 is being heralded as the year of cabbage, suggesting a potential resurgence of this humble vegetable in culinary trends. The sport of darts is experiencing a surge in popularity, yet the video game industry has yet to deliver a truly compelling darts experience. CES 2026 has already generated buzz with the introduction of an innovative vibrating knife, showcasing cutting-edge advancements in everyday technology. The finale of the popular series Stranger Things has led to a significant increase in streams of Prince’s music, demonstrating the enduring power of cultural moments to drive engagement with beloved artists.