This story is the final part of “Are we there yet?”, our series that takes stock of six technologies that have long promised to change the world—and scores them on a progress meter. Subscribe to read the other five instalments in our new Impossible issue.
The must-reads
I’ve combed the internet to find you today’s most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.
1 A $1 trillion tech selloff has deepened fears of an AI bubble
Big AI bills and weak earnings have spooked investors. (BBC)
+ The Nasdaq 100 had its worst day since June on Friday. (NBC News)
+ OpenAI has cut its funding target by $10 billion. (CNBC)
+ What even is the AI bubble? (MIT Technology Review)
2 Hackers have hit Ukraine and Russia’s emergency alert apps
Kyiv residents were warned of “nuclear danger.” (NBC News)
+ Russia’s app said nuclear warheads had been launched. (CNN)
+ Ukraine has blamed Russia, which hasn’t yet accused anyone. (BI)
+ AI will transform cyber warfare. (MIT Technology Review)
3 Binance users withdrew $3.6 billion after the largest ever crypto hack
The funds moved when the exchange reopened on Sunday. (Guardian)
+ Binance says it’s covered $6 billion of the stolen $6.3 billion. (Reuters $)
+ But the industry’s response has undermined its “decentralized” image. (Gizmodo)
4 An AI agent injected drugs into a live mouse’s brain
It chose the gene therapy and controlled the needle itself. (Wired $)
+ We need real-time tracking of AI agents. (MIT Technology Review)
5 Data centres have made utilities a flashpoint in the midterms
Americans are angry over rising electricity bills. (Reuters $)
+ Virtual power plants could help. (MIT Technology Review)