But lithium is worthy of a close look right now. The metal is crucial for lithium-ion batteries used in phones and laptops, electric vehicles, and large-scale energy storage arrays on the grid.
Prices have been on quite the roller coaster over the last few years, and they’re ticking up again. What happens next could have big implications for mining and battery technology. Read the full story. This story first appeared in The Spark, our newsletter all about the tech we can use to combat the climate crisis. Sign up to receive it in your inbox every Wednesday.
The must-reads
I’ve combed the internet to find you today’s most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.
1 Trump has climbed down from his plan for the US to take Greenland
To the relief of many across Europe. (BBC)
+ Trump says he’s agreed a deal to access Greenland’s rare earths. Experts say that’s ‘bonkers.’ (CNN)
+ European leaders are feeling flummoxed about what’s going on. (FT $)
2 Apple is reportedly developing a wearable AI pin
It’s still in the very early stages—but this could be a huge deal if it makes it to launch. (The Information $)
+ It’s also planning to revamp Siri and turn it into an AI chatbot. (Bloomberg $)
+ Are we ready to trust AI with our bodies? (MIT Technology Review)
3 CEOs say AI saves people time. Their employees disagree.
Many even say that it’s currently dragging down their productivity. (WSJ $)
+ The AI boom will increase US carbon emissions—but it doesn’t have to. (Wired $)
+ Let’s also not forget that large language models remain a security nightmare. (IEEE Spectrum)
4 This chart shows how measles cases are exploding in America
They’ve hit a 30-year high, with the US on track to lose its ‘elimination status.’ (Axios $)
+ Things are poised to get even worse this year. (Wired $)
5 Your first humanoid robot coworker will almost definitely be Chinese
But will it be truly useful? That’s the even bigger question. (Wired $)
+ Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says Europe could do more to compete in robotics and AI. (CNBC)
6 Bezos’ Blue Origin is about to compete with Starlink
It plans to send the first ‘TeraWave’ satellites into space next year. (Reuters $)
+ On the ground in Ukraine’s largest Starlink repair shop. (MIT Technology Review)
7 Trump’s family made $1.4 billion off crypto last year
Move along, no conflicts of interest to see here. (Bloomberg $)
8 Comic-Con has banned AI art
After an artist-led backlash last week. (404 Media)
+ Hundreds of creatives are warning against an AI future built on ‘theft on a grand scale’. (The Verge $)
9 What it’s like living without a smartphone for a month
Potentially blissful for you, but probably a bit annoying for everyone else. (The Guardian)
+ Why teens with ADHD are particularly vulnerable to the perils of social media. (Nature)
10 Elon Musk is feuding with a budget airline
The airline is winning, in case you wondered. (WP $)