–Casey Crownhart
In my recent article about Quaise, an energy startup that is trying to commercialize a new geothermal drilling technology, I have been reflecting on the role of oil and gas firms in the transition towards a cleaner, more efficient, renewable future. In climate technology, it’s more common for a smaller fossil fuel firm to partner with an established company. Quaise, for example, partnered with Nabors Industries – one of the largest drilling companies in the world.
The fossil fuel industry is a powerful one, with a lot of resources. But it also has vested interests in the use of fossil fuels. Is it possible to address climate change with this industry? You can read the whole story.
The article below is taken from The Spark, MIT Technology Review’s weekly climate newsletter. Subscribe to The Spark and receive the newsletter every Wednesday. Sign up for our newsletter .
Google DeepMind’s AI helps historians to understand Latin inscribed ancient texts
Google DeepMind released a new artificial intelligence program that can help historians understand the context and meaning of ancient Latin engravings. Aeneas is able to analyze the words engraved in old, weathered stones and determine when they were first inscribed.
It is a follow-up to Google’s former archaeological tool Ithaca which used deep learning for the same purpose, namely, reconstructing and contextualizing ancient texts, in this case Greek. While Ithaca uses some of the same systems as Aeneas, Aeneas promises to provide researchers with a jumping off point for future analysis. Click here to read the complete story.
Peter Hall
Must-reads
I’ve combed the internet to find you today’s most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.
Donald Trump unveiled AI Action Plan
The President signed several orders aimed at boosting US AI exports, and easing regulations. (Bloomberg $)
+ These plans may change the way US technology firms develop their computer models. (TechCrunch)
+ Chatbots are a part of our everyday lives. (NYT $)
China is looking to export its surplus computing power
After building a rapid number of data centers. (Reuters)
+ China constructed hundreds of AI-based data centers in order to take advantage of the AI boom. Many of these data centers are now unused. (MIT Technology Review)
Heatwaves in Indiana are worsened by corn.
The moisture in corn is increasing humidity, which puts residents at greater risk for heat-related illness. (Axios)
+ What exactly is corn sweat? (Vox)
+ How much heat can your body take? (MIT Technology Review)
Tesla: What is next?
Sales are down, and the company’s push to robotaxis comes at a high price. (TechCrunch)
+ Elon Musk’s optimism was atypical during a conference call with analysts. The Information ($)
+ What makes scaling up the robotaxi fleet such a difficult task? (FT $)
5 The US will soon reinstate an herbicide that was banned
Dicamba can cause significant damage to nearby crops. (WP $)
+ Weeds win. (MIT Technology Review)
Amazon’s AI-based gadgets: 6 reasons why
The company has just added a bracelet which records conversation. (WSJ $)
+ Open AI Hardware is the future. (MIT Technology Review)
Seven Americans are fans of China’s video dramas
Duanju videos are on the rise. (Wired $)
+ The next Chinese cultural export may be short-form soap operas in the TikTok style. (MIT Technology Review)
8 Ways a YouTube channel captured rogue musical discovery
Music Place is a site that shares obscure music. (Pitchfork)
Pinterest’s AI isn’t immune.
You will have a hard time transforming your house based on these fantastical plans. (FT $)
Ten AI videos will be available on YouTube Shorts
This software can do anything from creating video backgrounds to generating them from text. (Ars Technica)
+ What is next for generative videos? (MIT Technology Review)
Today’s Quote
““You could toss out all of these results.”
Jeffrey Morris, professor of biostatistics at the University of Pennsylvania and co-author of a scientific paper with vaccine skeptic David Geier, the US Government’s investigator for vaccine safety, has criticised the Atlantic.