In the past few years, artificial intelligence has dominated New Years predictions. While the same can be said about 2025, scalability, responsibility, and safety will be stronger themes.For example, global business and technology consulting firm West Monroe Partners sees data and data governance being major focus areas.Its no longer just about quick wins or isolated use cases. The focus is shifting towards building robust data platforms that can support long-term business goals as they move forward, says Cory Chaplin, technology and experience practice leader at West Monroe. A key part of this evolution is ensuring that organizations have the right data foundation in place which in turn allows them to harness the full potential of advanced uses like analytics and AI.Efforts Will Focus on Responsible and Safe UseGenAI has caught the attention of boards and CEOs, but its success hinges on having clean, accessible data.Much of whats driving conversations around AI today is not just the technology itself, but the need for businesses to rethink how they use data to unlock new opportunities, says Chaplin. AI is part of this equation, but data remains the foundation that everything else builds upon.West Monroe also sees a shift toward platform-enabled environments where software, data, and platforms converge.Rather than creating everything from scratch, companies are focusing on selecting, configuring, and integrating the right platforms to drive value. The key challenge now is helping clients leverage the platforms they already have and making sure they can get the most out of them, says Chaplin. As a result, IT teams need to develop cross-functional skills that blend software development, platform integration and data management. This convergence of skills is where we see impact -- helping clients navigate the complexities of platform integration and optimization in a fast-evolving landscape.Right now, organizations face significant challenges keeping pace with rapid technological advancements, especially with AI evolving so quickly. While many organizations have built substantial product and data teams, their ability to adapt and innovate at business speed often falls short.Cory Chaplin, West MonroeIts not just about having the right headcount. Its about the capacity to move quickly and embrace new technologies, says Chaplin. Even with skilled talent, internal teams can get bogged down by established processes and pre-existing organizational structures. The demand for specialized expertise in AI and data-driven fields continues to outpace supply, complicating their transformation journeys. This is where we provide the support needed to challenge existing paradigms and accelerate their progress.Over the last few years, there has been a gap between expectations and progress. Despite the hype surrounding AI, data, and new technologies, many organizations have struggled to realize the full value of their investments, irrespective of industry.Organizations are tired of chasing buzzwords, says Chaplin. They want AI to be a productive part of their operations, working behind the scenes to enhance existing platforms, support their teams and drive growth. They [also] want help embedding AI into their current operations, ensuring that its not just another shiny tool, but a core driver of growth and efficiency within existing business operations.AI Plus ModernizationThe demand for AI/ML and GenAI is growing across industries, particularly in areas like automation, predictive analytics, and personalized customer experiences. Data and analytics remain crucial as businesses aim to harness their data to make smarter, faster decisions. Cloud and application modernization are also essential as many organizations want to update legacy systems, improve agility, and adopt cloud-native technologies.Many clients need help with scalability, technology integration and data modernization. They may need help with outdated systems, underutilized data or the complexities of adopting new technologies, particularly in highly regulated industries like life sciences and energy, says Stephen Senterfit, president of enterprise business consultancy Smartbridge, Additionally, the rapid pace of innovation can make it hard for businesses to know where to focus their resources.With this help, enterprises should see improved operational efficiencies, better data-driven decision-making and more robust customer engagement. They will also be able to scale rapidly, remain competitive in their respective industries and innovate in ways that were previously out of reach.Smartbridge's relationship with clients is evolving from technology service provider to strategic partner, says Senterfit. Clients expect us to help them navigate broader digital strategies, advise them on tech implementation and innovation roadmaps, and future-proof their business models.AI-Related Change Management and UpskillingAs AI continues to become increasingly mainstream, theres a growing demand for organizational design, change management, and upskilling services designed to get more out of new ways of working and managing organizational shifts.Clients are increasingly asking, How do we build AI into our business? says West Monroes Chaplin. This isnt just about implementing new technologies, its about preparing the workforce and the organization to operate in a world where AI plays a significant role. Theres momentum building around this intersection of organizational design, change management, and upskilling -- helping companies function effectively in an AI-driven environment.CybersecurityAs businesses adopt AI, use more data, and deploy new emerging technologies, cybersecurity becomes even more critical.With increased platform adoption, securing confidential information is paramount. We see a renewed emphasis on secure software development practices and tighter controls on AI/ML model usage, ensuring protection as organizations scale their AI initiatives, says Chaplin. By understanding and utilizing their data effectively, organizations can foster a culture where data-driven insights inform decision-making processes. This not only enhances operational efficiency but also drives innovation across the business.Organizations should consider data a critical asset that requires attention and strategic use. This requires a mindset shift that can lead to improved outcomes across various functions, particularly in cybersecurity, where organizations can de-risk their operations even amid rapid changes.With platform-enabled environments, organizations can reduce their reliance on fully custom solutions. By leveraging existing platforms and their roadmaps, companies can enhance their agility and speed of implementation, says Chaplin. This approach allows for a greater emphasis on building from proven solutions rather than creating from scratch, ultimately facilitating quicker adaptations to market demands.Data and Customer FocusAs companies increasingly focus on digital transformation, data-driven decision-making and improving customer engagement, they look to consultancies for help.Our data engineering practice will play a central role in helping businesses migrate from legacy systems to the cloud, a significant challenge for many organizations as they modernize their analytical workloads, says Alex Mazanov, CEO at full service consulting firm T1A. By 2025, we anticipate an even greater demand for scalable, cloud-based data architectures capable of handling vast amounts of real-time data. Many organizations are moving away from outdated legacy systems, such as SAS, to modern cloud platforms like Databricks.Continued data explosion, combined with AI advances, is pushing companies to modernize their data infrastructure.Businesses are increasingly challenged to make faster, smarter decisions, and well provide the tools and expertise to architect solutions that scale with their needs, ensuring data is a true asset rather than a burden, says Mazanov. Additionally, transitioning to open-source platforms and government-compliant technologies will help businesses stay agile, cost-efficient and aligned with regulatory demands.AI is also becoming more prevalent in CRM scenarios because it increases productivity, reduces costs, and helps maximize customer lifetime value. Specifically, they want to enhance loyalty programs, improve customer retention and use data analytics to predict behavior across the entire customer lifecycle.Optimizing the customer journey will continue to be crucial in 2025, as businesses will increasingly focus on maximizing customer lifetime value [using] advanced tools and strategies to improve every touchpoint in the customer journey, says Mazanov. Many companies struggle to optimize this.Finally, process intelligence will be even more critical by 2025, as companies continue to streamline operations, reduce inefficiencies, and cut costs in an increasingly competitive market. AI and machine learning will be used to automate and optimize business processes. As industries move toward hyper-automation, Mazanov says clients will need to become more agile and efficient.Organizations are constantly seeking ways to reduce operational costs while improving efficiency, he says. By 2025, companies will face rising expectations to do more with less, and process intelligence will be a vital tool to achieve this. Our solutions will focus on creating smarter, more efficient workflows, powered by AI to reduce manual tasks and human error.Stephen Senterfit, SmartbridgeMany organizations are experiencing the dichotomy of being challenged by the complexity of their data and needing real-time insights. Meanwhile, customer expectations continue to grow.[Our relationship with clients [is] evolving from being a service provider to a strategic partner. By 2025, we anticipate playing a more consultative role, helping clients not just implement technology but also reimagine their business models around data and AI, says Mazanov. Well be focused on long-term partnerships, co-creating innovative solutions that align with their broader business strategy.Get Help When You Need ItCompanies have many different reasons for seeking outside assistance. Sometimes the engagement is tactical and sometimes its strategic. The latter is becoming more common because it drives more value.One of the least valuable engagements is hiring a consultancy to solve a problem without internal involvement. When the consultants conclude their arrangement, considerable valuable knowledge may be lost. Working as a partner results in greater transparency and continuity.One benefit of using consultants, not mentioned above but critically important, is insight clients may lack, such as having a deep understanding of how emerging technology is utilized in the clients particular industry and whats worked best for other industries and why, which can result in important insights and innovations. They also need to understand the clients business goals so that IT implementations deliver business value.

Hiren Hasmukh, CEO of TeqtivityNovember 13, 20244 Min ReadKanawatTH via Alamy StockEvery week, I meet CIOs who tell me the same story: Environmental sustainability has moved from their wish list to their priority list. Regulatory pressures demand they track carbon emissions. Boards expect detailed reports on energy usage. Customers scrutinize their sustainability practices. This puts leaders in a tough position -- in order to remain competitive in the marketplace, we must continue to keep up with advancing technology. But how do we stay sustainable in doing so?The New Reality of Sustainable TechnologyGreen technology isn't just about reducing environmental impact -- it's about rethinking how we deliver IT services. Instead of asking ourselves how to save energy, we must ask ourselves larger questions. How can sustainable IT drive innovation? How can it create a competitive advantage? The challenge isn't whether to act, but how to begin.The Value of Green ITMany executives believe that green IT is only about saving money. However, cost savings are only one aspect of sustainable technological practices. Let's break down the real business impact:Immediate cost reduction. Energy costs typically represent 40-60% of a data center's operating expenses. Organizations implementing efficient power management often see utility bills drop within the first quarter. But that's just the beginning.Related:Extended asset value. Smart lifecycle asset management reduces e-waste and impacts the balance sheet. When organizations move from reactive to proactive maintenance, they often discover their technology investments can deliver value for years longer than expected.Risk mitigation. With environmental regulations tightening globally, companies investing in sustainable technology are now better positioned to avoid future penalties and compliance costs.Competitive advantage. The Business of Sustainability study reported 78% of consumers want to buy from environmentally friendly organizations. Companies that commit to strong environmental practices will attract both more clients and talent.Moving from Vision to ActionThe business case for sustainable technology is clear. Here are a few ways your team can get started with building a more sustainable IT infrastructure:Start with data center efficiency: Heres a startling fact: Research shows that almost a third of data center servers are considered zombies --meaning they consume power while serving no purpose. Why does that happen? Poor documentation means nobody knows what to turn off. IT teams should implement automated tracking systems to map every asset's purpose and usage. An automated process will help further eliminate these zombies and optimize remaining systems.Embrace the cloud strategically: Major cloud providers have invested billions in renewable energy and efficient data centers, making them an attractive option for sustainable IT. However, using cloud solutions requires strategy. Teams should map their workloads carefully -- some applications deliver better environmental and business outcomes on-premises or in hybrid environments.Rethink device lifecycles: Many organizations default to replacing devices every three years, regardless of whether they need to or not. Companies can significantly extend the lifecycles of their devices through proactive maintenance and matching device capabilities to user requirements. This reduces e-waste while delivering substantial cost savings.Related:Building a Culture of SustainabilityOrganizations should also create a culture that embraces these practices wholeheartedly. Here's what works:Start with why: Help employees understand the environmental impact of technology choices. When teams understand how their daily decisions within the company affect the environment, they become partners in the solution.Related:Make it measurable: Set achievable energy reduction and sustainable practices goals. Track and share progress regularly. What gets measured gets managed.Celebrate progress: Recognize teams and individuals who champion sustainable practices. Success stories inspire others and build momentum for broader changes.The Path ForwardAs technology leaders, we stand at a crucial intersection. The decisions we make today about our IT infrastructure will impact our planet for years to come.Most importantly, our teams are ready for change. Theyre looking to us for leadership on sustainability. Every day we wait is a missed opportunity to drive value, reduce costs, and make a meaningful environmental impact.The question isn't whether to embrace sustainable technology -- it's how quickly we can make it happen. The tools exist. The business case is clear. The time for CIOs to lead this charge is now.About the AuthorHiren HasmukhCEO of TeqtivityHiren Hasmukh is the CEO and founder of Teqtivity, a leading IT Asset Management solutions provider. With over two decades of experience in the technology sector, Hiren has been at the forefront of developing innovative ITAM strategies for businesses navigating the complexities of digital transformation. Under his leadership, Teqtivity has evolved from a smart locker concept to a comprehensive ITAM solution serving companies of all sizes.See more from Hiren HasmukhNever Miss a Beat: Get a snapshot of the issues affecting the IT industry straight to your inbox.SIGN-UPYou May Also LikeWebinarsMore WebinarsReportsMore Reports

Measuring the massive coralInigo San Felix/National Geographic SocietyIn the south-west Pacific, off the coast of one of the tropical Solomon Islands, a giant structure beneath the waters surface has just been identified as the worlds largest known coral.Visiting the remote site in mid-October, a team of scientists and film-makers from National Geographic thought the object was so large, it must be the remains of a shipwreck.But when underwater cinematographer Manu San Flix jumped into the water to take a closer look, he was astonished by what he saw.AdvertisementI remember perfectly just jumping and looking down, and I was surprised, he told reporters during a briefing. Instead of a shipwreck, San Flix had stumbled upon the largest coral ever discovered. It is enormous, he said. The size is close to the size of a cathedral.The coral, which lies a few hundred metres off the eastern coast of Malaulalo Island, has been identified as the species Pavona clavus. It measures 34 metres wide by 32 metres long, making it larger than a blue whale, and is thought to be 300 years old. A monthly celebration of the biodiversity of our planets animals, plants and other organisms.Sign up to newsletterThe discovery was a happy accident, says Enric Sala of National Geographics Pristine Seas project, whichaims to inspire governments to protect ocean ecosystems through exploration andresearch. It is by far the largest single coral colony ever discovered, easily beating the previous record holder a giant Porites colony found in American Samoa in 2019, which was 22.4 metres in diameter and 8 metres in height.Over the past two years, record-breaking ocean temperatures have triggered a wave of coral bleaching events across the world. But while other reefs around the Solomon Islands are showing signs of bleaching, Sala says the huge P. clavus coral is looking healthy. It is a vital habitat for ocean life, he says, providing shelter and food for fish, shrimp, worms and crabs. Its like a big patch of old growth forest.But the coral isnt immune from ecological threats, from local pollution and overfishing to global climate change. Sala says he would like to see more marine protected areas (MPAs) established to shield marine life from local pollution, alongside global action to tackle climate change. Protecting the reef cannot make the water cooler, cannot prevent the warming of the ocean, he says. We need to fix that, we need to reduce carbon emissions. But MPAs can help us buy time by making the reefs more resilient.Topics:

Air pollution is hard to avoid, particularly for city dwellersRon Adar/AlamyAir pollution is increasingly being linked to a raised risk of eczema, with the latest study showing a clear relationship between the exposure and the skin condition.Vehicles and power plants release pollutant particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less, called PM2.5. These have previously been linked to a higher risk of eczema, which is thought to be the result of an over-active immune system causing inflammation that makes skin dry and itchy. AdvertisementTo gather more evidence, Jeffrey Cohen at the Yale School of Medicine and his colleagues analysed the medical records of more than 280,000 people, who were mostly in their 50s and took part in the All of Us Research Program. This collects health data from a diverse group of people in the US, with an emphasis on those who are usually underrepresented in research, such as ethnic minorities.The researchers also looked at average PM2.5 levels where these people lived, using data collected in 2015 by the Centre for Air, Climate, and Energy Solutions in Virginia.They then compared PM2.5 levels in 788 locations across the US against eczema cases, which were diagnosed up until mid-2022. They found that for every 10 microgram per cubic metre increase in PM2.5, eczema rates more than doubled. In more polluted areas of the country, there was more eczema, says Cohen. Get the most essential health and fitness news in your inbox every Saturday.Sign up to newsletterThe team accounted for factors that could affect the results, such as ethnicity and whether people smoked or had food allergies.The study brings forward the science by nicely showing a clear correlation in a large population, says Giuseppe Valacchi at North Carolina State University. PM2.5 may trigger the immune system to cause inflammation when it comes into contact with skin, like pollen or dust mites can, says Valacchi. Inhaling it may also play a role, as this can ramp up inflammation around the body, he says.This research should give governments another reason to enforce policies that reduce air pollution, says Cohen. Meanwhile, people living in polluted areas can reduce their risk by wearing long sleeves or staying indoors when pollution levels are particularly high, says Valacchi.Journal reference:PLoS ONE DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0310498 Topics:

The complexity of biology has long been a double-edged sword for scientific and medical progress. On one hand, the intricacy of systems (like the human immune response) offers countless opportunities for breakthroughs in medicine and healthcare. On the other hand, that very complexity has often stymied researchers, leaving some of the most significant medical challengeslike cancer or autoimmune diseaseswithout clear solutions. The field needs a way to decipher this incredible complexity. Could the rise of agentic AI, artificial intelligence capable of autonomous decision-making and action, be the key to breaking through this impasse? Agentic AI is not just another tool in the scientific toolkit but a paradigm shift: by allowing autonomous systems to not only collect and process data but also to independently hypothesize, experiment, and even make decisions, agentic AI could fundamentally change how we approach biology. The mindboggling complexity of biological systems To understand why agentic AI holds so much promise, we first need to grapple with the scale of the challenge. Biological systems, particularly human ones, are incredibly complexlayered, dynamic, and interdependent. Take the immune system, for example. It simultaneously operates across multiple levels, from individual molecules to entire organs, adapting and responding to internal and external stimuli in real-time. Traditional research approaches, while powerful, struggle to account for this vast complexity. The problem lies in the sheer volume and interconnectedness of biological data. The immune system alone involves interactions between millions of cells, proteins, and signaling pathways, each influencing the other in real time. Making sense of this tangled web is almost insurmountable for human researchers. Enter AI agents: How can they help? This is where agentic AI steps in. Unlike traditional machine learning models, which require vast amounts of curated data and are typically designed to perform specific, narrow tasks, agentic AI systems can ingest unstructured and diverse datasets from multiple sources and can operate autonomously with a more generalist approach. Beyond this, AI agents are unbound by conventional scientific thinking. They can connect disparate domains and test seemingly improbable hypotheses that may reveal novel insights. What might initially appear as a counterintuitive series of experiments could help uncover hidden patterns or mechanisms, generating new knowledge that can form the foundation for breakthroughs in areas like drug discovery, immunology, or precision medicine. These experiments are executed at unprecedented speed and scale through robotic, fully automated laboratories, where AI agents conduct trials in a continuous, round-the-clock workflow. These labs, equipped with advanced automation technologies, can handle everything from ordering reagents, preparing biological samples, to conducting high-throughput screenings. In particular, the use of patient-derived organoids3D miniaturized versions of organs and tissuesenables AI-driven experiments to more closely mimic the real-world conditions of human biology. This integration of agentic AI and robotic labs allows for large-scale exploration of complex biological systems, and has the potential to rapidly accelerate the pace of discovery. From agentic AI to AGI Owkins next frontier: Unlocking the immune system with agentic AI Agentic AI has already begun pushing the boundaries of whats possible in biology, but the next frontier lies in fully decoding one of the most complex and crucial systems in human health: the immune system. Owkin is building the foundations for an advanced form of intelligencean AGIcapable of understanding the immune system in unprecedented detail. The next evolution of our AI ecosystem, called Owkin K, could redefine how we understand, detect, and treat immune-related diseases like cancer and immuno-inflammatory disorders. Owkin K envisions a coordinated community of specialized AI agents that can autonomously access and interpret comprehensive scientific literature, large-scale biomedical data, and tap into the power of Owkins discovery engines. These agents are capable of planning and executing experiments in fully automated, robotized wet labs, where patient-derived organoids simulate real-world human biology. The results of these experiments feed back into the system, enabling continuous learning and refinement of the AI agents models. What makes Owkin K particularly exciting is its potential to tackle the immune systema biological network so complex that human intelligence alone has struggled to unravel it. By deploying AI agents with the ability to explore this intricate web autonomously, the project could reveal new therapeutic targets and strategies for immuno-oncology and autoimmune diseases, potentially accelerating the development of groundbreaking treatments. Navigating challenges and ethical considerations of agentic AI Of course, such powerful technology comes with significant challenges and ethical considerations, including trust, security, and transparency. But we must tackle these challenges as agentic AI becomes more integrated into healthcare and research. For example, we can develop mitigation plans that include rigorous validation protocols, real-time human oversight, and regulatory frameworks designed to ensure safety, accountability, and transparency. By prioritizing ethical design and close collaboration between AI systems and human experts, we can harness the potential of agentic AI while minimizing its risks. The future of biological research with agentic AI Agentic AI has the potential to reshape not just healthcare, but the very foundations of biological research. By allowing autonomous systems to explore the unknown, we may unlock new levels of understanding in areas like immunology, neuroscience, and genomicsfields that are currently constrained by the limits of human comprehension. We could soon see a world where AI-driven labs operate around the clock, pushing the boundaries of biology at speeds and scales that far exceed human capabilities. This would not only accelerate scientific discovery but also create new possibilities for personalized medicine, disease prevention, and even longevity. In the end, agentic AI may be more than just another tool for researchers. It could be the key to understanding life itselfone autonomous decision at a time. Davide Mantiero, PhD, Eric Durand, PhD, and Darius Meadon also contributed to this article. This content was produced by Owkin. It was not written by MIT Technology Reviews editorial staff.

This is today's edition ofThe Download,our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what's going on in the world of technology. The AI lab waging a guerrilla war over exploitative AI Back in 2022, the tech community was buzzing over image-generating AI models, such as Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, and OpenAIs DALL-E 2, which could follow simple word prompts to depict fantasylands or whimsical chairs made of avocados. But artists saw this technological wonder as a new kind of theft. They felt the models were effectively stealing and replacing their work. Ben Zhao, a computer security researcher at the University of Chicago, was listening. He and his colleagues have built arguably the most prominent weapons in an artists arsenal against nonconsensual AI scraping: two tools called Glaze and Nightshade that add barely perceptible perturbations to an images pixels so that machine-learning models cannot read them properly.But Zhao sees the tools as part of a battle to slowly tilt the balance of power from large corporations back to individual creators. Read the full story. Melissa Heikkil Have we entered the golden age of plant engineering? In the 1960s, biologists selective breeding of plants helped spark a period of transformative agricultural innovation known as the Green Revolution. By the 1990s, the yields of wheat and rice had doubled worldwide, staving off bouts of recurring famine. The Green Revolution was so successful that dire predictions of worse famine to comefueled by alarming population growthno longer seemed likely. But it had its limitsonly so much yield could be coaxed from plants using conventional breeding techniques. Now, more precise gene-editing technologies could shave years off the time it takes for new plant varieties to make it from the lab to federally approved seed products. Read the full story. Bill Gourgey This piece is from the latest print issue of MIT Technology Review, which is all about the weird and wonderful world of food. If you dont already, subscribe to receive future copies once they land. MIT Technology Review Narrated: Is robotics about to have its own ChatGPT moment? Robots that can do many of the things humans do in the home have been a dream of robotics research since the inception of the field in the 1950s. While engineers have made great progress in getting robots to work in tightly controlled environments like labs and factories, the home has proved difficult to design for. But now, the field is at an inflection point. A new generation of researchers believes that generative AI could give robots the ability to learn new skills and adapt to new environments faster than ever before. This new approach, just maybe, can finally bring robots out of the factory and into the mainstream. This is our latest story to be turned into a MIT Technology Review Narrated podcast, which were publishing each week on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Just navigate to MIT Technology Review Narrated on either platform, and follow us to get all our new content as its released. The must-reads Ive combed the internet to find you todays most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology. 1 Donald Trump wants Elon Musk to maximize government efficiency Despite claiming to be a department, technically its more of an advisory board. (Wired $)+ It will allegedly operate outside of the federal government. (WSJ $)+ Expect Musk to treat the US government like his loss-making social network. (Bloomberg $)2 The crypto industry has already started lobbying Trump Executives are wasting no time in presenting the President-elect with their wish lists. (NYT $)+ Were witnessing the industrys nascent attempts to make itself institutional. (NY Mag $)+ The Trump Pump is showing no signs of slowing. (CNN)3 Advertisers are considering staging a return to X In a bid to curry favor with Musk and his political leverage. (FT $)+ Silicon Valley is decidedly more Trump-friendly than it used to be. (Insider $)+ Bluesky is starting to look more and more appealing. (Slate $)4 Major AI players are struggling to make new breakthroughs Funneling money into new products isnt having the desired result. (Bloomberg $)5 The worlds e-waste is actually pretty valuable Theres a lot of gold to be stripped out from those old circuit boards. (Economist $)+AI will add to the e-waste problem. Heres what we can do about it. (MIT Technology Review) 6 DNA testing is ushering in a new age of discriminationAnd you could be denied medical or life insurance because of it. (The Atlantic $) + How to delete your 23andMe data. (MIT Technology Review)7 How to build the perfect humanoid robotUnfortunately, theyll be found in factories and warehouses before they make it to our homes. (IEEE Spectrum) + A skeptics guide to humanoid-robot videos. (MIT Technology Review)8 The US is using AI to seek out critical mineralsAccess to regular supplies could lessen its reliance on China and Russia. (Undark Magazine) + The race to produce rare earth elements. (MIT Technology Review)9 Apples AirTags can now share their location with airlines Which should (hopefully) minimize the chances of losing your luggage. (WP $)+ Its next device? An AI wall-mounted tablet, supposedly. (Bloomberg $)10 This new mathematics benchmark is being kept secret To prevent AI models from training against it. (Ars Technica)+ This AI system makes human tutors better at teaching children math. (MIT Technology Review)Quote of the day Dont bring a watermark to a gunfight. AI researcher Oren Etzioni warns the industry to avoid putting too much faith in voluntary standards to actively prevent malicious actors from gaming the system, TechCrunch reports. The big story The great AI consciousness conundrum October 2023 AI consciousness isnt just a devilishly tricky intellectual puzzle; its a morally weighty problem with potentially dire consequences that philosophers, cognitive scientists, and engineers alike are currently grappling with. Fail to identify a conscious AI, and you might unintentionally subjugate a being whose interests ought to matter. Mistake an unconscious AI for a conscious one, and you risk compromising human safety and happiness for the sake of an unthinking, unfeeling hunk of silicon and code. Over the past few decades, a small research community has doggedly attacked the question of what consciousness is and how it works. The effort has yielded real progress. And now, with the rapid advance of AI technology, these insights could offer our only guide to the untested, morally fraught waters of artificial consciousness. Read the full story. Grace Huckins We can still have nice things A place for comfort, fun and distraction to brighten up your day. (Got any ideas? Drop me a line or tweet 'em at me.) + Small changes can improve your life, from debobbling your clothes to oiling your keyholes.+ Woah: these fascinating deep sea creatures can turn back the clock on aging and revert to a more youthful form.+ TikTok is really into onions. Yes, onions. + As if filmmaking wasnt stressful enough, these movies were all completed in a single take.

Trump said on Wednesday that he will nominate Rep. Matt Gaetz to serve as US Attorney General.But there's reason to believe his confirmation will be difficult.Gaetz spearheaded the ouster of Kevin McCarthy and faces an ongoing ethics probe. Thanks for signing up! Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday said that he would nominate Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida to serve as United States Attorney General.In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that Gaetz would "root out the systemic corruption" at the Department of Justice.Gaetz quickly replied on X: "It will be an honor to serve as President Trump's Attorney General!"Hours after the announcement, House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters that Gaetz had already resigned from Congress."I think out of deference to us, he issued his resignation letter, effective immediately, of Congress. That caught us by surprise a little bit," Johnson said, adding that by resigning now Congress may be able to fill Gaetz's seat by January 3.A spokesperson for Gaetz did not respond to a request for comment.The Attorney General is the country's top law enforcement official overseeing the Department of Justice and serving as a key legal advisor to the president.Gaetz's appointment will have to be confirmed by the US Senate, and there are plenty of reasons to believe it will be controversial.In more recent times, Gaetz has drawn backlash from fellow Republicans over his role in spearheading the ousting of Kevin McCarthy from the speakership last year, which led to weeks of chaos in the lower chamber.He is also likely to face renewed questions over sex-trafficking allegations, which arose after the Department of Justice opened an investigation into Gaetz in April 2021. Though the agency ultimately decline to pursue charges, the Florida congressman has continued to face a probe from the House Ethics Committee.A staunch Trump loyalist, Gaetz has been a relatively unusual figure in Washington.He's expressed admiration for Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan, telling NOTUS earlier this year that he hopes "her work continues in the Trump administration." He also supports banning lawmakers from trading stocks and has touted his agreement with Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on the issue.

The high demand for advanced semiconductors is increasing tensions between the US and China.Production power is key to the conflict, but tensions have shifted to the supply of raw materials.Supply chain and foreign relations experts told BI why the AI race is similar to a new Cold War. Thanks for signing up! Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. In the race against the US for global tech supremacy, China has the upper hand in at least one critical area: rare earths.The term refers to a group of 17 elements required to make tech products ranging from semiconductors to industrial magnets and some solar panels the same items embroiled in the US-China trade war.For more than a year, Beijing has slowly been tightening its grip on critical minerals and rare earths.In December, China banned the export of a range of rare earth processing technologies. Last month, China further tightened its grip on the sector. Citing resource protection and national security, Beijing madeNow, there are fears that China could tighten the global rare earths supply chain even more.Here's what you need to know about rare earths, what makes them so valuable, and how they play into the tech war between the US and China.China's rare earth dominanceChina has long dominated the rare earths market due to supply, low labor costs, and lax environmental standards.The country produces 60% of the world's rare earth mineral supply and accounts for 90% of global refined output.The late Deng Xiaoping the Chinese leader who spearheaded the country's economic reforms in 1978 recognized their strategic importance in 1992, saying, "The Middle East has oil, China has rare earths."Under the new regulations introduced last month, China's rare earth resources now belong to the state. Two Canadian-owned rare earth refineries in China are also being acquired by state-owned companies.This is not the first time Beijing has placed restrictions on rare earths. In 2010, China imposed strict rare earth quotas, citing environmental concerns and resource preservation. The move sent prices up sharply and prompted the US, the European Union, and Japan to file a complaint against China for unfair trade practices at the World Trade Organization. China lost the case and lifted exported quotas in 2015.Various countries tried to diversify their rare earth supply chains in the wake of China's quotas in the 2010s, but success has been limited due to the high cost of investment and environmental concerns.There are renewed efforts to boost global production in the face of rising tensions.In 2022, the US Department of Defense awarded $45 million to MP Materials for rare earth oxide processing, and in 2023, it awarded over $288 million to Lynas USA to set up commercial-scale rare earth oxide production facilities.How is China leveraging rare earths?Beijing's moves to control critical minerals and rare earths are part of a toolbox Beijing has developed over the last four years, Rick Waters, the managing director of Eurasia Group's China practice, said at a press briefing.During President Donald Trump's first term, the US and China slapped retaliatory tariffs on each other. However, China has less leverage in a tariff fight because it exports more to the US than it imports, so it came up with another regulatory framework this one involving rare earths that it can use in a trade dispute."They're experimenting with its use, and I think, in a way, they could go further if they perceive they need to," said Waters.Any further tightening of rare earth supplies which are a subset under critical minerals could leave the US vulnerable to supply shocks."China has cornered the market for processing and refining of key critical minerals, leaving the US and our allies and partners vulnerable to supply chain shocks and undermining economic and national security," the White House said in a statement in September.What do the restrictions on rare earths mean for TSMC and Nvidia?China's control over rare earths could weigh heavily in the trade war between Washington and Beijing, with chips in the center of the conflict.Chips are found in everything from computers to cell phones, cars, and defense equipment. Taiwan dominates the market, producing over 60% of the world's chips and over 90% of the most advanced ones.One company Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company is responsible for most of the output and is the key supplier to AI chip giant Nvidia, which is in the thick of the tech rivalry.The US has already moved to block the export of advanced chips and chipmaking equipment to China.If the trade tiff escalates such as in the form of higher tariffs China could pull its rare earth card, Oxford Economics wrote in a report published in July."China's dominance in the battery supply chain accords policymakers with leverage to withhold industry-specific inputs from Western manufacturers, which could prove inflationary and economically disruptive," wrote Louise Loo, the lead economist for Greater China at Oxford Economics.This could involve further controls on critical commodity exports, particularly in rare earth minerals, Loo added.As happened with China's rare earth export curbs in 2010, prices are likely to spike if supply is tightened, so any prolonged supply crunch could drive up inflation for end products.The tech Cold WarThe US and China's moves to outmaneuver each other in the tech race have some analysts drawing parallels to the Cold War.Zongyuan Zoe Liu, a senior fellow for China studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, told Business Insider the idea that the US ought to out-compete China and prevent the nation from developing advanced chips plays into a "bigger power competition narrative."She said the tensions are similar, though not identical, to the tensions between the US and Soviet Union that began after the end of World War II.As Bloomberg reported last month, the US is considering limiting export licenses for both Nvidia and AMD chips in an unfolding trade war that has also hit several sensitive industries, including electric vehicles, batteries, and some solar panels.The US imposed similar trade limits, embargoes, and economic sanctions on the Soviet Union, North Korea, China, and North Vietnam during the Cold War."I think the heart of the issue is concern about how China will use AI chips for military applications and surveillance," Chris Tang, a UCLA professor and expert in global supply chain management and the impact of regulatory policies, told BI. "It's a different type of Cold War."Beyond a tense relationship, the dynamics between the US and China are also creating parallel systems, with the US and its allies on one side, and China and its allies on the other, Nick Vyas, the founding director of USC Marshall's Randall R. Kendrick Global Supply Chain Institute, told BI.Vyas said he's concerned the tension could escalate from this new Cold War to a hot one between global powers."When we stop transacting horizontally with each other, that's only creating a larger conflict," Vyas said. "And then with a South China Sea conflict, the geopolitical conflict could turn into a larger conflict, which can lead to a major situation that leads up to a war."Representatives for Nvidia declined to comment for this story. Representatives for AMD and the Bureau of Industry and Security didn't respond to requests for comment from BI.

Donald Trump announced that he intends to nominate Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) to serve as his attorney general. Gaetz is a longtime Trump loyalist, who will likely be tasked with remaking the Department of Justice. The department has traditionally adhered to strong norms against interference by the president; Trump and his allies have been explicit in arguing that should change. Trump has also repeatedly called for legal action against his political enemies, including promising to appoint a real special prosecutor to go after the most corrupt president history of the United States of America, Joe Biden, and the entire Biden crime family, in 2023.Enforcing those sorts of threats would fall to Gaetz, if he is confirmed by the Senate.Before being nominated to be attorney general, Gaetz was probably best known for two things. One is his longstanding feud with former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), who was eventually ousted in no small part because of Gaetz. The other is the string of sexual misconduct allegations. Gaetz denies these allegations, and the Department of Justice dropped its investigation into them in 2023.If Gaetz does end up running that same department, hell be in a uniquely powerful role. He would be tasked with overseeing all federal prosecutions, providing legal advice to the president and the Cabinet, and would have the final say on any legal stance that the United States takes in court. Of greater significance perhaps is the fact that Gaetz would have enormous authority over who is prosecuted, who is allowed to get away with committing federal crimes, and who might be targeted for politically motivated prosecutions in an authoritarian administration.Trump has repeatedly promised retribution against his Democratic rivals. And his fellow Republicans on the Supreme Court ruled last July that he can order the Justice Department to bring politically motivated prosecutions without consequence.In the first Trump administration, Trump reportedly wanted to order the Justice Department to prosecute his former political opponent Hillary Clinton and former FBI director James Comey, but was dissuaded from doing so by White House Counsel Don McGahn. Gaetzs strong support for Trump, by contrast, makes it seem hes much less likely to resist such an order.Just who is Matt Gaetz? Gaetz has a law degree, and he did previously practice law in northwest Florida. Hes been a representative since 2017, and became known both for stunts on the House floor like wearing a gas mask to protest masking policies during the coronavirus pandemic as well as his staunch support for Trump.In 2021, it was revealed that Gaetz was the subject of an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct.The allegations arose out of his relationship with Joel Greenberg, a former county-level tax collector who was sentenced to 11 years in prison by a federal judge in 2022. Greenberg pled guilty to a wide range of crimes, including underage sex trafficking, wire fraud, identity theft, and conspiring to defraud the federal government. Judge Gregory Presnell, who sentenced Greenberg, said that hes never seen a defendant who has committed so many different types of crimes in such a relatively short period.According to CNN, Greenberg also cooperated extensively with the Justice Departments sex-trafficking probe into GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz. Among other things, Greenberg reportedly told investigators that he witnessed Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old girl. (Gaetz in 2021 issued a blanket denial of the allegations via a statement from his office, writing: No part of the allegations against me are true.)As a general rule, sex offenses such as soliciting prostitution are handled by state-level prosecutors, as the Constitution only gives the federal government limited authority over sex crimes. The US Justice Department can get involved, however, in narrow circumstances. The Justice Departments investigation into Gaetz looked into whether he had sex with this teenager and paid for her to travel with him. It is a federal crime to transport someone across state lines, with the intent that they engage in prostitution or illicit sexual conduct. The most serious violations of this statute carry a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.In any event, the Justice Department eventually decided not to charge Gaetz. Its reasons for declining to do so have not been made public, but the lack of charges does not necessarily clear him of the allegations. Meanwhile, a House ethics investigation into Gaetz remains ongoing.According to ABC News, one woman told the House committee investigating Gaetz that the member of Congress paid her for sex. Others have said they were paid to attend parties that Gaetz also attended, where attendees used drugs and had sex. Again, Gaetz has denied any misconduct.As of yet, its unclear whether a majority of senators will vote to confirm Gaetz as attorney general. But theres some evidence that many Republicans will be turned off by the sex crimes allegations against Gaetz, and by his generally poor reputation on Capitol Hill. In 2023, for example, Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) said that theres a reason why no one in the [Republican] conference defended Gaetz after seeing some of the evidence against him.As New York Times columnist Ezra Klein writes, Trumps decision to nominate Gaetz should be read as an effort to gauge whether Republican senators will permit him to take absurd and dangerous actions. These arent just appointments, Klein writes of Gaetz and Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth, Theyre loyalty tests. The absurdity is the point.Youve read 1 article in the last monthHere at Vox, we're unwavering in our commitment to covering the issues that matter most to you threats to democracy, immigration, reproductive rights, the environment, and the rising polarization across this country.Our mission is to provide clear, accessible journalism that empowers you to stay informed and engaged in shaping our world. By becoming a Vox Member, you directly strengthen our ability to deliver in-depth, independent reporting that drives meaningful change.We rely on readers like you join us.Swati SharmaVox Editor-in-ChiefSee More:

In the warm blue waters of the Solomon Islands, an island chain in the South Pacific, lies one of the worlds largest sea creatures. Roughly the size of two basketball courts, its neither a whale nor a giant squid.It is a single piece of coral. On Wednesday, a team of researchers and filmmakers exploring the Solomon Islands revealed that they found what they claim is the worlds largest individual coral colony. The coral, a communal organism comprising millions of animals called polyps, is 34 meters wide and 32 meters long and so large it can be seen from space. A typical coral reef is made of many different coral colonies, most of which are genetically distinct, whereas this is just one individual.In new photos shared by the research team, the coral, a species known as Pavona clavus, looks like a lumpy brown mound covered in knobs. Closer views reveal bits of yellow, green, and purple. Given its size and the slow speed at which corals grow, this individual is likely several centuries old.The mega coral is so large it dwarfs the diver alongside it. Manu San Flix/National Geographic Pristine SeasClose-up views reveal all kinds of sea life growing on and around the coral. Manu San Flix/National Geographic Pristine SeasIts a dream to see something unique like this, Manu San Flix, an underwater photographer and marine biologist who first saw the coral last month in the Solomon Islands, told Vox. When Napoleon was alive, this thing was here. San Flix discovered the coral while filming near an island called Malaulalo for an ongoing National Geographic expedition. The expedition, a collaboration with the Solomon Islands government, is part of National Geographics Pristine Seas project, which aims to help countries establish more marine parks, in part by documenting sea life. Malaulalo is mostly uninhabited and its waters are largely unexplored, according to Dennis Marita, a member of the Poonapaina Tribe of Ulawa. The tribe oversees Malaulalos marine territory. This is something huge for our community, Marita, whos also the director of culture at the Solomon Islandss ministry of culture and tourism, said in a press conference Tuesday. No other coral in the public record is larger than this one, though its possible that there are bigger colonies in remote stretches of the ocean that have yet to be discovered. The previous record-holder for the worlds largest coral was a colony in American Samoa that was roughly 22 meters wide. Many of the worlds coral reefs are remote and not well explored, Stacy Jupiter, executive director of marine conservation at the Wildlife Conservation Society, who was not involved in this expedition, told Vox. Humans have only surveyed about 5 percent of the planets marine realm, she mentioned. So it is not surprising at all that we continue to make new discoveries, even of large creatures, Jupiter said.Manu San Felix dives over a massive coral Manu San Flix, National Geographic Pristine SeasBeacon of hopeThe discovery comes at a time when coral reefs around the world are vanishing.Climate change is warming the oceans, and warm water kills corals. Coral gets its color and much of its food from symbiotic algae that live inside polyps. When seawater gets too warm, that algae disappears, and the coral turns white or bleaches. Bleached corals are essentially starving to death. Coral reefs globally are facing the most extensive bleaching crisis on record. Three-quarters of the worlds coral reefs have experienced enough ocean heat to cause bleaching since early 2023, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Many corals have died. Related:Meanwhile, new research suggests that more than 40 percent of hard corals those that build reefs, like the recently discovered colony in the Solomon Islands are at risk of extinction. This is a problem, to put it lightly. Reefs dampen waves that hit the shoreline during hurricanes, they are home to a significant portion of commercial fish that people eat, and they are the engine of tourism economies in many coastal regions. Hundreds of millions of people depend on coral reefs.Perhaps unsurprisingly, the National Geographic team discovered a lot of dead coral in the shallows of the Solomon Islands, likely due to excessive heat in the ocean, said Molly Timmers, a marine ecologist and the expeditions lead scientist. That was discouraging, she said. In the face of that loss, this discovery was a beacon of hope, Timmers told Vox. Its like, holy crap! This is amazing!Large coral colonies provide homes for marine critters like crabs, snails, and small fish. More importantly, they seed the ocean with baby corals when they spawn, or reproduce, helping damaged sections of reef recover. Plus, this particular coral may be resilient to stress, including excessive marine heat. The research team estimates that its between 300 and 500 years old, meaning its lived through multiple global bleaching events and survived. Unlike some of the coral closer to shore, this individual which was more than 10 meters deep appeared healthy, perhaps because it was in deeper, cooler water or because it has some built-in genetic tolerance to heat. So the spawn it produces could be resilient too. Anything old is really good at surviving, said Maria Beger, a marine ecologist at the University of Leeds, who was not involved in the discovery. Divers measure the newly discovered coral, revealing it to be the largest on record. Manu San Flix/National Geographic Pristine SeasDiscovering a hulking colony of coral is not, by itself, all that impressive, said Beger. To support marine life and withstand threats like climate change, its more important that reefs have a diverse array of coral species in all shapes and sizes, rather than one big one.At the same time, if a report like this gets people excited about coral reefs, she said, maybe thats a good thing.The discovery could also help the Solomon Islands conserve their waters more effectively, Marita, of the ministry of culture and tourism, told Vox. While his tribe has been informally conserving Malaulalo for a decade on its own, he said, the island would benefit from an official marine protected area recognized by the Solomon Islands government. Marita has been campaigning to make that happen. This will certainly boost the conservation initiative that we have been working on, he told Vox, referring to the discovery. This mega coral will help bring much-needed visibility and recognition from the government and other stakeholders. This is really a gain for us. Youve read 1 article in the last monthHere at Vox, we're unwavering in our commitment to covering the issues that matter most to you threats to democracy, immigration, reproductive rights, the environment, and the rising polarization across this country.Our mission is to provide clear, accessible journalism that empowers you to stay informed and engaged in shaping our world. By becoming a Vox Member, you directly strengthen our ability to deliver in-depth, independent reporting that drives meaningful change.We rely on readers like you join us.Swati SharmaVox Editor-in-ChiefSee More: