There have been a couple of previous reports suggesting that at least one iPhone 17 model will run cooler, thanks to a hi-tech liquid cooling system known as a vapor chamber. This has today been backed by a third one though its uncertain which models will get the new feature.While Apple chips have grown progressively more powerful each year, they can run hot when performing demanding tasks like running graphic-intensive games, forcing the device to reduce power Known as thermal throttling, this is when internal temperature sensors indicate that the chip has hit its maximum operating temperature. To protect it and other components from heat damage, the performance of the chip is throttled back until the temperature falls.Larger and more powerful devices like the MacBook Pro have fans to dissipate heat, but the iPhone relies on passive cooling via a heatsink in essence, a solid chunk of metal or graphite designed to absorb heat and transfer it to the outer casing of the phone.Vapor chamberA vapor chamber is a more sophisticated heatsink, with a liquid inside. When theres too much heat in a particular section of the phone, that liquid is vaporized. That vapor travels to the outer walls, where it condenses, reducing the temperature.Its the same principle of evaporative cooling used in air coolers, and even applying a wet cloth to someones forehead when they are running a fever.The video below shows how it works in a device like a phone.iPhone 17 liquid cooling reportsApple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo was first to report on plans to include a vapor chamber in the iPhone 17 line-up, last summer saying that it would be exclusive to the iPhone 17 Pro Max.Among the 2025 new iPhone models, only the iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature [] an upgraded cooling system combining vapor chamber (VC) technology and graphite sheets. Other 2025 new iPhone models will continue to use graphite sheets alone for thermal management.Earlier this year, Chinese site MyDrivers echoed the idea of a vapor chamber, but suggested it was coming to all iPhone 17 models.Apple will add heat dissipation devices to the iPhone 17 series, and all models will be equipped with VC [vapor chamber] heat sinks for heat dissipation.Today Instant Digital, a Chinese leaker who has previously been correct on iPhone rumors, splits the difference saying that its coming to both Pro models.It is confirmed that 17 Pro/17 Pro Max will use steam cavity [ie. vapor chamber] to dissipate heat9to5Macs TakeGiven three sources, and inclusion of the feature in some premium Android phones, the reports do seem likely.As to which models will get a vapor chamber, it would seem more logical to start with the more powerful models, so my money would be on either both Pro models or the Pro Max only.Highlighted accessoriesImage: Advanced Thermal SolutionsAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

We've been hearing the same story for years: AI is coming for your job. In fact, in 2017, McKinsey printed a report, Jobs Lost, Jobs Gained: Workforce Transitions in a Time of Automation, predicting that by 2030, 375 million workers would need to find new jobs or risk being displaced by AI and automation. Queue the anxiety. There have been ongoing whispers about what roles would be impacted, and pentesting has recently come into question. With AI now able to automate tasks such as vulnerability scans and network scansamong other thingsand with platforms like PlexTrac adding AI capabilities to cut back on the manual effort, will pentesters be out of a job?Let's start with some optimism. This year, McKinsey retracted its former prediction that 375 million workers would be displaced by AI, lowering the prediction to roughly 92 million workers. The article continued to ease concern stating that although some jobs may become obsolete, it's more likely that jobs will simply undergo a transition and that an estimated 170 million new roles will emerge from the ashes. Circling back to pentesting, it's fair to assume that some aspects of the role will lend itself more to automation in the coming years, and some pentesting-related roles might have to pivot, but AI is missing an element that sets pentesting apart from other automated scanner tools: the human element. As cited by the Cloud Security Alliance, "Rather than replacing humans, AI serves as a force multiplier for penetration testers." AI Will Enhance, Not Replace, Pentesting CapabilitiesOne common misconception is that AI will make pentesters a thing of the past. The reality is far more nuanced. Automation has already begun to assist in streamlining some of the more monotonous, repetitive tasks, but human creativity and expertise remain irreplaceable.The Script Kiddies Are (Machine) Learning AI is changing the barriers to entry for pentesting. With the help of AI-powered tools, folks with less technical experienceoften referred to as script kiddieswill be able to perform more sophisticated tests without needing an in-depth understanding of the underlying mechanics. AI lowers the barrier to entry by automating more complex tasks like vulnerability scanning, adversary simulation, and exploitation. Such automation enables these users to identify and exploit weaknesses in systems with greater ease.While pentesters may have a negative view of script kiddies, the advancements in AI and automation benefit everyone. Removing low-hanging fruit allows testers of all levels to take on more intricate and valuable engagements, raising their skill level and making them more effective and secure in their roles. With AI handling the tedious groundwork, all testers can focus on learning the deeper nuances of pentesting, ultimately becoming more proficient and contributing more to the security landscape.Focusing on Higher-Value Work: Let AI Handle the Monotonous TasksIt's not just script kiddies that will reap the benefits of AIpentesters can as well. By leveraging automation, pentesters are freed up to focus on tasks that demand a higher level of expertise or human intervention. For instance, AI can automate the discovery of vulnerabilities, allowing pentesters to focus on crafting unique exploits or conducting advanced red team exercises that require a nuanced understanding of human behavior and business logic.Specific tasks AI can automate include:Facilitating deeper research and Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) gatheringScanning for common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVEs) in target systemsConducting basic network scans and identifying potential attack vectorsCategorizing and prioritizing discovered vulnerabilities based on severity and exploitabilityCrafting exploits based on the technology stack of the current engagementSuggesting additional test cases to conduct based on previously identified vulnerabilitiesBy eliminating these repetitive tasks, AI allows pentesters to spend more time exploring sophisticated exploits, finding hidden flaws, and thinking outside the boxskills that are beyond AI's reach for the foreseeable future.Phishing and Social Engineering 2.0: AI's Hook for Better SimulationsAI's impact on pentesting is also evident in the realm of social engineering. The technology is already advancing phishing simulations and training exercises. AI's ability to analyze vast amounts of data, understand human behaviors, and craft more believable phishing attacks or social engineering scenarios allows penetration testers to conduct more realistic attacks. This means that businesses can be better prepared for real-world threats, as AI enhances the authenticity of simulated attacks.Moreover, AI tools can provide feedback and coaching, allowing penetration testers to refine their social engineering techniques and learn from past engagements, improving their craft over time.AI Will Accelerate the Pentesting Process: Speed Meets PrecisionAI can dramatically speed up most, if not all, stages of the penetration testing lifecycle. For example:OSINT and Information Gathering: AI can analyze an organization's technology stack, identify known vulnerabilities in the tools and platforms in use, and suggest potential attack vectors more quickly than a human could manually research.Threat Modeling: Based on the data collected, AI can recommend specific threats to emulate based on previous success rates correlated to the gathered intelligence.Anomaly Detection: When sifting through massive datasets, AI excels at detecting patterns and identifying outliers. It can flag anomalous findings that might otherwise be buried in an ocean of data, allowing pentesters to focus on the most critical vulnerabilities.Exploit Development: AI tools can assist pentesters in generating exploit code tailored to the specific technology stack or system they are testing.Post Exploitation: AI can help cover tracks of exploitation, removing evidence that the testers were even there in a more comprehensive fashion. It can also leave false clues to keep the defenders guessing and lead their investigation down rabbit trails.Pentest/Offensive Security Reporting: Just like GPT tools that help you write an email, you can use generative AI to speed pentest reports. PlexTrac, a leading pentest reporting platform, integrates AI to help generate exploit findings, summarize data, and even draft executive summaries for reports. But, of course, you need to make sure the platform you leverage keeps your data safe. PlexTrac's homegrown AI solution operates in a pre-trained capacity. The system and underlying components do not learn over time or retain user submissions beyond the requirement to process the submission and provide a generative response.What to Expect From AI in Pentesting: A Hacker's Best Friend?The future of pentesting will likely involve a synergistic relationship between AI and human expertise. Here's how AI will support pentesters in the near future:Collaboration: AI can serve as a sidekick to penetration testers, helping to analyze findings, create reports, and even recommend next steps based on past engagements. It can act as a "red team assistant" facilitating collaboration among team members and providing guidance throughout the engagement.Business Logic and Contextual Awareness: AI will also help penetration testers understand how vulnerabilities impact the business. Instead of just identifying a technical flaw, AI will provide context on how that flaw could lead to business disruptions, data loss, or reputational damage. This understanding can guide pentesters in crafting more impactful recommendations and reports.Agentic Frameworks and Reasoning Models: With advancements in reasoning models, AI can provide insights into why it makes specific decisions, allowing penetration testers to better understand the logic behind its findings and suggestions. This transparency will improve the way humans interact with AI and enhance its effectiveness in pentesting tasks.Embracing Your New Pentest PartnerAI is not here to take over the job of penetration testers; rather, it is here to make their work faster, more efficient, and more effective. The mundane tasks of scanning for vulnerabilities, writing reports, and even executing basic exploits can be automated, but the nuanced tasks that require creativity, critical thinking, and deep technical knowledge will always need a hacker's touch. By embracing AI as a tool to enhance their work, penetration testers can spend more time on the exciting and challenging aspects of their jobhacking, problem-solving, and outsmarting adversaries. As AI continues to evolve, it's clear that pentesters will be empowered, not displaced. In fact, those who embrace AI will likely find themselves more competitive in an ever-changing cybersecurity landscape.Resources: Manyika, James, et al. "Jobs Lost, Jobs Gained: Workforce Transitions in a Time of Automation."McKinsey, December 2017, https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/BAB489A30B724BECB5DEDC41E9BB9FAC.ashx. Mayer, Hannah, et al. "Superagency in the Workplace: Empowering People to Unlock AI's Full Potential." McKinsey , 28 Jan. 2025, www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/mckinsey-digital/our-insights/superagency-in-the-workplace-empowering-people-to-unlock-ais-full-potential-at-work. Mehta, Umang. "AI-Enhanced Penetration Testing: Redefining Red Team Operations." Cloud Security Alliance, 06 December 2024, https://cloudsecurityalliance.org/blog/2024/12/06/ai-enhanced-penetration-testing-redefining-red-team-operations.Found this article interesting? This article is a contributed piece from one of our valued partners. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn to read more exclusive content we post.

John Edwards, Technology Journalist & AuthorMarch 12, 20255 Min ReadDragos Condrea via Alamy Stock PhotoTeams occasionally generate a certain amount of internal friction, and development staffs are no exception. Yet, when managed properly, team friction can actually be turned into a motivating force.Developer team friction can become a positive driving force when it encourages diverse perspectives, promotes critical thinking, fosters innovation, and improves communication skills, observes JB McGinnis, a principal with Deloitte Consulting. "Constructive disagreements can lead to more robust solutions, continuous improvement, and stronger team cohesion," he explains in an email interview. "By tapping into and exploring this friction positively, teams can enhance performance and drive innovation."Friction can be a fantastic driver for positive change, states Andy Miears, a director with technology research and advisory firm ISG. "When members of a development team are at odds with each other, it often indicates some degree of inefficiency, lack of work product quality, a poor working environment, or unclear roles and responsibilities," he says via email. "Using friction as a compelling way to identify, prioritize, and address pain points is a healthy behavior for any high-performing team."Multiple BenefitsDeveloper team friction, while often seen as a negative trait, can actually become a positive force under certain conditions, McGinnis says. "Friction can enhance problem-solving abilities by highlighting weaknesses in current processes or solutions," he explains. "It prompts the team to address these issues, thereby improving their overall problem-solving skills."Related:Team friction often occurs when a developer passionately advocates a new approach or solution. That's generally a good thing, notes Stew Beck, director of engineering at work product management solutions provider iManage. "When team members have conflicting ideas, you naturally end up with some friction -- it's something you want to have on every team," he says via email. If team members aren't advocating their own ideas, there's a risk they're not fully engaged in the problem. "Without friction, teams could be missing out on a way to make the product better."Allowing team friction in a controlled and safe way helps everyone. "Team members can challenge ideas, ways of accomplishing a task, encourage better results, and hold each other accountable to shared objectives, standards and processes," Miears says.Team seniority and status shouldn't matter. "The best ideas don't always come from the most senior person in the room," Beck observes. Yet failing to encourage open discussions, regardless of rank, risks overlooking something important that could cost the team, and the entire enterprise, later.Related:Channeling FrictionTo channel friction into positive results, the team leader should encourage balanced and constructive productive feedback. "Additionally, the leader should commit to creating an environment that's open to a wide set of opinions, where teammates are encouraged to share their thoughts," McGinnis advises.The team leader should schedule regular meetings with their development team to identify what's currently working and, more importantly, what may be failing. "In a mature Agile development framework, retrospectives should take part at the end of every sprint," Miears recommends. Larger retrospectives, meanwhile, should be scheduled at the end of releases or program increments. "These sessions should be used to create new, better, or more efficient value for users, stakeholders and the overall team."Maintaining ControlTeam leaders should set clear expectations and goals for all members. "These objectives should be defined for both the team as a whole and for individual members," McGinnis says. Leading by example is also critical. "As a leader, you are a reflection of your team, so demonstrating the handling of conflicts with a professional demeanor, while showing empathy, goes a long way."Related:Friction can easily spiral out of control when retrospectives and feedback focus on individuals instead of addressing issues and problems jointly as a team. "Staying solution-oriented and helping each other achieve collective success for the sake of the team, should always be the No. 1 priority," Miears says. "Make it a safe space."As a leader it's important to empower every team member to speak up, Beck advises. Each team member has a different and unique perspective. "For instance, you could have one brilliant engineer who rarely speaks up, but when they do its important that people listen," he says. "At other times, you may have an outspoken member on your team who will speak on every issue and argue for their point, regardless of the situation." Staying in tune with these differences and quirks helps to foster a healthy discussion environment.Parting ThoughtTeam building is a great way to ensure a safe team when friction arises, Miears says. "Celebrate successes and individual accomplishments together, he recommends. "Do the work to build a safe and inclusive culture in which the team can thrive."About the AuthorJohn EdwardsTechnology Journalist & AuthorJohn Edwards is a veteran business technology journalist. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and numerous business and technology publications, including Computerworld, CFO Magazine, IBM Data Management Magazine, RFID Journal, and Electronic Design. He has also written columns for The Economist's Business Intelligence Unit and PricewaterhouseCoopers' Communications Direct. John has authored several books on business technology topics. His work began appearing online as early as 1983. Throughout the 1980s and 90s, he wrote daily news and feature articles for both the CompuServe and Prodigy online services. His "Behind the Screens" commentaries made him the world's first known professional blogger.See more from John EdwardsWebinarsMore WebinarsReportsMore ReportsNever Miss a Beat: Get a snapshot of the issues affecting the IT industry straight to your inbox.SIGN-UPYou May Also Like

Mary E. Shacklett, President of Transworld DataMarch 12, 20257 Min ReadimageBROKER.com via Alamy Stock When I was a junior programmer/analyst on my first IT job, I was working with a programmer-mentor named Bob who was teaching me to code subroutines. The days conversation got around to the CIO, and Bob unexpectedly said, That guys nothing more than a pencil pusher. He doesnt have a clue about what were doing!Bobs words stuck with me, especially after I became a CIO. I kept thinking about the side conversations that happen in cubicles. I determined that although it wasnt my business as a CIO to code, I would make it my business to stay atop technology details so I could actively interact with my technical staff members in a value-added way. I decided to also learn how to communicate about technology at a plain English top level with other executives and board members.Staying on top of technology at a detailed level isnt easy for CIOs who have a broad range of responsibilities to fulfill. Meanwhile, it's crucial to be able to articulate complicated tech in plain English to superiors who lack a tech background when your own strength might be in science and engineering, but not in public speaking.Nevertheless, its absolutely essential for CIOs to do both, or they risk losing the respect of their superiors and their staff.Here are three tech deep dives that CIOs must make in 2025 so they can meet the technology expectations of their superiors and staffs:SecuritySecurity worries corporate boards. Its a key IT responsibility, and as cyberattacks grow more sophisticated, preventing them is becoming more than just monitoring the periphery of the network and conducting security audits. Using traditional security analysts who are generalized in their knowledge also might not suffice.Enter technologies like network and system observability, which can probe beyond monitoring, drilling down to security threat root causes and interpretations of events based upon the relationships between data points and access points. Youll have to break down the concept of observability and possibly the evolution of new tech roles in security for the board and executives who will be asked to fund them.On the IT staff side, implementing observability will be a topic of technical discussion. There may also be a need to discuss new security roles and positions. For instance, in sensitive industries like finance, law enforcement, healthcare or aerospace, you may need a cyberthreat hunter who seeks out malware that may be dormant and embedded in systems, only waiting to be activated. Or, it may be time for a security forensics specialist who can get to the bottom of a breach to identify the perpetrator. These are positions that are more specialized than security analyst. You may have to develop the skillsets for cyberhunting or forensics internally or seek them outside. Adding these roles could force a realignment of duties on the IT security staff, and it will be important for you to work closely with your staff.Generative and Agentive AICompanies are flocking to invest in AI, with boards and CEOs wanting to know about it, and the data science and IT departments want direction on it.Generative AI is the most common AI used, but how many boards know what Gen AI is, and how it works? Meanwhile, agentive AI, in which AI not only makes decisions but acts upon them, is coming into view.Both forms of AI can dramatically impact business strategies, customer relationships, business processes and employee headcount. CEOs and boards need to know about these forms of AI, what they are capable of doing, where the risks are, and what the impact could be. They will come to the CIO for information. They dont need to know about every nut and bolt, but they do need enough working knowledge so they can understand the technology at a conceptual business level.On the IT and data science staff side, generative AI engines must operate on quality data from a variety of external and internal feeds that must be vetted. In some cases, ETL (extract-transform-load) software must be used to clean and normalize the data. The technical approach to doing this needs to be discussed and implemented. It is a plus for everyone if the CIO partakes in some of these meetings.With agentive AI, there should be discussions about technology readiness and ethical guardrails as to just how much autonomous work AI should be allowed to perform on its own.For all AI, security and refresh cycles for data need to be defined and executed, and the algorithms operating on the data must be trialed and tuned.Collectively, these activities require project approval and budget allotments, so it is in the staffs and CIOs best interests that they get discussed technically so the nature of the work, its challenges and opportunities are clearly understood by all.NaaSWeve heard of IaaS (infrastructure as a service), SaaS (software as a service) and PaaS (platform as a service), and now there is NaaS (network as a service). What they have in common is that they are all cloud services. The intent is to shift IT functions to the cloud so you have less direct responsibility for managing them in-house.Boards and C-level executives are attracted to cloud services because they perceive the cloud as being less expensive, easier to manage, and a way to avoid investing in technology that will be obsolete three years later.But now there is NaaS, which most of them havent heard about. Just what is NaaS (network outsourcing), and what does it do for the company? They will ask the CIO to explain it.On the IT side, if youre discussing NaaS, there are decisions to be made as to how much (if any) of the network youre willing to outsource. Also, if you did outsource, what will be the impact on cost, management, security, bandwidth, application integration service levels.The discussion can get into the weeds of the technology, and the CIO should be prepared to go there.The Quandary for the CIOThe quandary the CIO faces is that he or she cant be all things to all people but is often expected to be. Its why once over lunch, the CFO of my company told me, Im sure glad Im not doing your job. It seems impossible!There were days when I thought so, too! There were days when I spent the majority of my time doing what my old mentor Bob complained about: pencil pushing, for budget justifications, headcount increases, security and compliance reporting, and vendor negotiations. There were also days spent in meetings with other C-level managers to explain new technologies so the path could be smoothed for IT project work with a minimum of user resistance.All of these CIO tasks are necessary, but the IT staff doesnt see them.I understood this, and I also understood that my own staff had expectations. One of them was that I kept my technology chops sharp so I could engage with them in a manner Bob would approve. This is work! I thought to myself, But you must do both.About the AuthorMary E. ShacklettPresident of Transworld DataMary E. Shacklett is an internationally recognized technology commentator and President of Transworld Data, a marketing and technology services firm. Prior to founding her own company, she was Vice President of Product Research and Software Development for Summit Information Systems, a computer software company; and Vice President of Strategic Planning and Technology at FSI International, a multinational manufacturer in the semiconductor industry.Mary has business experience in Europe, Japan, and the Pacific Rim. She has a BS degree from the University of Wisconsin and an MA from the University of Southern California, where she taught for several years. She is listed in Who's Who Worldwide and inWho's Who in the Computer Industry.See more from Mary E. ShacklettWebinarsMore WebinarsReportsMore ReportsNever Miss a Beat: Get a snapshot of the issues affecting the IT industry straight to your inbox.SIGN-UPYou May Also Like

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. Everyone in AI is talking about Manus. We put it to the test. Since the general AI agent Manus was launched last week, it has spread online like wildfire. And not just in China, where it was developed by the Wuhan-based startup Butterfly Effect. Its made its way into the global conversation, with some even dubbing it the second DeepSeek. Manus claims to be the world's first general AI agent, building off multiple AI models and agents to act autonomously on a wide range of tasks. Despite all the hype, very few people have had a chance to use it. MIT Technology Review was able to obtain access to Manus. Heres what we made of it.Caiwei Chen Waabi says its virtual robotrucks are realistic enough to prove the real ones are safe The news: Canadian robotruck startup Waabi says its super-realistic virtual simulation is now accurate enough to prove the safety of its driverless big rigs without having to run them for miles on real roads.How it did it: The company uses a digital twin of its real-world robotrucks, loaded up with real sensor data, and measures how the twin's performance compares to that of real trucks on real roads. Waabi says they now match almost exactly, and claims its approach is a better way to demonstrate safety than just racking up real-world miles, as many of its competitors do. Read the full story. Will Douglas Heaven This artificial leaf makes hydrocarbons out of carbon dioxide For many years, researchers have been working to build devices that can mimic photosynthesisthe process by which plants use sunlight and carbon dioxide to make their fuel. These artificial leaves use sunlight to separate water into oxygen and hydrogen, which could then be used to fuel cars or generate electricity. Now a research team from the University of Cambridge has taken aim at creating more energy-dense fuels. The groups device produces ethylene and ethane, proving that artificial leaves can create hydrocarbons. The development could offer a cheaper, cleaner way to make fuels, chemicals, and plasticswith the ultimate goal of creating fuels that dont leave a harmful carbon footprint after theyre burned. Read the full story. Carly Kay This startup just hit a big milestone for green steel production Green-steel startup Boston Metal just showed that it has all the ingredients needed to make steel without emitting gobs of greenhouse gases. The company successfully ran its largest reactor yet to make steel, producing over a ton of metal, MIT Technology Review can exclusively report. The latest milestone means that Boston Metal just got one step closer to commercializing its technology. And while there are still a lot of milestones left before reaching the scale needed to make a dent in the steel industry, the latest run shows that the company can scale up its process. Read the full story. Casey Crownhart This article is from The Spark, MIT Technology Reviews weekly climate newsletter. To receive it in your inbox every Wednesday, sign up here. The must-reads Ive combed the internet to find you todays most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology. 1 The US has resumed aid deliveries to Ukraine Leaders have also agreed to start sharing military intelligence again. (The Guardian)+ Ukraine also endorsed a US proposal for a ceasefire. (Vox)+ Meet the radio-obsessed civilian shaping Ukraines drone defense. (MIT Technology Review)2 Donald Trump has imposed a 25% tariff on metal imports The decision is likely to raise costs for American carmakers, and other manufacturers. (NYT $)+ Business leaders feel spooked by his frequent mixed messaging around tariffs. (WSJ $)+ However, US-native metal makers are delighted by the tariffs. (Economist $)+ How Trumps tariffs could drive up the cost of batteries, EVs, and more. (MIT Technology Review)3 Texas measles outbreak appears to be spreading Two people in Oklahoma are being treated for measles-like symptoms. (Ars Technica)+ An unvaccinated six-year old girl recently died in Texas. (The Atlantic $)+ The state is scrambling to respond to the outbreak. (Undark)+ The virus is extremely contagious and dangerous to children and adults alike. (Wired $)4 Elon Musk wants the US government to shut down Partly because it would make it easier to fire federal workers. (Wired $)+ A judge has ruled that DOGE must comply with the Freedom of Information Act. (The Verge)+ Can AI help DOGE slash government budgets? Its complex. (MIT Technology Review) 5 OpenAI says its trained an AI to be really good at creative writing| The question is, can a model trained on existing material ever be truly creative? (TechCrunch)+ AI can make you more creativebut it has limits. (MIT Technology Review)6 Silicon Valleys AI startups are expanding in IndiaTalent is plentiful, particularly in tech hub Bangalore. (Bloomberg $) 7 Spotify claims it paid $10 billion in royalties last yearIt called the payout the largest in music industry history. (FT $) + How to break free of Spotifys algorithm. (MIT Technology Review)8 Saturn has more moons than the rest of the planets combined Researchers have finally spotted new moons that have previously evaded detection. (New Scientist $)9 This coffee shop is New Yorks hottest AI spot Handily, OpenAIs office is just across the street. (Insider $)10 Netflix shouldnt use AI to upscale resolution The technology left sitcom A Different World looking freakishly warped. (Vice)Quote of the day The uncertainty is just as bad as tariffs themselves. Donald Schneider, deputy head of US policy at investment bank Piper Sandler, explains to the Washington Post why investors are feeling rattled by Donald Trumps volatile approach to imposing tariffs. The big story Can Afghanistans underground sneakernet survive the Taliban? November 2021 When Afghanistan fell to the Taliban, Mohammad Yasin had to make some difficult decisions very quickly. He began erasing some of the sensitive data on his computer and moving the rest onto two of his largest hard drives, which he then wrapped in a layer of plastic and buried underground. Yasin is what is locally referred to as a computer kar: someone who sells digital content by hand in a country where a steady internet connection can be hard to come by, selling everything from movies, music, mobile applications, to iOS updates. And despite the dangers of Taliban rule, the countrys extensive sneakernet isnt planning on shutting down. Read the full story. Ruchi Kumar 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 skeet 'em at me.) + Check out these novels inspired by what it means to be middle-aged.+ After a long absence, its looking like the Loch Ness Monster is staging its return.+ Chappell Roan, you are just fantastic.+ An AI stylist telling me what to wear? No thanks.

This article is from The Spark, MIT Technology Reviews weekly climate newsletter. To receive it in your inbox every Wednesday, sign up here. Green-steel startup Boston Metal just showed that it has all the ingredients needed to make steel without emitting gobs of greenhouse gases. The company successfully ran its largest reactor yet to make steel, producing over a ton of metal, MIT Technology Review can exclusively report. The latest milestone means that Boston Metal just got one step closer to commercializing its technology. The companys process uses electricity to make steel, and depending on the source of that electricity, it could mean cleaning up production of one of the most polluting materials on the planet. The world produces about 2 billion metric tons of steel each year, emitting over 3 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide in the process. While there are still a lot of milestones left before reaching the scale needed to make a dent in the steel industry, the latest run shows that the company can scale up its process. Boston Metal started up its industrial reactor for steelmaking in January, and after it had run for several weeks, the company siphoned out roughly a ton of material on February 17. (You can see a video of the molten metal here. Its really cool.) Work on this reactor has been underway for a while. I got to visit the facility in Woburn, Massachusetts, in 2022, when construction was nearly done. In the years since, the company has been working on testing it out to make other metals before retrofitting it for steel production. Boston Metals approach is very different from that of a conventional steel plant. Steelmaking typically involves a blast furnace, which uses a coal-based fuel called coke to drive the reactions needed to turn iron ore into iron (the key ingredient in steel). The carbon in coke combines with oxygen pulled out of the iron ore, which gets released as carbon dioxide. Instead, Boston Metal uses electricity in a process called molten oxide electrolysis (MOE). Iron ore gets loaded into a reactor, mixed with other ingredients, and then electricity is run through it, heating the mixture to around 1,600 C (2,900 F) and driving the reactions needed to make iron. That iron can then be turned into steel. Crucially for the climate, this process emits oxygen rather than carbon dioxide (that infamous greenhouse gas). If renewables like wind and solar or nuclear power are used as the source of electricity, then this approach can virtually cut out the climate impact from steel production. MOE was developed at MIT, and Boston Metal was founded in 2013 to commercialize the technology. Since then, the company has worked to take it from lab scale, with reactors roughly the size of a coffee cup, to much larger ones that can produce tons of metal at a time. Thats crucial for an industry that operates on the scale of billions of tons per year. The volumes of steel everywhere around usits immense, says Adam Rauwerdink, senior vice president of business development at Boston Metal. The scale is massive. BOSTON METAL Making the huge amounts of steel required to be commercially relevant has been quite the technical challenge. One key component of Boston Metals design is the anode. Its basically a rounded metallic bit that sticks into the reactor, providing a way for electricity to get in and drive the reactions required. In theory, this anode doesnt get used up, but if the conditions arent quite right, it can degrade over time. Over the past few years, the company has made a lot of progress in preventing inert anode degradation, Rauwerdink says. The latest phase of work is more complicated, because now the company is adding multiple anodes in the same reactor. In lab-scale reactors, theres one anode, and its quite small. Larger reactors require bigger anodes, and at a certain point its necessary to add more of them. The latest run continues to prove how Boston Metals approach can scale, Rauwerdink says: making reactors larger, adding more anodes, and then adding multiple reactors together in a single plant to make the volumes of material needed. Now that the company has completed its first run of the multi-anode reactor for steelmaking, the plan is to keep exploring how the reactions happen at this larger scale. These runs will also help the company better understand what it will cost to make its products. The next step is to build an even bigger system, Rauwerdink sayssomething that wont fit in the Boston facility. While a reactor of the current size can make a ton or two of material in about a month, the truly industrial-scale equipment will make that amount of metal in about a day. That demonstration plant should come online in late 2026 and begin operation in 2027, he says. Ultimately, the company hopes to license its technology to steelmakers. In steel and other heavy industries, the scale can be mind-boggling. Boston Metal has been at this for over a decade, and its fascinating to see the company make progress toward becoming a player in this massive industry. Now read the rest of The Spark Related reading We named green steel one of our 2025 Breakthrough Technologies. Read more about why here. I visited Boston Metals facility in Massachusetts in 2022read more about the companys technology in this story (Id say it pretty much holds up). Climate tech companies like Boston Metal have seen a second boom period for funding and support following the cleantech crash a decade ago. Read more in this 2023 feature from David Rotman. GETTY Another thing Electricity demand is rising faster in the US than it has in decades, and meeting it will require building new power plants and expanding grid infrastructure. That could be a problem, because its historically been expensive and slow to get new transmission lines approved. New technologies could help in a major way, according to Brian Deese and Rob Gramlich. Read more in this new op-ed. And one more Plants have really nailed the process of making food from sunlight in photosynthesis. For a very long time, researchers have been trying to mimic this process and make an artificial leaf that can make fuels using the suns energy. Now, researchers are aiming to make energy-dense fuels using a specialized, copper-containing catalyst. Read more about the innovation in my colleague Carly Kays latest story. Keeping up with climate Energy storage is still growing quickly in the US, with 18 gigawatts set to come online this year. Thats up from 11 GW in 2024. (Canary Media) Oil companies including Shell, BP, and Equinor are rolling back climate commitments and ramping up fossil-fuel production. Oil and gas companies were accounting for only a small fraction of clean energy investment, so experts say thats not a huge loss. But putting money toward new oil and gas could be bad for emissions. (Grist) Butterfly populations are cratering around the US, dropping by 22% in just the last 20 years. Check out this visualization to see how things are changing where you live. (New York Times) New York Citys congestion pricing plan, which charges cars to enter the busiest parts of the city, is gaining popularity: 42% of New York City residents support the toll, up from 32% in December. (Bloomberg) Heres a reality check for you: Ukraine doesnt have minable deposits of rare earth metals, experts say. While tensions between US and Ukraine leaders ran high in a meeting to discuss a minerals deal, IEEE Spectrum reports that the reality doesnt match the political theater here. (IEEE Spectrum) Quaise Energy has a wild drilling technology that it says could unlock the potential for geothermal energy. In a demonstration, the company recently drilled several inches into a piece of rock using its millimeter-wave technology. (Wall Street Journal) Heres another one for the weird climate change effects file: greenhouse-gas emissions could mean less capacity for satellites. Its getting crowded up there. (Grist) The Biden administration funded agriculture projects related to climate change, and now farmers are getting caught up in the Trump administrations efforts to claw back the money. This is a fascinating case of how the same project can be described with entirely different language depending on political priorities. (Washington Post) You and I are helping to pay for the electricity demands of big data centers. While some grid upgrades are needed just to serve big projects like those centers, the cost of building and maintaining the grid is shared by everyone who pays for electricity. (Heatmap)

Edinburghs first new concert hall for a century had been expected to open this year but, according to report in The Herald, contractor Sir Robert McAlpine, which completed pre-construction works last year, has not been retained for the main building phase.Negotiations between the charity backing the project, the International Music and Performing Arts Charitable Trust Scotland (Impact), and McAlpine had been at an advanced stage.But Impacts chief executive, Jo Buckley, has now confirmed that it has decided to change contractors, stating that McAlpine would not be the right delivery partner to take us forward into main construction because of costs.AdvertisementShe told The Herald: Thats led to a pause on site in recent months. That followed the companys widely publicised withdrawal from Scotland and a real shift in their strategic priorities at a UK level.Buckley said Impacts objective as a charity was to secure best value for money on price and sadly we were no longer able to meet those requirements with McAlpines.The charity is now negotiating with Balfour Beatty with work paused until a new deal is signed.The concert hall, off St Andrew Square, will become the new home of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and host Edinburgh International Festival performances.The projects cost has risen steeply, from an initial estimate of 45 million to 75 million in 2021 and 114 million towards the end of 2023.AdvertisementCity of Edinburgh Council approved Chipperfields design in November 2021. The practice is working with executive architect Reiach and Hall.The designs approved in 2021 were 7m shorter than previous consented proposals. The changes followed a legal challenge by Nuveen Real Estate, the developer of the neighbouring 80,000m St James shopping centre scheme.Chipperfield won an international competition to land the high-profile scheme in 2017, selected ahead of Adjaye Associates, Allies and Morrison, Richard Murphy Architects, Canadian practice KPMB Architects and Swiss firm Barozzi Veiga.Evolution of David Chipperfield Architects' designs: first iteration as released in early 2018 (left); designs as approved in 2019 (middle); revised proposals as submitted as a variation to the application in August 2021 and approved in November 2021 (right)

The project would retrofit and extend the Abernethy Activity Centre, an activity centre in the Cairngorms national park, with local and sustainably sourced materials for charity the Abernethy Trust.The scheme will deliver flexible new communal spaces, a new dining hall, and new sleeping areas to make the centre a more functional base for visitors and staff, all while blending sensitively with the ancient Caledonian pine forest that surrounds it.The new extension, featuring an entirely timber superstructure and timber cladding throughout, would include a dining hall made from express glulam beams, a new main entrance, and sleeping modules for 24 guests taking the total up to 114. Wood fibre insulation would be used throughout the re-design.AdvertisementExisting buildings will be upgraded to meet modern accessibility and sustainability standards, and new details added including forest-facing window seats in the sleeping chalets, clerestory windows added to key communal and staff areas to increase natural light, and new externally covered areas and walkways. Source:PendPends proposed transformation of Abernethy Activity Centre in the Cairngorms new accommodationThe project will create a more logical connection between the centres 18th-century manse building, comprising a white-washed masonry structure with a slate roof, and its newer spaces, tying together and upgrading areas that Pends says have become tired and worn out in recent decades.The scheme will incorporate renewable energy sources including photovoltaics, heat pumps and an existing biomass generator.The practice, which was founded in 2021, says the transformative, low-energy project will enhance the centres facilities and ensure its continued progression. Source:PendPend's proposed transformation of Abernethy Activity Centre in the Cairngorms new dining hallIf approved, the redevelopment will be delivered in four phases over five years, allowing the centre to remain operational throughout.AdvertisementThe first phase would deliver two new lodges to sleep 24 guests, ranging from schoolchildren to families and private guests, as well as upgrading existing cabins built in the early 1990s to enable the centre to expand its gap-year training programme by roughly 10 beds.Pend director Jamie Anderson described the project as our most adventurous yet in terms of scale, taking our typology out of the city and allowing us to explore a rigorous approach to contextual and thoughtful design in rural areas.He added: The Abernethy Trust project unveils a serious opportunity to interrogate modular and playful design in the Highland Scottish landscape.If approved, the project will begin on-site near the end of the year.Project dataLocation Nethy Bridge, HighlandsLocal authority Highland Council & Cairngorm National Park AuthorityType of project Activity CentreClient Abernethy TrustArchitect Pend ArchitectsStructural engineer Harley HaddowM&E consultant Harley HaddowQuantity surveyor BrownriggsPrincipal designer BrownriggsMain contractor N/AFunding Fundraising and grantsStart on site date Phased approach starting Q3 2025Completion date TBCGross internal floor area1,500m2Form of procurement TraditionalAnnual CO2 emissions TBC

Surfshark boasts an impressive suite of privacy features, unlimited simultaneous connections, an easy-to-use interface and an expansive global network. Its lethal combination of excellent privacy amenities, great streaming support, fast speeds and a wallet-friendly price make it the best budget VPN for Macs. Along with standard VPN features like a kill switch and DNS leak protection, some of the more notable Surfshark features include camouflage mode (which hides the fact you're using a VPN), NoBorders mode (which lets you use Surfshark in regions where VPNs are restricted) and multihop VPN connections. You'll also get access to Surfshark's CleanWeb technology, which blocks ads and malware and helps you avoid phishing attacks. With its Dynamic MultiHop, IP Randomizer and IP Rotator functions, Surfshark's Nexus network can give you a few extra layers of protection while you use the VPN -- which can be particularly beneficial to people with critical privacy needs.In our tests, Surfshark had no problems unblocking Netflix and Amazon Prime Video content, but we did run into a fair bit of trouble accessing Disney Plus. After testing various servers in the US and other countries where Disney Plus is available, we were finally able to access the content when we connected to a server in Boston. You may need to test a few servers yourself before gaining access to Disney Plus content with Surfshark.Surfshark offers cheaper introductory prices that jump after the first billing cycle. Even so, Surfshark manages to keep its prices lower than most other VPNs -- helping it earn CNET's Editors' Choice for Best Value. The yearly plan starts at $48 for the first year, then jumps to $60 for any additional years of service. If you opt for the two-year plan, you'll pay $60 up front for the initial two years combined, then $60 a year for any additional years. Surfshark's monthly plan stays constant at $15.45 a month. If you're not satisfied with the service, Surfshark offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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