This is todays edition ofThe Download,our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of whats going on in the world of technology.Why OpenAIs new model is such a big dealLast week OpenAI released a new model called o1 (previously referred to under the code name Strawberry and, before that, Q*) that blows GPT-4o out of the water.Unlike previous models that are well suited for language tasks like writing and editing, OpenAI o1 is focused on multistep reasoning, the type of process required for advanced mathematics, coding, or other STEM-based questions. The model is also trained to answer PhD-level questions in subjects ranging from astrophysics to organic chemistry.The bulk of LLM progress until now has been language-driven, but in addition to getting lots of facts wrong, such LLMs have failed to demonstrate the types of skills required to solve important problems in fields like drug discovery, materials science, coding, or physics. OpenAIs o1 is one of the first signs that LLMs might soon become genuinely helpful companions to human researchers in these fields. Read the full story.James ODonnellThis story is from The Algorithm, our weekly newsletter giving you the inside track on all things AI. Sign up to receive it in your inbox every Monday.This designer creates magic from everyday materialsBack in 2012, designer and computer scientist Skylar Tibbits started working on 3D-printed materials that could change their shape or properties after being printeda concept that Tibbits dubbed 4D printing, where the fourth dimension is time.Today, 4D printing is its own fieldthe subject of a professional society and thousands of papers, with researchers around the world looking into potential applications from self-adjusting biomedical devices to soft robotics.But not long after 4D printing took off, Tibbits was already looking toward a new challenge: What other capabilities can we build into materials? And can we do that without printing? Read the full story.Anna GibbsThis piece is from the latest print issue of MIT Technology Review, which celebrates 125 years of the magazine! If you dont already, subscribe now to get 25% off future copies once they land.A special preview of EmTech MIT: AI, Climate, and the new rules of businessArtificial intelligence and climate technologies are the two greatest forces impacting business decisions today. This year at EmTech MIT, our annual flagship conference, we examine the breakthroughs, concerns, and the near-future possibilities brought on by AI, as well as the climate technologies building the green economy.Register here to join us at 12.30pm ET today for a LinkedIn event previewing everything you can expect from this years event.The must-readsIve combed the internet to find you todays most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.1 TikTok had a rough day in courtFederal judges questioned its argument that Congress lacks the authority to ban it. (NYT $)+ If TikTok doesnt break from its parent company, itll be banned on January 19 2025. (FT $)+ Theres a good chance TikTok may have to escalate its fight to the Supreme Court. (Bloomberg $)+ The depressing truth about TikToks impending ban. (MIT Technology Review)2 Intel could receive up to $3 billion in chip grantsTo manufacture chips for the US military. (Bloomberg $)+ Intels contract manufacturing business has inked a deal with Amazon. (Reuters)+ Whats next in chips. (MIT Technology Review)3 Apples new iOS 18 software is hereBut Apple Intelligence, its suite of AI tools, is nowhere to be seen. (WSJ $)+ The new software is much more customizable than previous versions. (Ars Technica)+ Here are the best features worth paying attention to. (NYT $)4 Donald Trump has launched a new cryptocurrency businessThe venture looks an awful lot like a play to the crypto faithful. (CNN)+ Trump doesnt seem to know a great deal about crypto. (Reuters)+ Opportunists are already taking advantage of Trumps fans. (The Verge)5 More Meta smartglasses are likely to be on their wayThe company signed a 10-year extension deal with glasses maker EssilorLuxottica. (Reuters)6 Working in a data center is like firefightingHuman workers are constantly on the lookout for technical issues. (WP $)7 Googling one of arts most famous paintings returned AI slopUsers searching for Hieronymus Boschs Garden of Earthly Delights were met with AI-generated garbage. (404 Media)+ Why artists are becoming less scared of AI. (MIT Technology Review)8 An Nvidia GPU purse can be yours for $1,024Hype? What hype? (Insider $)+ The companys stranglehold on the chip industry is being closely watched. (IEEE Spectrum)9 Can you tell blue and green apart? A new viral test plays with our personal color perception. (The Guardian)10 The latest YouTube trend? 80s weather reportsSet to dreamy soundtracks. (Wired $)Quote of the dayThe speech on TikTok is not Chinese speech. It is American speech.Jeffrey Fisher, a lawyer arguing on behalf of TikTok content creators, argues that banning the app in the US could violate the rights of Americans, the BBC reports.The big storyPsychedelics are having a moment and women could be the ones to benefitAugust 2022Psychedelics are having a moment. After decades of prohibition and vilification, they are increasingly being employed as therapeutics. Drugs like ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin mushrooms are being studied in clinical trials to treat depression, substance abuse, and a range of other maladies.And as these long-taboo drugs stage a comeback in the scientific community, its possible they could be especially promising for women. Read the full story.Taylor MajewskiWe can still have nice thingsA place for comfort, fun and distraction to brighten up your day. (Got any ideas? Drop me a line or tweet em at me.)+ The artists who created these Star Wars matte paintings for the films futuristic backdrops were supremely talented.+ Madrid really loves crisps (or potato chips, to the uninitiated)+ #Restock videos are all the rage these days.+ How to enjoy the great outdoors without getting lost.