That is at the moment’s version of The Obtain, our weekday e-newsletter that gives a each day dose of what’s happening on the earth of know-how.
OpenAI teases a tremendous new generative video mannequin referred to as Sora
OpenAI has constructed a putting new generative video mannequin referred to as Sora that may take a brief textual content description and switch it into an in depth, high-definition movie clip as much as a minute lengthy. It’s significantly impressive-looking.
Primarily based on 4 pattern movies that OpenAI shared with MIT Know-how Evaluate, the agency has pushed the envelope of what’s potential with text-to-video technology (a scorching new analysis route that we flagged as a development to observe in 2024).
It’s arduous to know precisely how spectacular a step that is till we get extra info from OpenAI—and we could have a wait on our arms. The corporate has no plans to launch it to the general public at present, although it does hope to in future. For now, conscious of the potential for misuse, OpenAI can be doing intensive security testing. Learn the complete story—and take a look at among the movies!
—Will Douglas Heaven
Google’s new model of Gemini can deal with far larger quantities of knowledge
The information: Google DeepMind has launched the subsequent technology of its highly effective artificial-intelligence mannequin Gemini, which has an enhanced potential to work with giant quantities of video, textual content, and pictures.
For instance: In a single demonstration video proven by Google, the mannequin was fed the 402-page transcript of the Apollo moon touchdown mission. Then they confirmed Gemini a hand-drawn sketch of a boot, and requested it to determine the second within the transcript that the drawing represents. The mannequin was additionally in a position to determine moments of humor.
What it means: These kinds of AI capabilities are very spectacular, Oren Etzioni, former technical director of the Allen Institute for Synthetic Intelligence, instructed us. Nonetheless, he did give one main caveat: “By no means belief an AI demo.” Learn the complete story.
—James O’Donnell
How bacteria-fighting viruses might go mainstream
Lynn Cole had a blood an infection she couldn’t shake. For years, she was out and in of the hospital. Every time antibiotics would drive the an infection to retreat. Every time it got here roaring again.
In the summertime of 2020, the micro organism flooding Cole’s bloodstream stopped responding to antibiotics. She was working out of time. Her docs determined they needed to attempt a distinct strategy: phages, that are tiny viruses that infect and destroy micro organism.
The phages labored. Cole recovered with outstanding velocity. However then the remedy failed. Cole’s case highlights the big promise of phage remedy, nevertheless it additionally exhibits simply how a lot now we have to be taught. Learn the complete story.
—Cassandra Willyard
This story is from The Checkup, our weekly e-newsletter all about biotech and well being. Enroll to obtain it in your inbox each Thursday.
The must-reads
I’ve combed the web to seek out you at the moment’s most enjoyable/necessary/scary/fascinating tales about know-how.
1 The Senate might be about to move some main tech regulation
If it passes, the Children On-line Security Act would be the largest piece of tech regulation within the US in many years. (WP $)
+ Why baby security payments are popping up all around the US. (MIT Know-how Evaluate)
+ New York Metropolis is suing TikTok and Instagram for ‘addicting’ youngsters. (NBC)
2 A brand new period of deepfakes is colliding with pivotal elections
And it’ll be very arduous to determine how massive an influence AI-generated content material has on outcomes, even after the very fact. (WSJ $)
+ A Chinese language affect marketing campaign is utilizing AI-generated content material to amplify division within the US. (NYT $)
3 TikTok has launched an app for the Imaginative and prescient Professional
YouTube says it’s constructing an app for the headset too. (The Verge)
4 AI is nothing to worry for white collar staff
That’s as a result of it’s not likely an alternative to experience—it’s a lever for its utility. (Noema)
+ Individuals are frightened that AI will take everybody’s jobs. We’ve been right here earlier than. (MIT Know-how Evaluate)
+ Right here’s how AI is shaking up the best way we work. (The Verge)
5 What it’s wish to be a content material moderator in Pakistan
Fairly soul-crushing—and with little hope of a promotion or transferable abilities. (Remainder of World)
6 {Hardware} nonetheless issues
Actually, within the AI period, it’s about as necessary because it’s ever been. (FT $)
7 Discredited well being claims are getting a second airing on TikTok
It’s giving new life to lectures by a lady completely banned from offering well being companies in Australia. (Vox)
8 Electrical automobiles aren’t nice at dealing with excessive warmth
However they may get higher, due to new supplies. (Scientific American $)
+ Tesla’s stainless-steel Cybertrucks are already rusting. (Futurism)
9 Meat-injected rice, anybody? 
I’ve some critical beef with this new foodstuff (sorry, sorry.) (CNN)
10 Some younger folks need landlines 
There are some upsides to having a landline cellphone, however they’re disappearing quick. (The Guardian)
Quote of the day
“Critics are attempting to put in writing our obituary and are working to ban our business in its infancy.”
—Uma Valeti, CEO of cultivated meat firm Upside Meals, responds to criticism and pushback in direction of his business from lawmakers, Wired experiences.
The large story
This scientist is attempting to create an accessible, unhackable voting machine
November 2022
For the previous 19 years, laptop science professor Juan Gilbert has immersed himself in maybe probably the most contentious debate over election administration in the USA—what position, if any, touch-screen ballot-marking units ought to play within the voting course of.
Whereas advocates declare that digital voting programs might be comparatively safe, enhance accessibility, and simplify voting and vote tallying, critics have argued that they’re insecure and ought to be used as sometimes as potential.
As for Gilbert? He claims he’s lastly invented “probably the most safe voting know-how ever created.” And he’s invited a number of of probably the most revered and vocal critics of voting know-how to show his level. Learn the complete story.
—Spencer Mestel
We are able to nonetheless have good issues
A spot for consolation, enjoyable and distraction in these bizarre occasions. (Acquired any concepts? Drop me a line or tweet ’em at me.)
+ It’s Friday! These recipes can grow to be both cocktails or mocktails, if that’s extra your factor.
+ Why ‘Wonderboy’ was John Lennon’s favourite Kinks observe.
+ Reckon I just about had this precise chat with my Dad after I was a child.
+ Soup doesn’t should be a faff, as this recipe exhibits.
+ Seems more cash actually can imply extra issues.
+ Some bizarre and wacky methods folks with busy jobs calm down.