That is at this time’s version of The Obtain, our weekday e-newsletter that gives a each day dose of what’s occurring on this planet of know-how.
How church buildings use information and AI as engines of surveillance
On a Sunday morning in a Midwestern megachurch, worshippers step by means of sliding glass doorways right into a bustling foyer—unaware they’ve simply handed by means of a gauntlet of biometric surveillance. Excessive-speed cameras snap a number of face “probes” per second, earlier than passing the outcomes to an area neural community that distills these photographs into digital fingerprints. Earlier than folks discover their seats, they’re matched in opposition to an on-premises database—tagged with names, membership tiers, and watch-list flags—that’s saved behind the church’s firewall.
This hypothetical scene displays actual capabilities more and more woven into locations of worship nationwide, the place religious care and surveillance converge in methods few congregants ever notice.
The place Large Tech’s rationalist ethos and evangelical spirituality as soon as combined like oil and holy water, now they’re combining to redraw the contours of group and pastoral energy in trendy religious life. Learn the complete story.
—Alex Ashley
This story is from our forthcoming print concern, which is all about safety. Should you haven’t already, subscribe now to obtain future points as soon as they land.
MIT Know-how Evaluation Narrated: Methods to run an LLM in your laptop computer
For people who find themselves involved about privateness, wish to break away from the management of the massive LLM corporations, or simply take pleasure in tinkering, native fashions provide a compelling various to ChatGPT and its web-based friends. Right here’s how to get began working one from the protection and luxury of your individual laptop.
That is our newest story to be changed into a MIT Know-how Evaluation Narrated podcast, which we’re publishing every week on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Simply navigate to MIT Know-how Evaluation Narrated on both platform, and observe us to get all our new content material because it’s launched.
The must-reads
I’ve combed the web to search out you at this time’s most enjoyable/essential/scary/fascinating tales about know-how.
1 US tech shares are sliding over fears the AI bubble could also be about to burst
After an MIT report discovered that the overwhelming majority of organizations are getting zero return on their AI investments. (FT $)
+ Even Sam Altman thinks the present hype is unsustainable. (CNBC)
2 Meta is reportedly weighing up downsizing its AI division
It desires to separate it into 4 teams—and layoffs might be imminent. (NYT $)+ What’s taking place with the metaverse, then? (NY Magazine $)
+ Meta is desperately hoping its AI hiring spree will repay. (Bloomberg $)
3 The American Academy of Pediatrics is defying RFK Jr
By releasing its personal vaccination schedule for kids. (Ars Technica)
+ It’s breaking with present CDC suggestions. (CNN)
+ Why US federal well being businesses are abandoning mRNA vaccines. (MIT Know-how Evaluation)
4 Elon Musk’s America Occasion isn’t going so nicely
He’s stated to be refocusing his consideration on his corporations as an alternative. (WSJ $)
5 The White Home has a TikTok account now
The exact same TikTok that Donald Trump as soon as tried to ban. (WP $)
+ What seems to have modified Congress’ stance? (The Verge)
+ There’s nonetheless no signal of a sale on the horizon. (The Guardian)
6 Nvidia is engaged on one other chip for China
One which’s quicker and extra highly effective than its present H20 mannequin. (Reuters)
7 How AGI preppers are bracing themselves for an AI apocalypse
Some are spending all their retirement financial savings alongside the best way. (Insider $)
8 Demand for important minerals is hovering
Is there a less-invasive approach to mine them? (New Scientist $)
+ The race to provide uncommon earth components. (MIT Know-how Evaluation)
9 What’s an automaker CEO to do?
In our more and more topsy turvy world, lots of them really feel like they’ll’t win. (Wired $)
10 This mattress firm is constructing an AI agent for sleep
Eight Sleep’s agent may simulate digital twins of a consumer’s sleep habits. (The Info $)
+ I attempted to hack my insomnia with know-how. Right here’s what labored. (MIT Know-how Evaluation)
Quote of the day
“Too many cooks, too many kitchens.”
—Tech investor M.G. Siegler wryly feedback on the information Meta is planning to restructure its AI division in a put up on Bluesky.
Yet another factor
Accountable AI has a burnout drawback
Margaret Mitchell had been working at Google for 2 years earlier than she realized she wanted a break. Solely after she spoke with a therapist did she perceive the issue: she was burnt out.
Mitchell, who now works as chief ethics scientist on the AI startup Hugging Face, is way from alone in her expertise. Burnout is turning into more and more widespread in accountable AI groups.
All of the practitioners MIT Know-how Evaluation interviewed spoke enthusiastically about their work: it’s fueled by ardour, a way of urgency, and the satisfaction of constructing options for actual issues. However that sense of mission could be overwhelming with out the proper assist. Learn the complete story.
—Melissa Heikkilä
We will nonetheless have good issues
A spot for consolation, enjoyable and distraction to brighten up your day. (Acquired any concepts? Drop me a line or skeet ’em at me.)
+ Try Wes Andersons’ quirky love letter to New York 
+ Uhoh—beware the rise of the groomzilla.
+ The Rocky Horror Image Present is 50 years previous, in the event you can consider it.
+ Whisk me away to Lake George ASAP.
