AI News Roundup: Gene-Edited Babies, Clean Copper Production, and AI Ethics

A West Coast biotech entrepreneur has secured $30 million to launch Preventive, a public-benefit company focused on researching the safe creation of genetically edited babies. This marks the largest known investment into the controversial technology of heritable genome editing, where the DNA of embryos is modified to prevent disease. Meanwhile, a startup named Still Bright is developing a cleaner method to produce copper using water-based reactions, aiming to reduce pollution and alleviate supply chain pressures. Additionally, Microsoft AI boss Mustafa Suleyman has called for researchers to halt the pursuit of conscious AI, arguing that consciousness is exclusive to biological entities.

Gene-Edited Babies Research Funded

The $30 million investment into Preventive signals a significant step toward advancing the science of heritable genome editing. This technology, while promising for preventing genetic diseases, remains highly controversial due to ethical and legal concerns. The first known use of this technology resulted in the imprisonment of a scientist in China, highlighting the sensitive nature of the research.

Cleaner Copper Production

Still Bright's innovative approach to copper production uses water-based reactions inspired by battery chemistry. This method aims to reduce the environmental impact of traditional smelting processes, which are major contributors to pollution. As demand for copper continues to rise, driven by industries like electronics and renewable energy, cleaner production methods are increasingly critical.

Mustafa Suleyman on Conscious AI

Mustafa Suleyman, a prominent figure in the AI community, has urged researchers to abandon the goal of creating conscious AI. He argues that consciousness is a biological phenomenon and that pursuing it in AI is misguided. His stance reflects ongoing debates within the AI community about the ethical and practical limits of artificial intelligence.

Implications and Future Directions

The developments in gene-edited babies research, cleaner copper production, and AI ethics highlight the rapid advancements and complex challenges in the field of technology. As research continues, it will be essential to balance innovation with ethical considerations and environmental responsibility.