Here's your daily dose of technology news: AI is Changing How We Quantify Pain: Researchers are developing AI-driven tools to objectively measure pain. PainChek, a smartphone app using facial scanning and AI to assess pain levels, has already seen widespread use with over 10 million assessments logged. The shift towards algorithmic pain assessment raises questions about how it will affect treatment approaches. Read the full story in MIT Technology Review's latest print issue. How to Help Friends and Family Dig Out of a Conspiracy Theory Black Hole: Dealing with a loved one's sudden embrace of conspiracy theories can be challenging. Cambridge professor Sander van der Linden offers advice on how to engage with individuals who have fallen down the rabbit hole. This article is part of MIT Technology Review’s “The New Conspiracy Age” series. Google is Still Aiming for its “Moonshot” 2030 Energy Goals: At EmTech MIT, Google's Lucia Tian discussed the company’s growing energy demands and the technologies it is exploring to meet those needs. As AI drives increased energy consumption, Google is pushing forward with innovative energy solutions. More insights can be found in The Spark, MIT Technology Review's climate newsletter. The Must-Reads:

ChatGPT is now “warmer and more conversational” but also slightly more willing to discuss sexual and violent content. (The Register)
The US could deny visas to visitors with obesity, cancer, or diabetes. (WP)
Microsoft is planning to create its own AI chip using OpenAI’s designs. (Bloomberg)
Early AI agent adopters expect a quick return on their investment. (WSJ)
Waymo’s robotaxis are now operating on American highways, reaching speeds up to 65 mph. (The Verge, FT, Insider)
A new Russian unit is hunting down Ukraine’s drone operators. (FT)
US startup Anduril aims to manufacture drones in the UAE. (Bloomberg)
Anthropic’s Claude AI successfully controlled a robot dog. (Wired)
Grok falsely claimed Donald Trump won the 2020 US election. (The Guardian)
Northern Lights are disrupting satellites. (NYT)
Apple users can now use digital passports for internal US flights. (TechCrunch)

Quote of the Day:

“I hope this mistake will turn into an experience.” - Vladimir Vitukhin, CEO of the company behind Russia’s first anthropomorphic robot AIDOL, after it fell during a reveal.

One More Thing:

Explore the oldest part of the metaverse: Ultima Online, a medieval fantasy kingdom running for 25 years, offers lessons for building future virtual worlds.