The Download: Conspiracy Theories, Slime Mold City Design, and AI Job Displacement
Published on May 9, 2024 at 12:00 AM
This edition of The Download covers a range of topics at the intersection of technology, society, and the environment.
First, journalist and conspiracy theory expert Mike Rothschild shares his experience of becoming the subject of conspiracy theories after his house burned down. This personal account is part of MIT Technology Review’s series “The New Conspiracy Age,” which examines how conspiracy theories are reshaping science and technology. Rothschild will also participate in a subscriber-exclusive roundtable discussion on surviving in the age of conspiracies on Thursday, November 20th at 1 PM ET.
Next, we delve into the potential of slime mold to improve city design. A startup called Mireta is exploring how the organism's biological capabilities can be translated into algorithms to optimize transit, reduce congestion, and minimize climate-related disruptions.
Finally, several must-read articles highlight key developments in technology. These include concerns about officials skipping COP30, the UK's consideration of AI model assessments for CSAM generation, Google's lawsuit against Chinese hackers, and the debate surrounding the misuse of carbon capture. The impact of AI on job displacement, especially for Gen Z entering graduate-friendly consultancies, is also examined.