That is at present’s version of The Obtain, our weekday publication that gives a each day dose of what’s occurring on this planet of expertise.
OpenAI teases a tremendous new generative video mannequin known as Sora
OpenAI has constructed a putting new generative video mannequin known 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.
Based mostly on 4 pattern movies that OpenAI shared with MIT Expertise Evaluation, the agency has pushed the envelope of what’s attainable with text-to-video era (a sizzling new analysis route that we flagged as a pattern to look at in 2024).
It’s laborious to know precisely how spectacular a step that is till we get extra info from OpenAI—and we could have a wait on our fingers. The corporate has no plans to launch it to the general public presently, although it does hope to in future. For now, aware of the potential for misuse, OpenAI can be doing in depth 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 greater quantities of information
The information: Google DeepMind has launched the subsequent era of its highly effective artificial-intelligence mannequin Gemini, which has an enhanced capability 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 establish the second within the transcript that the drawing represents. The mannequin was additionally in a position to establish moments of humor.
What it means: These types of AI capabilities are very spectacular, Oren Etzioni, former technical director of the Allen Institute for Synthetic Intelligence, advised 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 may 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 pressure 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 operating out of time. Her docs determined they needed to strive a special method: 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 large promise of phage remedy, however it additionally reveals simply how a lot now we have to be taught. Learn the complete story.
—Cassandra Willyard
This story is from The Checkup, our weekly publication all about biotech and well being. Enroll to obtain it in your inbox each Thursday.
The must-reads
I’ve combed the web to search out you at present’s most enjoyable/necessary/scary/fascinating tales about expertise.
1 The Senate might be about to move some main tech regulation
If it passes, the Youngsters On-line Security Act would be the greatest piece of tech regulation within the US in many years. (WP $)
+ Why youngster security payments are popping up all around the US. (MIT Expertise Evaluation)
+ New York Metropolis is suing TikTok and Instagram for ‘addicting’ children. (NBC)
2 A brand new period of deepfakes is colliding with pivotal elections
And it’ll be very laborious to determine how large an impression AI-generated content material has on outcomes, even after the actual fact. (WSJ $)
+ A Chinese language affect marketing campaign is utilizing AI-generated content material to amplify division within the US. (NYT $)
three TikTok has launched an app for the Imaginative and prescient Professional
YouTube says it’s constructing an app for the headset too. (The Verge)
four 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 software. (Noema)
+ Persons are apprehensive that AI will take everybody’s jobs. We’ve been right here earlier than. (MIT Expertise Evaluation)
+ Right here’s how AI is shaking up the way in which we work. (The Verge)
5 What it’s prefer 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
In reality, 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 girl completely banned from offering well being companies in Australia. (Vox)
eight Electrical automobiles aren’t nice at dealing with excessive warmth
However they may get higher, because of new supplies. (Scientific American $)
+ Tesla’s stainless-steel Cybertrucks are already rusting. (Futurism)
9 Meat-injected rice, anybody? 
I’ve some severe beef with this new foodstuff (sorry, sorry.) (CNN)
10 Some younger individuals 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 write down 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 reviews.
The large story
This scientist is making an attempt 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 function, if any, touch-screen ballot-marking units ought to play within the voting course of.
Whereas advocates declare that digital voting methods 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 attainable.
As for Gilbert? He claims he’s lastly invented “probably the most safe voting expertise ever created.” And he’s invited a number of of probably the most revered and vocal critics of voting expertise to show his level. Learn the complete story.
—Spencer Mestel
We will nonetheless have good issues
A spot for consolation, enjoyable and distraction in these bizarre occasions. (Received 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 monitor.
+ Reckon I just about had this precise chat with my Dad after I was a child.
+ Soup doesn’t need to be a faff, as this recipe reveals.
+ Seems extra money actually can imply extra issues.
+ Some bizarre and wacky methods individuals with busy jobs loosen up.
