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Updated 2025-09-14 19:17
The Merge is here: Ethereum has switched to proof of stake
“The Merge”, a major upgrade to the Ethereum cryptocurrency platform, was finally completed today after a six-year buildup. As of 2:43 ET this morning, Ethereum now uses proof of stake, a way to approve new transactions that promises to cut the blockchain’s energy requirements by 99.9% and usher in a new era for the second-largest…
There’s no Tiananmen Square in the new Chinese image-making AI
There’s a new text-to-image AI in town. With ERNIE-ViLG, a new AI developed by the Chinese tech company Baidu, you can generate images that capture the cultural specificity of China. It also makes better anime art than DALL-E 2 or other Western image-making AIs. But there are many things—like Tiananmen Square, the country’s second-largest city…
The Download: quantum-resistant algorithms, and Google’s antitrust challenge
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. What are quantum-resistant algorithms—and why do we need them? Cryptographic algorithms are what keep us safe online, protecting our privacy and securing the transfer of information. But many experts fear that quantum computers…
What are quantum-resistant algorithms—and why do we need them?
Cryptographic algorithms are what keep us safe online, protecting our privacy and securing the transfer of information. But many experts fear that quantum computers could one day break these algorithms, leaving us open to attack from hackers and fraudsters. And those quantum computers may be ready sooner than many people think. That’s why there is…
A customer-focused cloud transformation journey at Duke Energy Corporation
Thank you for joining us on “The cloud hub: From cloud chaos to clarity.” Richard Donaldson, VP of digital transformation at Duke Energy Corporation, discusses cloud and customer-focused cloud transformation. The discussion covers infrastructure modernization and private cloud. Click here to continue.
Fireside discussion on increased adoption of SASE and zero trust with Palo Alto Networks
Thank you for joining us on “The cloud hub: From cloud chaos to clarity.” Vishal Salvi, chief information security officer and head of cyber security practice at Infosys, and Kumar Ramachandran, senior vice president, SASE GTM, at Palo Alto Networks, talk about the new cybersecurity practices in the post-pandemic environment. Click here to continue.
Strengthening the fabric of digital trust
Thank you for joining us on “The cloud hub: From cloud chaos to clarity.” A study of how cybersecurity has evolved across key domains in the industry and what it means for organizations that want to strengthen their security posture. Click here to continue.
Responsible adoption of AI: A cloud-centric approach
Thank you for joining us on “The cloud hub: From cloud chaos to clarity.” An Infosys study with University College London and Holistic AI. It provides an overview of the move toward responsible AI, with a particular focus on the adoption of cloud technology. Click here to continue.
Adopting public cloud for automotive manufacturing operations
Thank you for joining us on “The cloud hub: From cloud chaos to clarity.” Currently, the adoption of cloud in manufacturing operations management (MOM) applications is at an early stage. This point of view (POV) article explores CIOs’ apprehensions in migrating MOM applications to the cloud and suggests a three-step strategy to mitigate these risks.…
The next transition for CIOs and CDOs: Preparing for climate risk reporting requirements
Thank you for joining us on “The cloud hub: From cloud chaos to clarity.” The Securities and Exchange Commission may soon require registrants to disclose climate-related information in audited financial statements. CIO’s and CDO’s must start readying the IT infrastructure and data foundation that will enable data collection, calculation, and reporting for climate-related requirements. Click…
Teachers Federal Credit Union delivers customer service at speed with cloud and data
Thank you for joining us on “The cloud hub: From cloud chaos to clarity.” Suresh Renganathan, chief technology officer at Teachers Federal Credit Union, discusses cloud migration and digital transformation. The discussion covers what businesses need to do to become successful data-driven organizations. Click here to continue.
AXA and Bupa leaders share their experience with cloud-led digital transformation
Thank you for joining us on “The cloud hub: From cloud chaos to clarity.” Watch this panel interview featuring two senior industry leaders: Diana Kennedy, group chief technology and architecture officer at Bupa, and Alpa Patel, global CIO at AXA XL. Dr. Hema Prem, vice president and group manager, insurance at Infosys, interviews them to…
Powering finance: Digital transformation of an ‘always on’ industry
Since the first ATM was installed in 1967 and New York’s Nasdaq exchange debuted digital trading in 1971, the financial services industry has been a frontrunner in technological innovation. But for decades, technology remained a back-office affair, servicing traders and executives who called the shots. Today, however, technology has been propelled to the top of…
The Download: cancer-detecting blood tests, and crypto’s big Merge
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. The US is launching a trial for blood tests that promise to catch cancers earlier The news: The US is launching a national trial to assess how effective tests designed to spot signs…
The US is launching a trial for blood tests that promise to catch cancers earlier
Most cancers can’t be reliably screened for before symptoms begin—tools like mammograms and pap smears are exceptions, not the rule. To improve detection, dozens of companies have designed single tests to spot signs of multiple kinds of cancer in blood drawn from a patient’s arm. Now, a national trial is preparing to launch in the…
Unsung heroes: Moderators on the front lines of internet safety
It’s no secret that digital predators are lurking online in record numbers, exposing others to harmful language, images, videos, and activities. With 300 hours of user-generated content uploaded to the internet every minute, protecting unsuspecting users has become a mammoth task. According to Variety, user-generated content represents 39% of all time spent with media. So,…
Identity protection is key to metaverse innovation
If today’s metaverse were a shopping mall, you could visit any number of department stores, each with its own rich selection of products and experiences. You could pop into virtual platforms like Roblox to buy a new outfit for your avatar or stop by Decentraland to gauge the latest valuation of digital real estate. You…
Embracing CX in the metaverse
Here’s a thought experiment: It’s just a few years from now, and you’re shopping for new sneakers. You get a mobile notification from your favorite retailer—a pair you’ve been eyeing is on sale. You promptly grab your VR glasses and step into a digital representation of the store, where you design your fully personalized shoes,…
The Download: frozen egg transportation, and Roblox’s expressive avatars
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. I took an international trip with my frozen eggs to learn about the fertility industry Like me, my eggs were flying economy class, writes Anna Louie Sussman. My dog Stewie and I were…
I took an international trip with my frozen eggs to learn about the fertility industry
Like me, my eggs were flying economy class. We—my dog Stewie and I—were in seat 8D, while 12 of my cryopreserved oocytes, four straws of three eggs each, had a window seat further back. They were ensconced in a cryogenic storage flask, known as a dewar, which was packed into a rolling metal suitcase the…
Roblox’s avatars are about to get more expressive
Roblox users will soon be able to give their avatars facial expressions that mimic the player’s own, the platform announced today. The update, announced today at the Roblox Developer Conference, will be available only to select creators on the platform for now, but is expected to be widely available to all Roblox users by early…
The Download: conservative book bans, and restricting crypto
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. How conservative Facebook groups are changing what books children read in school Conservative Facebook groups that rate and review children’s books are being used as a way to campaign for restricting certain books…
A new x-ray technique for detecting explosives could also identify tumors
A new x-ray technique that works alongside a deep-learning algorithm to detect explosives in luggage could eventually catch potentially deadly tumors in humans. Concealing explosives inside electronics and other objects can make it difficult to detect them using conventional x-ray techniques. But the new method was able to detect explosives with 100% accuracy under test…
How conservative Facebook groups are changing what books children read in school
Conservative Facebook groups that rate and review children’s books are being used as a way to campaign for restricting certain books in school libraries or removing them altogether. It’s the latest development in a debate tearing up the US in recent weeks as schools open for the new year. In October 2021, Matt Krause, a…
The Download: inhaled covid vaccines, and fighting malaria
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. Two inhaled covid vaccines have been approved—but we don’t know yet how good they are The covid-19 pandemic is still not over. And while injected vaccines provide good protection from severe disease, they…
Two inhaled covid vaccines have been approved—but we don’t know yet how good they are
The covid-19 pandemic is still not over. And while injected vaccines provide good protection from severe disease, they don’t stop us from catching the virus or spreading it to others. Vaccines that you inhale through the nose or mouth, on the other hand, potentially could. In the last week, regulatory bodies in both India and…
Building great digital customer experiences with agile infrastructure
As more business, shopping, and banking is done online and from, well, anywhere, customers increasingly expect high-quality digital-first services that remove the need to go into a physical store or bank. “People were working from home, shopping from home, banking from home, and are more tech and digital savvy than ever,” says Mike Dargan, group…
The Download: LinkedIn scammers, and annual covid shots
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. The 1,000 Chinese SpaceX engineers who never existed If you were just looking at his LinkedIn page, you’d certainly think Mai Linzheng was a top-notch engineer. With a bachelor’s degree from Tsinghua, China’s…
The 1,000 Chinese SpaceX engineers who never existed
If you were just looking at his LinkedIn page, you’d certainly think Mai Linzheng was a top-notch engineer. With a bachelor’s degree from Tsinghua, China’s top university, and a master’s degree in semiconductor manufacturing from UCLA, Mai began his career at Intel and KBR, a space tech company, before ending up at SpaceX in 2013.…
A composable path to positive user experiences
In today’s digital economy, people buy things differently. Customers expect interactions with companies to be thoughtful, customized, curated, and most importantly, quick. These experiences drive—and are driven by— technology’s constant progress. However, the advance of technology can cause headaches for the businesses delivering these interactions, even with the most talented product and delivery teams. Customization…
The Download: memory prosthesis, and rising nuclear plant risks
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. A memory prosthesis could restore memory in people with damaged brains The news: A unique form of brain stimulation appears to boost people’s ability to remember new information—by mimicking the way our brains…
A memory prosthesis could restore memory in people with damaged brains
A unique form of brain stimulation appears to boost people’s ability to remember new information—by mimicking the way our brains create memories. The “memory prosthesis,” which involves inserting an electrode deep into the brain, also seems to work in people with memory disorders—and is even more effective in people who had poor memory to begin…
The Download: a universal covid vaccine, and protecting toddlers from polio
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. This nanoparticle could be the key to a universal covid vaccine Long before Alexander Cohen—or anyone else—had heard of the alpha, delta, or omicron variants of covid-19, he and his graduate school advisor…
This nanoparticle could be the key to a universal covid vaccine
Long before Alexander Cohen—or anyone else—had heard of the alpha, delta, or omicron variants of covid-19, he and his graduate school advisor Pamela Bjorkman were doing the research that might soon make it possible for a single vaccine to defeat the rapidly evolving virus—along with any other covid-19 variant that might arise in the future. …
Why I got my one-year-old vaccinated against polio
It’s a Thursday afternoon, and I should be at work. Instead, I’m chasing my toddler around the small, disheveled garden behind my doctor’s office, along with around 15 other parents. We’re all here for the same reason—to get our young children vaccinated against polio. “We’re doing about 200 children today,” the nurse tells me. My…
The Download: Twitter’s edit button, and cleaning up fossil fuels
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. An edit button won’t fix Twitter’s problems The lowdown: After years of requests, Twitter is finally introducing an edit button, giving its users the ability to change their tweets up to 30 minutes…
The US agency in charge of developing fossil fuels has a new job: cleaning them up
In his first month in office, US President Joe Biden signed an executive order calling for the nation to eliminate carbon pollution from the electricity sector by 2035 and achieve net-zero emissions across the economy by 2050. That move redefined the mandate of the US Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy, the research agency…
An edit button won’t fix Twitter’s problems
After years of requests, Twitter is finally introducing an edit button, giving its users the ability to change their tweets up to 30 minutes after they’ve been sent. But the feature is unlikely to solve any of the biggest problems facing the company—and in some cases, it could worsen them. The feature will initially be…
The Download: gene therapy and AI chip wars
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. A new gene therapy based on antibody cells is about to be tested in humans During the covid-19 pandemic, antibodies played a front-and-center role. We used home tests to look for them, and…
A new gene therapy based on antibody cells is about to be tested in humans
During the covid-19 pandemic, antibodies played a front-and-center role. We used home tests to look for them, and we took vaccines so our bodies would make more. Less attention was paid to B cells, the immune-system cells that actually make antibodies, churning out as many as 10,000 a second—and which, after an infection, can persist…
The Download: AI privacy risks, and cleaning up shipping
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. What does GPT-3 “know” about me? One of the biggest stories in tech this year has been the rise of large language models (LLMs). These are AI models that produce text a human…
What does GPT-3 “know” about me?
For a reporter who covers AI, one of the biggest stories this year has been the rise of large language models. These are AI models that produce text a human might have written—sometimes so convincingly they have tricked people into thinking they are sentient. These models’ power comes from troves of publicly available human-created text…
How ammonia could help clean up global shipping
Ammonia might seem like an unlikely fuel to help cut greenhouse-gas emissions. Best known for its odor, the gas can be dangerous and toxic. But it could also play a key role in decarbonizing global shipping, providing an efficient way to store the energy needed to power large ships on long journeys. The American Bureau…
The Download: EV havoc in China, and the first private Venus mission
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. China’s heat wave is creating havoc for electric vehicle drivers As a globally unprecedented heat wave continues to hold its grip on southern China, with the highest temperature as much as 113°F (45°C),…
New 6G challenges inspire cross-disciplinary innovation
Roger Nichols remembers sending his first e-mail using wireless networks in the early 1990s, from the back of a bus during his daily commute. That was 30 years ago, on a 1G network—at a data rate about fifteen thousand times slower than today. Now the 6G program manager at Keysight Technologies, Nichols sees the rapid…
The first private mission to Venus will have just five minutes to hunt for life
As the covid pandemic raged in late 2020, all eyes turned briefly from our troubled planet to our planetary neighbor Venus. Astronomers had made a startling detection in its cloud tops: a gas called phosphine that on Earth is created through biological processes. Speculation ran wild as scientists struggled to understand what they were seeing. …
I Was There When: AI helped create a vaccine
I Was There When is an oral history project that’s part of the In Machines We Trust podcast. It features stories of how breakthroughs and watershed moments in artificial intelligence and computing happened, as told by the people who witnessed them. In this episode we meet Dave Johnson, the chief data and artificial intelligence officer…
China’s heat wave is creating havoc for electric vehicle drivers
As a globally unprecedented 70-day heat wave continues to hold its grip on southern China, with the highest temperature as much as 113°F (45°C), severe droughts and shortages in the hydropower supply are wreaking havoc on the lives of residents. Electric vehicle owners are one group particularly feeling the heat. Since public charging posts are temporarily closed…
The Download: growing organs, and Facebook’s garbage content
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. This company is about to grow new organs in a person for the first time In the coming weeks, a volunteer in Boston, Massachusetts, will be the first to trial a new treatment…
The most popular content on Facebook belongs in the garbage
The most viewed post on Facebook last quarter was a 69 joke, featuring reposted footage from an episode of the TV show Family Feud. The post, originally an Instagram Reel, had more than 52 million views on Facebook, according to Meta’s quarterly report on the most widely viewed content on the platform in the US.…
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