Niall Firth
@niallfirth.bsky.social
📤 1946
📥 1012
📝 265
Executive editor, newsroom. MIT Technology Review
Incredible story to kick the week off here at
@technologyreview.com
www.technologyreview.com/2026/03/30/1...
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Inside the stealthy startup that pitched brainless human clones
Need a backup body? We uncovered a radical proposal for “full body replacement.”
https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/03/30/1134780/r3-bio-brainless-human-clones-full-body-replacement-john-schloendorn-aging-longevity/
10 days ago
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Exclusive interview this morning with OpenAI's chief scientist - from
@willdoug.bsky.social
www.technologyreview.com/2026/03/20/1...
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OpenAI is throwing everything into building a fully automated researcher
An exclusive conversation with OpenAI’s chief scientist Jakub Pachocki about his firm's new grand challenge and the future of AI.
https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/03/20/1134438/openai-is-throwing-everything-into-building-a-fully-automated-researcher/
20 days ago
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reposted by
Niall Firth
James O'Donnell
about 1 month ago
Homemade intelligence dashboards on Iran are spreading. But an abundance of information does not come with the accuracy or context required for real understanding. Intelligence agencies do this in-house; good journalism does the same work for the rest of us
www.technologyreview.com/2026/03/09/1...
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How AI is turning the Iran conflict into theater
AI-enabled dashboards, combined with prediction markets and fake imagery, are reshaping how war is observed.
https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/03/09/1134063/how-ai-is-turning-the-iran-conflict-into-theater/
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reposted by
Niall Firth
Next week I’m heading to Austin to speak at
@sxsw.com
for the second time. A) come and watch if you’re there (it’s already fully-reserved 🤯but walk-ups are possible!) and b) shout if there anything I must attend! (And if we know each other say hi.)
schedule.sxsw.com/2026/contrib...
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SXSW 2026 Schedule
Browse events, build your schedule, and get personalized recommendations for the 2026 SXSW Conference & Festivals from March 12–18, 2026 in Austin, TX.
https://schedule.sxsw.com/2026/contributors/2204664
about 1 month ago
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Next week I’m heading to Austin to speak at
@sxsw.com
for the second time. A) come and watch if you’re there (it’s already fully-reserved 🤯but walk-ups are possible!) and b) shout if there anything I must attend! (And if we know each other say hi.)
schedule.sxsw.com/2026/contrib...
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SXSW 2026 Schedule
Browse events, build your schedule, and get personalized recommendations for the 2026 SXSW Conference & Festivals from March 12–18, 2026 in Austin, TX.
https://schedule.sxsw.com/2026/contributors/2204664
about 1 month ago
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Distressing powerful story
add a skeleton here at some point
about 1 month ago
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If you are not already listening to our Narrated audio feed on Spotify/Apple you're missing out. But this would be a great one to start with. Really really fun story.
open.spotify.com/episode/2hbR...
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The curious case of the disappearing Lamborghinis
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2hbRHJDNbBDWnxCiZ4LWvk?si=fc74f7e179054d60
about 1 month ago
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reposted by
Niall Firth
James Temple
about 1 month ago
Can this Canadian startup really deliver lightning suppression on demand? Possibly maybe ... but caveats abound. (In which I dig into the rich history of US agency efforts to control the weather.)
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This startup claims it can stop lightning and prevent catastrophic wildfires
But researchers aren’t as confident as the company.
https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/03/03/1133848/this-startup-claims-it-can-stop-lightning-and-prevent-catastrophic-wildfires/
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So proud that
@technologyreview.com
has been shortlisted in the Reporting category in this year's National Magazine Awards! Kudos to
@jamesodonnell.bsky.social
and
@caseycrownhart.bsky.social
and everyone involved! (Shortlisted story below.)
asme.memberclicks.net/national-mag...
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NATIONAL MAGAZINE AWARDS 2026 NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED
https://asme.memberclicks.net/national-magazine-awards-2026-nominations-announced
about 1 month ago
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Today's Big Story (from
@squigglyvolcano.bsky.social
) is the tale of how America blew its lead in the race to find evidence of alien life on Mars. It's really really fun. Enjoy.
www.technologyreview.com/2026/02/26/1...
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America was winning the race to find Martian life. Then China jumped in.
The Mars Sample Return mission got off to a promising start, hunting for potentially humanity-changing space rocks. How did it fall off the rails?
https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/02/26/1133584/america-china-mars-sample-return-space-race-nasa/
about 1 month ago
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Narco subs!! What else do you need to know. Read it. It's a cracker.
www.technologyreview.com/2026/02/19/1...
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How uncrewed narco subs could transform the Colombian drug trade
Fast, stealthy, and cheap—autonomous, semisubmersible drone boats carrying tons of cocaine could be international law enforcement’s nightmare scenario. A big one just came ashore.
https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/02/19/1132619/uncrewed-narco-subs-transform-columbian-drug-trade/?utm_source=the_download&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=the_download.unpaid.engagement&utm_term=*%7CSUBCLASS%7C*&utm_content=*%7CDATE:m-d-Y%7C*
about 2 months ago
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A new wave of theft is rocking the luxury car industry—mixing high-tech with old-school chop-shop techniques to snag vehicles while they’re in transport. New story today at
@technologyreview.com
www.technologyreview.com/2026/02/17/1...
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The curious case of the disappearing Lamborghinis
A new wave of theft is rocking the luxury car industry—mixing high-tech with old-school chop-shop techniques to snag vehicles while they’re in transport.
https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/02/17/1132538/curious-case-disappearing-lambhorghinis/?utm_source=the_download&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=the_download.unpaid.engagement&utm_term=%3C%3C%20Test%20Class%20%3E%3E&utm_content=02-17-2026&mc_cid=dda4f68f40&mc_eid=UNIQID
about 2 months ago
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After the whole OpenClaw furore,
@gracehuckins.bsky.social
asks: can personal AI assistants ever be totally secure?
www.technologyreview.com/2026/02/11/1...
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Is a secure AI assistant possible?
Experts have made progress in LLM security. But some doubt AI assistants are ready for prime time.
https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/02/11/1132768/is-a-secure-ai-assistant-possible/
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
Niall Firth
For some, Moltbook showed us what’s coming next: an internet where millions of autonomous agents interact online with little or no human oversight. But is it? Smart from
@willdouglasheaven.bsky.social
www.technologyreview.com/2026/02/06/1...
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Moltbook was peak AI theater
The viral social network for bots reveals as much about our own current mania for AI as it does about the future of agents.
https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/02/06/1132448/moltbook-was-peak-ai-theater/
2 months ago
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For some, Moltbook showed us what’s coming next: an internet where millions of autonomous agents interact online with little or no human oversight. But is it? Smart from
@willdouglasheaven.bsky.social
www.technologyreview.com/2026/02/06/1...
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Moltbook was peak AI theater
The viral social network for bots reveals as much about our own current mania for AI as it does about the future of agents.
https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/02/06/1132448/moltbook-was-peak-ai-theater/
2 months ago
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Cannot read about Mandelson with thinking of Mike Skinner and this incredible moment.
youtu.be/Ue1U9Se6jQI?...
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Mike Skinner Backstage Peter Mandelson Went Mad | Turn The Page Live | The Streets
YouTube video by stan tonkin
https://youtu.be/Ue1U9Se6jQI?si=xG2yR3CS604-8Nlf
2 months ago
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reposted by
Niall Firth
Our first Big Story of 2026 is on the Vitalists—the extreme-longevity movement that believes death is immoral, and we need to just... stop it. Excited to be publishing this deep dive on an increasingly influential group, from
@jesshamzelou.bsky.social
natch
www.technologyreview.com/2026/01/29/1...
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Meet the Vitalists: the hardcore longevity enthusiasts who believe death is “wrong”
They argue we need a revolution—and more and more influential scientists, funders, and politicians are taking them seriously.
https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/01/29/1131815/vitalism-longevity-enthusiasts-influence/
2 months ago
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Our first Big Story of 2026 is on the Vitalists—the extreme-longevity movement that believes death is immoral, and we need to just... stop it. Excited to be publishing this deep dive on an increasingly influential group, from
@jesshamzelou.bsky.social
natch
www.technologyreview.com/2026/01/29/1...
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Meet the Vitalists: the hardcore longevity enthusiasts who believe death is “wrong”
They argue we need a revolution—and more and more influential scientists, funders, and politicians are taking them seriously.
https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/01/29/1131815/vitalism-longevity-enthusiasts-influence/
2 months ago
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Um. Headlines are easier than this.
2 months ago
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Thoroughly enjoyed The Bone Temple. Reading reviews afterwards, as I like to, suspect many American reviewers don’t get who the Jimmys are styled after. But why would they?
3 months ago
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A big day for us here at
@technologyreview.com
- our annual list of 10 Breakthrough Technologies is here! And it's a beauty. Here are the advances that we think will drive progress or incite the most change—for better or worse—in the years ahead.
www.technologyreview.com/2026/01/12/1...
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10 Breakthrough Technologies 2026
Here are our picks for the advances to watch in the years ahead—and why we think they matter right now.
https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/01/12/1130697/10-breakthrough-technologies-2026/
3 months ago
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reposted by
Niall Firth
Eryk Salvaggio
3 months ago
Finally, I will be free from the unwanted labor of leisure
add a skeleton here at some point
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I out myself as the annoying editor in the lede to this terrific
@willdouglasheaven.bsky.social
explainer on parameters. We hear about them constantly - but usually explained in metaphorical terms. But what are they REALLY??
www.technologyreview.com/2026/01/07/1...
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LLMs contain a LOT of parameters. But what’s a parameter?
They’re the mysterious numbers that make your favorite AI models tick. What are they and what do they do?
https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/01/07/1130795/what-even-is-a-parameter/
3 months ago
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Every year, our AI writers here at
@technologyreview.com
make some predictions about things to look out for the year ahead. Our track record is pretty good - see what you think about their view for 2026.
www.technologyreview.com/2026/01/05/1...
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What’s next for AI in 2026
Our AI writers make their big bets for the coming year—here are five hot trends to watch.
https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/01/05/1130662/whats-next-for-ai-in-2026/
3 months ago
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reposted by
Niall Firth
In October I gave a talk at
@sxswsydney.com
about all things AI: the trends, the breakthroughs, the issues. You can watch it back here.
youtu.be/MSoU_orO2nc?...
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Featured | Everything you need to know about AI in 2026 w/ Niall Firth
YouTube video by SXSW Sydney
https://youtu.be/MSoU_orO2nc?si=JrKPZjyRdE3UvKJ7
4 months ago
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In October I gave a talk at
@sxswsydney.com
about all things AI: the trends, the breakthroughs, the issues. You can watch it back here.
youtu.be/MSoU_orO2nc?...
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Featured | Everything you need to know about AI in 2026 w/ Niall Firth
YouTube video by SXSW Sydney
https://youtu.be/MSoU_orO2nc?si=JrKPZjyRdE3UvKJ7
4 months ago
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reposted by
Niall Firth
Mat Honan âś…
4 months ago
2025 was the year AI reached peak hype. (I mean, one hopes!). We have a fantastic series looking at the froth, anchored by this gem from
@willdouglasheaven.bsky.social
www.technologyreview.com/2025/12/15/1...
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The great AI hype correction of 2025
Four ways to think about this year's reckoning
https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/12/15/1129174/the-great-ai-hype-correction-of-2025/
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reposted by
Niall Firth
Amanda Silverman
4 months ago
Today
@technologyreview.com
has a fantastic new package that corrects all the AI hype
www.technologyreview.com/supertopic/h...
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Hype Correction
An MIT Technology Review series Hype Correction  It’s time to reset expectations. AI is going to reproduce human intelligence. AI will eliminate disease. AI is the single biggest, most important inven...
https://www.technologyreview.com/supertopic/hype-correction/
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OK here we go! Today we launch Hype Correction, our critical look at where AI is, and how we should reset our expectations.
www.technologyreview.com/supertopic/h...
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https://www.technologyreview.com/supertopic/hype-correction/
4 months ago
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Dropping a big package about AI tomorrow morning. Keep a look out!
4 months ago
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Yesterday we sent out the final part of State of AI: our partnership with
@financialtimes.com
Times - and it was a doozy! In this 6th edition
@willdouglasheaven.bsky.social
and
@tim.fo
debated how AI will shape the world at the end of the decade.
www.technologyreview.com/2025/12/08/1...
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The State of AI: A vision of the world in 2030
Senior AI editor Will Douglas Heaven talks with Tim Bradshaw, FT global tech correspondent, about what our world will look like in the next five years.
https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/12/08/1128922/the-state-of-ai-a-vision-of-the-world-in-2030/
4 months ago
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Brilliant job working with me here at
@technologyreview.com
. Come and be our new editorial director, print and manage our bi-monthly print magazine (126 years and still going strong!)
www.technologyreview.com/job/editoria...
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Sr. Editorial Director, Print
Position Overview: Do you love print? Do you thrive on imagining eye-catching front of the book treatments, deeply reported features, and powerful photo essays? This is an incredible and rare opportun...
https://www.technologyreview.com/job/editorial-director-print
4 months ago
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Week 5 of our State of AI collaboration with the
@financialtimes.com
- and this week we have
@davidrotman.bsky.social
and
@richardwaters.bsky.social
discussing the impact generative AI is having on the jobs market and the economy as a whole.
www.technologyreview.com/2025/12/01/1...
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The State of AI: Welcome to the economic singularity
This week, Richard Waters, FT columnist and former West Coast editor, talks with MIT Technology Review’s editor at large David Rotman about the true impact of AI on the job market.
https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/12/01/1127872/the-state-of-ai-welcome-to-the-economic-singularity/
4 months ago
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It's week 4 of State of AI, our partnership with the
@financialtimes.com
This week,
@eileenguo.bsky.social
kickstarts a conversation with
@melissahei.bsky.social
on the privacy implications of our new reliance on chatbots.
www.technologyreview.com/2025/11/24/1...
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The State of AI: Chatbot companions and the future of our privacy
MIT Technology Review’s senior reporter for features and investigations, Eileen Guo, and FT tech correspondent Melissa Heikkilä discuss the privacy implications of our new reliance on chatbots.
https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/11/24/1128051/the-state-of-ai-chatbot-companions-and-the-future-of-our-privacy/
4 months ago
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As part of our conspiracy package (please read the whole thing, it's a joy!) we covered the DebunkBot. It's effective (and non-judgy, which must be a big part of its effectiveness.) Recommend playing around even if you don't have a pet conspiracy theory!
debunkbot.com
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DebunkBot | Conspiracies
DebunkBot is an AI system for evidence-based dialogue that reduces misbelief. Built on peer-reviewed research and designed with safety and measurement in mind, DebunkBot helps address false claims in ...
https://debunkbot.com/
5 months ago
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Today we have the latest in our collaboration with the
@financialtimes.com
. This week, we're talking all things WAR, with
@jamesodonnell.bsky.social
and
@helenwarrell.bsky.social
www.technologyreview.com/2025/11/17/1...
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The State of AI: How war will be changed forever
In this conversation, Helen Warrell, FT investigations reporter and former defense and security editor, and James O’Donnell, MIT Technology Review’s senior AI reporter, consider the ethical quandaries...
https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/11/17/1127514/the-state-of-ai-the-new-rules-of-war/
5 months ago
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New thing to worry about on a flight just dropped!
www.technologyreview.com/2025/11/17/1...
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What is the chance your plane will be hit by space debris?
It's low but, um, never zero.
https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/11/17/1127980/what-is-the-chance-your-plane-will-be-hit-by-space-debris/
5 months ago
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Damnit I loved Sonder.
5 months ago
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The latest edition of our State of AI collaboration with the
@financialtimes.com
is live: this time
@caseycrownhart.bsky.social
debates with
@pilitaclark.bsky.social
about why the US is falling behind on power generation.
www.technologyreview.com/2025/11/10/1...
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The State of AI: Energy is king, and the US is falling behind
Casey Crownhart, MIT Technology Review’s senior climate reporter and Pilita Clark, FT columnist (and a former environment correspondent) ask whether power limitations are about to cost the US its tech...
https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/11/10/1126805/the-state-of-ai-energy-is-king-and-the-us-is-falling-behind/?mc_cid=8eb900b154&mc_eid=UNIQID
5 months ago
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According to internet listicles, The Simpsons has predicted the future anywhere from 17 to 55 times. What's going on?https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/10/30/1126462/the-simpsons-conspiracy-theories-al-jean/
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Can “The Simpsons” really predict the future?
We asked Al Jean, the longest-serving showrunner, about all the conspiracy theories.
https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/10/30/1126462/the-simpsons-conspiracy-theories-al-jean/
5 months ago
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As part of our package on conspiracies, I wrote about techniques you can use to talk to family and friends who have gone off the deep end.
www.technologyreview.com/2025/10/30/1...
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How to help friends and family dig out of a conspiracy theory black hole
Some tried and trusted techniques that might help.
https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/10/30/1126839/how-to-help-friends-and-family-dig-out-of-a-conspiracy-theory-black-hole/
5 months ago
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Today, as part of our New Conspiracy Age package, we have
@willdouglasheaven.bsky.social
ruffling some feathers to lay out his argument for why AGI is the biggest conspiracy of all. đź‘€
www.technologyreview.com/2025/10/30/1...
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How AGI became the most consequential conspiracy theory of our time
The idea that machines will be as smart as—or smarter than—humans has hijacked an entire industry. But look closely and you’ll see it’s a myth that persists for many of the same reasons conspiracies d...
https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/10/30/1127057/agi-conspiracy-theory-artifcial-general-intelligence/
5 months ago
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The first instalment of our subscriber-only collaboration with the FT is live today. Our
@caiwei.bsky.social
speaks with John Thornhill about who is winning the AI race: China or Silicon Valley
www.technologyreview.com/2025/11/03/1...
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The State of AI: Is China about to win the race?
In this conversation, the FT’s John Thornhill and MIT Technology Review’s Caiwei Chen consider the battle between Silicon Valley and Beijing for technological supremacy.
https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/11/03/1126780/the-state-of-ai-is-china-about-to-win-the-race/
5 months ago
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This feature about the Mandela effect is just joyous.
www.technologyreview.com/2025/10/30/1...
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Why do so many people think the Fruit of the Loom logo had a cornucopia?
It’s a popular example of the “Mandela effect,” or a collective false memory. And while some people may laugh and move on, others spend years searching for an explanation.
https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/10/30/1126705/mandela-effect-fruit-of-the-loom-psychology/
5 months ago
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reposted by
Niall Firth
Excited to be working with
@financialtimes.com
on this.
aboutus.ft.com/press_releas...
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ABOUT THE FT
The Financial Times is one of the world’s leading news organisations, recognised internationally for its authority, integrity and accuracy.
https://aboutus.ft.com/press_release/ft-and-mit-technology-review
5 months ago
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reposted by
Niall Firth
So proud of this AMAZING new package up on
@technologyreview.com
today all about CONSPIRACIES. Helmed/conceived by
@asilverman.bsky.social
it covers everything from medical conspiracies, to the Simpsons, to Fruit of the Loom and much more. Dive in and enjoy!
www.technologyreview.com/supertopic/t...
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The New Conspiracy Age
There’s never been a better time to be a conspiracy theorist. An MIT Technology Review series The New Conspiracy Age Everything is a conspiracy theory now. Conspiracists are all over the White House, ...
https://www.technologyreview.com/supertopic/the-new-conspiracy-age/
5 months ago
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Excited to be working with
@financialtimes.com
on this.
aboutus.ft.com/press_releas...
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ABOUT THE FT
The Financial Times is one of the world’s leading news organisations, recognised internationally for its authority, integrity and accuracy.
https://aboutus.ft.com/press_release/ft-and-mit-technology-review
5 months ago
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reposted by
Niall Firth
Dave Levitan
5 months ago
As part of
@technologyreview.com
's big new package on conspiracy theories, I went long on weather modification — what's possible, what's not, what's happening and where, and why people will probably always find ways to blame weather disasters on shady forces:
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Why it’s so hard to bust the weather control conspiracy theory
From effective rain-enhancing technology to a long, secretive history of trying to weaponize storms, there’s fertile ground for misinformation.
https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/10/30/1126467/weather-control-conspiracy-theory-cloud-seeding-floods/
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So proud of this AMAZING new package up on
@technologyreview.com
today all about CONSPIRACIES. Helmed/conceived by
@asilverman.bsky.social
it covers everything from medical conspiracies, to the Simpsons, to Fruit of the Loom and much more. Dive in and enjoy!
www.technologyreview.com/supertopic/t...
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The New Conspiracy Age
There’s never been a better time to be a conspiracy theorist. An MIT Technology Review series The New Conspiracy Age Everything is a conspiracy theory now. Conspiracists are all over the White House, ...
https://www.technologyreview.com/supertopic/the-new-conspiracy-age/
5 months ago
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This is such a brilliant and interesting piece. Recommend.
www.technologyreview.com/2025/10/21/1...
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The astonishing embryo models of Jacob Hanna
Scientists are creating the beginnings of bodies without sperm or eggs. How far should they be allowed to go?
https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/10/21/1125523/jacob-hanna-israel-synthetic-embryo-models/
5 months ago
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