The Download: the first brain implant power user and South Korea’s AI obsession
The Download: the first brain implant power user and South Korea’s AI obsession
Publish Date: 2026-06-16 08:10:00
Source Domain: www.technologyreview.com
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The must-reads
I’ve combed the internet to find you today’s most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.
1 The US says it restricted Anthropic AI over foreign intelligence risks
Commerce chief Lutnick said he acted over national security fears. (Reuters $)
+ Following the ban, Anthropic disabled access to its new models. (BBC)
+ Both sides are increasingly desperate for a resolution. (WSJ $)
2 DeepSeek just became China’s most valuable startup
It raised $7 billion, the largest-ever first-round funding for an AI startup. (The Information $)
+ The deal values DeepSeek at over $50 billion. (WSJ $)
+ Its unusual structure preserves founder control. (Reuters $)
+ DeepSeek’s new flagship model has caused a stir. (MIT Technology Review)
3 Alibaba has unveiled AI models for robots amid a shift from chatbots
It’s joined a global race to move AI into the physical world. (SCMP)
+ AI is learning to understand its surroundings. (MIT Technology Review)
4 Fox is buying streaming giant Roku for $22 billion
The deal creates the third-largest player in US TV by viewing share. (BBC)
+ Fox is making a big bet on free streaming. (Washington Post $)
5 EA has launched a new way to advertise “directly into gameplay”
EA Advertising allows brands to become part of the game itself. (CNBC)
+ Xbox’s new chief strategy officer is also eyeing in-game ads. (PC Gamer)
+ GenAI could reinvent what it means to play. (MIT Technology Review)
6 It’s trivially easy to use Reddit to manipulate AI search
A tiny snippet of text can trick ChatGPT and Google’s AI search. (404 Media)
+ AI search is being manipulated to generate dangerous biases. (BBC)
7 Sperm have been made magnetic to allow IVF inside the body
The technique enables remote guidance towards an egg. (New Scientist $)
+ Automation and AI are transforming IVF. (MIT…
