The Download: a conversation with Karen Hao, and how did life begin?

July 9, 2025

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. Inside OpenAI’s empire: A conversation with Karen Hao In a wide-ranging Roundtables conversation for MIT Technology Review subscribers, journalist and author Karen Hao recently spoke about her new book, Empire of AI: Dreams…

Can’t Get an Email Back? These 7 Tips Will Make Sure You Get a Response Every Time

July 9, 2025

Whether you’re trying to get someone to email you back, slide out of the DM void or simply have a real human moment amid all the noise, these tips will get people to actually respond.

How to protect your cell phone number from SIM swap attacks

July 9, 2025

These carrier security settings can prevent your phone number from being hijacked or stolen.

Inside OpenAI’s empire: A conversation with Karen Hao

July 9, 2025

In a wide-ranging Roundtables conversation for MIT Technology Review subscribers, AI journalist and author Karen Hao spoke about her new book, Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman’s OpenAI. She talked with executive editor Niall Firth about how she first covered the company in 2020 while on staff at MIT Technology Review, and…

Hugging Face opens up orders for its Reachy Mini desktop robots

July 9, 2025

Hugging Face is releasing two versions of its desktop robot meant for designing and coding AI applications.

European VC breaks taboo by investing in pure defense tech from Ukraine’s war zones

July 9, 2025

With a fundraising target of €25 million, Darkstar’s goal is to help startups bring battle-tested products to military customers both in Ukraine and throughout Europe.

Rivian spinoff Also raises another $200M to build e-bikes and more

July 8, 2025

Also, the micromobility startup that spun out of Rivian this year, was raised $200 million from Greenoaks Capital.

LangChain is about to become a unicorn, sources say

July 8, 2025

AI infrastructure startup LangChain is raising a new round at about $1 billion valuation led by IVP.

Grok is being antisemitic again and also the sky is blue

July 8, 2025

Grok, the AI chatbot powered by Elon Musk’s xAI company, is back with more antisemitic rants.

How to Turn Summer Travel into More Business and Less Taxes

July 8, 2025

When you pursue business opportunities in the places you love to visit, you can make your summer profitable and fun.

The Download: flaws in anti-AI protections for art, and an AI regulation vibe shift