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 OpenAI’s Latest Controversy Tells Us About the Future of Math
OpenAI has announced that its AI agents have solved one of the most important open problems in mathematics. Under normal circumstances, this would be a monumental achievement. However, the announcement has been marred by accusations that OpenAI failed to credit researchers whose AI-assisted work influenced the solution.
Whether these accusations are valid, the episode may signal a pivotal shift in the history of mathematics. AI models are now becoming indispensable for tackling the field's most challenging problems, yet the resources required to achieve such breakthroughs appear to be concentrated in a few frontier AI companies. If this trend continues, the role of human mathematicians in future discoveries is uncertain.
Read on to see how AI could reshape mathematics.
—Grace Huckins
Batteries Just Broke Another Record in the US
Battery installations in the United States have reached a new record high, reflecting a broader surge in energy storage capacity. This growth is driven by falling costs, supportive policies, and the integration of renewable energy sources. As of 2026, grid-scale battery storage is playing a critical role in stabilizing electricity supply, especially during peak demand and extreme weather events.
The latest data underscores a transformative year for the US energy sector, with storage capacity expanding faster than previously projected. Experts attribute this momentum to technological innovations in lithium-ion and emerging solid-state batteries, as well as federal incentives that encourage large-scale deployment.
Plus: The US government has accused six Chinese AI firms of engaging in "industrial-scale" theft of proprietary technologies and data, escalating tensions in the ongoing tech rivalry between the two nations.