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.
Coming Soon: Our 2026 List of Climate Tech Companies to Watch
With the planet nearing 1.5 °C of warming, climate policies being unraveled, and Big Tech backpedaling on its climate ambitions, it can be tempting to give in to climate doom and defeatism. But despite the headwinds, the world has still made incredible progress. That's why MIT Technology Review publishes its annual list of Climate Tech Companies to Watch.
Once a year, we compile a list of 10 companies that we believe have done the most, or have the best chance, to make a real dent in emissions or improve public safety and health. We've now finalized our 2026 list and will publish it on October 6.
It features companies making strides in energy storage, nuclear power, transportation, and other areas despite today's regressive climate politics. We hope you'll enjoy the package and perhaps come away feeling a bit more hopeful about our climate's future. Read the preview.
OpenAI Scraps New AI Model Over Safety Concerns
In a surprising move, OpenAI has shelved a new AI model due to safety concerns. The model, which was reportedly in development, was halted after internal reviews flagged potential risks. This decision underscores the growing tension between rapid AI advancement and the need for robust safety measures. As AI systems become more capable, the challenge of ensuring they align with human values and do not cause harm is increasingly pressing.
AI's Discovery Problem
Artificial intelligence has revolutionized many fields, but when it comes to scientific discovery, AI often struggles to identify truly novel insights. The problem lies in AI's reliance on existing data: it can find patterns and optimize within known parameters, but it cannot easily leap beyond them to make groundbreaking discoveries. This limitation raises questions about whether AI can truly drive innovation or if it will remain a tool for incremental progress. Researchers are exploring ways to imbue AI with more creative and exploratory capabilities, but significant hurdles remain.