That is as we speak’s version of The Obtain, our weekday publication that gives a each day dose of what’s happening on the earth of know-how.
What we nonetheless don’t learn about weight-loss medication
Weight-loss medication have been again within the information this week. First, we heard that Eli Lilly, the corporate behind Mounjaro and Zepbound, grew to become the primary healthcare firm on the earth to attain a trillion-dollar valuation.
However we additionally discovered that, disappointingly, GLP-1 medication don’t appear to assist individuals with Alzheimer’s illness. And that individuals who cease taking the medication once they grow to be pregnant can expertise probably harmful ranges of weight achieve. On high of that, some researchers fear that persons are utilizing the medication postpartum to lose being pregnant weight with out understanding potential dangers.
All of this information ought to function a reminder that there’s quite a bit we nonetheless don’t learn about these medication. So let’s have a look at the enduring questions surrounding GLP-1 agonist medication.
—Jessica Hamzelou
This text first appeared in The Checkup, MIT Know-how Evaluate’s weekly biotech publication. To obtain it in your inbox each Thursday, and skim articles like this primary, enroll right here.
For those who’re fascinated with weight reduction medication and the way they have an effect on us, check out:
+ GLP-1 agonists like Wegovy, Ozempic, and Mounjaro would possibly profit coronary heart and mind well being—however analysis suggests they may additionally trigger being pregnant problems and hurt some customers. Learn the complete story.
+ We’ve by no means understood how starvation works. That is perhaps about to alter. Learn the complete story.
+ Weight-loss injections have taken over the web. However what does this imply for individuals IRL?
+ This vibrating weight-loss tablet appears to work—in pigs. Learn the complete story.
What we learn about how AI is affecting the economic system
There’s quite a bit at stake on the subject of understanding how AI is altering the economic system proper now. Ought to we be pessimistic? Optimistic? Or is the scenario too nuanced for that?
Hopefully, we are able to level you in the direction of some solutions. Mat Honan, our editor in chief, will maintain a particular subscriber-only Roundtables dialog with our editor at giant David Rotman, and Richard Waters, Monetary Occasions columnist, exploring what’s occurring throughout completely different markets. Register right here to affix us at 1pm ET on Tuesday December 9.
The occasion is a part of the Monetary Occasions and MIT Know-how Evaluate “The State of AI” partnership, exploring the worldwide affect of synthetic intelligence. Over the previous month, we’ve been operating discussions between our journalists—enroll right here to obtain future editions each Monday.
The must-reads
I’ve combed the web to search out you as we speak’s most enjoyable/essential/scary/fascinating tales about know-how.
1 Tech billionaires are gearing as much as struggle AI regulation
By amassing multi-million greenback struggle chests forward of the 2026 US midterm elections. (WSJ $)
+ Donald Trump’s “Manhattan Challenge” for AI is actually formidable. (The Data $)
2 The EU needs to carry social media platforms responsible for monetary scams
New guidelines will drive tech companies to compensate banks in the event that they fail to take away reported scams. (Politico)
3 China is fearful a few humanoid robotic bubble
As a result of greater than 150 firms there are constructing very related machines. (Bloomberg $)
+ It may be taught some classes from the present AI bubble. (CNN)+ Why the humanoid workforce is operating late. (MIT Know-how Evaluate)
4 A Myanmar rip-off compound was blown up
However its residents will merely discover new bases for his or her operations. (NYT $)
+ Consultants suspect the destruction could have been for present. (Wired $)
+ Inside a romance rip-off compound—and the way individuals get tricked into being there. (MIT Know-how Evaluate)
5 Navies the world over are investing in submarine drones
They value a fraction of what it takes to run a standard manned sub. (The Guardian)
+ How underwater drones may form a possible Taiwan-China battle. (MIT Know-how Evaluate)
6 What to anticipate from China’s seemingly unstoppable innovation drive
Its extraordinarily permissive regulators play an enormous function. (Economist $)
+ Is China about to win the AI race? (MIT Know-how Evaluate)
7 The UK is waging a struggle on VPNs
Good luck making an attempt to steer individuals to cease utilizing them. (The Verge)
8 We’re studying extra about Jeff Bezos’ mysterious clock undertaking
He’s backed the Clock of the Lengthy Now for years—and development is amping up. (FT $)
+ How getting older clocks can assist us perceive why we age—and if we are able to reverse it. (MIT Know-how Evaluate)
9 Have we lastly seen the primary hints of darkish matter?
These researchers appear to suppose so. (New Scientist $)
10 A useful robotic helps archaeologists reconstruct Pompeii
Reassembling historical frescos is fiddly and time-consuming, however much less so when you’re a dextrous machine. (Reuters)
Quote of the day
“We do fail… quite a bit.”
—Protection firm Anduril explains its move-fast-and-break-things ethos to the Wall Road Journal in response to experiences its techniques have been marred by points in Ukraine.
Yet another factor
construct a greater AI benchmark
It’s not straightforward being considered one of Silicon Valley’s favourite benchmarks.
SWE-Bench (pronounced “swee bench”) launched in November 2024 as a solution to consider an AI mannequin’s coding ability. It has since shortly grow to be one of the crucial standard exams in AI. A SWE-Bench rating has grow to be a mainstay of main mannequin releases from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google—and outdoors of basis fashions, the fine-tuners at AI companies are in fixed competitors to see who can rise above the pack.
Regardless of all of the fervor, this isn’t precisely a truthful evaluation of which mannequin is “higher.” Entrants have begun to sport the system—which is pushing many others to wonder if there’s a greater solution to really measure AI achievement. Learn the complete story.
—Russell Brandom
We are able to nonetheless have good issues
A spot for consolation, enjoyable and distraction to brighten up your day. (Bought any concepts? Drop me a line or skeet ’em at me.)
+ Aww, these sharks seem like enjoying with pool toys.
+ Unusual issues are occurring over on Easter Island (even weirder than you may think about) 
+ Very cool—archaeologists have uncovered a Roman tomb that’s been sealed shut for 1,700 years.
+ This Japanese mass media collage is making my eyes swim, in a great way.
