That is at this time’s version of The Obtain, our weekday publication that gives a day by day dose of what’s happening on this planet of expertise.
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 this planet to attain a trillion-dollar valuation.
However we additionally realized that, disappointingly, GLP-1 medication don’t appear to assist individuals with Alzheimer’s illness. And that individuals who cease taking the medication after they develop into pregnant can expertise probably harmful ranges of weight acquire. On prime of that, some researchers fear that individuals 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 loads we nonetheless don’t learn about these medication. So let’s take a look at the enduring questions surrounding GLP-1 agonist medication.
—Jessica Hamzelou
This text first appeared in The Checkup, MIT Know-how Overview’s weekly biotech publication. To obtain it in your inbox each Thursday, and skim articles like this primary, enroll right here.
In case you’re fascinated about 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 issues and hurt some customers. Learn the total story.
+ We’ve by no means understood how starvation works. That is perhaps about to vary. Learn the total story.
+ Weight-loss injections have taken over the web. However what does this imply for individuals IRL?
+ This vibrating weight-loss capsule appears to work—in pigs. Learn the total story.
What we learn about how AI is affecting the economic system
There’s loads at stake in terms 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 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 Instances columnist, exploring what’s taking place throughout totally different markets. Register right here to affix us at 1pm ET on Tuesday December 9.
The occasion is a part of the Monetary Instances and MIT Know-how Overview “The State of AI” partnership, exploring the worldwide impression 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 seek out you at this time’s most enjoyable/essential/scary/fascinating tales about expertise.
1 Tech billionaires are gearing as much as battle AI regulation
By amassing multi-million greenback warfare chests forward of the 2026 US midterm elections. (WSJ $)
+ Donald Trump’s “Manhattan Venture” for AI is definitely formidable. (The Info $)
2 The EU needs to carry social media platforms answerable for monetary scams
New guidelines will power tech corporations to compensate banks in the event that they fail to take away reported scams. (Politico)
3 China is nervous a couple of humanoid robotic bubble
As a result of greater than 150 corporations 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 Overview)
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 Overview)
5 Navies internationally are investing in submarine drones
They price 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 Overview)
6 What to anticipate from China’s seemingly unstoppable innovation drive
Its extraordinarily permissive regulators play a giant position. (Economist $)
+ Is China about to win the AI race? (MIT Know-how Overview)
7 The UK is waging a warfare 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 challenge
He’s backed the Clock of the Lengthy Now for years—and building is amping up. (FT $)
+ How growing old clocks may also help us perceive why we age—and if we are able to reverse it. (MIT Know-how Overview)
9 Have we lastly seen the primary hints of darkish matter?
These researchers appear to assume so. (New Scientist $)
10 A useful robotic helps archaeologists reconstruct Pompeii
Reassembling historical frescos is fiddly and time-consuming, however much less so if you happen to’re a dextrous machine. (Reuters)
Quote of the day
“We do fail… loads.”
—Protection firm Anduril explains its move-fast-and-break-things ethos to the Wall Avenue Journal in response to studies its techniques have been marred by points in Ukraine.
Yet another factor
How you can construct a greater AI benchmark
It’s not simple being one among Silicon Valley’s favourite benchmarks.
SWE-Bench (pronounced “swee bench”) launched in November 2024 as a approach to consider an AI mannequin’s coding ability. It has since shortly develop into probably the most common exams in AI. A SWE-Bench rating has develop into a mainstay of main mannequin releases from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google—and outdoors of basis fashions, the fine-tuners at AI corporations 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 recreation the system—which is pushing many others to wonder if there’s a greater approach to really measure AI achievement. Learn the total 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 look like taking part in with pool toys.
+ Unusual issues are taking place over on Easter Island (even weirder than you’ll be able to 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.
