This is today’s edition of The Download, a weekday newsletter bringing you a daily dose of what’s happening in technology.
The Download: The AI claim that could change how we understand artificial intelligence
“We were wrong”: The explosive claim that changed the world of AI
<p>“I think there is good news about the nature of neural networks.” With those simple, optimistic words, Nick Cammarata, a researcher at AI startup Goodfire, began a 26,000-word blog post that rocked the AI world, sparking cautious—and not-so-cautious—celebrations as well as wild speculation.</p>
<p>Cammarata argues that large language models (LLMs) may be much easier to understand—and therefore easier to monitor and control—than researchers previously thought. That would be a major development if true. But not everyone is convinced.</p>
<p>I spoke with Cammarata the day after his post went viral. We discussed what he thinks researchers are getting wrong, what his research actually shows, and why skeptics are not ready to celebrate just yet.</p>
<p><strong><a href="#">Read our exclusive interview</a> to find out what Cammarata's claims mean for the future of AI.</strong></p>
<p><em>—Will Douglas Heaven</em></p>Making the internet better for AI agents could make it worse for everyone else
<p>Until recently, it was possible to divide internet users into two categories: bots and humans. But personal AI agents are slowly breaking down that divide by taking on online tasks, from booking airline tickets to reserving hotel rooms. Meta's Muse alone was downloaded 5 million times in its first month.</p>
<p>On an internet primarily designed for humans, AI agents and human visitors do not always mix well. Many websites already block AI agents.</p>
<p>If demand for AI agents continues to grow, the internet could be redesigned for agents rather than people. Here's what that could mean for the rest of us.</p>
<p><em>—James O'Donnell</em></p>
<p><strong>This story is from our weekly AI newsletter, <em>The Algorithm</em>.</strong> <a href="https://forms.technologyreview.com/newsletters/ai-demystified-the-algorithm/?utm_source=the_download&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=the_download.unpaid.engagement&utm_term=*%7CSUBCLASS%7C*&utm_content=*%7CDATE:m-d-Y%7C*"><strong>Sign up</strong></a> to receive it in your inbox every Monday.</p>10 climate technology companies to watch: Moment Energy is reusing EV batteries
<p><em>Moment Energy is one of <a href="#">MIT Technology Review's 10 climate technology companies to watch in 2026</a>. Subscriber-only access is available.</em></p>
<p>Demand for energy storage is rapidly increasing, with capacity expected to grow eightfold over the next decade. To meet that demand, Moment Energy hopes to shorten a supply chain that currently runs primarily through China by reusing EV batteries in new, grid-connected energy storage systems domestically.</p>
<p>The ongoing trade war between the US and China is affecting the company. Soon, both Canada and the United States—where Moment Energy is building its next factory—will be able to classify recycled batteries as a domestic product.</p>
<p><strong><a href="#">Learn more about how Moment Energy could benefit from the current situation.</a></strong></p>
<p><em>—Emma Foehringer Merchant</em></p>
<p><strong>Subscribers can now access the full list of <em>10 climate technology companies to watch</em>, covering everything from carbon dioxide batteries to helium-cooled reactors.</strong></p>Must-read technology news
<p><em>We scoured the internet to find the most entertaining, important, alarming, and fascinating technology stories today.</em></p>
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<p><strong>The US military is trying to use AI agents to hack its enemies</strong><br>
A document outlines a plan to find and disable targets in software. (<a href="https://theintercept.com/2026/10/19/army-autonomous-ai-agents-arcyber/">The Intercept</a>)<br>
<em>+ Experts warn that the plan could cause unintended damage to computer systems.</em> (<a href="https://gizmodo.com/documents-reveal-military-plan-for-agentic-ai-that-hacks-u-s-adversaries-2000827957">Gizmodo</a>)<br>
<em>+ AI agents could deepen inequality in developing countries.</em> (<a href="https://restofworld.org/2026/meta-muse-openai-dots-ai-agents-global-south/">Rest of World</a>)<br>
<em>+ The idea that humans will remain involved in AI wars may be an illusion.</em> (MIT Technology Review)</p>
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<p><strong>OpenAI eavesdropping suspect reportedly received support from the Saudi government</strong><br>
Documents submitted in the case include contact with the royal family and the use of military-funded planes. (<a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6gel2dlyxvyo">BBC</a>)<br>
<em>+ The FBI says the suspect had a folder called “Saudi Gov Docs.”</em> (<a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/10/accused-openai-spy-had-folder-called-saudi-gov-docs-fbi-says/">Ars Technica</a>)<br>
<em>+ A judge denied bail despite the Saudi consulate's offer to pay.</em> (<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/10/19/openai-bugging-suspect-alfozan-saudi-royal-family.html">CNBC</a>)</p>
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<p><strong>The US banned DeepSeek from civilian government systems</strong><br>
Products built using DeepSeek's models are also prohibited. (<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/10/20/us-deepseek-federal-agency-ban.html">CNBC</a>)<br>
<em>+ The US sanctioned China's Y Combinator over alleged AI theft.</em> (<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-10-20/us-sanctions-china-s-y-combinator-in-google-ai-secrets-case">Bloomberg</a> $)<br>
<em>+ What's next for open-source AI in China?</em> (MIT Technology Review)</p>
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<p><strong>Europe is considering its own version of Starlink</strong><br>
Four major carriers are considering a joint bid for spectrum. (<a href="https://www.theverge.com/policy/1013680/european-mobile-carriers-mobile-satellite-starlink">The Verge</a>)<br>
<em>+ A stratospheric airship tested a cell phone tower in the sky.</em> (<a href="https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/10/trans-pacific-journey-tested-stratospheric-cell-tower-concept-in-japan/">Ars Technica</a>)<br>
<em>+ Stratospheric internet could become more popular this year.</em> (MIT Technology Review)</p>
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<p><strong>Trump officials asked a federal cyber agency to hack voting machines</strong><br>
CISA officials denied the request. (<a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/cisa-election-security-donald-trump">ProPublica</a>)<br>
<em>+ AI persuasion is entering elections.</em> (MIT Technology Review)</p>
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<p><strong>US fossil fuel projects are getting back on track</strong><br>
The White House is supporting gas as demand from data centers increases. (<a href="https://www.theverge.com/science/1013954/fossil-fuel-power-infrastructure-data-centers-report">The Verge</a>)<br>
<em>+ Controversy over a climate change report could give polluters a break.</em> (<a href="https://www.newscientist.com/article/2594695-its-about-to-be-a-lot-harder-to-keep-countries-honest-about-climate-change/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_content=home&utm_medium=RSS&utm_source=NSNS">New Scientist</a> $)</p>
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<p><strong>El Niño is causing sea levels to rise rapidly</strong><br>
Coastal flooding could worsen from Alaska to Chile. (<a href="https://www.newscientist.com/article/2594376-el-nino-is-dramatically-increasing-sea-levels-how-bad-could-it-get/">New Scientist</a> $)<br>
<em>+ El Niño could make 2027 even hotter.</em> (MIT Technology Review)</p>
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<p><strong>Experienced scientists produce less disruptive work—but their ideas last longer</strong><br>
New research shows that experienced scientists produce more enduring breakthroughs. (<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-03339-x">Nature</a>)<br>
<em>+ A new wave of private laboratories is challenging US science.</em> (<a href="https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2026/10/19/americas-new-era-of-private-science">The Economist</a> $)</p>
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<p><strong>Everyone is buying EVs except Americans</strong><br>
US drivers do not want to sacrifice convenience or familiarity. (<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/2026/10/americans-not-buying-electric-cars/689071/?utm_source=feed">The Atlantic</a> $)</p>
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<p><strong>Influencers' photo shoots at beautiful locations are facing backlash</strong><br>
Hotspots are restricting photo shoots to protect peace and privacy. (<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/oct/19/no-influencers-hotels-restaurants-beauty-spots-restricting-photoshoots">The Guardian</a>)</p>
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</ol>Quote of the day
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<p>“They all really hate each other and are just trying to make as much money as possible as quickly as possible.”</p>
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<p>—JB Pritzker, Governor of Illinois, speaking to <a href="https://www.theverge.com/podcast/1012839/pritzker-ai-privacy-data-centers-flock-congress-laws?utm_source=chatgpt.com">The Verge</a>. Intense competition among AI companies is complicating efforts to regulate the industry.</p>One more thing
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<img src="https://wp.technologyreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/AdobeStock_716372037.jpg?fit=2128,1196" alt="Artificial turf covering a sports field">
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<h3>Is artificial turf a bad idea? The AstroTurf debate is not over</h3>
<p>In 2001, Americans installed just over 7 million square meters of artificial turf. By 2024, that area had reached 79 million square meters—large enough to carpet all of Manhattan and parts of it. The increase is worrying researchers who study microplastics and environmental pollution.</p>
<p>Although the plastics industry claims synthetic fields are safe when installed properly, many researchers disagree. <strong><a href="#">Here's why AstroTurf has sparked a heated debate.</a></strong></p>
<p><em>—Douglas Main</em></p>We still have good things
<p><em>A place for comfort, fun, and distraction to brighten your day. Have an idea? <a href="mailto:[email protected]">Please contact us</a>.</em></p>
<p>
+ Movie geeks, gather around: <a href="https://datareel.distantviewing.org/">This interactive database</a> is like IMDb on steroids.<br>
+ For soup fans: <a href="https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/259743/pumpkin-soup-with-coconut-mlk/">Pumpkin and coconut milk soup</a> is a match made in heaven.<br>
+ Here's a fun topic of discussion: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/oct/15/best-music-for-dancing-zoonation-ebony-suite-ekleido-brown-suite?utm_term=6ad1bc3535e042a44f20886d88cec296&">the best music for dancing</a>.<br>
+ Good news for grumps: <a href="https://www.newscientist.com/article/2594259-can-a-positive-mindset-protect-us-from-the-sniffles/">A positive mindset may help protect against colds and flu</a>.
</p>Source: www.technologyreview.com