The Download: trustworthy humanoid robots, and Anduril’s latest project

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.

Will we ever trust robots?

The world might seem to be on the brink of a humanoid-robot heyday. New breakthroughs in artificial intelligence promise the type of capable, general-purpose robots previously seen only in science fiction—robots that can do things like assemble cars, care for patients, or tidy our homes, all without being given specialized instructions.

It’s an idea that has attracted an enormous amount of attention, capital, and optimism. Yet recent progress has arguably been more about style than substance. Advancements in AI have undoubtedly made robots easier to train, but they have yet to enable them to truly sense their surroundings, “think” of what to do next, and carry out those decisions in the way some viral videos might imply.

But on the road to helping humanoid robots win our trust, one question looms larger than any other: How much will they be able to do on his own? And how much will they still rely on humans? Read the full story.

—James O’Donnell

This story is from the forthcoming magazine edition of MIT Technology Review, set to go live on January 6—it’s all about the exciting breakthroughs happening in the world right now. If you don’t already, subscribe to receive future copies.

If you’re interested in the future of robots, why not check out:

+ A skeptic’s guide to humanoid-robot videos. The right video can land a startup millions in investment and a devoted public following. But what do these videos really show?

+ Is robotics about to have its own ChatGPT moment? Read the full story.

+ To be more useful, robots need to become lazier. Smarter data processing could make machines more helpful and energy-efficient in the real world. A good way to test this principle is robot soccer.

The must-reads

I’ve combed the internet to find you today’s most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.

1 Anduril is in talks to join forces with OpenAI and SpaceX 
The proposed consortium will bid for US government defense contracts in an attempt to disrupt the stranglehold of traditional suppliers. (FT $)
+ Elon Musk’s DOGE project could encourage similar partnerships. (Reuters)
+ We saw a demo of the new AI system powering Anduril’s vision for war. (MIT Technology Review)

2 Robotaxi passengers are targets of a new kind of harassment
Riders feeling unsafe are left without a human driver to intervene. (WP $)
+ What’s next for robotaxis.  (MIT Technology Review)
3 This covid season is the most unpredictable yet
Deaths are down. But that doesn’t mean we should fully relax. (The Atlantic $)

4 WhatsApp has won its legal case against NSO Group 
The messaging app claims its spyware exploited a bug to surveil users. (Reuters)
+ The case has been five years in the making. (WP $)
+ NSO Group argued it wasn’t liable as its software was used to investigate crimes. (The Verge)

5 Why Elon Musk is turning his attention to right-wing UK politics 
He’s looking beyond the White House to the more extreme end of British mainstream political parties. (The Guardian)
+ How seriously should we take Elon Musk? (New Yorker $)
+ Donald Trump reminded activists that he’s President-elect, not Musk. (NBC News)
+ But how useful Musk will continue to be for Trump remains to be seen. (The Atlantic $)

6 YouTube is finally cracking down on egregious clickbait
The platform has long rewarded the creators behind misleading videos. (NY Mag $)
+ Hated that video? YouTube’s algorithm might push you another just like it. (MIT Technology Review)

7 What happens when AI collides with crypto
In the wake of the NFT boom, something even scammier is stirring. (The Information $)
+ What happens to bitcoin now that skeptics have become believers? (The Atlantic $)
+ It’s still not clear how AI will affect the economy. (Bloomberg $)
+ How to fine-tune AI for prosperity. (MIT Technology Review)

8 Beware of AI scams over the holidays
From fraudulent text messages to sneakily targeted ads. (WSJ $)
+ Five ways criminals are using AI. (MIT Technology Review)

9 The highs and lows of 2024’s viral moments
I won’t be holding space for them. (The Guardian)

10 NASA’s fastest probe is heading for the sun’s atmosphere
It’ll endure temperatures of over 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit on Christmas Eve. (Wired $)
+ It’ll be the closest any probe has ever come to the sun. (Engadget)

Quote of the day

“I don’t hate these people. I just hate being in their stupid group.”

—Jess, a participant in a group chat for aspiring musicians, tells Insider why leaving the group before the new year is a top priority.

The big story

How Indian health-care workers use WhatsApp to save pregnant women

February 2023

Across India, an all-women cadre of 1 million community health-care workers are responsible for making public health care accessible to people from remote areas and marginalized communities.

These workers counsel pregnant women and ensure they receive proper science-backed health care. Many are turning to WhatsApp as a means to combat the medical misinformation that is rampant across the country and to navigate sensitive medical situations, particularly regarding pregnancy. Their approach has surprisingly good results. Read the full story.

—Sanket Jain

We can still have nice things

A place for comfort, fun and distraction to brighten up your day. (Got any ideas? Drop me a line or tweet ’em at me.)

+ Back in 2009, Rage Against the Machine reached Christmas number one in the UK music charts. Here’s what happened when they were asked to censor their lyrics live on the BBC.
+ Ever wished more films were like Home Alone? You’re in luck.
+ How to make the perfect latke.
+ No one has ever seen a flying reindeer. But that doesn’t mean it’s a theoretical impossibility.