The Download: the North Pole’s future and humanoid data

The Download: the North Pole’s future and humanoid data Plus: Google, Microsoft, Amazon and Meta have all set AI spending records. 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. Digging for clues about the North Pole’s past In the past, getting to the North Pole involved a treacherous trip through ice many meters thick. But last year, a research vessel encountered open water and thin ice, which created an easy passage. It provided a reminder of how quickly the Arctic is changing. Now scientists are digging deep below the seabed to find out if the Arctic Ocean was ever ice-free—and what that could mean for the future of Earth’s northernmost waters. Here’s what they hope to discover. —Tim Kalvelage This story is from the latest issue of our print magazine, which is all about nature. Check out the full issue here, and subscribe to get the next one when it lands. Humanoid data: 10 Things That Matter in AI Right Now I was recently invited to join an app that would pay me to film myself doing tasks like putting food in a bowl and microwaving it. Another site asked if I’d like to remotely control a robotic arm to help improve its dexterity. What on earth is happening? These examples are just part of a growing push by robotics companies to collect data on our movements for training humanoids. As the race for real-world data heats up, our everyday movements are being turned into training data. Read the full story. —James O'Donnell Humanoid data is one of our 10 Things That Matter in AI Right Now, a new look at the big ideas, trends, and technologies really worth your attention in the buzzy world of AI. The must-reads I’ve combed the internet to find you today’s most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology. 1 Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta have all set AI spending records Collectively, they’re up 71% on the same quarter last year. (NYT $) + Microsoft, Google and Amazon reported big payoffs from the splurge. (FT $) + But Meta’s shares slid after its plans spooked investors. (BBC) + What even is the AI bubble? (MIT Technology Review) 2 The White House opposes Anthropic’s plan to expand Mythos access It’s concerned about the model’s cyber risks. (Bloomberg $) + And worried that the government will lose compute access. (WSJ $) + Anthropic is seeking funding at a valuation over $900 billion. (Bloomberg $) 3 Elon Musk has claimed OpenAI’s leaders “looted the nonprofit” During testimony, Musk said he “was a fool” for trusting them. (Gizmodo) + But he had raised his own concerns about OpenAI’s non-profit status. (The Verge) + The case could reshape the AI landscape. (MIT Technology Review) 4 Autonomous vehicles may be worsening According to emergency first-responders, glitches are increasing. (Wired) 5 OpenAI has abandoned much of its Stargate plan It will no longer develop its own data centers.…