That is in the present day’s version of The Obtain, our weekday publication that gives a every day dose of what’s happening on this planet of know-how.
What we nonetheless don’t find out 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 discovered 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 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 lots we nonetheless don’t find out 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 Expertise Evaluation’s weekly biotech publication. To obtain it in your inbox each Thursday, and browse articles like this primary, join right here.
For those who’re excited by 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 complete story.
+ We’ve by no means understood how starvation works. That is perhaps about to vary. 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 find out about how AI is affecting the economic system
There’s lots at stake relating to 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 will 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 massive 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 Expertise Evaluation “The State of AI” partnership, exploring the worldwide influence of synthetic intelligence. Over the previous month, we’ve been working discussions between our journalists—join right here to obtain future editions each Monday.
The must-reads
I’ve combed the web to search out you in the present day’s most enjoyable/vital/scary/fascinating tales about know-how.
1 Tech billionaires are gearing as much as struggle AI regulation
By amassing multi-million greenback battle chests forward of the 2026 US midterm elections. (WSJ $)
+ Donald Trump’s “Manhattan Undertaking” for AI is actually bold. (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 few humanoid robotic bubble
As a result of greater than 150 corporations there are constructing very comparable machines. (Bloomberg $)
+ It may be taught some classes from the present AI bubble. (CNN)+ Why the humanoid workforce is working late. (MIT Expertise Evaluation)
4 A Myanmar rip-off compound was blown up
However its residents will merely discover new bases for his or her operations. (NYT $)
+ Specialists 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 Expertise Evaluation)
5 Navies the world over are investing in submarine drones
They value a fraction of what it takes to run a conventional manned sub. (The Guardian)
+ How underwater drones may form a possible Taiwan-China battle. (MIT Expertise Evaluation)
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 Expertise Evaluation)
7 The UK is waging a battle on VPNs
Good luck making an attempt to influence 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 development is amping up. (FT $)
+ How ageing clocks will help us perceive why we age—and if we will reverse it. (MIT Expertise Evaluation)
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 for those who’re a dextrous machine. (Reuters)
Quote of the day
“We do fail… lots.”
—Protection firm Anduril explains its move-fast-and-break-things ethos to the Wall Avenue Journal in response to studies its methods have been marred by points in Ukraine.
Yet another factor
The best way to construct a greater AI benchmark
It’s not simple being considered one of 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 one of the in style checks in AI. A SWE-Bench rating has develop into a mainstay of main mannequin releases from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google—and out of doors 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 truly measure AI achievement. Learn the complete story.
—Russell Brandom
We will nonetheless have good issues
A spot for consolation, enjoyable and distraction to brighten up your day. (Acquired any concepts? Drop me a line or skeet ’em at me.)
+ Aww, these sharks seem like enjoying with pool toys.
+ Unusual issues are taking place 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.