That is at this time’s version of The Obtain, our weekday publication that gives a each day dose of what’s occurring 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, turned 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 folks with Alzheimer’s illness. And that individuals who cease taking the medication after they turn into pregnant can expertise doubtlessly 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 quite a bit 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 Know-how Overview’s weekly biotech publication. To obtain it in your inbox each Thursday, and skim articles like this primary, join right here.
If you happen to’re interested by weight reduction medication and the way they have an effect on us, check out:
+ GLP-1 agonists like Wegovy, Ozempic, and Mounjaro may profit coronary heart and mind well being—however analysis suggests they could additionally trigger being pregnant problems and hurt some customers. Learn the complete story.
+ We’ve by no means understood how starvation works. That could be about to vary. Learn the complete story.
+ Weight-loss injections have taken over the web. However what does this imply for folks IRL?
+ This vibrating weight-loss capsule appears to work—in pigs. Learn the complete story.
What we find out about how AI is affecting the financial system
There’s quite a bit at stake relating to understanding how AI is altering the financial 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 giant David Rotman, and Richard Waters, Monetary Occasions columnist, exploring what’s taking place throughout totally different markets. Register right here to hitch us at 1pm ET on Tuesday December 9.
The occasion is a part of the Monetary Occasions and MIT Know-how Overview “The State of AI” partnership, exploring the worldwide influence of synthetic intelligence. Over the previous month, we’ve been operating discussions between our journalists—join 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 know-how.
1 Tech billionaires are gearing as much as struggle AI regulation
By amassing multi-million greenback conflict chests forward of the 2026 US midterm elections. (WSJ $)
+ Donald Trump’s “Manhattan Undertaking” for AI is definitely bold. (The Data $)
2 The EU desires to carry social media platforms answerable for monetary scams
New guidelines will drive tech corporations to compensate banks in the event that they fail to take away reported scams. (Politico)
3 China is fearful a couple of humanoid robotic bubble
As a result of greater than 150 corporations there are constructing very related machines. (Bloomberg $)
+ It might 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 $)
+ Specialists suspect the destruction might have been for present. (Wired $)
+ Inside a romance rip-off compound—and the way folks get tricked into being there. (MIT Know-how Overview)
5 Navies the world over are investing in submarine drones
They price a fraction of what it takes to run a conventional manned sub. (The Guardian)
+ How underwater drones might 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 function. (Economist $)
+ Is China about to win the AI race? (MIT Know-how Overview)
7 The UK is waging a conflict on VPNs
Good luck attempting to influence folks to cease utilizing them. (The Verge)
8 We’re studying extra about Jeff Bezos’ mysterious clock venture
He’s backed the Clock of the Lengthy Now for years—and building is amping up. (FT $)
+ How growing old clocks may help us perceive why we age—and if we will 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 in the event you’re a dextrous machine. (Reuters)
Quote of the day
“We do fail… quite a bit.”
—Protection firm Anduril explains its move-fast-and-break-things ethos to the Wall Road Journal in response to reviews its techniques have been marred by points in Ukraine.
Yet another factor
Methods to construct a greater AI benchmark
It’s not straightforward being one among Silicon Valley’s favourite benchmarks.
SWE-Bench (pronounced “swee bench”) launched in November 2024 as a method to consider an AI mannequin’s coding talent. It has since rapidly turn into probably the most widespread exams in AI. A SWE-Bench rating has turn 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 sport the system—which is pushing many others to wonder if there’s a greater method 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. (Received 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.
