⤴⤵ Up Wing/Down Wing #32

A curated selection of pro-progress and anti-progress news items from the week that was

In case you missed it .. .

🌅 A (new) American Golden Age (Monday)

⚛️🌟 Our fusion future: A Quick Q&A with … nuclear engineer Michael Ford (Tuesday)

✨⚡ Can we actually build Stargate? (Wednesday)

🤖 My chat (+transcript) with journalist Nicole Kobie on why the future of tech still hasn’t arrived (Thursday)

✨ DeepSeek, China's new AI challenge (Friday)

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Up Wing Things

✨ China’s new AI model DeepSeek is threatening U.S. dominance. DeepSeek, a Chinese AI lab founded by hedge fund manager Liang Wenfeng, has released its R1 language model along with its technical details — a move that contrasts with US companies like OpenAI who keep their methods private. Using just 2,048 Nvidia chips and $5.6M, DeepSeek achieved results comparable to better-resourced US competitors. Liang, who funds the venture through his hedge fund High-Flyer, has become a national hero in China for advancing the country's AI capabilities despite US export restrictions. (Financial Times)

⭐ US tech ambitions will be boosted by Stargate. The tech industry is buzzing as President Trump has announced the $500 billion Stargate AI project, a private-sector initiative to build 20 state-of-the-art data centers. Backed by major players like OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank, this effort aims to supercharge AI development and solidify America’s leadership in tech innovation. These data centers will provide the infrastructure needed for current and future AI technologies. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, hailed the project as “the most important of this era,” emphasizing its transformative potential. Trump’s move also includes rolling back regulations to streamline AI growth, ensuring smaller companies can thrive alongside industry giants. (Wapo)

🚀 Artificial photosynthesis revolutionizes space exploration. Chinese astronauts aboard the Tiangong Space Station have successfully demonstrated artificial photosynthesis in orbit. Using semiconductor catalysts, they converted carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and rocket fuel components — key resources for long-term space missions. This breakthrough eliminates the need to transport vast amounts of oxygen, a costly and complex challenge for extended missions. Artificial photosynthesis is paving the way for extraterrestrial self-sufficiency and could transform the future of human habitation in space. (Interesting Engineering)

🐝 A buzzing breakthrough for the future of farming. MIT researchers have unveiled a remarkable robotic insect that may make pollination possible even without bees. It also unlocks the possibility of fully indoor farms. These tiny robots, weighing less than a gram, mimic the flapping wings of insects and can hover for an impressive 17 minutes (over 100 times longer than earlier prototypes). Imagine multi-level indoor farms where swarms of robotic insects synchronize to pollinate crops, maximizing yields while reducing environmental impacts. The team even showcased the robot’s dexterity by spelling out "M-I-T" during a test flight, demonstrating its advanced maneuverability. While they’ve made leaps in durability and control, researchers aim to refine the design further, increasing flight duration and enabling selective pollination. With goals to add sensors, batteries, and autonomy, these robotic pollinators are a thrilling glimpse into the future of sustainable farming. (The Debrief)

🧬 Scientists achieve DNA recombination breakthrough. Scientists have completed the first comprehensive map of human DNA recombination, shedding light on the intricate processes that drive genetic diversity. This achievement could revolutionize our understanding of heredity and pave the way for groundbreaking advancements in personalized medicine:

Altogether, the study identified recombination hotspots across the genome that could be pivotal in uncovering genetic factors influencing complex diseases such as cancer and heart disease. These insights hold the promise of refining gene editing techniques and advancing targeted therapies for inherited disorders.

This milestone underscores the power of genomics to transform healthcare, bringing us closer to unlocking the full potential of our DNA. This monumental achievement sets the stage for future discoveries that will shape the future of medicine and human health. (The Debrief)

🌊 Underwater robots revolutionize seafloor exploration. A groundbreaking underwater robot is setting a new standard for ocean exploration by studying the seafloor without causing environmental damage. Advanced sensors and soft robotics allow it to navigate fragile ecosystems while collecting crucial data like high-resolution imaging and precise measurements. With applications ranging from marine biology to sustainable energy exploration, this technology opens new possibilities for understanding and preserving our oceans. (IEEE)

🤖 Anduril’s AI tech is transforming US defense. Anduril Industries is redefining the future of defense with AI-enhanced drones and autonomous systems. Their vision? Fleets of low-cost, mass-producible drones patrolling land, sea, and sky to safeguard the US with unparalleled efficiency. The technology is addressing critical challenges in defense:

“We are paying millions to shoot down something that costs thousands,” said Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, referring to the cost asymmetry between high-tech missiles and cheaper threats like drones. “We’re on the wrong end of that.”

Anduril’s drones offer a cost-effective alternative to traditional weapons systems, positioning the US military to meet modern security demands. With plans to invest $1 billion in a new Ohio factory, Anduril is leading the charge in AI-driven defense innovation, ensuring American technological superiority in an evolving battlefield. (Wapo)

☀️ Turning panels vertical gives solar energy a new angle. Farmers can now harness renewable energy without sacrificing crop yields, thanks to vertical solar panels. Unlike traditional tilted solar arrays, these vertical panels leave ample field space for farming while providing additional benefits:

“The team found the vertical panels reduced average wind speeds over the crop field by around 50 per cent compared with a control field while helping maintain humidity in the field, and there was no reduction in crop yield overall,” says Marta Victoria, one of the researchers involved in the study.

The panels also generate electricity during mornings and evenings, aligning with peak energy demand. This agrovoltaic technology could redefine farming practices worldwide, allowing farmers to maximize productivity while contributing to a greener future. (NS)

🧠 Mind-controlled computer systems are here. Scientists have unveiled a brain-computer interface (BCI) capable of controlling a virtual drone using human thought alone. This shows BCIs’ potential to bridge the gap between human cognition and external devices. Participants in the experiment demonstrated remarkable control over drones, navigating them through complex environments using neural signals interpreted by the system. Fields ranging from assistive technologies to defense and logistics have enormous potential to benefit from this breakthrough. BCIs could empower individuals with mobility impairments, revolutionize virtual reality experiences, and enhance remote operations in hazardous environments. Researchers are now focusing on refining the system to improve precision and adaptability. (The Debrief)

🤖 Robots are hitting their stride, literally. The latest advancements in humanoid and quadruped robotics showcase jaw-dropping speed and agility, redefining what these machines can do. Take the Unitree G1 Bionic, a humanoid marvel running smoothly over uneven terrain. Quadrupeds are pushing the limits of speed, exemplified by the Black Panther V2.0:

The Black Panther V2.0 robot dog is now sprinting as fast as 10.4 meters per second. That's more than 23 mph (37 km/h), and with a 100-meter sprint time under 10 seconds, the Panther can now run with elite human athletes. To get there, the researchers had to replace the robot's legs with a sprung lower-leg shock-absorbing system and grippy rubber feet to crank up the motor power.

These advancements aren't just about speed. Robots are mastering essential tasks like navigating human environments, lifting, and using tools, skills that could reshape industries as declining birth rates drive the demand for robotic labor. The age of intelligent robots is here, and it’s exhilarating to watch! (NA)

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On sale everywhere ⏩ The Conservative Futurist: How To Create the Sci-Fi World We Were Promised

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Down Wing Things

💵 Trump’s tariff plans raise fears of retail fallout. President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff proposals are creating a wave of uncertainty for retailers already juggling post-pandemic supply chain issues, inflation, and tough competition. Many small-business owners worry that steep taxes on imported goods could slash their already thin margins, push up prices for customers, and threaten their survival. Trump’s proposed universal tariffs, along with product-specific levies as high as 200 percent, have left retailers scrambling to import stock ahead of potential price hikes. Yet, holding excess inventory comes with risks, especially as rising interest rates squeeze capital. Economists warn that broad tariffs could raise costs on daily essentials like groceries, fuel, and clothing, worsening inflation for American families. Retailers reliant on imports, particularly from China, face few alternatives as shifting supply chains remains complex and costly. Uncertainty looms, with businesses bracing for potential economic disruption if these tariffs materialize. (NYT)

🚀 SpaceX starship explosion sparks regulatory probe and delays. SpaceX faces heightened scrutiny after the explosion of its Starship rocket during a test flight from Boca Chica, Texas. The FAA has even grounded future launches and is initiating an investigation to determine the cause of the mishap, which scattered debris over the Caribbean and disrupted flights. The incident, labeled a “rapid unscheduled disassembly” by SpaceX, is a significant setback for Elon Musk’s $350 billion space company. While Musk downplayed the failure, citing “success is uncertain,” the timing is critical as rival Blue Origin achieved a successful maiden launch of its New Glenn rocket on the same day. The FAA’s involvement underscores concerns about safety and oversight in the rapidly growing commercial space industry. With public and regulatory confidence at stake, SpaceX must resolve these issues to maintain its leadership in reusable rocket technology and ambitious plans for interplanetary exploration. (FT)

🌐 US-China AI arms race raises global concerns. The escalating AI competition between the US and China comes with significant risks. Experts warn that an unchecked arms race could lead to unregulated AI deployment, increased geopolitical tensions, and major ethical dilemmas. Both nations are pouring billions into AI research for military and economic dominance, fueling a competition cycle. AI advancements could risk autonomous weapons and surveillance technology misuse, undermining global stability and trust:

When we consider this dynamic more deeply, it becomes clear that the real existential threat ahead is not from China, but from the weaponization of advanced AI by bad actors and rogue groups who seek to create broad harms, gain wealth, or destabilize society. As with nuclear arms, China, as a nation-state, must be careful about using AI-powered capabilities against US interests, but bad actors, including extremist organizations, would be much more likely to abuse AI capabilities with little hesitation.

The lack of international agreements on AI governance and rapid pace of development without proper oversight could lead to unintended consequences. This AI arms race highlights the urgent need for collaborative frameworks to ensure AI benefits humanity. (MIT Tech Review)

🚨 Trump shocks NIH researchers with grant freeze. In an unprecedented move, the Trump administration has paused research-grant reviews, travel, and communications at the National Institutes of Health, the largest public funder of biomedical research globally. This decision temporarily freezes 80 percent of the NIH's $47 billion budget, leaving thousands of research projects in limbo. Scientists warn that the freeze could derail progress on critical biomedical advancements and disproportionately harm early-career researchers who rely on timely funding decisions. Grant-review panels, scheduled months in advance, have been abruptly canceled without clarity on when or how they will resume. While the administration frames the pause as a restructuring effort, critics argue it undermines the NIH's mission and the will of Congress, which allocates the agency's funding. This disruption adds uncertainty to a research ecosystem crucial for public health and scientific innovation. (Nature)

💰 The US insurance system is in bad shape. The system is buckling under the pressure of rising risks, from natural disasters to financial instability, as Americans increasingly resist the rising costs of protection. In Florida, the situation highlights systemic weaknesses as private insurers pull back:

As in California, Florida homeowners flocked to the government backstop, Citizens Property Insurance. Like California, Florida has taken steps to make its insurance market financially viable. It has cracked down on litigation and allowed Citizens to raise premiums. Nonetheless, Citizens last year said premiums are 22% below the actuarially sound level.

Nationwide, disaster relief costs have tripled in recent years, burdening taxpayers. Without meaningful reforms to align premiums with actual risks and enforce mitigation measures, these mounting liabilities threaten the stability of households and the broader economy. (WSJ)