China makes strides in brain implant technological advancements
In the rapidly evolving world of technology, several significant developments are shaping the future. From AI advancements to brain implant technology and de-extinction efforts, here's a roundup of the latest news.
Colossal Biosciences, a leading name in de-extinction and genetic rescue, has made headlines after successfully growing pigeon primordial germ cells. The company recently announced an additional $120 million in funding, bringing its valuation to a staggering $10.3 billion. Notably, another organisation, Revive & Restore, is also making strides in de-extinction, with financial support from conservation and science foundations such as the Audubon Society and private donors.
Meanwhile, in the realm of artificial intelligence, Anthropic and OpenAI have released reports on global AI usage this week. According to the reports, AI is becoming an economic divider, with the US dominating Claude usage, a term yet to be clearly defined. Interestingly, computer and mathematical tasks dominate Claude's usage at 36%, while less than 8% of total ChatGPT usage is dedicated to these tasks. Teaching and writing help are common on ChatGPT, tasks that have gained popularity for Claude users since the start of the year.
OpenAI's models are used most prominently as a Google search engine, with 18% of queries. However, the debate about AI's impact on society continues. Adobe Chief Legal Officer Louise Pentland is advocating for policymakers to widen their perspective on AI beyond chatbots. She believes that a broader understanding is crucial for making informed decisions about the technology's future.
In a different context, China is adopting a whole government approach to advance in brain implant technology. The country aims to establish several global leaders in this field and a comprehensive ecosystem by 2030. Shanghai StairMed Technology is making inroads in the brain implant industry, competing with Elon Musk's Neuralink.
The National Healthcare Security Administration in China is also laying out ways for reimbursing brain implant surgeries through its state insurance fund. On the other hand, the Trump administration has cut the National Institutes of Health's 2025 BRAIN Initiative budget by 20% compared to the previous year.
A study by researchers at Rice University has shed light on the dietary habits of early human species. Using AI, they analysed bite marks on the fossils of Homo habilis and found that leopards were the primary predator. The study challenges the view that Homo habilis was an emerging top predator and supports the theory that predators were still a serious threat to early humans.
Lastly, Tony Stubblebine, the CEO of Medium, has made the company profitable for the first time and is planning to leverage AI for its benefit. Stubblebine is also backing the Really Simple Licensing standard, which allows publishers to embed licensing terms on their websites, potentially requiring AI companies to compensate content creators for using and citing articles. As confidence in AI grows, with 15% of Americans being confident that the US will have the most advanced AI in a decade, the future of technology seems brighter than ever.
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