The rise of AI comes with a growing carbon footprint and increased demand for electricity. Analysts Project that AI could increase data center energy consumption by 160% this decade. So how worried should we be? Editor-in-Chief David Rotman, Senior AI Reporter Melissa Heikkilä and Energy Editor James Temple explored the energy tradeoffs involved in AI.
CRISPR babies: six years later
Gene editing can correct or improve the DNA of human embryos, potentially opening the door to the “technological evolution” of our species. But in 2018, a premature attempt to use the technology in this way led to a prison sentence for He Jiankui, the researcher involved. Editor-in-Chief Mat Honan and Biomedicine Editor-in-Chief Antonio Regalado had a conversation with He, a biophysicist and creator of the first genetically modified humans, to revisit this controversial technology and the future of editing in IVF clinics .
Why thermal batteries are so hot right now
Thermal batteries could play a key role in cleaning heavy industry. Editor-in-Chief Amy Nordrum and senior climate reporter Casey Crownhart told us what we can expect from this emerging technology, which was also voted on. the 11th disruptive technology of 2024 by our readers.