This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology.
Are we ready to hand AI agents the keys?
In recent months, a new class of agents has arrived on the scene: ones built using large language models. Any action that can be captured by text—from playing a video game using written commands to running a social media account—is potentially within the purview of this type of system.
LLM agents don’t have much of a track record yet, but to hear CEOs tell it, they will transform the economy—and soon. Despite that, like chatbot LLMs, agents can be chaotic and unpredictable. Here’s what could happen as we try to integrate them into everything.
—Grace Huckins
This story is from the next print edition of MIT Technology Review, which explores power—who has it, and who wants it. It’s set to go live on Wednesday June 25, so subscribe & save 25% to read it and get a copy of the issue when it lands!
These new batteries are finding a niche
Lithium-ion batteries have some emerging competition: Sodium-based alternatives.
Sodium is more abundant on Earth than lithium, and batteries that use the material could be cheaper in the future. Building