There’s a lot at stake when it comes to understanding how AI is changing the economy right now. Should we be pessimistic? Optimistic? Or is the situation too nuanced for that?
Hopefully, we can point you towards some answers. Mat Honan, our editor in chief, will hold a special subscriber-only Roundtables conversation with our editor at large David Rotman, and Richard Waters, Financial Times columnist, exploring what’s happening across different markets. Register here to join us at 1pm ET on Tuesday December 9.
The event is part of the Financial Times and MIT Technology Review “The State of AI” partnership, exploring the global impact of artificial intelligence. Over the past month, we’ve been running discussions between our journalists—sign up here to receive future editions every Monday.
The must-reads
I’ve combed the internet to find you today’s most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.
1 Tech billionaires are gearing up to fight AI regulation
By amassing multi-million dollar war chests ahead of the 2026 US midterm elections. (WSJ $)
+ Donald Trump’s “Manhattan Project” for AI is certainly ambitious. (The Information $)
2 The EU wants to hold social media platforms liable for financial scams
New rules will force tech firms to compensate banks if they fail to remove reported scams. (Politico)
3 China is worried about a humanoid robot bubble
Because more than 150 companies there are building very similar machines. (Bloomberg $)
+ It could learn some lessons from the current AI bubble. (CNN)+ Why the humanoid workforce is running late. (MIT Technology Review)
4 A Myanmar scam compound was blown up
But its residents will simply find new bases for their operations. (NYT $)
+ Experts suspect the destruction may have been for show. (Wired $)
+ Inside a romance scam compound—and how people get tricked into being there. (MIT Technology Review)
5 Navies across the world are investing in submarine drones
They cost a fraction of what it takes to run a traditional manned sub. (The Guardian)
+ How underwater drones could shape a potential Taiwan-China conflict. (MIT Technology Review)
6 What to expect from China’s seemingly unstoppable innovation drive
Its extremely permissive regulators play a big role. (Economist $)
+ Is China about to win the AI race? (MIT Technology Review)