Future Digest #2: Space based solar power; Sulfer launched into atmosphere; You.com integrates AI
Good morning ☀️
This weekly digest from Definite Optimism brings you the key stories that are impacting our future.
🚀 Space
Northrop Grumman completed tests to demonstrate a breakthrough in the development of space-based solar power. The company is planning a demonstration of space-based solar power in 2025. The part they just completed is the ability to direct radio frequency waves towards different antennae by steering the beam of energy.
Why it matters
When I first read this story, I was kind of confused why anyone would want or need solar power in space. After all, there is lots of room on Earth for solar panels. But after digging a deeper, I understood there are a few reasons why space based solar could be useful. On Earth, solar power is variable, with clouds, time of day, and latitude impacting how much power is generated. But in space, satellites can receive sunlight 99% of the time, at ~150% of the intensity available on Earth. QUD - more power. Additionally, the power that is generated can be quickly redirected - using the breakthrough described above - to areas that need it most, such as during peak load requirements or after a power outage.
🧬 Biotech
Make Sunsets has launched balloons containing reflective sulphur particles into the stratosphere, marking a controversial milestone in the field of climate engineering. The idea is to reduce global warming by reflecting sunlight back into space. This mimics the natural process that occurs after a volcanic eruption.
Why it matters
Scientists have largely refrained from experiments in this area (previous experiments don’t necessarily fill us with confidence), and it is not clear that anyone has previously injected materials into the stratosphere for research at this scale. One big concern is that we don’t really understand the possible side effects of chucking stuff into the atmosphere, and that these side effects could have impacts far beyond the initial experiment site. It’s fair to say, many scientists are not thrilled by the actions of this small company. The company, in turn, argues that the world is moving too slowly to address the effects of climate change, and that more radical interventions are now needed. I hope the company is right…but ‘move fast and break things’ isn’t the best motto when dealing with the climate that ultimately we all have to share.
🤖 AI
Search engine You.com has added a ChatGPT-based interface to its search engine. Interestingly, while ChatGPT is unable to access search results or any information generated after 2021, the version on You.com seems to be able to access current weather information and even link to conversations that have happened on social media (see the screenshot I took above)
Why it matters
One interesting question is whether the new AI breakthroughs are going to be added to existing products as new features, or whether they will lead to a wave of AI first companies. New companies are already sprouting up, such as Lensa for images and Lex for writing. But on the other side established companies such as Notion are adding AI assistance as a feature. Will You.com become the new Google, or will Google be able to add more AI to it’s own products to keep up?
I hope you enjoyed this digest of the future this week. Let me know what you think by hitting reply or one of the feedback buttons below.
Until next week
Jamie
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