The Download: the hunt for underground hydrogen and more rogue OpenAI agents

2 The US military has disabled ad trackers due to Middle East targeting fears
Commercial location data has reportedly been used to target troops. (Reuters $) 
+ It can be sold by data brokers and used to track personnel. (Gizmodo)
+ The military is increasing restrictions on phone use overall. (Guardian)

3 A company claims its AI-designed drug can reverse aging markers
Patients’ average biological age fell by as much as six years in a clinical trial. (NYT $)
+ Insilico Medicine developed the drug, called rentosertib. (Bloomberg $)
+ Who gets the credit for AI-designed drugs? (MIT Technology Review)

4 Elon Musk’s xAI has lost its bid to block an AI-nudification ban
The Minnesota law aims to curb nonconsensual sexual images and CSAM. (Politico)
+ xAI argues the measure restricts free ​speech. (Reuters $)
+ Deepfakes are being weaponized. (MIT Technology Review)

5 The US is investigating Tesla’s rollout of Cybercab robotaxis
Regulators are probing how Tesla self-certified the unusual vehicle. (TechCrunch)
+ The robotaxi lacks a steering wheel and pedals. (Politico)
+ But Tesla CEO Elon Musk is not known to wait for regulations. (Reuters $)

6 Europe has its first commercial orbital rocket
The Spectrum is the first rocket to reach orbit from mainland Europe. (Verge)
+ German startup Isar Aerospace launched it from Norway. (Guardian)
+ Here’s what else we’re putting in space. (MIT Technology Review)

7 Tumbler Ridge shooting survivors have filed 30 lawsuits against OpenAI
They say OpenAI should have alerted police before the attack.(NYT $)

8 JD Vance’s “satanic” AI warning has resonated with Christian Republicans
AI’s spiritual consequences are causing growing concern. (WSJ $)

9 Another mysteriously perfect geometric shape has appeared on Saturn
Scientists still don’t know why Saturn forms these strange shapes. (Wired $)

10 Fake ads for AI grandfathers and underwear are targeting “slop voice”
Comedians created the viral campaign in New York subways. (New Yorker $)