The Download: open model trade-offs and geothermal power’s promise

In this edition of The Download, two main stories are highlighted. First, the debate over the openness of next‑generation AI models has intensified following Anthropic’s report, which warns of cyber‑attack risks linked to a recent model from the Chinese company Z.ai that is freely downloadable and modifiable. Security advocates argue that unrestricted distribution enables malicious use, while proponents of openness contend that it would prevent the concentration of technological power in a handful of corporations.

Second, the piece spotlights Fervo Energy, a firm aiming to broaden geothermal power use through horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, potentially making the technology viable in regions where it was previously impractical. The company has secured a substantial public investment and strengthened its partnership with Google, with the goal of building larger plants and cutting generation costs.

These stories matter because how open models are managed will shape global cyber‑security, and expanding geothermal energy offers a promising path to diversify the energy mix and achieve significant carbon‑emission reductions.

Read the original article on MIT Technology Review

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