CHINA’S DEEPSEEK CLAIMS AI MODEL COSTING A FRACTION

China’s DeepSeek, a startup based in Hangzhou, has stirred controversy with its claim of developing an AI model, R1, at a fraction of the cost of models by Google and OpenAI. DeepSeek’s announcement challenged the assumption of U.S. dominance in AI, citing a $5.6 million cost for training R1, a stark contrast to OpenAI’s $100 million for GPT-4. However, skepticism surrounds DeepSeek’s budget claims, with some suggesting it had access to advanced chips and funding not disclosed. Critics, including tech figures like Palmer Luckey and Elon Musk, have questioned DeepSeek’s narrative, calling it “Chinese propaganda” or speculating about undisclosed chip use. Despite these doubts, DeepSeek’s work represents a significant achievement, though its model is limited by Chinese censorship, excluding sensitive topics like Tiananmen Square and Taiwan. Meanwhile, the initial panic over DeepSeek’s potential impact on U.S. tech receded, with Nvidia’s stock rebounding. (Al-Jazeera)

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DEEPSEEK FACES GDPR COMPLAINT OVER DATA HANDLING PRACTICES

DeepSeek, the Chinese AI startup, has sparked controversy not only for its potential to disrupt the AI industry but also for its data handling practices. Euroconsumers, a European consumer coalition, has filed a complaint with the Italian Data Protection Authority (DPA) regarding DeepSeek’s compliance with the GDPR, specifically its data collection, transfer, and storage practices. The DPA has requested information from DeepSeek about what personal data it collects, how it processes it, and its storage on servers in China. Additionally, concerns have been raised about the platform’s lack of protections for minors and transparency about data usage. DeepSeek has not responded to requests for comment, and the European Commission has stated it is too early to comment on whether DeepSeek violates EU regulations. Questions about potential copyright infringement and the use of proprietary data from other AI models are also emerging, further complicating DeepSeek’s position in the global AI landscape. (Tech Crunch)

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SILICON VALLEY’S RIGHTWARD SHIFT AND THE RISE OF MASCULINITY

In the 1990s, Silicon Valley’s tech culture displayed early signs of a rightward shift, often linked to the celebration of male entrepreneurship and a backlash against political correctness (PC). Figures like George Gilder, a social conservative and futurist, promoted a vision of tech that combined capitalism with traditional gender roles, viewing entrepreneurs as moral heroes who could restore societal norms. This idea gained traction as tech entrepreneurs, including Steve Jobs and Marc Andreessen, became celebrated icons of American masculinity, with their success framed as a path to economic salvation. However, this ideal also sparked backlash, as tech figures like TJ Rodgers opposed diversity initiatives and dismissed calls for more inclusive practices, such as those from civil rights leader Jesse Jackson. Today, this reactionary legacy is evident in the actions of modern tech moguls like Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk, who are revisiting these old anti-PC sentiments, revealing how deeply these ideologies are embedded in Silicon Valley’s DNA. (The Guardian)

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RFK JR. FACES SCRUTINY OVER ANTI-VACCINE VIEWS AND CONTROVERSIAL COMMENTS

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s confirmation hearing for President Trump’s Health and Human Services secretary role is set to scrutinize his controversial comments, particularly his long-standing anti-vaccine rhetoric. Kennedy has made numerous false claims, including that vaccines cause autism and that they are unsafe, despite extensive evidence to the contrary. He has also spread conspiratorial views on Covid-19, including claims about the virus being ethnically targeted and promoting unproven remedies like vitamin D and hydroxychloroquine. In addition to his vaccine stance, Kennedy has been criticized for his flip-flopping views on abortion rights and his history of peddling AIDS denialism. His past remarks, comparing Covid-19 mandates to Nazi Germany and apartheid laws, have sparked backlash across the political spectrum. Once a progressive environmental lawyer, Kennedy shifted to a MAGA-aligned platform, and Trump nominated him to lead the nation’s health agencies, giving him control over a $1 trillion budget. (CNN)

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TRUMP’S EXECUTIVE ORDER ENDS DEI PROGRAMS IN FEDERAL SCIENCE AGENCIES

President Trump’s executive order targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs has led to significant changes across federal science agencies, which are now closing DEI offices and ending DEI-focused initiatives. Scientists and researchers reliant on these programs, like those promoting diversity in STEM, are facing cuts to funding and uncertainty. Programs such as the NIH Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research have been abruptly ended, with some diversity grants being labeled as expired. NASA and the Department of Energy have also halted DEI-related requirements for contractors and grantees. These actions, supported by political figures like Senator Ted Cruz, have drawn criticism from researchers who argue that DEI initiatives support underrepresented groups, including disabled individuals and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Despite the policy shift, many researchers are determined to protect their work, emphasizing the importance of inclusive science for all communities. (Science)

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TRUMP NOMINATES MICHAEL KRATSIOS AS SCIENCE ADVISER DESPITE LACK OF SCIENCE DEGREES

President Trump has nominated Michael Kratsios, a former tech policy manager with no formal science or engineering degrees, to be his science adviser. While Kratsios lacks traditional academic credentials in science, his experience in technology policy, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI), has made him an attractive candidate for those seeking to strengthen U.S. competitiveness against China in tech development. However, critics, including experts like Michael S. Lubell, warn that his appointment marks a departure from the tradition of appointing science advisers with strong scientific backgrounds and could lead to budget cuts in crucial areas like climate science and biomedicine. Kratsios has previously served as Deputy Assistant for Technology Policy and later as Chief Technology Officer, where he pushed for stronger AI policies. Despite his lack of formal science training, supporters point to his practical experience in technology and defense, suggesting his ability to guide national priorities in these sectors. (New York Times)

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PUBLIC TRUST IN U.S. HEALTH AGENCIES CONTINUES TO DECLINE, POLL SHOWS

A recent poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) shows a continued erosion in public trust toward U.S. health agencies, a trend that began during the COVID-19 pandemic. Trust in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) dropped from 66% in June 2023 to 61%, and trust in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and state/local health officials fell even more, from 65% to 53% and 64% to 54%, respectively. Individual doctors, though still the most trusted source, also saw a decline in trust from 93% to 85%. Partisan divides persist, with Democrats showing much higher trust in health agencies compared to Republicans. The poll also revealed an increase in Republican parents delaying or skipping childhood vaccinations, rising from 13% in 2023 to 26%. Additionally, myths about COVID-19 vaccination persist, particularly among Republicans. As for future health crises, the public is divided on whether the U.S. is more prepared than it was in 2020. (CIDRAP)

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BOOM SUPERSONIC BREAKS SOUND BARRIER WITH XB-1 DEMONSTRATOR FLIGHT

On Tuesday, Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 demonstrator made history by breaking the sound barrier for the first time, reaching Mach 1.122 during a flight over California’s Mojave Desert. Piloted by former U.S. Navy aviator Tristan Brandenburg, the aircraft successfully broke the sound barrier three times before returning to Mojave Air & Space Port. This achievement marks a major milestone for Boom Supersonic, which aims to bring commercial supersonic travel back. The XB-1 is a one-third scale prototype for Boom’s planned Overture aircraft, designed to fly at Mach 1.7 with a maximum speed of Mach 2.2, a range of 4,500 miles, and capacity for 55 passengers. While the XB-1’s flight proves key technologies for the Overture, Boom still faces the challenge of developing the full-sized aircraft. The company has already secured 130 orders from major airlines like American, United, and Japan Airlines and aims to deliver the Overture by the end of the decade. (Ars Technica)

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RESEARCHERS DISCOVER “DARK PROTEINS” IN CELLS, SPARKING NEW SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY

In 2009, Jonathan Weissman and his team developed a method, called ribosome profiling, to measure protein production inside cells. They were surprised to discover that ribosomes were not only making proteins from known genes but also producing thousands of previously unknown “dark proteins” from parts of the genome that were not thought to encode proteins. These proteins are often short and unique, and although some may play important roles in cell functions, their significance remains unclear. Recent efforts have focused on cataloging these dark proteins and understanding their potential impact on health, particularly in cancer, where they seem to be abundant. While some researchers believe many of these proteins might have regulatory or transient roles, others are exploring their potential as therapeutic targets, especially in cancer treatments. Despite the uncertainties about their function, dark proteins are becoming a focus of scientific inquiry, with some even suggesting they could represent a new form of genetic innovation. (Nature)

Thanks for reading. Let’s be careful out there.

WORDS: The Biology Guy.

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