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Technology

Uncovering and explaining how our digital world is changing — and changing us.

The 10(ish) most read Future Perfect stories of 2024
Future Perfect

Why young people are getting cancer, problems with OpenAI, and the little intelligence agency that could.

By Bryan Walsh
The 10(ish) most read Future Perfect stories of 2024
Future Perfect

Why young people are getting cancer, problems with OpenAI, and the little intelligence agency that could.

By Bryan Walsh
House Republicans just exposed the limits of Trump’s powerHouse Republicans just exposed the limits of Trump’s power
Politics

That bodes poorly for his agenda next year.

By Eric Levitz
The people who deliver your Amazon packages are striking. Here’s why.The people who deliver your Amazon packages are striking. Here’s why.
Amazon

Drivers and delivery workers are trying to disrupt Amazon’s Christmas package deliveries.

By Ellen Ioanes
The rise of artificial intelligence, explainedThe rise of artificial intelligence, explained
Technology

Understand how ChatGPT, Stable Diffusion, and DALL-E are transforming our world — from text and image generation to how we live and work.

By Shira Tarlo

The latest in Technology

5 breakthroughs that improved our lives this year — and 1 that didn’t5 breakthroughs that improved our lives this year — and 1 that didn’t
TechnologyMember Exclusive

The tech innovations that made the world a slightly better place this year.

By Adam Clark Estes
The Supreme Court will race to decide whether the government may ban TikTokThe Supreme Court will race to decide whether the government may ban TikTok
Supreme Court

The federal law targeting TikTok takes effect January 19. The Supreme Court appears likely to resolve this case by then.

By Ian Millhiser
The drone hysteria is a glimpse of the futureThe drone hysteria is a glimpse of the future
Future PerfectMember Exclusive

Thousands of people were convinced they were seeing drone swarms. Get used to it.

By Bryan Walsh
How China could try to strangle Taiwan without firing a shot
World Politics

The Taiwan invasion everyone fears might never happen. Here’s what could take place instead.

By Joshua Keating
What really mattered in 2024What really mattered in 2024
Future Perfect

The stories that will endure from a wild year.

By Kelsey Piper
The tax penalty on married women hiding in plain sightThe tax penalty on married women hiding in plain sight
Policy

Millions would be better off if the US changed its joint filing system.

By Rachel Cohen
One quick trick to make AI actually usefulOne quick trick to make AI actually useful
Technology

If you’re still skeptical of using AI in your life, try our One Annoying Chore Test.

By Adam Clark Estes
An AI that sees what you seeAn AI that sees what you see
Technology

Microsoft wants an AI companion to follow you around the web. This is only the beginning.

By Adam Clark Estes
Crumbl’s massive empire was never about the cookiesCrumbl’s massive empire was never about the cookies
MoneyMember Exclusive

How the dessert company taps into the never-ending cycle of hyper-consumption.

By Whizy Kim
Is TikTok getting banned? What Trump’s election means for its fate.Is TikTok getting banned? What Trump’s election means for its fate.
Trump 2.0, explained

TikTok faces an impending court decision this week. But the fight might not end there.

By Nicole Narea
Is AI progress slowing down?Is AI progress slowing down?
Future Perfect

Maybe — but it matters much less than you think.

By Kelsey Piper
Your drawer full of old cables is worth more than you thinkYour drawer full of old cables is worth more than you think
TechnologyMember Exclusive

Recycle your old electronics. It’s easy, we promise.

By Adam Clark Estes
Want to help animals? Here’s where to donate your money.Want to help animals? Here’s where to donate your money.
Future Perfect

These are the most effective charities for reducing animal suffering.

By Sigal Samuel and Kenny Torrella
The perils of using payment apps as your bank accountThe perils of using payment apps as your bank account
Technology

Yes, you can use an app as your checking account — but there are risks.

By Adam Clark Estes
Elon Musk and the age of shameless oligarchyElon Musk and the age of shameless oligarchy
Money

We’ve never seen a political donor this loud, proud, and culturally influential.

By Whizy Kim
Why Elon Musk can never balance the budget, in one chartWhy Elon Musk can never balance the budget, in one chart
PolicyMember Exclusive

Elon Musk wants to slash trillions in “waste.” Good luck, buddy!

By Dylan Matthews
You deserve a better browser than Google ChromeYou deserve a better browser than Google Chrome
Technology

The government’s effort to break up Google will take years. Why not ditch Chrome now?

By Adam Clark Estes
There’s never been a better time to buy a used phoneThere’s never been a better time to buy a used phone
Technology

Buying refurbished devices saves you money — and helps the planet.

By Adam Clark Estes
Shannon Vallor says AI does present an existential risk — but not the one you think
Future Perfect

AI is not a “stochastic parrot,” It’s a mirror, says the philosopher.

By Sigal Samuel
Project 2025 is penetrating the Trump administration alreadyProject 2025 is penetrating the Trump administration already
Trump 2.0, explained

Trump shunned Project 2025. He’s picking its authors for Cabinet positions anyway.

By Nicole Narea
Bluesky brings the fun, weird vibes of old Twitter back to lifeBluesky brings the fun, weird vibes of old Twitter back to life
Technology

As more users flee X, a clearer, sunnier social media age is dawning.

By Adam Clark Estes and Aja Romano
What to buy before Trump makes everything more expensiveWhat to buy before Trump makes everything more expensive
Trump 2.0, explainedMember Exclusive

Tariffs and rebate cuts are coming for your favorite gadgets and appliances.

By Adam Clark Estes
Trump tapped Musk to co-lead the “Department of Government Efficiency.” What the heck is that?Trump tapped Musk to co-lead the “Department of Government Efficiency.” What the heck is that?
Trump 2.0, explained

The new presidential commission sounds like a joke. It isn’t.

By Abdallah Fayyad
How to bring a dead nuclear power plant back to lifeHow to bring a dead nuclear power plant back to life
ClimateMember Exclusive

Tech companies need more energy. They’re about to do something unprecedented.

By Umair Irfan
Trump’s techno-libertarian dream team goes to WashingtonTrump’s techno-libertarian dream team goes to Washington
Trump 2.0, explained

Silicon Valley didn’t shift right. It just wants to be left alone.

By Adam Clark Estes
You may never need to remember another passwordYou may never need to remember another password
TechnologyMember Exclusive

Thanks to passkeys, a world without passwords is in sight.

By Adam Clark Estes
AI is powerful, dangerous, and controversial. What will Donald Trump do with it?AI is powerful, dangerous, and controversial. What will Donald Trump do with it?
Trump 2.0, explained

Why the future of artificial intelligence shouldn’t become a partisan issue.

By Kelsey Piper
We’re all living inside Elon Musk’s misinformation machine nowWe’re all living inside Elon Musk’s misinformation machine now
Technology

As Musk gains even more power, X gains more influence.

By Adam Clark Estes
Elon Musk says he’s giving away $1 million a day to voters. Is that legal?Elon Musk says he’s giving away $1 million a day to voters. Is that legal?
Politics

Musk’s “lottery” is only available in swing states and seems meant to appeal to potential Trump voters.

By Ellen Ioanes
Why the Pentagon just can’t quit Elon MuskWhy the Pentagon just can’t quit Elon Musk
Defense & SecurityMember Exclusive

How Musk’s SpaceX became too big to fail for US national security.

By Joshua Keating
Were Bad Bunny and Ricky Martin really shadow banned by Instagram and X? Were Bad Bunny and Ricky Martin really shadow banned by Instagram and X? 
Culture

What social media shadow ban rumors tell us about election anxiety.

By Aja Romano
Elon Musk assures voters that Trump’s victory would deliver “temporary hardship”Elon Musk assures voters that Trump’s victory would deliver “temporary hardship”
Trump 2.0, explained

And he’s half right.

By Eric Levitz
Should you feel guilty about using AI?Should you feel guilty about using AI?
Technology

Your AI-powered iPhone comes with a questionable carbon footprint.

By Adam Clark Estes
Inside OpenAI’s multibillion-dollar gambit to become a for-profit companyInside OpenAI’s multibillion-dollar gambit to become a for-profit company
Future Perfect

OpenAI’s transition isn’t what you think. The stakes are tens of billions of dollars — and the future of AI.

By Kelsey Piper
Elon Musk is Trump’s biggest booster — and patron. Why?Elon Musk is Trump’s biggest booster — and patron. Why?
2024 ElectionsMember Exclusive

The tech billionaire’s political ambitions, explained

By Lavanya Ramanathan and Whizy Kim
The surprising source of kids’ stress lurking on parents’ phonesThe surprising source of kids’ stress lurking on parents’ phones
Life

Grade-tracking apps are giving kids anxiety.

By Anna North
How progress creates its own obstaclesHow progress creates its own obstacles
Future Perfect

The world really is getting better. So why don’t people believe it?

By Bryan Walsh
There’s something off about this year’s “fall vibes”There’s something off about this year’s “fall vibes”
CultureMember Exclusive

Autumn is being eaten by a deluge of AI slop.

By Rebecca Jennings
Sick of AI hype? I have some bad news.Sick of AI hype? I have some bad news.
Future Perfect

AI is here to stay and the Nobels know it.

By Kelsey Piper
Why is everyone wearing the Oura Ring?Why is everyone wearing the Oura Ring?
TechnologyMember Exclusive

The wearable device looks great but, unfortunately, it won’t solve all of your health problems.

By Adam Clark Estes