In this edition of The Download, a weekday newsletter focused on technology news, key developments include the impact of AI on vulnerable languages, President Trump’s claims regarding autism treatments, and the current state of fusion energy.
Wikipedia’s multilingual project supports over 340 languages, yet many smaller editions, particularly those for African languages, are inundated with uncorrected machine translations. Volunteers have reported that 40% to 60% of articles in some language editions are the result of AI-generated content. This situation raises concerns as AI systems often rely on Wikipedia as a primary data source for less common languages. Inaccuracies on these pages could adversely affect future AI language learning. As a response, some volunteers are opting to delete certain language editions entirely to preserve quality.
In health news, President Trump recently suggested that childhood vaccines and acetaminophen contribute to increased autism rates and announced intentions for the FDA to facilitate the use of leucovorin as a treatment option for autism in children. A coalition of over 250 scientists has challenged these claims, asserting that the evidence does not support Trump’s statements. This raises questions about the motivations behind promoting certain treatments in the absence of robust scientific backing.
Commonwealth Fusion Systems has struck a billion-dollar deal with the multinational oil and gas company Eni for a future fusion power plant in Virginia, despite the plant not yet existing. This deal has sparked discussions regarding the current landscape of fusion energy investment, as companies have made significant financial commitments even before operational reactors have been developed. This scenario highlights the optimism and potential risks associated with emerging energy technologies.
Additionally, growing concerns around AI usage have led the FTC to investigate the effects of chatbots, particularly on younger users, and there are ongoing efforts to understand the implications of AI in various sectors.
Source: https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/09/25/1124079/the-download-threats-vulnerable-languages-and-trump-medical-claims/