Big Tech Investments in Carbon Capture Technology
Recent multimillion-dollar agreements between Microsoft, JP Morgan Chase, and a coalition of tech firms, including Alphabet, Meta, Shopify, and Stripe, center on a carbon removal strategy known as bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS). These partnerships involve compensation for paper mill operators to install carbon scrubbing technologies, targeting the capture of hundreds of thousands of tons of carbon dioxide. The collected CO2 will then be stored in saline aquifers located over a mile underground, where it is intended to remain permanently. While this initiative reflects a significant commitment from major tech companies to combat climate change, various experts have raised concerns regarding the effectiveness and potential implications of this carbon removal method.
Kairos Power: Advancing Nuclear Technology
Kairos Power, one of ten climate tech companies highlighted for 2025, is developing next-generation nuclear reactors aimed at providing reliable, continuous, decarbonized power. Unlike conventional reactors that utilize high-pressure water, Kairos’ design employs molten salt for heat transfer and cooling processes. This approach is anticipated to lower operational costs, making their reactors potentially competitive with natural gas plants while enhancing safety, particularly during power outages. The company has secured permits for multiple reactor sites and has prototypes currently under construction.
IVF Embryos in Storage: Ethical Considerations
Advancements in in vitro fertilization (IVF) technology have resulted in millions of embryos being preserved in storage tanks worldwide, raising ethical questions regarding their status and treatment. These embryos, composed of approximately a hundred cells, are regarded by many as having a unique moral significance. This situation has prompted debates among patients, health professionals, and lawmakers on how to manage these embryos and what responsibilities come with their preservation. As societal viewpoints vary, a consensus on their ethical standing and future remains unresolved.
Additional Highlights
Notable stories include the introduction of mature-themed capabilities in the ChatGPT chatbot by OpenAI, YouTube’s publishing of Israel-funded ads amidst a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and Waymo’s plans to launch driverless taxis in London. Other topics involve issues in medical calculations affecting Black patients, a large-scale pigbutchering scheme in Cambodia being uncovered, and advancements in AI technology assisting farmers with flood forecasting.
Quote of the Day
US Senator Josh Hawley commented on OpenAI’s relaxed restrictions for ChatGPT, questioning the implications of previous limitations in a recent statement.
This briefing summarizes ongoing developments in technology and ethical debates, reflecting a mix of innovation and complex societal implications.
Source: https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/10/15/1125770/the-download-big-techs-carbon-removals-plans-and-the-next-wave-of-nuclear-reactors/