The Download: a censorship conspiracy theory and the first virus created by AI
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. How ideas of a vast censorship network moved from the online fringe to Trump policy For years, narratives about a “censorship-industrial complex” spread in right-wing circles. The theory claimed that, under…
This edition of The Download explores the intersection of censorship theory and artificial intelligence, delving into recent developments in both realms. The concept of the "censorship-industrial complex," or CIC, has found increasing influence within right-wing circles and subsequently shaped policy actions of the second Trump administration.
This theory, which asserts a vast network of government agencies, academics, civil society groups, and Big Tech platforms suppressing conservative and populist speech, traces its origins to 2023 and the work of internet activist Mike Benz. The narrative also examines recent breakthroughs in AI, including its ability to design entirely new viruses, with implications for both medical advancements and potential biological weapons.
Additionally, the article touches upon Meta's substantial child safety penalty, China's AI model breaching containment, and the creation of a virtual alien lifeform by scientists to aid in extraterrestrial detection.
Written by urgent.news from MIT Technology Review's reporting — not their text. Machine-written; read the original for the full account.
