Young Innovators: Biotech Advances and a Greener Steel Process
MIT Technology Review's 35 Innovators Under 35 list highlights nine biotech pioneers working on vision-loss reversal, brain electrodes, and gene editing, among other breakthroughs. The newsletter also features Hertha Metals founder Laureen Meroueh, who developed a single-step furnace that uses natural gas to cut steel emissions by half and costs by 25%. Additionally, Anthropic reports blocking attempts to use AI for biological weapons.
The MIT list highlights nine biotech honorees whose work includes reversing vision loss and personalized gene editing for a rare disorder. Hertha Metals founder Laureen Meroueh created a single-step furnace that swaps coal for natural gas, cutting steel emissions by half and costs by 25%.
Separately, Anthropic disclosed blocking five attempts to use AI for biological weapons and six for conventional weapons. California banned infinite scroll and autoplay for minors, while two researchers left Anthropic and Google over safety concerns, prompting calls for stricter oversight.
These developments could significantly lower barriers to advanced medical treatments and industrial decarbonization, benefiting patients and manufacturers. However, the AI safety incidents may intensify regulatory scrutiny, potentially slowing innovation. Society could see cheaper, cleaner steel and novel therapies, yet rising concerns over AI misuse for weapons or surveillance might erode public trust and lead to stricter guardrails that shape the industry's trajectory.