Edition: July 12, 2026

Scientists at the Technical University of Denmark have successfully used a quantum computer to improve the accuracy of artificial intelligence models in generating new peptides, a crucial step in vaccine development. The team worked on the project in their spare time, using leftover funds from other projects. The breakthrough could accelerate the development of personalized immunotherapies and vaccines, particularly for understudied populations.

Apple's failed self-driving car program led to the development of powerful AI chips, including the Neural Engine, which debuted with the iPhone X and A11 Bionic. The Neural Engine is the backbone of Apple's on-device AI processing and was initially used for computer vision. This legacy has contributed to Apple's advancements in AI technology.

Communities are beginning to push back against the construction of AI data centers, citing concerns over power grid strain and environmental impact, with protests dating back to 2015 when Apple announced plans for a $1 billion data center in Ireland. The fight against these data centers is expected to escalate as the demand for AI services grows. Local residents are voicing their opposition through yard signs and other forms of protest.

Lorde spoke out against AI glasses during her performance at the Real Cool Festival in Madrid, likely referencing festival sponsor Ray-Ban's collaboration with Meta on AI smartglasses. She expressed concerns about the blurring of reality and described the glasses as 'fucked up'. The comments were captured in videos shared on social media.