The Download: China’s brain implant ambitions

China has approved the world's first invasive brain-computer chip for use beyond clinical trials, a device called NEO that enabled a paralyzed man to write his name. The approval in March is expected to accelerate China's push to become a global leader in brain implants. Separately, Nvidia is launching its first AI chip for personal computers, the RTX Spark, which will power laptops from Dell, HP, and Microsoft starting this fall.

The Download: China’s brain implant ambitions Plus: Nvidia is launching its first AI chip for personal computers. This is today's edition of The Download https://forms.technologyreview.com/newsletters/briefing-the-download/? ga=2.179569122.736533416.1649661040-405833893.1649413289 , our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what's going on in the world of technology. China has approved the world’s first invasive brain-computer chip—here’s what’s next Sitting in the courtyard of his house in China’s Henan province last October, Dong Hui decided to try holding a pen. Six years after a car accident left him paralyzed from the neck down, he slowly wrote his name, “Thank you,” and the date. The breakthrough was made possible by a brain implant called NEO. In March, it became the world’s first invasive brain-computer interface approved for use beyond clinical trials. The approval is expected to accelerate China’s push to become a global leader in brain implants. —You Xiaoying The must-reads I’ve combed the internet to find you today’s most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology. 1 Nvidia is launching its first AI chip for personal computers The RTX Spark will power laptops from Dell, HP, Microsoft, and others. BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crmp9mppvzro + They’re being designed specifically to run AI agents. WSJ https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/nvidia-introduces-first-pcs-designed-for-ai-agents-47445bcd $ + The first devices are set to launch on Windows PCs in the fall. CNBC https://www.cnbc.com/c/05/31/nvidias-new-chip-to-power-fresh-line-of-windows-laptops-by-dell-hp.html + The move marks a challenge to Apple and Intel. + The move marks a challenge to Apple and Intel. FT https://www.ft.com/content/58f984fd-d90b-4e8e-95b0-987a97c4a522?syn-25a6b1a6=1 $ 2 The US is stopping exports of AI chips to Chinese firms abroad It’s closed a loophole allowing exports to Chinese subsidiaries. Reuters https://www.reuters.com/world/china/us-takes-step-halt-nvidia-ai-chip-shipments-chinese-firms-outside-china-2026-05-31/ $ + Which may have enabled unlicensed access to Nvidia chips. Al Jazeera https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2026/6/1/us-says-ban-on-ai-chip-shipments-applies-to-chinese-firms-outside-china + Export curbs have led China to redesign its chip industry. MIT Technology Review https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/04/24/1136422/why-deepseeks-v4-matters/?utm source=the download&utm medium=email&utm campaign=the download.unpaid.engagement&utm term= %7CSUBCLASS%7C &utm content= %7CDATE:m-d-Y%7C 3 Surgeons have transplanted pig liver and kidneys into a living person The clinically dead recipient’s organs worked for almost five days. Nature https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-01708-0 + Pig organs could ease transplant shortages. Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/dec/26/pig-organ-transplants-could-one-day-be-superior-to-human-ones-says-expert + Putin says organ transplants could grant immortality. MIT Technology Review https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/09/05/1123113/putin-organ-transplants-immortality-longevity-replacement/?utm source=the download&utm medium=email&utm campaign=the download.unpaid.engagement&utm term= %7CSUBCLASS%7C &utm content= %7CDATE:m-d-Y%7C 4 The US, Australia, and UK will defend seabed cables with underwater drones They’re developing the vehicles via the trilateral AUKUS defense pact. CNN https://edition.cnn.com/2026/05/31/world/aukus-seabed-cables-defense-intl + Undersea internet cables face growing threats. BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y8wjvd1ypo 5 A new study has revealed chatbots’ manipulative ‘dark patterns’ It found they prey on emotions to encourage harmful behavior. 404 Media https://www.404media.co/new-study-reveals-the-manipulative-dark-patterns-of-ai-chatbots/ + They can also sway voters better than political ads. MIT Technology Review https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/12/04/1128824/ai-chatbots-can-sway-voters-better-than-political-advertisements/?utm source=the download&utm medium=email&utm campaign=the download.unpaid.engagement&utm term= %7CSUBCLASS%7C &utm content= %7CDATE:m-d-Y%7C 6 Apple plans to disrupt the traditional glasses market Its smart glasses target the broader spectacles industry. Bloomberg https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2026-05-31/apple-glasses-late-2027-release-watch-comparison-ios-28-apple-tv-homepod $ + Smart glasses are also gaining traction in warfare. MIT Technology Review https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/05/18/1137412/inside-anduril-and-metas-quest-to-make-smart-glasses-for-warfare/?utm source=the download&utm medium=email&utm campaign=the download.unpaid.engagement&utm term= %7CSUBCLASS%7C &utm content= %7CDATE:m-d-Y%7C 7 AI super PACs are dueling over the midterms Split between Anthropic and OpenAI, they’re fighting to shape AI regulation. NYT https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/30/us/politics/anthropic-openai-super-pacs-midterms.html $ 8 SoftBank has overtaken Toyota as Japan’s most valuable company The AI boom pushed SoftBank’s market value above $305 billion. Bloomberg https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-01/softbank-set-to-dethrone-toyota-as-japan-s-most-valuable-company $ 9 A botnet of more than 17 million devices has been dismantled in Europe Dutch authorities linked the network to a Russian proxy service. Ars Technica https://arstechnica.com/security/2026/05/botnet-of-more-than-17-million-devices-dismantled/ 10 Tech leaders are uniting around a transhuman vision for AI They’re working toward a post-human agenda. Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2026/may/31/transhuman-silicon-valley-ai Quote of the day “It's just been shoved down their throats in secrecy. And that makes them upset.” —Legendary environmental activist Erin Brockovich tells "The Jim Acosta Show" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJQzRmP gng&list=PLzU3zmAExJ7NKBv3oO6A19c1hbuO4qWed&index=1 why citizens are angry about data centers expanding into their communities. One More Thing What happens when you donate your body to science What happens when you donate your body to science Rebecca George doesn’t mind the vultures. At Western Carolina University’s body farm, forensic anthropologists monitor donors—sometimes for years—as they become nothing but bones. Around 20,000 people donate their cadavers to scientific research and education each year. At anatomy labs and body farms, they help train doctors, advance research, and teach scientists more about the human body long after death. But what actually happens after a body is donated? Read the full story to find out https://www.technologyreview.com/2022/10/12/1060924/donating-your-body-science-body-farm/?utm source=the download&utm medium=email&utm campaign=the download.unpaid.engagement&utm term= %7CSUBCLASS%7C &utm content= %7CDATE:m-d-Y%7C . —A.W. Ohlheiser We can still have nice things A place for comfort, fun, and distraction to brighten up your day. Got any ideas? Drop me a line . + This map of moments https://amapof.us/ turns the planet into a shared diary. + Let editors curate your ideal podcast moments https://harkaudio.com/?ref=DenseDiscovery-377 with this app. + Architecture lovers will enjoy this encyclopedia of famous buildings https://en.wikiarquitectura.com/ . + Get in touch with your emotions through this map exploring more than 100 feelings https://feel.ifsart.com/ . Deep Dive The Download The Download: DeepSeek’s latest AI breakthrough, and the race to build world models Plus: China has blocked Meta’s $2 billion acquisition of AI startup Manus. The Download: introducing the 10 Things That Matter in AI Right Now Plus: An unauthorized group has reportedly accessed Anthropic’s Mythos. The Download: supercharged scams and studying AI healthcare Plus: DeepSeek has unveiled its long-awaited new AI model. The Download: keeping up with AI, and the future of IVF Plus: NASA unveiled plans for three uncrewed missions to the Moon this year. 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