The Download: South Korea’s hottest bachelors, and advancing eye transplants

South Korean chip workers at SK Hynix and Samsung have become highly sought-after in the dating market due to massive bonuses from AI chip profits, while researchers have developed a device that revives eyeballs from dead donors, potentially enabling whole-eye transplants. The UN chief warned that AI development is outpacing global regulations.

The Download: South Korea’s hottest bachelors, and advancing eye transplants Plus: The UN’s chief has warned that AI is outpacing global rules. 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. South Korea’s hottest new bachelors are chip workers Baek, a 35-year-old manager at the South Korean semiconductor titan SK Hynix, was enrolled in a matchmaking company a year ago. In a move typical of anxious South Korean parents, his mother signed him up, hoping to find a good wife for her son. Lately, says Baek, he and his coworkers are having better luck finding dates—perhaps because of the dazzling bonuses they just got. Flush with eye-popping profits from the AI chip boom, SK Hynix agreed to pay 10% of operating profits to employees, which translates to an extra $476,000 per employee this year. Samsung workers received a similar deal this May. With their newfound wealth, chip workers like Baek have become the most sought-after bachelors and bachelorettes in South Korea. Discover how AI chip profits are transforming South Korea's dating market—and stoking anxieties https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/07/06/1140000/south-korea-bachelors-samsung-skhynix-chip-workers/?utm source=the download&utm medium=email&utm campaign=the download.unpaid.engagement&utm term= %7CSUBCLASS%7C &utm content= %7CDATE:m-d-Y%7C . —Michelle Kim A device that revives eyeballs from dead donors could make eye transplants possible It’s not easy to transplant a whole human eye. The surgery is difficult, and eyes start to degenerate as soon as they’ve left the body. When surgeons attempted it a few years ago, the newly transplanted eye couldn’t see. But researchers believe they might have a solution: a device that maintains and revives freshly removed eyeballs using a technique called perfusion. Treated eyes don’t degrade as quickly and appear to retain the ability to transmit electrical signals—and potentially see. The device could one day make whole-eye transplants a viable possibility. Here’s how it works https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/07/03/1140148/a-device-that-revives-eyeballs-from-dead-donors-could-make-eye-transplants-possible/?utm source=the download&utm medium=email&utm campaign=the download.unpaid.engagement&utm term= %7CSUBCLASS%7C &utm content= %7CDATE:m-d-Y%7C . —Jessica Hamzelou The must-reads I’ve combed the internet to find you today’s most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology. 1 The UN’s chief has warned that AI is outpacing global rules He’s called for globally harmonised guardrails. Reuters https://www.reuters.com/technology/un-chief-warns-ai-is-developing-faster-than-rules-can-keep-up-2026-07-06/ $ + The UN also said AI could worsen global inequality. Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jul/01/un-report-ai-inequality 2 An Israeli battlefield system identified 850,000 targets in Gaza and Lebanon Elbit Systems says it detected targets in real time. Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/06/israel-command-system-identified-850000-targets-gaza-lebanon-war-supplier-elbit-systems + Congress wants to permanently integrate US and Israeli defence tech. Intercept https://theintercept.com/2026/06/08/us-israel-224-ai-defense-budget/ + How AI turned the Iran conflict into theater. MIT Technology Review https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/03/09/1134063/how-ai-is-turning-the-iran-conflict-into-theater/?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 EU transparency rules have exposed Microsoft’s tax haven tactics A new report shows how it shifts profits around to reduce tax bills. NYT https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/03/technology/microsoft-europe-disclosure-tax-havens.html $ + Other US companies will soon need to provide similar reports. Engadget https://www.engadget.com/2207542/microsoft-eu-tax-disclosure-report/ 4 A spacecraft has launched an audacious mission to rescue a NASA telescope LINK will try to tug the SWIFT observatory to a higher orbit. New Scientist https://www.newscientist.com/article/2532627-audacious-mission-to-rescue-nasas-falling-telescope-has-launched/ $ + It will attempt to grab the telescope with three robotic arms. BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0ry4xx7rk8o + The observatory studies gamma-ray bursts. NBC News https://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/nasa-swift-boost-mission-save-sinking-space-telescope-rcna351996 + We’re putting more stuff into space than ever. MIT Technology Review https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/02/24/1132755/anthroposphere-putting-more-stuff-into-space-than-ever/?utm source=the download&utm medium=email&utm campaign=the download.unpaid.engagement&utm term= %7CSUBCLASS%7C &utm content= %7CDATE:m-d-Y%7C 5 Chinese tech giants are disabling humanlike AI due to new regulations ByteDance and Alibaba have shut down the features. SCMP https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3359482/bytedance-and-alibaba-disable-humanlike-ai-custom-agents-new-rules-loom?utm source=feedly feed + Beijing is tightening its AI regulations. Nikkei Asia https://asia.nikkei.com/business/technology/artificial-intelligence/china-s-leading-chatbots-to-ditch-ai-personas-as-beijing-tightens-rules 6 Anthropic wants to develop its own drugs The company says it will pursue treatments for “neglected” diseases. Verge https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/961311/anthropic-claude-science-ai-drug-development + It’s also got a new AI for science product. MIT Technology Review https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/06/30/1139987/claude-science-is-anthropics-newest-flagship-product/?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 India is testing an alternative to Silicon Valley’s AI playbook It’s based on small, offline, multilingual, open-source AI. Rest of World https://restofworld.org/2026/india-bhashini-open-source-offline-ai-hackathon/ + India’s AI infrastructure is also attracting investors. CNBC https://www.cnbc.com/video/2026/07/06/ai-investing-in-india-the-real-opportunity-is-infrastructure.html 8 Big Tech has suddenly flipped on the AI jobs wipeout scenario Negative public opinion has sparked a more optimistic public stance. WSJ https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/ai-workers-tech-ceos-job-losses-afc71e15?mod=rss Technology $ + The AI jobs hysteria needs a reality check. MIT Technology Review https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/05/26/1137855/a-reality-check-on-the-ai-jobs-hysteria/?utm source=the download&utm medium=email&utm campaign=the download.unpaid.engagement&utm term= %7CSUBCLASS%7C &utm content= %7CDATE:m-d-Y%7C 9 Midjourney has accused Hollywood studios of covertly using AI It’s escalated its legal fight with Disney, Universal, and Warner. Gizmodo https://gizmodo.com/midjourney-thinks-hollywood-should-fess-up-about-using-ai-2000781426 10 A martian rock has lots of carbon on it, and it’s not clear why Scientists cannot yet tell whether biology played a role. Ars Technica https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/07/a-martian-rock-has-lots-of-carbon-on-it-and-its-not-clear-why/ Quote of the day “It’s just his AI and my AI going back and forth.” —An anonymous employee explains why she’s struggling to develop a good working relationship with her boss, Fortune reports https://fortune.com/article/ai-communication-undermining-human-relationships-middle-management/ . One More Thing The AI relationship revolution is already here The AI relationship revolution is already here AI is everywhere, and it’s starting to alter our relationships with our spouses, kids, colleagues, friends—and even ourselves. Although the technology remains unpredictable and sometimes baffling, individuals from all across the world and from all walks of life are finding it useful, supportive, and comforting too. People are using large language models to seek validation, mediate marital arguments, and help navigate interactions with their community. They’re using it for parenting support, self-care, and even to fall in love. Explore how AI is changing our relationships https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/02/13/1111366/ai-relationships-chatbots-parenting-self-care-dating-marriage-mental-health/?utm source=the download&utm medium=email&utm campaign=the download.unpaid.engagement&utm term= %7CSUBCLASS%7C &utm content= %7CDATE:m-d-Y%7C . —Rhiannon Williams 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 . + Radiohead's seminal album “OK Computer” has been reimagined as a Nintendo 64 soundtrack https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1I0 bsjEsY . + Graphic design history meets stamp collecting in this beautifully curated archive of postage stamp design https://www.instagram.com/filatelia grafica/?utm source=chatgpt.com . + As Lionel Messi lights up another World Cup, his former coach breaks down his style of play in this fascinating analysis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWIyEyzumN0 . + Armchair engineers will enjoy the brilliant product teardowns of everyday items like clicky pens and lighters on Mechanical Pencil https://mechanical-pencil.com/ . Deep Dive The Download The Download: the future of chipmaking and Anthropic’s government clash Plus: Meta is pausing an AI training program that tracks workers’ keystrokes. The Download: AI hacking beyond Mythos, and chatbots’ impact on our brains Plus: Anthropic has called for a global slowdown in AI development. The Download: keeping up with AI, and the future of IVF Plus: NASA unveiled plans for three uncrewed missions to the Moon this year. The Download: a reality check for geoengineering and the science of interoception Plus: SpaceX is now valued higher than Amazon. Stay connected Get the latest updates from MIT Technology Review Discover special offers, top stories, upcoming events, and more.