In today’s technological landscape, two intriguing developments are stirring debate: the potential impact of space mirrors on our night sky and the complex implications of AI in drug discovery.
Reflect Orbital, a company poised to launch a test satellite featuring an 18-by-18-meter mirror by the end of this year, has ambitious plans for harnessing sunlight from space. The company envisions deploying up to 50,000 larger satellites capable of reflecting sunlight back to Earth on demand, facilitating solar panel charging, emergency responses, and military operations. However, recent research raises alarms that these reflective beams could emit light as bright as 10,000 full moons, potentially disrupting nocturnal environments, aviation safety, and wildlife behaviors. As the discussion unfolds, stakeholders are grappling with the balance between technological innovation and environmental preservation.
In a separate yet equally significant realm, the intersection of artificial intelligence and intellectual property is presenting challenges in the field of drug discovery. Insilico Medicine recently announced a novel drug candidate for pulmonary fibrosis, initially attributing its creation to generative AI. Yet, when it came time to file for a patent, the company attributed the invention solely to five human researchers, omitting AI from the list of inventors. This highlights an ongoing legal conundrum—while AI plays an increasingly vital role in generating innovative solutions, current patent laws still recognize only humans as inventors. As AI continues to evolve and contribute to scientific advancements, the need for a legal framework that accurately reflects the contributions of both AI and human inventors becomes ever more pressing.
As we observe these developments, it becomes clear that the future of technology will require nuanced discussions on ethics, legality, and the environmental impact of our innovations.
Source: The Download: threats from space mirrors and credit for AI drugs via MIT Technology Review