DeepSummary
The episode begins with a discussion about Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, incorporating public data from U.S. accounts into its generative artificial intelligence features without an opt-out option for users. Cordelia James from the Personal Tech team explains that Meta is using public posts, including videos, photos, and feed posts, to train its AI models, but not private messages or stories. She also provides steps for users to make their accounts private on Instagram and Facebook to prevent Meta from using their data for AI training going forward.
The episode then shifts to discuss new projects aimed at enhancing the ocean's ability to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Eric Niiler, a reporter covering climate, ocean, and earth sciences, explains how different startups like Vesta, Aquatic, and Running Tide are using various methods, such as spreading olivine-rich sand on beaches, electrochemistry, and adding alkaline materials, to increase carbon sequestration in the oceans.
Niiler highlights the challenges of verifying the effectiveness of these methods and the need for accurate monitoring systems. He also discusses the potential scale of these technologies, with scientists estimating that they could eventually remove at least a million metric tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which is equivalent to the emissions of 200,000 gas-powered passenger cars.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Meta is using public data from U.S. accounts, including posts, photos, and videos, to train its AI models, but users can make their accounts private to prevent this.
- New technologies are being developed to enhance the ocean's ability to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, including methods like spreading olivine-rich sand, electrochemistry, and adding alkaline materials.
- Verifying the effectiveness of these carbon removal methods is a significant challenge, and accurate monitoring systems are crucial for both scientific and contractual purposes.
- While these projects aim to remove at least a million metric tons of carbon dioxide initially, scientists estimate that gigatons of removal will be required by mid-century to have a meaningful impact.
- The ocean's natural ability to absorb carbon dioxide could be significantly boosted by these emerging technologies, potentially playing a crucial role in mitigating climate change.
- Privacy concerns arise as tech companies like Meta incorporate user data into their AI models, highlighting the need for transparency and user control over data sharing.
- Startups and new technologies are attracting funding from governments and corporations for their potential to contribute to carbon removal and offset emissions.
- The scale and verification of these carbon removal methods will be key challenges as these projects move from pilot stages to larger-scale implementation.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “What aquatic is doing is using electrochemistry in a small pilot project in southern California. And this electrical current separates the elements in the water, and then the dissolved carbon is stored as a solid. This solid carbon material can be used for construction, while leftover hydrogen can be sold as a clean fuel.“ by Eric Niiler
- “Verification is still a big deal. It's important for the contracts, it's important for the science, and it's important for the environment as well.“ by Eric Niiler
- “Scientists think that using the ocean could eventually remove at least a million metric tons more in coming years. And a million metric tons is about the equivalent of 200,000 gas powered passenger cars.“ by Eric Niiler
- “The scale of this really has to increase, though, by mid century. You're looking instead of tens of thousands or millions of tons, you've got to get to gigatons, which are billions of tons.“ by Eric Niiler
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Episode Information
WSJ Tech News Briefing
The Wall Street Journal
6/25/24