The Download: energy transmission and US threats against Chinese AI
This newsletter covers the status of North America's longest underground power line, US sanctions against Chinese AI firms, and concerns regarding AI security vulnerabilities. It provides a broad overview of current technological and climate-related infrastructure challenges.
Why it matters
It captures the intersection of geopolitical tensions, energy security, and the rapid, often uncontrolled, advancement of artificial intelligence.
Plus: Why the OpenAI hack is the scariest AI mishap yet.
This is today's edition of The Download , our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what's going on in the world of technology.
During a heat wave on July 3, New York State’s grid imported enough electricity from Canada to meet about 9% of its total demand that day.
Some of that power shuttled in on a 339-mile power line stretching from Quebec to Queens. It opened in May and is officially the longest underground transmission line in North America. It could provide up to 20% of New York City’s electricity demand, largely with abundant hydropower from Quebec.
One wrinkle: The line has been down for most of this month, and some experts are concerned about how drought will affect the power supply feeding it.
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