We’ve entered the era of AI malaise

Q: MIT Technology Review editor-in-chief Mat Honan declares we've entered an 'era of AI malaise'—widesp

MIT Technology Review editor-in-chief Mat Honan declares we've entered an 'era of AI malaise'—widespread uncertainty about whether AI will improve life, destroy jobs, or crash the economy.

Q: A cyberattack on edtech platform Canvas stole data from 275 million people and paralyzed thousands o

A cyberattack on edtech platform Canvas stole data from 275 million people and paralyzed thousands of US schools.

Q: China's open-source AI models are increasingly cheaper and more adaptable than US rivals, raising al

China's open-source AI models are increasingly cheaper and more adaptable than US rivals, raising alarms across Silicon Valley.

The Download from MIT Technology Review·Friday, May 8, 2026·6 min read

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AI Summary

MIT Technology Review's The Download covers the emerging 'era of AI malaise'—a period of widespread uncertainty about AI's societal and economic impact. Additional stories explore how technology and AI are transforming IVF and babymaking, and how advances in AI are enabling a new generation of adaptable robots. The issue also includes a roundup of top tech news including ICE smart glasses, a massive edtech cyberattack, and China's competitive open-source AI models.

Key Facts

✓MIT Technology Review editor-in-chief Mat Honan declares we've entered an 'era of AI malaise'—widespread uncertainty about whether AI will improve life, destroy jobs, or crash the economy.

✓A cyberattack on edtech platform Canvas stole data from 275 million people and paralyzed thousands of US schools.

✓China's open-source AI models are increasingly cheaper and more adaptable than US rivals, raising alarms across Silicon Valley.

Author Takes

BearishThe Download from MIT Technology Review

AI's societal impact

We are in an era of AI malaise—AI is spreading everywhere but the uncertainty about its effects on jobs, the economy, and society is making everyone uncomfortable.

NeutralThe Download from MIT Technology Review

Younger researchers vs experienced ones

A new study found that more research experience leads to fewer scientific breakthroughs, with younger researchers more likely to produce 'disruptive' science.

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