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NPR News: 07-15-2026 7AM EDT

Explore episode Jul 15, 2026
Technology
New York Becomes First State to Halt AI Data Centers

NPR News: 07-15-2026 7AM EDT · Jul 15, 2026 Technology

New York just became the first US state to put the brakes on large AI data center development. Governor Kathy Hochul's moratorium could last up to a year while the state writes new environmental and energy standards — and she wants to strip away sales tax exemptions too, as dozens of other states watch closely.

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Technology
AI Told Chuck That Ireland Is in Ireland

Short Stuff: The Voice of God · Jul 15, 2026 Technology

Chuck asked his home voice assistant whether Ireland qualified for the World Cup. It replied: 'No. Ireland is in Ireland.' Chuck clarifies this was not a joke. The hosts use it as a jumping-off point to skewer AI overviews and the gap between AI hype and reality.

Technology
Data point 27

Forever War (Trump's Version) · Jul 15, 2026 Technology

A Cambridge University study based on interviews with 27 former Boko Haram fighters found the group uses AI chatbots to design explosives, plan attacks, and improve surveillance. One member said AI told them which chemicals to add to make their bombs bigger. ISIS has its own dedicated AI units.

Technology
The IdentiMat: Bob's Detail That Checked Out

Rewind: Area 51, S4, and the Rise of Bob Lazar · Jul 15, 2026 Technology

In 1989, Bob Lazar described a 'hand reader' at S4 — a metal plate with small alignment pins that measured your bone structure. For years it sounded like science fiction. Then the device was confirmed: it was called the IdentiMat, and top-secret Nevada bases really did use it. It had been discontinued by 1987 — but Lazar's description was eerily accurate.

Technology
Data point 22 segments

How AI is discovering athletes that human scouts miss | Ric… · Jul 14, 2026 Technology

AI Scout analyzes 22 key body segments from standard phone footage and can convert 2D video into inferred 3D movement data. It measures direction, turning, jump height, speed, symmetry, and coordination — all processed in the cloud, meaning the phone itself needs no special hardware.