NEWS YOU CAN’T MISS

Google’s New Energy Plan? Nuclear Reactors for AI

As AI grows more powerful, so does its appetite for energy, and Google is scrambling to secure enough electricity to keep its data centers running 24/7.

This week, the tech giant signed a deal with Elementl Power to develop three next-generation nuclear power sites, adding a hefty 1.8 gigawatts of clean energy to its future supply. That’s enough energy to power over a million homes.

Here’s what we know:

• The reactors will use small modular reactor (SMR) technology, a new breed of compact nuclear plants designed to be faster, cheaper, and easier to build than traditional facilities (see picture above).

• The deal lets Google buy power directly from the nuclear plants once they’re up and running.

Why now? Google plans to spend $75 billion on data center infrastructure this year alone. All that computing horsepower needs an energy source that’s not just massive, but also reliable and carbon-free. Nuclear ticks all three boxes.

With AI’s energy demands surging and Wall Street eyeing data centers as the next big infrastructure play, Google is making a long-term bet that small-scale nuclear can handle the load. For now, though, no SMRs are yet operational in the U.S.

📺 Watch this 12min CNBC overview of why all the big tech players are investing in nuclear power.

This New Test Could Help Millions Catch Cancer Sooner

In a US first, the FDA has approved a home test for cervical cancer.

The Teal Wand, developed by health tech startup Teal Health, allows users to collect a cervical sample at home (with a prescription), mail it to a lab, and receive results reviewed by a healthcare provider—all without visiting a doctor’s office.

This marks a major shift from traditional Pap smears or HPV tests, which require in-clinic pelvic exams using a speculum, an experience many find uncomfortable or intimidating and which hasn’t been updated since the 1940s. 😵‍💫

Why it matters:

• 1 in 4 women are behind on cervical cancer screenings, often due to time, discomfort, or limited access to care.

• Teal’s at-home kit includes the wand, lab testing, and virtual provider review, offering a more private, flexible, and approachable option.

• Backed by Serena Ventures, Chelsea Clinton, and others, Teal has raised $23 million to date.

The first kits will roll out in California this June, with nationwide expansion to follow.

Cervical cancer rates have dropped with screening, but gaps persist—especially in underserved areas. With FDA approval, Teal Health aims to close those gaps and reshape preventive care.

📺 Check out this 5-minute CNBC interview with founder Kara Egan for the full story.

Would You Be Okay With Your Child Having an AI Best Friend?

Sam Altman runs OpenAI, one of the most powerful and valuable tech companies in the world. The company behind ChatGPT, recently valued at $300B, has become a driving force in how AI is shaping daily life.

Yet when asked this week whether he'd want his newborn son to one day have an AI as his best friend, Altman didn't hesitate in his response:

“I do not.”

Altman told the US Senate he thinks kids need a much higher level of protection when it comes to AI. The tech, he said, is already becoming deeply personal, and that’s a lot for a child to handle, especially when they can’t always tell what’s real and what’s not.

Some people might find that surprising, coming from one of AI’s biggest believers. Others feel it makes sense: being pro-AI doesn’t have to mean no limits. What do you think?