High-Powered Microwaves Emerge as Next Anti-Drone Weapon in Modern Warfare

Defense tech is turning to giant microwaves to counter drone swarms, while the growing energy needs of Artificial Intelligence raise new challenges.

As drone proliferation transforms modern warfare, military strategists are urgently seeking defenses against the threat of massed, autonomous drone attacks. In a scenario envisioning hundreds of thousands of drones, potentially fielded by China, these swarms could target military installations and bases with overwhelming force. The accessibility and affordability of drones mean that adversaries no longer need traditional, expensive military apparatus to pose significant risks. In response, branches of the U.S. armed forces and defense technology startups are developing weapons to disable drones at scale, and among the most promising solutions are high-powered microwave devices. These systems operate by emitting intense bursts of energy capable of frying drones´ electronic circuits, offering the potential for rapid, large-area deterrence against hostile swarms.

Parallel to advancements in military defense, the surge in Artificial Intelligence usage is driving up energy demands at an unprecedented rate. Recent investigative series have detailed the complexities behind scaling up energy infrastructure to support Artificial Intelligence. While nuclear energy is often touted as a sustainable solution, the construction of new plants is hindered by numerous logistical and regulatory challenges. As a result, experts warn that the burgeoning Artificial Intelligence sector could become increasingly reliant on fossil fuels, challenging global efforts toward decarbonization and complicating the transition to clean energy. This raises pressing questions about the technological and environmental sustainability of Artificial Intelligence´s rapid growth.

Beyond these principal stories, today´s technology landscape includes a host of emerging developments, from policy shifts affecting international students and visa restrictions to concerns over data privacy and disinformation campaigns. At the same time, generative Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing software development, promising to elevate coding assistants from simple autocompletion tools to sophisticated agents capable of prototyping, testing, and debugging code autonomously. While this could redefine the role of programmers, it also signals the industry´s relentless pursuit of artificial general intelligence. The broader impact of these advancements points to a rapidly evolving intersection of technology, security, and energy consciousness shaping both military strategy and civilian infrastructure.

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IBM and AMD partner on quantum-centric supercomputing

IBM and AMD announced plans to develop quantum-centric supercomputing architectures that combine quantum computers with high-performance computing to create scalable, open-source platforms. The collaboration leverages IBM´s work on quantum computers and software and AMD´s expertise in high-performance computing and Artificial Intelligence accelerators.

Qualcomm launches Dragonwing Q-6690 with integrated RFID and Artificial Intelligence

Qualcomm announced the Dragonwing Q-6690, billed as the world’s first enterprise mobile processor with fully integrated UHF RFID and built-in 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, ultra-wideband and Artificial Intelligence capabilities. The platform is aimed at rugged handhelds, point-of-sale systems and smart kiosks and offers software-configurable feature packs that can be upgraded over the air.

Recent books from the MIT community

A roundup of new titles from the MIT community, including Empire of Artificial Intelligence, a critical look at Sam Altman’s OpenAI, and Data, Systems, and Society, a textbook on harnessing Artificial Intelligence for societal good.

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