Daily News Recap – March 7, 2025
Catch up on yesterday's top stories from tech, science, robotics, and more:
1. Christie's AI Art Auction Generated $728K Amid Controversy
Christie's successfully concluded its first AI-dedicated auction, titled "Augmented Intelligence," which raised over $728,784 despite protests from more than 5,600 artists. Critics opposed the sale because the featured artworks utilized AI models trained on copyrighted content without artists' permission. Christie's defended the auction as an exploration into the evolving digital art landscape.
Read more at CNET.
2. Humanoid Robots Announced to Race Against Humans in Beijing Half-Marathon
It was announced that on April 13, humanoid robots will race alongside 12,000 human runners in Beijing’s first-ever robot half-marathon. Both autonomous and remote-controlled robots without wheels will participate, showcasing advancements in AI and robotics. The race will feature a three-and-a-half-hour cutoff time, with awards for various performance categories.
Full details at Business Insider.
3. Deep-Sea Mining Tech Advanced, But Environmental Concerns Persisted
Advancements in deep-sea mining technology were highlighted by a recent successful test of an autonomous robot, which demonstrated a 95% accuracy in detecting marine life while collecting polymetallic nodules. Despite technological progress, environmental experts continued to warn about inevitable harm to fragile marine ecosystems, expressing skepticism about minimizing impacts.
Find out more from BBC News.
4. Branden Spikes Highlighted as Elon Musk’s Key Technologist at DOGE and X/Twitter
A profile on Branden Spikes, age 49, detailed his pivotal role within Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and his current position as director of IT at X/Twitter. Spikes has collaborated closely with Musk since 1997, previously working at PayPal, Tesla, and SpaceX, and is central to Musk’s governmental tech initiatives.
Read more on Krebs on Security.
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5. Apple’s Next C1 Modem Reported to Support mmWave 5G
Reports indicated the upcoming iPhone 16e would feature Apple’s internally developed C1 modem, potentially enhanced to support mmWave 5G. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo noted that Apple is not rushing to produce a next-generation C2 modem but instead prioritizing performance and energy efficiency enhancements on the C1 model.
Details at Phandroid.
6. SpaceX Starship Rocket Exploded After Launch; Ariane 6 Had Successful Satellite Deployment
Yesterday, SpaceX’s latest Starship mission ended in another catastrophic failure as the spacecraft disintegrated after separation from the booster, just two months after a similar incident. Conversely, Europe’s Ariane 6 rocket successfully completed its mission, deploying the CSO-3 Earth observation satellite without issues.
Full coverage on Digital Trends.
7. Volkswagen Introduced Affordable ID. EVERY1 EV Concept
Volkswagen expanded its electric vehicle lineup by unveiling the ID. EVERY1 concept, an affordable electric car targeted for the European market, set to enter production in 2027 at around €20,000 ($21,600 USD). The ID. EVERY1 is part of Volkswagen’s “Electric Urban Car Family,” aimed at making electric mobility more accessible.
Explore more at HYPEBEAST.
8. MWC 2025 Featured Innovative Devices from TECNO, Samsung, Realme, and Xiaomi
At MWC 2025, innovative mobile devices stood out, including TECNO's Spark Slim, a notably thin smartphone measuring just 5.75mm with a 5,200mAh battery, Samsung Display’s tri-fold phone, Realme's Ultra phone with a standard camera lens mount, and Xiaomi’s phone with interchangeable lenses.
Read more at Android Central.
That's your roundup from yesterday—stay tuned for today's news later on!