Power Technology

SpaceX is set to launch its Starship megarocket to orbit for the first time ever today, September 28, with live coverage planned. The test flight of the tallest and most powerful rocket ever built is a key milestone for the vehicle that SpaceX intends to use for missions to the Moon and Mars.

A new essay by computer science professor Cal Newport argues it is time for formal investigation of the major AI laboratories, questioning their safety claims and rapid development practices. The piece is drawing wide attention among technology readers, with many debating whether companies like OpenAI, Anthropic and Google DeepMind should face greater public or regulatory scrutiny.

Farming outlets are asking whether modern farms could keep operating during a blackout or internet outage. As agriculture becomes increasingly dependent on connected technology for machinery, monitoring and record-keeping, growers are being urged to consider backup plans for power and connectivity failures. The question has struck a chord with farmers weighing convenience against vulnerability to infrastructure breakdowns.

Nissan has detailed the third generation of its e-POWER powertrain, the series-hybrid system in which a gasoline engine generates electricity to drive the wheels via an electric motor. The company's technology page describes improvements aimed at greater efficiency and quieter operation. The announcement has drawn attention among technology enthusiasts debating the merits of series-hybrid drivetrains versus full battery-electric vehicles as Nissan pushes its electrification strategy forward.

A panel at the Future of Energy Forum hosted by Tulane University explored how artificial intelligence could help expand energy access worldwide. Speakers discussed how AI tools might improve grid management, forecast demand, and bring electricity to underserved communities more efficiently, while weighing the technology's own growing power demands.

Meta reportedly wants people to build their own Muse gadgets, extending its hardware ambitions beyond official first-party devices. The move would let developers and tinkerers create their own versions of the wearable technology, though details on how the programme would work remain scarce. The news, reported by Engadget, adds to speculation about Meta's broader strategy around AI-powered wearables and open hardware ecosystems.

ChatGPT has gained a new capability that lets shoppers see virtual previews of themselves wearing clothes before making a purchase. The feature uses AI image generation to try garments on users digitally, pointing to a push into shopping and e-commerce applications. The news is circulating among technology and consumer gadgets outlets.

The US government's revamped America.gov is now live as an AI-powered site, reportedly built by former DOGE staff and running on Elon Musk's Grok chatbot. The project ties the federal government's public-facing presence directly to Musk's xAI technology and to aides from the cost-cutting initiative, drawing attention to the growing role of AI and political loyalists in government communications.

Farm equipment is increasingly built around artificial intelligence as the technology becomes more practical for everyday agricultural use. Reports note that AI-powered machinery is moving from experimental stage into routine work on farms, reflecting broader adoption of automation in agriculture.

US senators say a vote on the Trump administration's nuclear power agreement with Saudi Arabia will likely come only after the midterm elections. The 123 agreement would open the door to American nuclear technology and cooperation with Riyadh, and its timing and conditions remain closely watched in Congress as lawmakers weigh proliferation and oversight concerns.