The download: Robot training with genetic AI and the status of climate technology

Generative AI models can create images in response to input prompts in seconds and have recently been used for everything from highlighting one’s inherent biases to preserving valuable memories.

Now researchers at Stephen James’ Robot Learning Lab in London are using image-generating AI models for a new purpose: creating training data for robots. They have developed a new system called Genima that refines the image-generating AI model Stable Diffusion to plot the movements of robots and control them in both simulations and the real world.

Genima could make it easier to train different types of robots to complete tasks – machines from mechanical arms to humanoid robots to driverless cars – and make AI web agents more useful. Read the full story.

–Rhiannon Williams

These 15 companies are developing innovations in the field of climate technology

We just released our list of 15 Climate Tech Companies to Watch for 2024. The climate team at MIT Technology Review puts a lot of time and thought into this annual project, and we’re excited to finally be able to share it with you.

Our goal is to highlight companies that we believe can help mitigate climate change. This year’s list includes companies from a wide range of industries with headquarters on five continents. If you haven’t tried it yet, I highly recommend you take a look. Each company has a profile in which we explain why they were included on the list, what impact the company could have, and what challenges they are likely to face.