To find alien life, we might have to kill it

PLUS: OpenAI touts new AI safety research. [View in browser]( | [Your newsletter preferences]( 07.18.24 [SUBSCRIBE TO WIRED]( [FOR UNLIMITED ACCESS TO THESE STORIES]( [A treated close-up image of Sam Altman giving a speech at a panel.]( PLAYING IT SAFE | 2-MINUTE READ [OpenAI Touts New AI Safety Research. Critics Say It’s a Good Step, but Not Enough]( BY WILL KNIGHT The company announced a new technique to make the workings of its systems more transparent, but people familiar with OpenAI say more oversight is needed.   [AI chatbot made from LEGO pieces]( ► GADGET LAB PODCAST | 27-MINUTE EPISODE [The Blurred Reality of AI’s ‘Human-Washing’]( WITH LAUREN GOODE AND PARESH DAVE This week, we examine the trend among generative AI chatbots to flirt, stammer, and try to make us believe they’re human—a development that some researchers say crosses an ethical line.   [A photo illustration of Republican candidates during the Republican National Convention (RNC) at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US, on Tuesday, July 16, 2024.]( ◉ LIVE FROM THE RNC | 4-MINUTE READ [Republicans Are Acting Like They've Already Won]( BY MAKENA KELLY In a manner of days, the 2024 election has changed dramatically. Republicans and Democrats have entered [a new political reality](, and they’re just starting to understand their place in it. ► Listen to the Politics Lab podcast: [A week of conspiracies and calls for war](   [Collage of microbes, Titan, one of the 1976 Viking probes on Mars, and a scientist using a mass spectrometer]( SPACE INVADERS | 5-MINUTE READ [To Find Alien Life, We Might Have to Kill It]( BY BECKY FERREIRA Missions to explore other worlds, like Mars or Saturn’s moon Titan, could [disrupt or destroy extraterrestrial life]( in the process of seeking it. ● You might also like: [Newly discovered moon caves could one day house astronauts]( ADVERTISEMENT   [People walk in front of the Brooklyn federal court]( NICK OF TIME | 3-MINUTE READ [Alleged ‘Maniac Murder Cult’ Leader Indicted Over Plot to Kill Jews]( BY ALI WINSTON US prosecutors have charged Michail Chkhikvishvili, also known as “Commander Butcher,” with a litany of crimes, including alleged attempts to poison Jewish children in NYC.   [A photo illustration of a podcast microphone placed in front of a collage of multicolored chat bubbles over a red background.]( NEW NOISE | 3-MINUTE READ [Spotify, Stop Trying to Become a Social Media App]( BY ELANA KLEIN The music streaming service has added a comment function under podcasts. Who is it for, anyway?   [Diamond ring on a hand]( NICE ICE | 5-MINUTE READ [Lab-Grown Diamonds Are Everywhere. This Company Thinks It Has the Secret to Making Them High-End]( BY CHRIS HALL Now that it’s possible to grow affordable gems in the time it takes to watch a movie, the race is on to save the value of the most precious stone.   [Illustration of colorful credit cards]( SWIPE RIGHT | 3-MINUTE READ [How to Shop With Virtual Credit Cards to Protect Your Privacy]( BY DAVID NIELD Keep your real credit card details to yourself by using virtual card services from Privacy, Revolut, and possibly even your current bank.   [A photo collage of Harry Styles, Josh O'Connor, and Timothée Chalamet with an array of berries throughout the image.]( DIGITAL CULTURE | 4-MINUTE READ [The Real Problem With TikTok’s ‘Fruity’ Boy Trend]( BY JOSH GREENBLATT On TikTok and X, the “fruity” boyfriend has become a hot topic. But the trend exposes the real issues that arise when dating apps reduce everyone to an archetype.   Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world on [jobs.wired.com](. [Tax Manager]( [Spotify]( [Location: New York, USA]( [APPLY NOW]( [Avionics Engineer]( [Ryanair]( [Location: Prestwick, Scotland]( [APPLY NOW]( ADVERTISEMENT   [WIRED logo image]( Thanks for reading. Was this newsletter forwarded to you? [Sign up here](. Plus, [browse more newsletters]( from WIRED. [(image) WIRED on Facebook]( [(image) WIRED on Twitter]( [(image) WIRED on Instagram]( [(image) WIRED on LinkedIn]( [(image) WIRED on YouTube]( [Podcasts]( [TikTok](   You’re receiving this email because you signed up for the Daily newsletter from WIRED. [Manage your preferences]( | [View our Privacy Policy]( | [Unsubscribe]( Have questions or comments? [Send us a message](mailto:hello@wired.com?subject=Daily newsletter feedback). Need help? [Contact us](. Copyright © Condé Nast 2024. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.