The Download: unlocking lithium and controlling Ebola

May 29, 2026 · 5:02 PM UTC ·5 min read · 0 reactions · 0 comments · 47 views

#technology #health #environment #artificial intelligence #lithium

TL;DR · WeSearch summary

A new extraction method for lithium could significantly reduce costs and emissions, making it a promising development for electric vehicles and energy storage. Meanwhile, an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is raising alarms due to its severity and the challenges in controlling it. Additionally, Pope Leo XIV's encyclical on artificial intelligence emphasizes the need for responsible action in the face of technological advancements.

Key facts

▪A new method for extracting lithium uses a weak acid to dissolve silicate minerals, potentially lowering costs and emissions.
▪The Bundibugyo virus, a cause of Ebola, has led to a deadly outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with four health-care workers dying within days.
▪Pope Leo XIV's encyclical on AI calls for courage and solidarity as technology transforms human life, stressing that corporations cannot solely dictate the direction of this transformation.

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MIT Technology Review

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Original publisher	MIT Technology Review
Canonical URL	https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/05/29/1138110/the-download-lithium-extraction-ebola-ai-pope/
Publication time	Fri, 29 May 2026 17:02:53 +0000
Retrieval time	2026-05-29T17:20:02.488Z
Last seen	2026-05-29T17:20:02.488Z
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Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand

The DownloadThe Download: unlocking lithium and controlling EbolaPlus: Anthropic is now valued higher than OpenAI. By Thomas Macaulayarchive pageMay 29, 2026 This is today's edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what's going on in the world of technology. How a new extraction process could unlock the world’s lithium A new method for extracting lithium could cut costs and emissions from one of the world’s most important materials for EVs and energy storage. The technique uses a weak acid to dissolve silicate minerals. That frees not only the lithium but also other useful materials, including alumina and silica.

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