Predictive data and proactive outreach are transforming how Los Angeles County prevents homelessness. Partnering with the California Policy Lab at UCLA, the county is using an AI-driven model to identify residents most at risk of losing stable housing. This program, the first of its kind in the U.S., connects high-risk
The days of worrying about exorbitant EV battery replacement costs may be coming to an end. Recent reports from industry leaders like Recurrent and Goldman Sachs highlight an accelerating drop in lithium-ion battery prices, promising a future where replacing an electric vehicle (EV) battery is as affordable—or even cheaper—than fixing
Niantic, the company behind Pokémon Go, is leveraging data from millions of players to create a revolutionary Large Geospatial Model (LGM). This AI-powered system uses user-contributed scans to map the physical world in unprecedented detail, paving the way for advanced augmented reality (AR), urban planning, and logistics. According to Niantic’s
Big Tech companies are eyeing nuclear power plants to provide emissions-free electricity for running their increasingly energy-intensive AI operations. Urban Tech: Microsoft is set to fund the revival of Pennsylvania’s shuttered Three Mile Island nuclear plant to secure emissions-free power. Amazon and Google are also looking at nuclear, backing small
A new residential skyscraper, the Muraba Veil, is set to rise in Dubai, offering a bold vision from RCR Arquitectes in collaboration with developer Muraba. The slender design spans just 74 feet (22.5 meters) in width, a strikingly narrow profile that is stretching the limits (or rather shrinking) the new
The U.S.may have just struck “white gold” in southwestern Arkansas. A recent U.S. Geological Survey study found an estimated 5 to 19 million tons of lithium reserves. Urban Tech: Global demand for lithium, a key mineral for electric vehicle battery production, has surged in recent years. This growth is expected
A company specializing in fire-suppressing materials for EV batteries, Aspen Aerogels, just secured a $670.6 million loan commitment from the Department of Energy. The loan, pending final approval, will support the completion of Aspen Aerogels’ new manufacturing plant in Georgia. This move aligns with the DOE’s efforts to strengthen domestic
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is offering over $1 billion to states, cities, and public entities to enhance intercity passenger rail outside of the Northeast Corridor. Funded through the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law, the initiative aims to improve rail infrastructure, reduce congestion, and expand reliable transit options in underserved areas,