The Download: the US digital rights crackdown, and AI companionship | MIT Technology Review

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By Charlotte Jeearchive pageJanuary 19, 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. What it’s like to be banned from the US for fighting online hate   Just before Christmas the Trump administration dramatically escalated its war on digital rights by banning five people from entering the US. One of them, Josephine Ballon, is a director of HateAid, a small German nonprofit founded to support the victims of online harassment and violence. The organization is a strong advocate of EU tech regulations, and so finds itself attacked in campaigns from right-wing politicians and provocateurs who claim that it engages in censorship.  EU officials, freedom of speech experts, and the five people targeted all flatly reject these accusations. Ballon told us that their work is fundamentally about making people feel safer online. But their experiences over the past few weeks show just how politicized and besieged their work in online safety has become. Read the full story.  —Eileen Guo
TR10: AI companions Chatbots are skilled at crafting sophisticated dialogue and mimicking empathetic behavior. They never get tired of chatting. It’s no wonder, then, that so many people now use them for companionship—forging friendships or even romantic relationships. 72% of US teenagers have used AI for companionship, according to a study from the nonprofit Common Sense Media. But while chatbots can provide much-needed emotional support and guidance for some people, they can exacerbate underlying problems in others—especially vulnerable people or those with mental health issues. 
Although some early attempts to regulate this space are underway, AI companionship is going nowhere. Read why we made it one of our 10 Breakthrough Technologies this year, and check out the rest of the list.And, if you want to learn more about what we predict for AI this year, sign up to join me for our free LinkedIn Live event tomorrow at 12.30pm ET. Why inventing new emotions feels so good   Have you ever felt “velvetmist”?   It’s a “complex and subtle emotion that elicits feelings of comfort, serenity, and a gentle sense of floating.” It’s peaceful, but more ephemeral and intangible than contentment. It might be evoked by the sight of a sunset or a moody, low-key album.   If you haven’t ever felt this sensation—or even heard of it—that’s not surprising. A Reddit user generated it with ChatGPT, along with advice on how to evoke the feeling. Don’t scoff: Researchers say more and more terms for these “neo-­emotions” are showing up online, describing new dimensions and aspects of feeling. Read our story to learn more about why.  —Anya Kamenetz This story is from the latest print issue of MIT Technology Review. If you haven’t already, subscribe now to receive the next edition as soon as it lands (and benefit from some hefty seasonal discounts too!)

The must-reads I’ve combed the internet to find you today’s most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology. 1 Ads are coming to ChatGPT For American users initially, with plans to expand soon. (CNN)+ Here’s how they’ll work. (Wired $)2 What will we be able to salvage after the AI bubble bursts? It will be ugly, but there are plenty of good uses for AI that we’ll want to keep. (The Guardian) + What even is the AI bubble? (MIT Technology Review) 3 It’s almost impossible to mine Greenland’s natural resources It has vast supplies of rare earth elements, but its harsh climate and environment make them very hard to access. (The Week)4 Iran is now 10 days into its internet shutdownIt’s one of the longest and most extreme we’ve ever witnessed. (BBC)+  Starlink isn’t proving as helpful as hoped as the regime finds ways to jam it. (Reuters $)+ Battles are raging online about what’s really going on inside Iran. (NYT $) 5 America is heading for a polymarket disaster Prediction markets are getting out of control, and some people are losing a lot of money. (The Atlantic $)+ They were first embraced by political junkies, but now they’re everywhere. (NYT $)6 How to fireproof a city Californians are starting to fight fires before they can even start. (The Verge $)+ How AI can help spot wildfires. (MIT Technology Review)7 Stoking ‘deep state’ conspiracy theories can be dangerous Especially if you’re then given the task of helping run one of those state institutions, as Dan Bongino is now learning. (WP $)+ Why everything is a conspiracy now. (MIT Technology Review)8 Why we’re suddenly all having a ‘Very Chinese Time’ 🇨🇳It’s a fun, flippant trend—but it also shows how China’s soft power is growing around the globe. (Wired $) 9 Why there’s no one best way to store informationEach one involves trade-offs between space and time. (Quanta $)10 Meat may play a surprising role in helping people reach 100Perhaps because it can assist with building stronger muscles and bones. (New Scientist $) Quote of the day “That’s the level of anxiety now – people watching the skies and the seas themselves because they don’t know what else to do.”
—A Greenlander tells The Guardian just how seriously she and her fellow compatriots are taking Trump’s threat to invade their country. 
One more thing KATHERINE LAM Inside a romance scam compound—and how people get tricked into being there Gavesh’s journey started, seemingly innocently, with a job ad on Facebook promising work he desperately needed. Instead, he found himself trafficked into a business commonly known as “pig butchering”—a form of fraud in which scammers form close relationships with targets online and extract money from them. The Chinese crime syndicates behind the scams have netted billions of dollars, and they have used violence and coercion to force their workers, many of them trafficked like Gavesh, to carry out the frauds from large compounds, several of which operate openly in the quasi-lawless borderlands of Myanmar. Big Tech may hold the key to breaking up the scam syndicates—if these companies can be persuaded or compelled to act. Read the full story. —Peter Guest & Emily Fishbein
We can still have nice things A place for comfort, fun and distraction to brighten up your day. (Got any ideas? Drop me a line or skeet 'em at me.) + Blue Monday isn’t real (but it is an absolute banger of a track.) + Some great advice here about how to be productive during the working day.+ Twelfth Night is one of Shakespeare’s most fun plays—as these top actors can attest. + If the cold and dark gets to you, try making yourself a delicious bowl of soup.  by Charlotte JeeShareShare story on linkedinShare story on facebookShare story on emailPopularWe’re learning more about what vitamin D does to our bodiesJessica Hamzelou10 Breakthrough Technologies 2026Amy NordrumThe great AI hype correction of 2025Will Douglas HeavenChina figured out how to sell EVs. Now it has to deal with their aging batteries.Caiwei ChenDeep DiveThe DownloadThe Download: AI’s impact on the economy, and DeepSeek strikes againPlus: OpenAI is sounding the "code red" alarm
By Rhiannon Williamsarchive pageThe Download: China’s dying EV batteries, and why AI doomers are doubling downPlus: TikTok has finally signed a deal to keep operating in the US
By Rhiannon Williamsarchive pageThe Download: sodium-ion batteries and China’s bright tech futurePlus: This company is developing gene therapies for muscle growth, erectile dysfunction, and “radical longevity”
By Charlotte Jeearchive pageThe Download: the worst technology of 2025, and Sam Altman’s AI hypePlus: China has built a major chip-making machine
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The article from *MIT Technology Review* highlights two major developments in the tech landscape: the escalating tension between U.S. digital rights policies and international advocacy efforts, alongside the growing role of artificial intelligence in personal companionship. The piece opens with a focus on the Trump administration’s crackdown, which saw five individuals—including Josephine Ballon, director of the German nonprofit HateAid—banned from entering the U.S. for their work in combating online harassment and advocating for EU tech regulations. Ballon’s organization, which supports victims of digital violence, has faced relentless attacks from right-wing figures who accuse it of censorship. These allegations are vehemently denied by EU officials, free speech experts, and Ballon herself, who emphasizes that HateAid’s mission is to create safer online spaces. The incident underscores the increasing politicization of digital rights, with Ballon describing her team’s efforts as “under siege” by ideological opponents. The story reflects broader global conflicts over how to balance free expression with accountability in the digital realm, as well as the U.S. government’s growing influence in shaping global tech policy. The ban also raises questions about the intersection of immigration control and digital activism, highlighting how online advocacy can become a liability in politically charged environments.

The second major theme centers on the rise of AI companionship, a phenomenon that has become increasingly normalized despite its complex implications. The article cites a study by Common Sense Media revealing that 72% of U.S. teenagers use AI for emotional support, forming friendships or even romantic relationships with chatbots that mimic empathy and conversation. While these tools offer critical solace for individuals struggling with isolation or mental health challenges, the article warns of potential risks. For example, AI companionship may exacerbate existing psychological issues by replacing human interaction with algorithmic responses, particularly for vulnerable populations. This duality—AI as both a lifeline and a potential hazard—is central to the discussion. The piece also notes that regulatory efforts in this space are still nascent, with no clear consensus on how to govern AI’s role in emotional labor. The article frames AI companionship as one of *MIT Technology Review*’s 10 Breakthrough Technologies of the year, acknowledging its transformative potential while advocating for cautious oversight. The inclusion of this topic reflects a broader societal shift toward integrating AI into personal and emotional domains, raising ethical questions about autonomy, dependency, and the boundaries of human-machine relationships.

Beyond these core themes, the article touches on a range of other technological and societal issues. One section explores the emergence of “neo-emotions,” such as “velvetmist,” a term coined by a Reddit user to describe an ephemeral feeling of serenity evoked by art or nature. This phenomenon, generated by AI tools like ChatGPT, illustrates how technology is reshaping human emotional language and experiences. The article suggests that such terms may signal a cultural shift in how people conceptualize feelings, driven by the creative possibilities of AI. Another segment delves into the challenges posed by global events, including Iran’s prolonged internet shutdown and the struggles of Greenlanders to cope with U.S. political rhetoric about potential invasion. The latter highlights how digital threats can have tangible, real-world consequences, with citizens adopting extreme measures to monitor their security. Meanwhile, the piece critiques the growing presence of ads on platforms like ChatGPT and the speculative risks of an AI “bubble burst,” warning that while many AI applications could be beneficial, overvaluation may lead to economic instability.

The article also addresses the murky world of online fraud, particularly through a report on “pig butchering” scams in Myanmar. These schemes, operated by Chinese crime syndicates, involve exploiting victims through fabricated relationships before extorting money. The piece highlights the role of Big Tech in enabling or combating such activities, suggesting that platform accountability could be key to dismantling these networks. Additionally, it briefly discusses the rise of prediction markets, which have become a volatile and contentious space for investing in political outcomes, and the growing use of AI to detect wildfires in California. These examples underscore the diverse ways technology intersects with societal challenges, from security and finance to environmental crises.

The “Quote of the Day” emphasizes the palpable anxiety in Greenland over Trump’s threats, illustrating how digital and geopolitical tensions can reverberate across borders. Meanwhile, the “One more thing” section reflects on the human cost of digital exploitation, with a focus on how individuals like Gavesh are trafficked into fraudulent operations. The article concludes with lighter, more reflective content, including dismissals of “Blue Monday” as a myth and advice on productivity. These elements collectively paint a picture of a world where technology is both a source of innovation and a catalyst for conflict, shaping everything from personal relationships to global politics.

Overall, the article serves as a multifaceted examination of contemporary tech issues, balancing urgent concerns with speculative possibilities. It underscores the need for nuanced approaches to digital governance, ethical AI development, and the protection of human rights in an increasingly interconnected world. By weaving together stories from different regions and disciplines, *MIT Technology Review* highlights the complexity of modern technological challenges while urging readers to engage critically with their implications.