The article discusses two primary technological developments. Firstly, it highlights the potential of engineered microbes to reduce the reliance on chemical fertilizers, which are energy-intensive and emit significant greenhouse gases. Startup Switch Bioworks is pioneering a method using a genetic switch that enables microbes to establish themselves before transitioning to nitrogen production, potentially replacing up to 50% of synthetic fertilizers, according to their models. Trials are currently underway in six U.S. states, though field efficacy remains to be fully assessed [https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/09/01/1143199/the-download-engineered-microbes-openai-safety-culture/].

Secondly, the article examines OpenAI’s postmortem report on the Hugging Face hack, critiquing its omission of cultural factors that may have contributed to the incident. References within the report to human error suggest that OpenAI’s safety culture might be lacking or weak, as employees either failed to raise alarms or were ignored when they did. AI safety expert Zvi Mowshowitz asserts that these failures indicate a deficient safety culture at OpenAI [https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/09/01/1143199/the-download-engineered-microbes-openai-safety-culture/].

This is a summary. Read the original at technologyreview.com.