Latest news with #Kairos
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Google inks deal to develop 1.8 GW of advanced nuclear power
Google and nuclear site developer Elementl Power announced this week that they will work together on three sites for advanced nuclear reactors. The tech company has been rushing to lock up energy sources as its AI ambitions drive growing power demands at its data centers. This year alone, Google plans to spend $75 billion building data center capacity. With the new deal, Google is promising to add at least 600 megawatts of generating capacity at each of the three sites. Elementl said the reactors will be connected to the grid 'with the option for commercial off-take,' meaning that Google can buy power directly. Elementl has been operating stealthily until this announcement. The team has experience in the nuclear industry, though it hasn't developed any power plants yet. The company was started by Breakwater North and is backed by Energy Impact Partners. Elementl is taking a 'technology agnostic' approach, meaning that it hasn't decided on which small modular reactor (SMR) company it will work with to develop the projects. There are a number of possibilities, though Kairos Power is a likely frontrunner given its existing deal with Google. Kairos says its demo plant will generate 50 megawatts of electricity, with an eventual commercial plant producing 150 megawatts split between two reactors. There's no universally accepted definition, but SMRs tend to top out at 300 megawatts or so. By comparison, the most recently completed nuclear power plant in the U.S., Vogtle Unit 4 in Georgia, generates over 1.1 gigawatts of electricity, nearly four times the size of a large SMR. Silicon Valley has been smitten by SMRs. Startups have been rushing into the space, promising to slash reactor costs through mass manufacturing enabled by SMRs' smaller size. That, coupled with the promise of 24/7 power that could be sited close to data centers, has pushed them to sign a number of deals with SMR startups, including Oklo, X-Energy, and the aforementioned Kairos. Yet no SMR has been built outside of China. One startup, NuScale, has gotten close to building one, but it suffered a setback in 2023 when its utility partner canceled its contract after the estimated cost of the project more than doubled — even as the plans were downsized in an effort to contain costs. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Google inks deal to develop 1.8 GW of advanced nuclear power
Google and nuclear site developer Elementl Power announced this week that they will work together on three sites for advanced nuclear reactors. The tech company has been rushing to lock up energy sources as its AI ambitions drive growing power demands at its data centers. This year alone, Google plans to spend $75 billion building data center capacity. With the new deal, Google is promising to add at least 600 megawatts of generating capacity at each of the three sites. Elementl said the reactors will be connected to the grid 'with the option for commercial off-take,' meaning that Google can buy power directly. Elementl has been operating stealthily until this announcement. The team has experience in the nuclear industry, though it hasn't developed any power plants yet. The company was started by Breakwater North and is backed by Energy Impact Partners. Elementl is taking a 'technology agnostic' approach, meaning that it hasn't decided on which small modular reactor (SMR) company it will work with to develop the projects. There are a number of possibilities, though Kairos Power is a likely frontrunner given its existing deal with Google. Kairos says its demo plant will generate 50 megawatts of electricity, with an eventual commercial plant producing 150 megawatts split between two reactors. There's no universally accepted definition, but SMRs tend to top out at 300 megawatts or so. By comparison, the most recently completed nuclear power plant in the U.S., Vogtle Unit 4 in Georgia, generates over 1.1 gigawatts of electricity, nearly four times the size of a large SMR. Silicon Valley has been smitten by SMRs. Startups have been rushing into the space, promising to slash reactor costs through mass manufacturing enabled by SMRs' smaller size. That, coupled with the promise of 24/7 power that could be sited close to data centers, has pushed them to sign a number of deals with SMR startups, including Oklo, X-Energy, and the aforementioned Kairos. Yet no SMR has been built outside of China. One startup, NuScale, has gotten close to building one, but it suffered a setback in 2023 when its utility partner canceled its contract after the estimated cost of the project more than doubled — even as the plans were downsized in an effort to contain costs.
The National
04-05-2025
- Health
- The National
Parents turn to app-blocking phones to fight social media addiction
A Dubai mum who turned to a special smartphone that locks out the most addictive social media apps says no-frills handsets can cut screen time and improve quality of life. Constructive hobbies and more time spent with her family are just two of the benefits enjoyed by Samantha Bohnacker, 44, since switching to a specially modified device which promises to reduce dopamine spikes through reduced phone use. She said with the new software, which can only make calls, take photos and access closed platforms like Google Maps or ride-hailing and banking apps, her daily screen time plummeted from seven hours to three. Ms Bohnacker, who is British and has two children aged 11 and 13, and her two business partners have now linked up with developers of the Balance Phone to bring the product to the UAE. Through their company, Kairos, they hope it can help other parents deal with concerns over children being exposed to harmful online content and limit their screen time. 'Instagram was my issue and I could get sucked in,' Ms Bohnacker told The National. She founded Kairos with two other mums facing similar challenges, Australian Natalie Pieteobon, 46, and Briton Amelia Haughey, 43. 'Now my phone is just a tool to use when I need it.' Ms Bohnacker has since taken up puzzles and knitting, and reads more in her free time. 'I think we've all got slightly nervous about being bored, but there's nothing wrong with being bored,' she said. In 2023, US think tank the Pew Research Centre polled 1,453 teenagers aged 13-17 about their screen habits. Researchers found 72 per cent found peace when not using their smartphones, while 44 per cent said devices made them anxious. Meanwhile, almost half of parents and teenagers said they regularly argued about screen time, and 46 per cent of teenagers said their parents were distracted by phones when they tried to talk to them. Video-focused platforms TikTok and YouTube were the most popular apps. Dr Jamil El-Imad, a fellow at Imperial College in London at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering, said smartphones are neurologically engineered to capture and retain attention. 'They use the brain's reward system since colourful objects and distinct notification sounds act as digital dopamine triggers,' he said. 'When we see a notification or hear a ping, it creates a sense of anticipation and uncertainty. This intermittent reinforcement is highly addictive: it teaches the brain that checking the phone might lead to a social reward, releasing dopamine.' The Balance Phone's operating system currently only runs on Samsung devices. It is designed to be distraction-free with no colours or noises, removing the visual and audio tricks used by software developers to boost engagement time and drive advertising revenue. 'I realised when my daughter started secondary school, there needed to be a better option than an old Nokia-style phone,' said Ms Bohnacker. 'I stumbled across the Balance Phone through my research, and it looked like everything we would want it to be.' The Balance Phone was developed in Barcelona by two friends, Albert Beltran Feliu and Carlos Fontclara Bargallo. Since its launch in December, they have sold 750 phones and are looking to deliver more devices around Europe. The UAE is the first country outside of the continent to begin selling the modified Samsung handsets, which start at Dh1,160. 'We basically sell two solutions,' Mr Feliu told The National. 'The first is just the software, so we can turn any Samsung into a Balance Phone. The other solution is handsets for parents that want to buy a first phone for their child.' The phone remains compatible with all apps that have an endpoint. For instance, mobile banking apps that enable a person to log on, finalise a transaction and then put their phone away afterwards are enabled. The only apps blocked are those that don't have such an endpoint. For instance, Instagram or Snapchat, which encourage a person to remain online and scroll for an unspecified purpose, for an unspecified period of time, are blocked. The idea is that the Balance Phone enables you to have all the perks of a smartphone and the apps that ease quality of life in the modern world, but without some of the more addictive scrolling apps that can prove a distraction. 'We wanted to create this sweet spot between these two categories, to create a phone that had the best of both worlds,' Mr Feliu said. In February, government officials signed the UAE Children's Digital Wellbeing Pact during the World Government Summit in Dubai. It looked to address serious risks to children's online safety and well-being, and suggested that more than two hours of screen time per day increased the likelihood of higher blood pressure and type 2 diabetes in children. Child protection was a central tenet of the pact, with 33 per cent of children in the UAE reporting being bullied online in a 2019 survey. The UAE's first digital detox clinic for children opened in Abu Dhabi in March, offering a programme to address the growing problem of screen addiction in young people. The clinic, which is based inside the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre, Yas Clinic, offers a six-step system to help children and their families regain control over screen time. It begins with an attention span assessment, followed by a physical evaluation, physiotherapy sessions, psychometric therapy, eye tests, and finally long-term monitoring. The WeProtect Global Alliance is a global campaign group advocating for improved strategies for children to enjoy the benefits of the digital world, free from risks of sexual abuse and exploitation. Its executive director, Iain Drennan, said modified devices offering limited web access should form part of a broader approach to keeping children safe online. 'The Balance Phone is a tool that can be used to help achieve this aim, but should be considered as just one element of a multi-pronged approach to prevent online harm,' he said. 'Our approach is to bring together experts from government, the private sector and civil society to collaborate to build effective solutions to the problem.' Mr Drennan added that education is a 'key element' to preventing online harms and 'needs to be considered alongside technological tools' to equip parents, caregivers and children with the 'knowledge and the means to engage safely and confidently in digital spaces'.
South China Morning Post
12-02-2025
- Science
- South China Morning Post
SOTY 2023/24: Best Improvement winner overcomes setbacks, has ambitious dreams
Anirudh Sarva Jegadeesan, a student at YMCA of Hong Kong Christian College, has made a significant impact since moving to Hong Kong three years ago. Originally from Chennai, India, Anirudh relocated due to his father's work. This move came at a challenging time, just as Covid-19 restrictions were loosening and he had begun reconnecting with loved ones. 'Leaving behind my friends and family in Chennai was challenging, especially as lockdown restrictions had just eased,' he said. Anirudh added that he still misses the incredible food of South India, the vibrant culture, and the joyful experiences of playing street cricket. Initially, the move to Hong Kong was met with resistance. 'My mom and I were very against moving to Hong Kong. At the time, we were equally scared of living in high floors and cramped houses,' he shared. However, they found Hong Kong to be welcoming and diverse. Moving allowed Anirudh to reset and explore new activities like basketball and swimming. SOTY 2023/24: Scientist winner shows passions and dedication to the subject His educational journey, however, was far from easy. 'Academically, it was a nightmare,' he confessed, explaining the fragmented schooling he experienced due to the pandemic and differing school systems. On top of this, he faced the challenge of preparing for the Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE). In spite of this, Anirudh excelled. He was 17 years old when he received the Best Improvement award at the Student of the Year Awards, organised by the South China Morning Post and solely sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Anirudh used specific study strategies to achieve his success. 'One study habit that I made use of is setting ambitious goals for myself at the start of the academic year,' he explained. Collaborative learning also played a big part. 'When you study with your peers, they may understand something you do not and vice versa,' he added. The Student of the Year Awards presentation ceremony at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. Anirudh is pictured in the front row, second from left. Photo: Edmond So Balancing academics with extracurricular activities was another challenge. Anirudh is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of a student-run company, Kairos, and the chairperson of the STEM Club. 'Time management posed a significant challenge for me, particularly with overlapping meetings and prefect duties during lunch, followed by tests,' he said. He managed his time by prioritising his commitments and organising his schedule effectively, allocating time for academics and activities. He also learned to adapt by observing how others before him managed similar responsibilities. 'Do not copy them exactly, but observe how they met deadlines and managed their responsibilities,' he said. In his role as CTO of Kairos, Anirudh led initiatives such as designing a 3D model for their flagship product, launching a professional website, and managing the company's Instagram presence. As chairperson of the STEM Club, he increased its membership to over 100 students and led teams in various competitions. In the future, Anirudh aspires to enter the Engineering + AI programme or the Dual Degree in Technology and Management programme at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). Anirudh said he has learned a lot on his journey. 'One lesson I learned is the importance of finding opportunities. It's a powerful skill to possess,' he said.
