Tech Breakthroughs and Legal Battles: From Artificial Eggs to World Models

Welcome to a deep dive into the latest tech stories that are shaping our world. In this Q&A, we explore Colossal Biosciences' ambitious artificial egg project, the fallout from Elon Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI, the intriguing cryopreservation of a scientist's brain, and the emergence of world models in artificial intelligence. Each answer provides fresh insights without repeating the original text—just the same core facts, reimagined for clarity and engagement. Use the internal links to jump between related topics.

What is Colossal Biosciences' artificial egg and why is it controversial?

Colossal Biosciences has developed a transparent 3D-printed plastic cup that mimics an eggshell, allowing chicken embryos to grow and hatch outside a natural egg. The company claims this is a “fully artificial egg” and a key step toward resurrecting extinct birds like the dodo and giant moa. However, the announcement has sparked skepticism. Some scientists argue that the term “artificial egg” is an overstatement, as the device is more of a culture system than a true biological egg. The technology does provide a controlled environment for avian development, which could eventually lead to artificial wombs. Yet, critics say Colossal is hyping incremental progress as a breakthrough. The real controversy lies in whether such methods can truly revive lost species or if they distract from conservation efforts. For more on the science behind this, see our section on artificial wombs.

How does the artificial egg relate to artificial wombs?

The artificial egg developed by Colossal Biosciences is not just about hatching chickens—it represents an early step toward artificial wombs. By creating an environment where an embryo can develop outside a natural egg, researchers are essentially building an incubator that supports growth, gas exchange, and waste removal. This concept parallels work in mammalian artificial wombs, which aim to sustain preterm infants or even grow embryos from scratch. For birds, the artificial egg could allow scientists to manipulate embryonic development for species revival, such as inserting genes of extinct birds into chicken embryos. However, the technology is far from a true womb, as it lacks the complex biological interactions of a living system. Still, it opens the door to ex ovo development, potentially revolutionizing reproductive biology and conservation. Check our earlier question on the artificial egg for context.

What was the outcome of the Musk v. Altman trial and its implications?

Elon Musk lost his lawsuit against OpenAI, which accused cofounders Sam Altman and Greg Brockman of misleading him about the company's nonprofit mission. The court found no evidence that OpenAI breached its original charter. This decision has major implications for the AI race. It reinforces that OpenAI can pivot toward for-profit structures without legal repercussions from early partners. For Musk, it’s a setback in his efforts to influence the direction of AI development. The trial also highlighted the tension between open-source ideals and commercial realities in AI. As companies like OpenAI race to deploy powerful models, this ruling may encourage other firms to adopt similar hybrid nonprofit/for-profit models. For a deeper analysis, MIT Technology Review subscribers can access the full Roundtables discussion linked in the original story.

What is the story behind the cryopreserved brain of L. Stephen Coles?

L. Stephen Coles’s brain has been stored at −146°C in an Arizona facility for over a decade. Before his death in 2014, Coles—a scientist—arranged for his brain to be cryopreserved in hopes of eventual reanimation. His friend, cryobiologist Greg Fahy, believes revival is possible one day, though most experts are highly skeptical. Fahy’s work, however, has practical value: it helps researchers study brain preservation techniques. The process involves replacing water with cryoprotectants to prevent ice damage, then cooling to vitrification. While reanimation remains far-fetched, this research could lead to better methods for long-term organ storage and transplantation. The story is also featured as an MIT Technology Review Narrated podcast, available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

How does cryopreservation research benefit organ transplantation?

Although reviving a frozen brain is speculative, the same cryopreservation techniques are becoming a viable reality for organ transplantation. Researchers can vitrify organs like kidneys and hearts, storing them at low temperatures without ice crystal damage. This would extend the window for matching donors to recipients, reducing organ waste. Fahy’s experiments with brain tissue help refine these methods—for instance, testing cryoprotectant mixtures that can penetrate large tissues. Some groups are already using similar approaches to preserve ovarian tissue for fertility preservation. The ultimate goal is to bank whole organs, potentially saving thousands of lives. This field is advancing rapidly, with the first successful vitrification and transplantation of a rabbit kidney reported in 2022.

What are world models and why are they important for AI?

World models are AI systems that understand the physical environment, going beyond the text-only limitations of large language models (LLMs). Companies like Google DeepMind, Fei-Fei Li’s World Labs, and Yann LeCun are pushing this technology. Instead of just predicting words, world models simulate cause and effect—like how objects move or interact under gravity. This could enable AI to plan actions, reason about space, and even learn from raw video. For self-driving cars, robots, or game agents, world models offer a way to handle unseen situations. Critics note that current models are still far from human-like understanding, but they represent a crucial shift toward embodied intelligence. MIT Technology Review is hosting an exclusive Roundtables discussion on May 21 exploring where this technology is heading.