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Tech and Space Exploration Dominate News Cycle as Mistral AI Unveils Speech Model, House Committee Advances Space Program Bill
Several developments across technology, space exploration, and museum exhibits captured headlines on Wednesday. Mistral AI, a Paris-based startup, launched Voxtral Transcribe 2, a new open-source speech-to-text model, while a U.S. House committee advanced a bill to create a "commercial" deep space program. Additionally, museums began incorporating the "scent of the afterlife" into Egyptian exhibits.
Mistral AI positioned itself as a European competitor to OpenAI with the release of its Voxtral Transcribe 2 models. According to VentureBeat, the company claimed these models can transcribe audio faster, more accurately, and more cheaply than existing options, all while running directly on devices like smartphones or laptops. This development arrives amidst increasing competition in voice AI, which is seen as crucial for applications ranging from automated customer service to real-time translation. A key feature of Mistral's models is their ability to process sensitive audio without transmitting it to remote servers.
In the realm of space exploration, a U.S. House committee unanimously passed a reauthorization act for NASA, Ars Technica reported. The legislation, which still requires approval from the full House and the Senate, provides a general direction for the space agency. While distinct from appropriations bills that allocate specific funding, these reauthorization bills play a vital role in establishing space policy. The bill aims to create a "commercial" deep space program.
Meanwhile, museums are enhancing their ancient Egypt exhibits by incorporating the "scent of eternity." Ars Technica reported that Barbara Huber, of the Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology and the University of Tübingen, collaborated with museum curators to introduce the scent into exhibits. This initiative stems from the 2023 identification of compounds in balms used to mummify the organs of an ancient Egyptian noblewoman. The recipes were found to be unusually complex, utilizing ingredients not native to the region. Huber partnered with a perfumer to recreate what she termed "the scent of eternity" to transform how visitors understand embalming.
In other news, Visible, a mobile carrier that utilizes Verizon's network, is offering promotional codes and coupons for February 2026, according to Wired. Visible offers unlimited data, talk, and text plans starting at $25 per month, using Verizon's 5G and 4G LTE networks, along with unlimited communication to Mexico and Canada.
The House's NASA reauthorization act will now move to the full House for a vote, before potentially being considered by the Senate later this month.
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