Technology
Is this technology the answer to cleaning up our ocean’s plastic problem?
In the vast, swirling expanse of the North Pacific Ocean lies a phenomenon as intriguing as it is troubling – the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP). This colossal debris vortex stretching from California to Japan has become the poster child for the planet’s plastic pollution crisis.
Yet, amid this dire scenario, a project called The Ocean Cleanup has emerged as a beacon of hope and a subject of debate.
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Trash collected by U-shaped catchment system (The Ocean Cleanup) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
The massive island of trash
The GPGP is no ordinary island. It’s an immense floating trash vortex spanning approximately 617,763.454 square miles, with Hawaii nestled in its midst.
Map of the GPGP (The Ocean Cleanup) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
The majority of this debris is plastic, ranging in size from large discarded fishing nets to microplastics that pose a more insidious threat.
U-shaped catchment system (The Ocean Cleanup) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
While only 8% of the GPGP’s total mass, these tiny plastic fragments represent 94% of the estimated 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic floating in this marine desert. The presence of microplastics highlights the immense challenge of addressing oceanic plastic pollution, as these particles continue to break down but never fully disappear, threatening marine life in profound ways.
U-shaped catchment system (The Ocean Cleanup) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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The Ocean Cleanup’s “Jenny” technology
Enter The Ocean Cleanup, a nonprofit that uses technology to combat oceanic and riverine trash. Central to their mission is System 002, affectionately dubbed “Jenny.” This innovative U-shaped catchment system, towed by two fuel-powered ships, trawls the ocean surface, collecting debris in its path. Once Jenny is full, the garbage is transferred to a larger vessel and taken ashore for processing.
Underwater view of U-shaped catchment system (The Ocean Cleanup) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
As The Ocean Cleanup evolves, so do its methods. The upcoming System 03, or “Josh,” promises even greater cleanups, boasting enhancements like the “MASH” – a marine animal safety hatch designed to safeguard sea life during the collection process.
System 03 features an expansive floating barrier spanning roughly 1.4 miles, strategically positioned between a pair of vessels towing it at a reduced speed. Attached to this barrier is a downward-reaching screen that plunges 13 feet beneath the water’s surface, targeting the zone where the majority of floating plastic debris is typically found.
Aerial view of U-shaped catchment system (The Ocean Cleanup) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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What becomes of the collected trash?
A crucial question looms: What happens to the trash once it’s hauled ashore? The Ocean Cleanup asserts that a significant portion of the plastic is recycled and transformed into “durable and valuable” products. The remnants, deemed unrecyclable, are incinerated to generate electricity – a process known as thermal recycling.
However, this approach is not without its critics. Concerns have been raised about the optimistic view of plastic recycling and the potential environmental impact of thermal recycling, including the release of toxins.
Vehicle used to haul trash ashore (The Ocean Cleanup) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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The debate and the path forward
The Ocean Cleanup’s efforts are not unchallenged. Critics argue that while removing trash from the oceans is beneficial, the ultimate solution lies in preventing plastic from entering the waters in the first place.
Vehicle used to haul trash ashore (The Ocean Cleanup) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Ocean scientists and environmental advocates emphasize the need to reduce our reliance on plastic and to intercept it before it reaches the ocean, citing projects like river interceptors and initiatives like Baltimore’s Mr. Trash Wheel.
Vehicle used to haul trash ashore (The Ocean Cleanup) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Kurt’s key takeaways
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch and The Ocean Cleanup’s efforts to address it present a microcosm of the broader challenges and debates surrounding oceanic plastic pollution. While the organization’s innovative approaches offer hope, they also spark important conversations about the most effective strategies for preserving our oceans. As we navigate these turbulent waters, the tale of the GPGP serves as a poignant reminder of human activity’s impact on the natural world and the urgent need for collective action to safeguard our planet’s future.
Do you believe technological interventions like ‘The Ocean Cleanup’ are sustainable long-term solutions, or should we focus more on preventive measures? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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When Oregon resident Isabelle Reksopuro heard Google was gobbling up public land to fuel its data centers in her home state, she didn’t initially know what to believe. “There’s a lot of misinformation about data centers,” she said. “Google has denied taking that land.”
Technically, she explains, The Dalles, a city near the Washington state border, sought to reclaim that land, “and Google is just a big, unnamed power user.” The city had in fact asked for ownership of a 150-acre portion of Mount Hood National Forest, claiming it needs access to Mount Hood’s watershed to meet municipal needs as its population — 16,010 as of the 2020 census — grows. But critics, including environmentalists, say the city is trying to secure more water for Google, which has a sprawling data center campus in The Dalles that already consumes about one-third of the city’s water supply.
This controversy made Reksopuro curious about the backlash to data centers being built in other communities. So Reksopuro, a student at the University of Washington who studies the connections between tech and public policy, decided to map it out. Using information collected by Epoch AI and data scraped from legislation on data centers, she built an interactive map tracking AI policy around the world. She designed it to be simple enough for anyone to use. “I wanted it to be something that my younger sisters could play through and explore to understand what are the data centers in the area and what’s actually being done about it,” Reksopuro said. She hoped to shift their opinions that way, “instead of like, through TikTok.”
Four times a day, the map searches for new sources and checks them against the existing database Reksopuro built out. “Once it does that, it will write a new summary, add it to the news feed, and populate it on the sidebar,” she said. “I wanted it to be self-updating, since I’m also a student.”
Reksopuro isn’t against data centers, but she thinks tech giants benefit from a lack of transparency around data center policies. “Right now, it’s this really opaque thing — and all of a sudden, there’s a facility,” she said. “I think that if people knew about data centers beforehand, it would give them leverage. They would be able to negotiate: ask for job training programs, tax revenue, environmental monitoring, things to improve their community.”
UCF commencement speaker Gloria Caulfield (University of Central Florida via Storyful)
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Welcome to Fox News’ Artificial Intelligence newsletter with the latest AI technology advancements.
IN TODAY’S NEWSLETTER:
– UCF graduates clobber commencement speaker with boos after she says AI is the ‘next Industrial Revolution’
– OPINION: DIRECTOR KASH PATEL: We brought the FBI out of the past and into the AI age
– OpenAI backs creation of global AI governance body led by the U.S. that would include China as a member
TOUGH CROWD: During a recent commencement ceremony at the University of Central Florida, a speaker was met with loud boos from the graduating class after declaring that artificial intelligence represents the next industrial revolution. Fox News Digital reporting captures this tense cultural moment, illustrating the mixed public sentiment and skepticism surrounding AI’s growing footprint in daily life.
A statue on the campus of the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida. (iStock)
BADGE MEETS BYTE: Reflecting on the modernization of national security in a Fox News op-ed, FBI Director Kash Patel explores how the bureau must adapt its strategies to address modern threats and advance beyond the artificial intelligence age.
TECH DIPLOMACY: OpenAI is throwing its support behind the establishment of a new global artificial intelligence governance organization that would be led by the United States while notably including China as a member. Fox News Digital reporting examines the geopolitical dynamics and regulatory implications of this proposed framework as global powers race to set the standards for AI development.
EQUITY ELEVATION: The massive wave of wealth generated by the explosive growth of ChatGPT and the broader AI industry is driving a sudden surge in the San Francisco Bay Area’s luxury real estate market. Fox News Digital reporting breaks down how the influx of new tech capital is reshaping local housing dynamics and fueling a high-end property frenzy.
FBI Director Kash Patel listened as Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche spoke during a press conference at the Department of Justice on April 28, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
STRATEGY RESET: Tech giant Cisco is planning to eliminate thousands of jobs as the company shifts its primary focus to accelerate its artificial intelligence initiatives, a move that comes despite the company beating earnings expectations. Fox News Digital reporting details the corporate restructuring and broader economic trends pushing legacy tech firms to aggressively pivot toward AI.
ROAD HAZARD: Waymo is issuing a sweeping recall of its autonomous vehicle fleet following a concerning incident that highlighted significant safety issues with the self-driving technology. Fox News Digital reporting outlines the specifics of the recall, the nature of the safety flaw, and what this setback means for the future of fully autonomous transportation on public roads.
BOTS IN THE BAY: A newly developed, artificial intelligence-powered robot has been engineered to seamlessly change and balance vehicle tires without human intervention. Fox News Digital reporting showcases this latest innovation, exploring how automation and AI mechanics could soon revolutionize the automotive service and repair industry.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman speaks during the 2026 Infrastructure Summit in Washington, D.C., on March 11, 2026. (Kylie Cooper/Reuters)
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Microsoft Edge is adding a new feature that will allow its Copilot AI chatbot to gather information from all of your open tabs. When you start a conversation with Copilot, you can ask the chatbot questions about what’s in your tabs, compare the products you’re looking at, summarize your open articles, and more.
In its announcement, Microsoft says you can “select which experiences you want or leave off the ones you don’t.” The company is retiring Copilot Mode as well, which could similarly draw information from your tabs but offered some agentic features, like the ability to book a reservation on your behalf. Microsoft has since folded these agentic capabilities into its “Browse with Copilot” tool.
Several other AI features are coming to Edge, including an AI-powered “Study and Learn” mode that can turn the article you’re looking at into a study session or interactive quiz. There’s a new tool that turns your tabs into AI-powered podcasts as well, similar to what you’d find on NotebookLM, and an AI writing assistant that will pop up when you start entering text on a webpage.
You can also give Copilot permission to access your browsing history to provide more “relevant, high-quality answers,” according to Microsoft. Copilot in Edge on desktop and mobile will come with “long-term memory” as well, which can tailor its responses based on your previous conversations. And, when you open up a new tab, you’ll see a redesigned page that combines chat, search, and web navigation, along with the Journeys feature, which uses AI to organize your browsing history into categories that you can revisit.
Meanwhile, an update to Edge’s mobile app will allow you to share your screen with Copilot and talk through the questions about what you’re seeing. Microsoft says you’ll see “clear visual cues” when Copilot is active, “so you know when it’s taking an action, helping, listening, or viewing.”
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