The Download: Carbon Removal Reality Check & AI’s Pain Assessment – October 24, 2025
(A daily briefing on the most impactful stories in technology, brought to you by MIT Technology Review)
The initial excitement surrounding many tech innovations frequently enough gives way to a period of critical assessment. today, we’re looking at two areas facing that turning point: carbon removal and pain management.
carbon Removal: Beyond the Hype
The carbon removal sector, once brimming with startups and ambitious goals, is now navigating a challenging reality. After a period of rapid growth, companies like Running Tide are shutting down or pivoting, and venture capital is becoming more cautious.The industry hasn’t yet delivered on promises of large-scale carbon sequestration – like Running Tide’s goal of a billion tons by this year.
Experts suggest the sector is entering a necessary, though perhaps painful, consolidation phase.The question now is: what will a more mature carbon removal landscape look like?