Interactive transcript · 180 lines
Good morning, everyone.
大家早安。
You are listening to TalkCast, your go -to daily news digest.
您正在收听 TalkCast，您每日新闻摘要的不二之选。
We bring you the most compelling stories from around the world, while helping you elevate your English.
我们为您带来来自世界各地最引人入胜的故事，同时帮助您提升英语水平。
I am Lucas, your lead anchor.
我是 Lucas，您的首席主播。
And a wonderful morning to you all.
祝大家度过一个精彩的早晨。
I'm Chloe, your co -host.
我是 Chloe，您的搭档主持人。
It is September 9th, 2026.
今天是 2026 年 9 月 9 日。
I hope you have a steaming cup of coffee or tea ready because we have some mind -blowing tech and
我希望您已经准备好了一杯热气腾腾的咖啡或茶，因为我们今天有一些令人震撼的技术和
lifestyle news to dive into today.
需要深入探讨的生活方式新闻。
Yes, indeed.
是的，确实。
But before we reveal today's lineup, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our amazing TalkCast members.
但在揭晓今天的节目阵容之前，我们要向我们了不起的 TalkCast 会员表示由衷的感谢。
Your continuous support is the fuel that keeps this podcast running every morning. Absolutely.
你们持续的支持是让这个播客每天早晨维持运转的动力。确实如此。
We truly appreciate every single one of you.
我们衷心感谢你们中的每一个人。
And if you are new to the show, we warmly welcome you to join our membership program.
如果您是本节目的新听众，我们热烈欢迎您加入我们的会员计划。
TalkCast relies on your support to keep bringing you high -quality educational content day after day.
TalkCast 依赖您的支持，日 复一日地为您带来高质量的教育内容。
Now, let us take a quick look at what is making headlines today.
现在，让我们快速看看今天的头 条新闻。
First, Google DeepMind has mapped out all 9 billion possible mutations in the human genome, a feat
首先，Google DeepMind 已经绘制出人类基因组中所有 90 亿种可能的变异，这是一项
that could completely revolutionize personalized medicine.
能够彻底变革个性化医疗的技术。
Plus, we will look at how the massive energy demands of AI are reviving nuclear power, with a
此外，我们还将探讨人工智能对能源的巨大需求如何复兴核能，其中一家
nuclear plant securing a massive $1 .9 billion federal loan to restart.
核电站获得了高达 19 亿美元的联邦贷款以重新启动。
Then we will discuss Meta's new AI assistant, Muse, which is taking over daily tasks like booking
接着我们将讨论 Meta 新推出的 AI 助手 Muse，它正在接管日常任务，比如预订
travel and sending emails.
旅行和发送电子邮件。
And finally, we'll wrap up with a delightful story from the Girl Scouts, who are introducing their
最后，我们将以女童军一个令人愉快的故事结束，她们正在推出其
first -ever dog cookies and allergy -friendly treats ahead of the next cookie season.
在下一个饼干季到来前，首次推出宠物狗饼干和适合过敏体质的零食。
Let us kick off with our top story today.
让我们以今天的头条新闻开始 。
Google DeepMind has just released a monumental scientific resource called the Alpha Genome Atlas.
Google DeepMind 刚刚发布了 一个名为 Alpha Genome Atlas 的里程碑式的科学资源。
This is essentially a high -resolution map of human DNA, charting the potential molecular effects of
这本质上是一张高分辨率的人类 DNA 图谱，绘制了可能产生的分子效应
all 9 billion possible single -letter mutations in our genetic code.
发生在我们的基因密码中的所有 90 亿种可能的单字母变异。
Wow, Lucas.
哇，Lucas。
9 billion mutations?
90 亿种变异？
That sounds astronomical.
这听起来真是天文数字。
But before we get too deep into the science, let us clear the air for our English learners.
但在我们深入探讨科学知识之前，让我们为英语学习者澄清一下。
What exactly do we mean by genome and mutation in this context?
在这种语境下，我们所说的基因组和变异到底是什么意思？
That is a crucial question, Chloe.
那是一个至关重要的问题，Chloe。
Think of the human genome as a massive instruction manual for building and maintaining a human being.
把人类基因组想象成用于构建和维护人体的大型说明手册。
This manual is written using a chemical alphabet of just four letters.
这本手册是用仅包含四个字母的化学字母表编写的。
Now, a mutation is essentially a typo in that manual.
现在，变异本质上就是那本手册里的打字错误。
It's a single -letter change in the DNA sequence.
这是 DNA 序列中的单个字母变化。
While many of these typos are completely harmless, some can cause serious genetic diseases.
虽然这些打字错误中有许多是完全无害的，但有些会导致严重的遗传疾病。
Ah, I see.
啊，我明白了。
So the Alpha Genome Atlas is like a super smart spell checker that has looked at every possible typo
所以 Alpha Genome Atlas 就像一个超级智能的拼写检查器，它查看了每一个可能的打字错误
in our entire instruction manual and predicted whether that typo will cause a system crash or just
在我们整个说明手册中，并预测该错误是否会导致系统崩溃，或者只是
go unnoticed. Exactly.
未被察觉。确切地说。
That's a perfect metaphor.
那是一个完美的比喻。
Previously, scientists had to manually test these genetic variations in laboratories, which was
此前，科学家必须在实验室中手动测试这些遗传变异，这
incredibly slow and expensive.
难以置信地缓慢且昂贵。
DeepMind's AI model has done the heavy lifting by predicting the effects of all these mutations with
DeepMind 的 AI 模型承担了重任，通过预测所有这些变异的影响，具有
incredible speed.
难以置信的速度。
This could allow doctors to analyze a patient's DNA and immediately pinpoint which specific genetic
这可以让医生分析患者的 DNA，并立即精准查明哪种特定的基因
typos are causing their health issues.
错别字正在引发他们的健康问题。
That is a massive game changer for personalized medicine.
对于个性化医疗来说，那是一个巨大的变革者。
It means we are moving closer to a future where treatments can be custom -tailored to our exact
这意味着我们正在迈向这样一个未来：治疗方案可以根据我们的确切需求进行定制
genetic makeup.
基因构成。
Nevertheless, are there any concerns about how this data might be used?
然而，关于这些数据可能如何被使用，是否存在任何担忧？
Well, as with any major scientific breakthrough, ethical questions always arise.
嗯，就像任何重大科学突破一样，伦理问题总会产生。
Experts suggest that while this atlas is a massive leap forward, we must ensure that genetic privacy
专家指出，虽然这个图谱是一个巨大的飞跃，但我们必须确保遗传隐私
is fiercely protected.
受到坚决的保护。
We don't want insurance companies, for instance, using this data to deny coverage based on predicted
例如，我们不希望保险公司利用这些数据，根据预测情况而拒绝承保
genetic risks.
基因风险。
That is a very valid point.
这是一个非常合理的观点。
It's a classic double -edged sword.
这是一把经典的 双刃剑。
But the potential to cure rare diseases is definitely something to be optimistic about. Indeed.
但治愈罕见病的潜力绝对值得乐观对待。确实如此。
Now, speaking of AI doing the heavy lifting, all these complex AI models require an absolutely
现在，说到人工智能承担重任，所有这些复杂的人工智能模型都需要绝对
staggering amount of electrical power to run.
惊人的电量来运行。
Consequently, we are seeing tech giants look to some very traditional, yet controversial energy
因此，我们看到科技巨头正在寻求一些非常传统但又备受争议的能源
sources to keep their data centers humming.
来源，以维持其数据中心的高效运转。
Let me guess.
让我猜猜看。
Are we talking about nuclear energy?
我们讨论的是核能吗？
Spot on, Chloe.
完全正确，克洛伊。
The U .S.
美国
government has officially announced a massive $1 .9 billion loan to restart a shuttered nuclear power
政府已正式宣布提供 19 亿美元的巨额贷款，用于重启一座已停运的核电
plant in Iowa, known as the Duane Arnold Energy Center.
站（位于爱荷华州，被称为杜安·阿诺德能源中心）。
This project is directly tied to securing clean, reliable power for expanding AI data centers.
该项目直接关系到为不断扩张的人工智能数据中心确保清洁、可靠的电力供应。
A $1 .9 billion loan to restart a closed nuclear plant.
贷款 19 亿美元来重启一家关闭的核电站。
That is a significant investment.
这是一笔重大的投资。
But why are tech companies turning to nuclear power instead of solar or wind?
但为什么科技公司会转向核能，而不是太阳能或风能呢？
Aren't those green options much more popular nowadays?
如今那些绿色选项不是更受欢迎吗？
They are popular, but they have a fundamental limitation, which is intermittency.
它们很受欢迎，但有一个根本性的局限，那就是间歇性。
Solar panels only generate electricity when the sun shines, and wind turbines only spin when it is breezy.
太阳能电池板只有在阳光照射时才能发电，而风力涡轮机只有在有风时才会旋转。
AI data centers, on the other hand, operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
另一方面，人工智能数据中心每周七天、每天 24 小时都在运转。
They require what we call baseload power, which is a constant, unwavering supply of electricity.
它们需要我们所说的基荷电力，这是一种持续且稳定的电 力供应。
Nuclear power provides exactly that.
核能恰好能提供这一点。
And crucially, it does so without emitting greenhouse gases.
关键在于，它是在不排放温室气体的情况下做到这一点的。
That makes sense.
那很有道理。
So in light of this, nuclear energy acts as a steady, reliable anchor for the power grid, allowing
因此鉴于这一点，核能充当了电网稳定可靠的压舱石，使得
these massive AI brains to keep thinking without interruption.
这些庞大的 AI 大脑 能够不中断地保持思考。
But isn't restarting a shuttered nuclear plant incredibly complex?
但是重启一座关闭的核电站难道不是极其复杂吗？
Extremely complex.
极其复杂。
The plant has been offline since 2020, so restarting it requires rigorous safety inspections, modern
该电站自 2020 年以来一直处于关停状态，因此重启它需要严苛的安全检查、现代
technology upgrades, and regulatory approvals.
技术升级以及监管部门的批准。
However, the developer, NextEra Energy, is confident that this federal loan will help accelerate the process.
然而，开发商 NextEra Energy 很有信心，这笔联邦贷款将有助于加速这一进程。
This initiative is expected to create hundreds of high -paying jobs in the region and provide a
该举措预计将在该地区创造数百个高薪就业岗位，并提供
massive boost to the local economy.
对当地经济的巨大推动作用。
It is fascinating to see how the AI boom is actively reshaping physical infrastructure and energy policies.
看到人工智能热潮如何积极重塑物理基础设施和能源政策，真的很令人着迷。
It seems the digital world is directly impacting the real world in ways we never anticipated.
数字世界似乎正在以我们未曾预料到的方式直接影响着现实世界。
It absolutely is.
事实绝对如此。
And speaking of AI integration into our daily lives, let us move from data centers to the phones in
说到人工智能融合进我们的日常生活，让我们把目光从数据中心转向
our pockets.
我们口袋里的手机。
Meta has just officially launched its brand new personal AI agent named Muse. Muse?
Meta 刚刚正式推出了名为 Muse 的全新个人 AI 智能体。Muse？
That sounds like an artistic companion.
这听起来像是一个艺术伴侣。
What can this new AI actually do for us?
这个新的人工智能到底能为我们做些什么？
While Muse is designed to go far beyond a typical chatbot, unlike older systems that only answer
虽然 Muse 的设计旨在远超典型的聊天机器人，而不像只能回答问题的旧系统
questions or write text, Muse has been granted the ability to access and interact with other
问题或撰写文本，Muse 被授予了访问和与其他
applications on your device.
设备上的应用程序进行交互的能力。
This means it can actively send emails, schedule calendar events, book travel, and even make secure
这意味着它可以主动发送电子邮件、安排日历事件、预订行程，甚至进行安全的
payments on your behalf.
代表您完成支付。
Wait, did you say it can make payments and send emails for me?
等等，你是说它能帮我付款和发送电子邮件？
That sounds incredibly convenient, but also a little bit nerve -wracking.
这听起来极其方便，但也有点令人心惊胆战。
What if I ask Muse to book a flight to Paris and it accidentally books a flight to Texas because of
如果我让 Muse 预订飞往巴黎的航班，而它意外地预订了飞往德克萨斯州的航班，只因为
a misunderstanding?
产生了误解？
Or worse, what if it accidentally sends money to the wrong person?
或者更糟糕的是，如果它意外地把钱转给了错误的人怎么办？
Those are very realistic concerns, Chloe.
克洛伊，这些都是非常现实的担忧。
Meta has emphasized that Muse operates under a strict confirmation protocol.
Meta 强调，Muse 是在严格的确认协议下运行的。
For highly sensitive tasks like making a financial transaction or sending an official email, Muse
对于像进行财务交易或发送正式电子邮件这样高度敏感的任务，Muse
will always present a summary of the action and ask for your explicit approval before executing it.
总会在执行前展示操作摘要，并寻求您的明确批准。
It acts as an assistant, but you remain the supervisor.
它是助手，而你依然是监督者。
That is a relief to hear.
听到这个让人感到非常宽慰。
I suppose it is like having a highly efficient secretary who drafts everything, but you still have
我想这就像拥有一个高效的秘书，他会起草所有文件，但你仍然需要
to sign on the dotted line.
在虚线处签字。
I can see this being extremely useful for managing busy schedules.
我能看出这对于管理繁忙的日程非常有用。
Furthermore, how is Meta distributing this agent?
此外，Meta 是如何分发这个智能体代理的呢？
It is being rolled out across Meta's primary social platforms, including WhatsApp and Instagram.
它正在 Meta 的主要社交平台上推广，包括 WhatsApp 和 Instagram。
They are betting that by integrating Muse directly into apps that billions of people already use
他们押注于通过将 Muse 直接集成到数十亿人已经在使用的应用中
daily, they can quickly catch up in the highly competitive AI race.
日常使用中，他们可以在竞争激烈的人工智能竞赛中迅速赶上。
It is certainly a bold move.
这无疑是一个大胆的举措。
Nevertheless, as these agents become more deeply embedded in our personal communications, we must
尽管如此，随着这些智能体越来越深地嵌入到我们的个人沟通中，我们必须
remain vigilant about privacy and data security.
对隐私和数据安全保持警惕。
The more an AI knows about our daily habits, the more vulnerable we could become if that data is compromised. Exactly.
人工智能对我们的日常习惯了解得越多，如果这些数据泄露，我们就会变得越脆弱。确实如此。
The balance between convenience and security is going to be one of the defining challenges of this era.
便利与安全之间的平衡将成为这个时代面临的决定性挑战之一。
Now, let us shift our focus to something much lighter and definitely sweeter.
现在，让我们把焦点转移到一些轻松得多的、也绝对更甜美的事情上。
If you have ever lived in or visited the United States, you probably know that Girl Scout cookie
如果你曾经在美国生活或旅游过，你大概知道女童军饼干
season is a highly anticipated annual event.
售卖季是一项备受期待的年度盛事。
Oh, I love Girl Scout cookies.
哦，我喜欢女童军饼干。
Thin mints are my absolute favorite.
薄荷薄片饼干是我的绝对最爱。
But what is the news here?
但这有什么新闻呢？
Are they introducing a new flavor?
他们要推出新口味吗？
They are actually introducing two brand new, first of their kind cookies for the upcoming season,
事实上，他们将在即将到来的售卖季推出两款全新的首创饼干，
and one of them is not even meant for humans.
而且其中一款甚至不是给人类吃的。
Wait, a cookie not meant for humans?
等等，一款不是针对人类的饼干？
Don't tell me they are baking cookies for pets.
别告诉我他们正在为宠物烘焙饼干。
That is precisely what they are doing.
这恰好就是他们正在做的。
The Girl Scouts of the USA have announced Patch Pals, which are their first ever dog cookies.
美国女童军已经宣布推出了 Patch Pals，这是他们有史以来第一款狗饼干。
They are specifically formulated to be healthy and safe for our canine companions.
它们配方特殊，对我们的犬类伙伴来说既健康又安全。
No way.
绝不可能。
That is adorable.
那太可爱了。
My dog is always begging for a bite when I open a box of cookies.
每当我打开一盒饼干时，我的狗总是乞求咬一口。
Now pet owners can finally share the cookies he's enjoy with their four -legged friends.
现在宠物主人终于可以和他们的四条腿朋友分享他们喜欢的饼干了。
But what about the second new cookie?
但是第二个新饼干怎么样呢？
The second one is called Sparkables.
第二个叫作 Sparkables。
It is their first ever allergy -friendly cookie, specifically designed to be free from the top nine
这是他们首款防过敏饼干，专门设计为不含前九大
common food allergens, such as gluten, nuts, and dairy.
常见的食物过敏原，如麸质、坚果和乳制品。
This ensures that children and adults with severe food sensitivities can finally enjoy Girl Scout
这确保了患有严重食物敏感的儿童和成年人终于可以享用女童军
cookies without any health risks.
饼干，而没有任何健康风险。
That is a wonderful initiative.
那是一个绝佳的倡议。
Inclusivity in snack food is highly important, especially for kids who often feel left out during
零食的包容性非常重要，特别是对于那些经常感觉被边缘化的孩子来说，在
school events when everyone else is enjoying treats.
学校活动中其他人都在享用美食的时候。
It is great to see the Girl Scouts adapting to the diverse needs of modern families.
很高兴能看到女童军适应现代家庭多样化的需求。
It truly is.
确实如此。
It is a brilliant business move as well, expanding their market to both pet lovers and health
这也是一个高明的商业举措，将其市场拓展到了宠物爱好者和注重健康的
-conscious consumers. Absolutely.
意识的消费者群体。确实如此。
Well, from revolutionary genetic maps and nuclear -powered AI to helpful digital assistance and dog
嗯，从革命性的基因图谱和核动力人工智能，到实用的数字助手以及对狗狗
-friendly cookies, we have certainly covered a wide spectrum of fascinating developments today.
友好的饼干，我们今天显然涵盖了广泛且引人入胜的发展范围。
We certainly have.
我们确实做到了。
And that brings us to the end of today's episode of TalkCast.
这也让我们来到了今天这期 TalkCast 节目的尾声。
Before we say goodbye, we want to pose our daily question to you.
在说再见之前，我们想向大家提出今天的每日一问。
Our wonderful listeners. Yes.
我们优秀的听众们。是的。
We want to know.
我们很想了解。
If you could have an AI agent like Meta's Muse manage one specific chore or task in your daily life,
如果可以让像 Meta 的 Muse 这样的人工智能助手来处理你日常生活中的某项具体琐事或任务，
what would it be?
那会是什么呢？
Would you let it handle your emails, plan your meals, or maybe manage your budget?
你会让它处理你的电子邮件、规划日常饮食，还是管理你的预算？
Write down your answers in the comments section below and take a look at what others are saying.
请在下方的评论区写下你的答案，并看看其他人是怎么说的。
We love reading your creative responses, so please do not hesitate to share.
我们非常喜欢阅读大家有创意的回复，所以请毫不犹豫地分享吧。
Also, a quick reminder for our language learners.
另外，给我们的语言学习者们一个小提醒。
The complete English transcript of today's broadcast, along with key vocabulary definitions, is
今天广播的完整英文逐字稿以及核心词汇定义，
published regularly on our official WeChat public account, TalkCast.
都会定期发布在我们的微信官方公众号 TalkCast 上。
Make sure to subscribe, share this podcast with your friends who are learning English, and leave us
请一定要订阅，把这个播客分享给正在学习英语的朋友，并给我们
a review.
留一条评价。
Thank you so much for your warm feedback and continuous support.
非常感谢大家热情的反馈与持续地支持。
Keep practicing your English, stay curious, and we will see you tomorrow morning.
保持练习英语，保持好奇心，我们明天早晨见。
Goodbye, everyone.
再见，大家。
