There is no way in Hell that this is an ad in the sense that The Economist was paid to publish this article. It is being covered because of the potential implic

There is no way in Hell that this is an ad in the sense that The Economist was paid to publish this article. It is being covered because of the potential implications of this or similar technologies, which may have long-term implications for shipping and the military, of interest to its readers. The paid advertising inserts in this magazine are clearly marked. This isn't one of them.