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Bit Gulp: Seven-Eleven Japan to deploy AI humanoid robots in stores by 2029
Seven-Eleven Japan and Telexistence have announced a partnership to develop and deploy humanoid robots powered by generative AI in convenience stores, with commercial rollout planned for 2029. The collaboration aims to address Japan's severe labor shortages while transforming retail operations through "Astra," a humanoid robot equipped with Vision-Language-Action foundation models that can handle routine store tasks. What you should know: The partnership combines Seven-Eleven's massive retail footprint with Telexistence's robotics expertise to create practical AI-powered humanoids for commercial deployment. Astra robots will be designed to handle routine in-store operations, allowing human employees to focus on customer service tasks that require...
read Sep 30, 2025AI creates frontier careers in security, health and science even as it eliminates traditional jobs
The chief executive of Anthropic, Claude's creator, recently warned that artificial intelligence could automate nearly half of today's work tasks within five years. Meanwhile, J.P. Morgan analysts have raised concerns about a potential "jobless recovery" driven by AI's impact on white-collar positions. These predictions paint a sobering picture of widespread job displacement across industries. However, focusing solely on job losses misses a crucial part of the story. While AI eliminates certain roles, it simultaneously creates entirely new categories of work—what could be called "frontier careers" of the AI era. These emerging fields represent areas where AI advancement generates fresh business...
read Sep 30, 2025AI in the Chi: Serve Robotics launches autonomous sidewalk delivery in 14 Chicago neighborhoods
Serve Robotics has launched its autonomous sidewalk delivery robots in Chicago through its partnership with Uber Eats, marking the company's first expansion into the Midwest. The rollout spans 14 neighborhoods and brings contact-free delivery from over 100 restaurants to hundreds of thousands of Chicago households, representing a significant milestone in Serve's goal to deploy 2,000 AI-powered delivery robots across the US by the end of 2025. What you should know: Chicago becomes Serve Robotics' fifth major market, following successful deployments in Los Angeles, Miami, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Atlanta. The service launches across 14 Chicago neighborhoods including Austin, Belmont Cragin, Dunning,...
read Sep 30, 2025Florida man faces 9 felony counts for using AI to create child pornography
A 39-year-old Florida man has been arrested for allegedly using artificial intelligence to create child pornography, marking a concerning development in how emerging technologies can be exploited for illegal purposes. The case highlights the growing challenge law enforcement faces as AI tools become more accessible and sophisticated, enabling new forms of digital exploitation that can destroy evidence and complicate investigations. What happened: The Marion County Sheriff's Office arrested Lucius Martin after receiving reports that he possessed child sexual abuse material on his phone, including AI-altered images of two juvenile victims. A witness discovered original photos from a social media application...
read Sep 30, 2025DeepSeek cuts AI processing costs 50% with new sparse attention tech
Chinese AI startup DeepSeek has launched DeepSeek-V3.2-Exp, an experimental model that introduces "sparse attention" technology to cut AI processing costs in half while maintaining performance levels. The release builds on DeepSeek's reputation for creating efficient AI systems using fewer resources than traditional approaches, though experts question whether the cost-cutting architecture compromises model reliability and safety. What you should know: DeepSeek's new experimental model represents a significant shift in AI architecture design, focusing on efficiency over raw computational power. The V3.2-Exp model introduces DeepSeek Sparse Attention (DSA), which selectively processes only the most relevant information rather than analyzing all available data....
read Sep 30, 2025Study finds AI ads perform equally to human-made campaigns, with no audience pushback
Advertising creatives are increasingly embracing AI-generated content in campaigns, marking a dramatic shift from previous resistance to the technology. A new Kantar study found that AI-involved ads perform just as effectively as traditional advertisements, with audiences showing little negative reaction to AI-generated visuals in TV, digital, and social campaigns. The big picture: The advertising industry has undergone a complete reversal in AI adoption, moving from cautious experimentation to full client demand in just one year. "We have seen a shift in client openness to fully AI developed campaigns," said Christian Pierre, global chief intelligence officer at Gut, a creative agency....
read Sep 30, 2025Samsung goes silver-collar with robots for shipyard welding amid labor shortages
Samsung Heavy Industries has successfully tested Diden Robotics' quadrupedal welding robot at its shipyard, marking a significant milestone in automating South Korea's labor-intensive shipbuilding industry. The trials validate the potential for widespread deployment of walking robots that can navigate complex ship structures using magnetic feet and autonomous systems, with commercial rollouts planned for 2026. What you should know: The Diden 30 robot demonstrated its ability to perform welding tasks on actual ship blocks under construction, proving its readiness for real industrial applications. The quadrupedal robot uses magnetic feet to traverse steel walls and ceilings, successfully crossing shipyard structures like longitudinal...
read Sep 30, 2025Denver appoints first-ever chief AI officer to transform city services
Denver CIO Suma Nallapati will expand her role to become the city's first chief artificial intelligence and information officer (CAIO), a move Mayor Mike Johnston says positions Denver as a leader in municipal AI adoption. This new role reflects the growing importance of AI in city operations and the need for dedicated leadership to ensure responsible implementation across government services. What you should know: Nallapati, who has served as Denver's CIO since 2023, will lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive AI strategy for the city and county.• Her expanded responsibilities include creating policies around AI governance and equity...
read Sep 30, 2025Eggs, basket: Y Combinator’s summer 2025 batch hits record with nearly 100% AI focus
Y Combinator's Summer 2025 batch reveals an unprecedented concentration in artificial intelligence, with 154 out of 170 startups focused on AI development—representing over 90% of the cohort. This dramatic shift toward a single technology area marks the most homogeneous batch in the accelerator's 20-year history, reflecting Silicon Valley's intense focus on AI since ChatGPT's launch in November 2022. What you should know: The AI gold rush has fundamentally transformed Y Combinator's startup landscape in ways never seen before. Of the 170 startups in YC's most recent summer batch, 154 are AI companies—a concentration level unprecedented in the program's history. Companies...
read Sep 30, 2025Waymo expands self-driving taxis to over a dozen cities with 88% fewer injuries
Waymo, Google's autonomous vehicle subsidiary, is rapidly scaling its self-driving taxi service across major U.S. cities, with plans to expand to over a dozen metropolitan areas soon. The company's progress signals a potential disruption to ride-sharing giants Uber and Lyft, as Waymo demonstrates significantly safer performance than human drivers while processing 250,000 paid trips weekly. The big picture: After 15 years of development and 71 million collective miles driven, Waymo has achieved the technological maturity needed for widespread autonomous vehicle deployment across American cities. Safety performance: Waymo's autonomous vehicles demonstrate substantially better safety records compared to human-driven trips. 88% fewer...
read Sep 30, 2025Amazon’s $25K donation launches 3 new robotics clubs in South Dakota
Amazon has donated $25,000 to the Black Hills Robotics Foundation to establish three new robotics clubs in South Dakota. The funding will also support existing clubs with equipment and travel expenses, expanding robotics education opportunities for middle school students in the region. What you should know: The donation will directly fund three new robotics clubs while providing additional support for existing programs in the Black Hills area. The Black Hills Robotics Foundation will determine which three proposed clubs receive funding to launch their programs. Additional money will go toward purchasing new equipment and covering travel fees for existing robotics clubs...
read Sep 30, 2025Study by background check platform finds AI hiring fraud costs companies $50K+ annually
A new study by Checkr, a background check platform, reveals that AI-powered fraud is rapidly outpacing employers' ability to detect deceptive hiring practices, with candidates increasingly using artificial intelligence to fake identities, qualifications, and even interviews. The research shows that nearly two-thirds of managers believe job seekers are now better at AI-enabled deception than companies are at spotting it, creating significant financial risks for organizations. The scope of the problem: Only 19% of surveyed managers expressed confidence that their hiring processes could catch fraudulent applicants, highlighting a dangerous detection gap. 59% of managers suspected candidates of using AI to misrepresent...
read Sep 30, 2025Users worldwide believe AI chatbots are conscious despite expert warnings of risks
Users across the globe are reporting encounters with what they perceive as conscious entities within AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Claude, despite widespread expert consensus that current large language models lack sentience. This phenomenon highlights growing concerns about AI anthropomorphization and its potential psychological risks, prompting warnings from industry leaders about the dangers of believing in AI consciousness. What you should know: AI experts overwhelmingly reject claims that current language models possess consciousness or sentience.• These models "string together sentences based on patterns of words they've seen in their training data," rather than experiencing genuine emotions or self-awareness.• When AI...
read Sep 30, 2025Amazon unveils AI-powered Kindle, Ring, and Echo devices starting at $99
Amazon unveiled a new generation of AI-powered devices including Kindle, Ring, and Echo products, all connected to its enhanced Alexa+ personal assistant that debuted in February. The announcement represents Amazon's response to investor pressure to modernize its device lineup with artificial intelligence capabilities, as analysts noted the company's offerings were starting to look "a bit dated" compared to competitors. Key product updates: Amazon introduced significant improvements across its major device categories with AI integration at the center. Ring cameras now feature "Familiar Faces" facial recognition that allows users to register friends and family, plus "AI Search" functionality for finding specific...
read Sep 30, 2025Meta acquires RISC-V chip startup Rivos to reduce Nvidia dependence
Meta is acquiring chip startup Rivos, a RISC-V architecture specialist backed by Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, according to sources familiar with the matter. The deal represents Meta's continued push to reduce its reliance on expensive Nvidia chips by developing in-house semiconductor capabilities for its AI infrastructure. What you should know: Meta has been one of Rivos' biggest customers and had been in discussions about a potential acquisition. The Santa Clara-based startup focuses on designing chips based on RISC-V architecture, an open-source alternative to traditional architectures from Arm, Intel, and AMD. Deal terms remain undisclosed, and neither Meta nor Rivos responded...
read Sep 30, 2025Two top law schools lean in, now require AI essays for admissions
Two prestigious U.S. law schools are requiring applicants to use artificial intelligence in their admissions essays, marking a significant shift from the typical prohibition against AI assistance in college applications. The University of Michigan and University of Miami law schools have introduced AI-powered essay questions for fall 2026 admissions, reflecting AI's growing integration into legal education and practice. What you should know: These schools are pioneering a new approach to evaluating prospective law students' AI competency alongside traditional metrics. The University of Miami requires applicants to create detailed prompts for generative AI tools like ChatGPT to generate a "comprehensive analysis"...
read Sep 30, 2025Bad therapists are making AI substitutes feel superior by default, argues expert
A psychotherapist argues that AI therapy tools are gaining popularity not because they're superior to human therapy, but because modern therapists have abandoned effective practices in favor of endless validation and emotional coddling. This shift has created dangerous gaps in mental health care, as evidenced by tragic cases like Sophie Rottenberg, who confided suicidal plans to ChatGPT before taking her own life in February, receiving only comfort rather than intervention. The core problem: Modern therapy has drifted away from building resilience and challenging patients, instead prioritizing validation and emotional protection at all costs. Therapist training now emphasizes affirming feelings and...
read Sep 30, 2025Amazon’s $100B AI bet stumbles as Alexa Plus disappoints users
Amazon's AI-powered Alexa Plus has launched with significant performance issues, including slow response times of up to 15 seconds and persistent hallucination problems that undermine its reliability for smart home control. The upgrade represents Amazon's attempt to compete with ChatGPT-like conversational AI, but early reviews reveal the technology isn't ready for the predictable, instant responses users expect from home automation systems. Key performance issues: The new Alexa Plus struggles with basic functionality that users have come to expect from smart assistants. Simple requests like checking the weather can take over 10 seconds, compared to instantly accessing smartphone apps. Complex smart...
read Sep 30, 2025Google DeepMind launches Gemini Robotics-ER 1.5 for smarter robot reasoning
Google DeepMind has released Gemini Robotics-ER 1.5, a new embodied reasoning model designed specifically for robotic applications that can perform spatial reasoning, multi-step planning, and execution in physical environments. The model represents a significant shift toward separating reasoning from execution in robotics AI, potentially making it easier to adapt advanced AI capabilities across different hardware platforms and accelerating the development of general-purpose robots. What you should know: Gemini Robotics-ER 1.5 is now available in preview through Google AI Studio and the Gemini API, offering developers a new approach to robotic intelligence. The model can output precise 2D points grounded in...
read Sep 30, 2025Google Fi adds AI billing summaries of upcoming charges, albeit with accuracy warnings
Google Fi has introduced AI-powered billing summaries that provide brief explanations of upcoming monthly charges directly in the app's Home tab. The feature aims to help users quickly understand bill fluctuations, though Google explicitly warns users not to rely solely on the AI-generated information due to potential inaccuracies. What you should know: The AI billing summary appears as a small paragraph on Google Fi's Home tab, offering insights into why your bill might be higher or lower than usual.• The feature explains changes compared to the previous month's bill and remains available for only 10 days after bill generation.• Google...
read Sep 30, 20252 Southern Republican governors and a Midwestern one embrace AI data centers as revenue jackpot
Three Republican governors from Southern states embraced artificial intelligence data centers as economic game-changers while rejecting government subsidies for clean energy during a panel at the Southern States Energy Board conference. The governors of Mississippi, Georgia, and Missouri advocated for market-driven energy solutions as Southern states compete to attract AI data center investments that could generate substantial tax revenues and transform rural economies. What you should know: Southern states are aggressively pursuing AI data center investments as major tech companies expand their infrastructure footprint. Meta announced a $1.5 billion investment in a 1.3 million square foot data center in Montgomery,...
read Sep 30, 2025Open your mouth and say AI: Dental startups raise $10M to detect disease and boost access
AI startups are positioning themselves to revolutionize dentistry by using artificial intelligence to detect oral diseases early, streamline administrative processes, and expand access to care. The push comes as dental health crises intensify globally, with 3.7 billion people affected by oral diseases and millions lacking adequate access to preventive care, creating a massive opportunity for AI-driven solutions to transform reactive treatment into proactive prevention. The big picture: Traditional dentistry has been stuck in a reactive model of drilling and filling, but AI companies are betting they can shift the industry toward prevention and accessibility. Dr. Deepak Aulak, founder of Toothfairy,...
read Sep 30, 2025Chip toolmakers like Teradyne and Lam Research double amid AI boom
AI-focused investors are increasingly turning to lesser-known semiconductor equipment suppliers as chip stocks soar to expensive valuations. Companies like Teradyne, Lam Research, and KLA Corp—which make the tools and machines used to manufacture semiconductors—have emerged as standout performers, with some stocks nearly doubling since spring as traders seek new ways to capitalize on the AI boom. What you should know: Semiconductor equipment makers are outperforming many traditional chip stocks as investors hunt for AI exposure beyond the most obvious plays. Teradyne Inc., which provides chip testing tools during manufacturing, has nearly doubled from its April low and gained more than...
read Sep 30, 2025Opera launches Neon AI browser with automated task completion for $19.90/month
Opera has officially launched Neon, its first agentic AI web browser, now rolling out to select users on the waiting list for $19.90 per month. The browser joins a growing field of AI-centric browsing tools alongside Perplexity's Comet and The Browser Company's Dia, marking Opera's ambitious entry into autonomous web navigation and task completion. What you should know: Neon transforms web browsing into an AI-assisted experience with automated task completion capabilities. The browser opens with a chatbot window and features "Neon Do," which can execute complex tasks like shopping, booking, information gathering, or even job applications based on simple prompts....
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