Apr 21, 2025

AI gives Bionic Man-style edge training for runners and athletes

AI fitness wearables are poised to transform athletic performance through innovative technologies that provide deeper biological insights and personalized guidance. Three emerging design approaches are reshaping how athletes train: edge-based AI processing that keeps personal data local, advanced dehydration detection algorithms, and digital twin modeling that creates comprehensive biological profiles—all pointing toward unprecedented capabilities to optimize human performance through data-driven feedback systems. The big picture: AI-powered fitness wearables are moving beyond simple metrics to provide comprehensive biological insights by processing data directly on devices rather than in the cloud. Alexander Amini explained that new AI models can now run efficiently...

read Apr 21, 2025

Switch 2 runs Cyberpunk 2077 with DLSS in gaming first

Nintendo's upcoming Switch 2 will leverage Nvidia's DLSS technology to run demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077, representing a significant technical achievement for the portable console. CD Projekt Red has officially confirmed that its blockbuster RPG will be the first Switch 2 title to utilize this AI-powered upscaling technology, allowing the game to run at respectable frame rates without sacrificing visual quality. This implementation demonstrates how machine learning is becoming essential for pushing graphical boundaries on hardware with inherent power limitations. How DLSS works: Deep Learning Super Sampling uses AI to intelligently upscale games from lower resolutions to higher ones without...

read Apr 21, 2025

Meta uses smart AI post review to verify user ages in profile crackdown

Meta is expanding the use of AI to proactively identify and restrict suspected teen users on Instagram, despite previous challenges with age verification technology. This move extends the company's Teen Accounts system, which applies default privacy settings and content restrictions to users under 16, and aligns with recent similar measures implemented on Facebook and Messenger platforms. The initiative represents Meta's intensified approach to youth safety amid growing scrutiny over social media's impact on younger users. The big picture: Meta is ramping up efforts to enforce Teen Account restrictions on Instagram by using AI to proactively identify users under 16, regardless...

read Apr 21, 2025

AI powers DOGE’s new approach to government efficiency while attracting skepticism

The Trump administration is leveraging artificial intelligence through its Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to scrutinize federal agencies, raising significant concerns about data privacy and security. Reports indicate DOGE staff are utilizing AI tools to analyze operations, monitor communications, and identify potential budget cuts to support Elon Musk's ambitious goal of trimming $1 trillion from federal spending—all while the administration pursues an "AI-first strategy" that aims to reduce regulatory requirements on AI developers. The big picture: DOGE operatives have reportedly gained unprecedented access to government databases and are downloading information to unauthorized servers while pushing for extensive data consolidation. Why...

read Apr 21, 2025

Huawei prepares new AI chip to rival Nvidia in China

Huawei's upcoming 910C AI chip represents a critical development in China's semiconductor industry at a time of increasing U.S. export restrictions on advanced technology. The mass shipment of these chips, beginning as early as next month, arrives just as Chinese AI companies face new limitations on accessing Nvidia's H20 chips, creating an urgent market opportunity for domestic alternatives in China's rapidly evolving AI landscape. The big picture: Huawei plans to begin mass shipments of its advanced 910C AI chip to Chinese customers as early as May 2025, with some deliveries already underway. The timing coincides with the Trump administration's recent decision...

read Apr 21, 2025

AI helps secure independence in disability, from speech impairments to cerebral palsy

Artificial intelligence is opening new frontiers in disability care, offering solutions that could transform the lives of more than one billion people worldwide living with disabilities. While AI has gained attention primarily for its business applications, its true potential emerges when focused on human empowerment, particularly for individuals whose independence has been limited by disability. These technologies aren't just reducing caregiver burnout—affecting one in two caregivers—but are creating unprecedented opportunities for people with disabilities to gain autonomy, communicate effectively, and manage their health with dignity. The big picture: AI-powered tools are revolutionizing disability care by providing personalized solutions that adapt...

read Apr 21, 2025

AI risks outpacing human control, warns ex-Google CEO

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt has issued a stark warning about artificial intelligence's trajectory toward superintelligence, predicting that advanced AI systems may soon operate beyond human control. His timeline suggests a rapid progression from human-level intelligence to superintelligence within just a few years, raising profound questions about humanity's preparedness for increasingly autonomous artificial intelligence systems that potentially won't "have to listen to us anymore." The big picture: Eric Schmidt predicts researchers will achieve artificial general intelligence (human-level AI) within the next three to five years, followed quickly by artificial superintelligence that surpasses all human intelligence combined. What he's saying: Once...

read Apr 21, 2025

From sneakers to beakers: Amgen poaches Nike’s AI chief to boost drug development

The pharmaceutical industry's race for AI talent is prompting companies like Amgen to look beyond traditional healthcare backgrounds, reflecting a strategic shift that could transform drug discovery timelines. By recruiting expertise from consumer tech sectors, biotech firms aim to leverage artificial intelligence to address the inefficiencies of traditional drug development, which typically requires over a decade and billions in investment. This cross-industry talent acquisition represents a calculated bet that external AI perspectives can accelerate innovation in an industry ripe for technological disruption. The unconventional hire: Amgen, the $151 billion biotech giant, recruited its head of artificial intelligence from Nike rather...

read Apr 21, 2025

AI transforms customer journey through advertising landscape

Agentic AI is transforming the marketing landscape by intelligently automating personalized interactions across the entire customer journey. Unlike traditional systems that operate in departmental silos, autonomous AI agents can now create continuous, personalized experiences while bridging the longstanding gap between marketing and sales. This shift represents a fundamental evolution in how businesses approach customer acquisition and retention, moving from fragmented touchpoints to cohesive relationship management powered by intelligent systems. The big picture: Agentic AI fundamentally transforms marketing by enabling autonomous systems to manage personalized interactions throughout the entire customer journey without human intervention. These AI systems can engage with leads...

read Apr 21, 2025

Wikipedia blocks AI scrapers to reduce server strain

Wikipedia has deployed a strategic solution to combat the growing problem of AI scraping bots that have been straining its infrastructure and consuming bandwidth. By partnering with Google-owned Kaggle, the Wikimedia Foundation is providing AI developers with a structured dataset specifically designed for machine learning applications, addressing both technical challenges and reflecting a collaborative approach that contrasts with more restrictive measures taken by other content platforms. The big picture: The Wikimedia Foundation has launched a beta dataset through Kaggle containing structured Wikipedia content in English and French, designed specifically for AI developers to use instead of scraping the live site....

read Apr 21, 2025

UAE leans into AI-written law, raising questions about human legal judgement

The United Arab Emirates is pioneering the integration of artificial intelligence into core governance functions with its plans to use AI for drafting legislation. This initiative represents a significant evolution in how governments leverage technology to transform traditionally human-centered processes like lawmaking. By positioning itself at the frontier of AI governance applications, the UAE continues its pattern of embracing technological innovation as a cornerstone of national development strategy. The big picture: The UAE is preparing to become the first country in the world to use artificial intelligence to draft laws, marking a potentially revolutionary approach to legislative processes. Why this...

read Apr 21, 2025

Players or conductors? Agentic AI’s impact on software engineers sparks debate

OpenAI's announcement of an AI agent that can autonomously build software applications is sparking intense debate within the tech industry. The forthcoming "A-SWE" (Agentic Software Engineer) promises to not only write code but also perform tasks many developers dislike, such as quality assurance and documentation. This development represents a pivotal moment for software professionals, as industry experts offer starkly different predictions about whether AI will complement human developers or potentially replace significant portions of the software engineering workforce. The big picture: OpenAI's Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar revealed their upcoming AI agent can autonomously build applications and handle the full...

read Apr 21, 2025

Instagram tests AI to detect teen users posing as adults

Instagram is rolling out AI-powered age verification tools to proactively identify users who may have misrepresented their age, addressing growing concerns about teen safety on social media platforms. This significant shift moves beyond relying solely on self-reported birthdates, instead using artificial intelligence to analyze user behavior patterns and automatically implement protective features for detected teen accounts. The technology represents Meta's response to intensifying regulatory scrutiny and public pressure to better safeguard young users from potential mental health impacts. How it works: Instagram will use AI to identify accounts it believes belong to teenagers, even when users have entered false birthdates...

read Apr 21, 2025

The AI-powered egg farms that are revolutionizing farming

The UK government is investing £2.6 million in AI technology designed to revolutionize egg farming through advanced monitoring systems. This government-backed initiative aims to improve both animal welfare and farm productivity by applying artificial intelligence to detect hen health issues early, potentially leading to more eggs produced nationwide and cost savings for consumers. The technology represents a significant intersection of agriculture, AI, and sustainability goals. The big picture: The Flockwise system, developed by Oxford-based FAI Farms alongside industry partners, uses AI to analyze sensor data from egg farms, including listening to hen vocalizations to identify stress or illness. The technology...

read Apr 21, 2025

AI in job searches boosts edge but risks backfiring

The growing use of AI tools in job hunting has created tension between candidates looking for competitive advantages and employers seeking authentic skills assessment. As the job market becomes more competitive due to layoffs, both job seekers and recruiters are navigating complex questions about the ethical boundaries of AI assistance during the application process, forcing companies to establish clearer policies about when and how AI should be used in hiring. The big picture: Job applicants are increasingly using AI tools to enhance their job applications, while recruiters are pushing back against what they see as technology-enabled misrepresentation. Dani Schlarmann, a...

read Apr 21, 2025

AI risks to patients prompt researchers to urge medical caution

AI-driven healthcare prediction models risk creating harmful "self-fulfilling prophecies" when accuracy is prioritized over patient outcomes, according to new research from the Netherlands. The study reveals that even highly accurate AI systems can inadvertently worsen health disparities if they're trained on data reflecting historical treatment biases, potentially leading to reduced care for already marginalized patients. This warning comes at a critical time as the NHS increasingly adopts AI for diagnostics and as the UK government pursues its "AI superpower" ambitions. The big picture: Researchers demonstrate that AI outcome prediction models (OPMs) can lead to patient harm even when they achieve...

read Apr 20, 2025

Irish regulator probes X’s data use for Grok AI training

Ireland's data protection authority is investigating X (formerly Twitter) over its use of European users' posts to train the Grok AI chatbot, showcasing the growing tension between AI development and data privacy regulations. This case highlights how EU regulators are increasingly scrutinizing tech companies' use of personal data for AI training, with potential financial penalties of up to €20 million or 4% of annual revenue for GDPR violations. The big picture: Ireland's Data Protection Commission has launched an investigation into how Elon Musk's X platform processes European users' public posts to train its Grok AI system. The inquiry specifically aims...

read Apr 19, 2025

LG unveils 2025 OLED evo G5 and C5 AI TVs with pre-order deals

LG has launched its highly anticipated 2025 OLED evo TV lineup for pre-order, featuring significant upgrades in both the premium G5 and mid-tier C5 series. These new models represent the latest evolution in LG's OLED technology, offering enhanced brightness, advanced AI processing, and specialized gaming features that position them at the forefront of the high-end television market. The big picture: LG's new OLED evo models introduce substantial improvements over previous generations, with the G5 boasting a 45% brightness increase compared to last year's G4. Both series feature "Perfect Black" and "Perfect Color" Certifications, continuing OLED's reputation for exceptional contrast and...

read Apr 19, 2025

DeepCoder 14B model outperforms larger AI in coding tasks

Together AI and Agentica's new DeepCoder-14B model demonstrates how open-source AI development is closing the gap with proprietary coding systems. This 14 billion parameter model delivers performance comparable to OpenAI's o3-mini while providing researchers and developers with complete access to its training data, code, and system optimizations—creating a valuable resource that could accelerate innovation in AI code generation while requiring fewer computational resources. The big picture: DeepCoder-14B achieves impressive results across multiple challenging coding benchmarks while being significantly smaller than many frontier models. The model matches the performance of OpenAI's o1 and o3-mini (low) systems on benchmarks including LiveCodeBench, Codeforces,...

read Apr 18, 2025

AI agents reshape digital workplaces as Moveworks invests heavily

Moveworks is positioning itself as the central platform for enterprise AI agents with three major announcements: Agent Studio for low-code agent development, Plugin Workspace to streamline integrations, and an AI Agent Marketplace with over 100 pre-built agents. This strategic move aims to transform conventional systems of record into systems of action by deploying task-completing digital coworkers across organizations, potentially revolutionizing enterprise automation despite challenges in setup complexity, security governance, and ecosystem dependencies. The big picture: Moveworks is making a strategic pivot to become the definitive platform for business-ready AI agents, announcing three major products at their San Jose event that...

read Apr 18, 2025

McGovern Institute at MIT celebrates a quarter century of brain science research

The McGovern Institute for Brain Research celebrates 25 years of groundbreaking neuroscience at MIT, marking a quarter century since Patrick and Lore McGovern's transformative $350 million pledge in 2000. Originally established with the ambitious goal of understanding the human brain's complexities and applying that knowledge to improve lives, the institute has evolved into a premier research center generating breakthrough discoveries in brain science through interdisciplinary collaboration. Its anniversary highlights not just scientific achievements but also exemplifies how targeted philanthropic investment can catalyze significant advances in understanding fundamental questions about human cognition. The big picture: The McGovern Institute's 25th anniversary highlights...

read Apr 18, 2025

Agentic AI transforms hiring practices in recruitment industry

AI agents are reshaping the recruitment landscape by addressing longstanding inefficiencies in the hiring process. These intelligent systems can analyze hundreds of resumes quickly, identify qualified candidates from diverse sources, and even help predict future hiring needs—all while potentially reducing human bias. For organizations struggling with the high costs of bad hires and growing talent shortages, AI recruitment tools offer a promising balance of efficiency and effectiveness, though human oversight remains essential to ensure these systems truly enhance rather than replace human judgment. The big picture: AI agents are transforming recruitment by making the process of finding qualified candidates faster,...

read Apr 18, 2025

AI’s future depends on our responsible guidance and healthy online interactions

Every online interaction shapes AI development, from our social media posts to our search queries. This quiet but pervasive role as AI's teachers gives humanity collective responsibility for the technology's future trajectory. As AI systems increasingly mirror our digital behaviors back to us—both the admirable and the problematic—we have an opportunity to consciously guide these systems toward reflecting our best qualities rather than our worst tendencies. The big picture: We are all inadvertently teaching AI systems through our digital footprints, with potentially far-reaching consequences for future AI development. Every digital action we take potentially contributes to training data that shapes...

read Apr 18, 2025

Get on this: Google offers free AI Premium Plan to college students

Google is offering its premium AI tools to college students for free as part of a strategic push to capture the valuable student market. This move puts Google's advanced AI capabilities into the hands of future professionals while undercutting competitors like OpenAI and Perplexity who have made similar offers. The limited-time promotion provides significant value to students while helping Google build loyalty among a key demographic. The big picture: Google is giving all US college students free access to its Google One AI Premium plan, which normally costs $20 per month, until spring 2026. Students with valid .edu email addresses...

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