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Americans left and right want child protection over AI innovation by 9-to-1 margin, reveals poll
A new YouGov poll reveals overwhelming bipartisan support among Americans for prioritizing child protection over tech industry growth in AI policy, with voters supporting protective measures by a 9-to-1 margin. The findings expose a stark disconnect between public sentiment and ongoing Republican divisions in Congress, where lawmakers remain split between promoting AI innovation and implementing stronger regulations. The big picture: Americans across all age groups, income levels, and political affiliations want Congress to focus on safeguarding children from AI-related harm before fostering tech industry growth. 89% of Trump voters and 95% of Harris voters agree that Congress should prioritize safeguards...
read Sep 25, 2025xAI secures federal deal to bring Grok AI to government agencies
Elon Musk's xAI has secured a deal with the General Services Administration to integrate its Grok AI chatbot across federal agencies, marking the first major AI partnership between the Trump administration and Musk's artificial intelligence company. The agreement positions xAI to potentially transform government operations while raising questions about Musk's expanding influence within federal institutions, particularly given his recent role leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). What they're saying: Both Musk and federal officials emphasized the transformative potential of the partnership. "xAI has the most powerful AI compute and most capable AI models in the world," Musk told Fox...
read Sep 25, 2025Trexo robotic legs help disabled children in Canada walk for first time
Trexo Robotics is bringing its robotic leg devices to Kids Physio Group Victoria on September 26-27, offering children with mobility disabilities the opportunity to trial walking technology that may enable some to walk for the first time. The collaboration highlights how robotic assistive technology is expanding access to mobility therapy for children with disabilities, providing new pathways to independence and improved quality of life. What you should know: Two Trexo devices and team members will travel from Ontario to facilitate hands-on trials for children of all ages at the Victoria clinic.• The robotic legs provide postural support that enables children...
read Sep 25, 2025Microsoft cuts AI services to Israeli defense unit after West Bank surveillance findings
Microsoft has disabled cloud and AI services used by an Israeli defense unit after finding preliminary evidence supporting reports that the technology was being used for civilian surveillance in Gaza and the West Bank. The action follows an internal review triggered by Guardian reporting in August, marking a significant policy enforcement by the tech giant regarding the use of its services for mass surveillance activities. What happened: Microsoft's review found evidence supporting elements of the Guardian's reporting about Israel Defense Forces surveillance operations. The Guardian alleged that the IDF was using Microsoft's Azure cloud platform for collecting and storing data...
read Sep 25, 2025Now docking at Contemplation Station: DeepMind’s new AI models let robots think before they act
Google DeepMind has unveiled Gemini Robotics 1.5 and Gemini Robotics-ER 1.5, the first AI models that enable robots to "think" before taking action, marking what researchers call the dawn of agentic robots. This breakthrough represents a fundamental shift from task-specific robotic programming to general-purpose AI that can adapt to new situations without reprogramming, potentially transforming how robots operate in real-world environments. How it works: The system uses two complementary AI models that work together to enable more sophisticated robotic behavior. Gemini Robotics-ER 1.5 serves as the "thinking" model, processing visual and text input to generate step-by-step natural language instructions for...
read Sep 25, 2025Elon Musk’s xAI sues OpenAI for trade secret theft
Elon Musk's xAI has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging that the ChatGPT maker has engaged in systematic theft of trade secrets through former employees who joined OpenAI. The legal action represents an escalation in the ongoing feud between Musk and his former company, adding corporate espionage claims to an already complex web of litigation between the AI rivals. What you should know: xAI claims OpenAI orchestrated a deliberate pattern of stealing proprietary information through strategic employee poaching. The lawsuit centers on former xAI employee Xuechen Li, who allegedly stole confidential information before joining OpenAI. According to xAI's legal filing,...
read Sep 25, 2025Spotify removes 75M spam tracks, introduces AI disclosure requirements
Spotify has announced new policies to combat "AI slop" in music streaming, introducing industry-standard AI disclosure requirements, stronger impersonation protections, and automated spam detection. The move comes as the platform removed over 75 million spammy tracks in the past year, with the company warning that harmful AI content "degrades the user experience for listeners and often attempts to divert royalties to bad actors." What you should know: Spotify is implementing three major changes to address AI misuse while maintaining support for legitimate AI-assisted music creation. The platform will use DDEX (Digital Data Exchange), an industry system for identifying and labeling...
read Sep 25, 2025Penny for your talks? Neon app pays users $0.30 per minute to record calls for AI training
Neon, an app that records phone calls and sells them to AI companies for training data, has climbed to No. 2 on Apple's US App Store in the Social Networking category. The app pays users $0.30 per minute for calls with other Neon users and $0.15 per minute for calls with non-users, suggesting many people are willing to trade privacy for compensation. How it works: Neon records phone conversations and sells the audio data to AI developers to help train speech recognition systems. Users earn money for each minute of recorded conversation, with earnings capped at $30 per day plus...
read Sep 25, 2025Databricks partners with OpenAI in $100M deal to embed ChatGPT into enterprise platforms
Databricks, a San Francisco-based data analytics firm, has partnered with OpenAI to integrate the ChatGPT maker's AI models directly into its enterprise data and analytics platforms, including its flagship Agent Bricks product. The partnership is expected to generate $100 million in revenue and gives Databricks a competitive edge over rival Snowflake in the rapidly expanding enterprise AI market. What you should know: The integration will embed OpenAI's AI models directly into Databricks' cloud platform and Agent Bricks, which helps customers create, test and scale AI applications and agents.• More than 20,000 enterprise customers of Databricks will gain access to GPT-5...
read Sep 24, 2025Kansas launches AI platform connecting small businesses to state resources 24/7
Kansas has launched ConnectKS, an AI-powered platform designed to connect small businesses with state resources, funding opportunities, and support organizations. The initiative addresses a critical need in a state where over 99% of businesses are small enterprises, offering 24/7 access to information that was previously only available through direct government contact during business hours. What you should know: The Kansas Small Business Office partnered with EcoMap Technologies to create a centralized digital ecosystem that helps entrepreneurs navigate state resources and build connections. ConnectKS launched this summer as one of the first offerings from the Kansas Small Business Office, which was...
read Sep 24, 2025Coast Guard drops $350M anchor in robotics to modernize operations
The U.S. Coast Guard has announced a $350 million investment in robotics and autonomous systems to enhance mission execution and operational capabilities across its fleet. This significant funding, delivered through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, positions the Coast Guard to modernize its operations with cutting-edge technology that reduces personnel risk while expanding mission reach in hazardous environments. What you should know: The Coast Guard has allocated $11 million for immediate upgrades to critical autonomous systems in fiscal year 2025 as the first phase of this broader robotics initiative. Key details: Three primary technologies will receive initial funding to replace...
read Sep 24, 2025$5.5K AI mural theft in Boston speaks to such art’s power to provoke
A 20-foot AI-generated mural advertising Cambridge's Dx Arcade was stolen in broad daylight from Central Square, sparking heated debate about artificial intelligence's role in street art culture. The theft has brought the contentious discussion over AI-created artwork from online forums directly to the streets, where traditional graffiti artists and AI proponents are clashing over authenticity and artistic legitimacy. What happened: Two suspects ripped the $5,500 banner off a Pearl Street wall on August 31, leaving only mounting studs and torn edges behind. Owner Sean Hope commissioned local artist Brian Life to create the 20-by-10-foot mural using AI over five months,...
read Sep 24, 2025Apple’s SimpleFold AI matches AlphaFold performance with 90% less computing power
Apple researchers have developed SimpleFold, a lightweight AI model for protein folding prediction that achieves comparable performance to Google DeepMind's AlphaFold while requiring significantly less computational power. The breakthrough uses flow matching models instead of the complex architectures employed by existing systems, potentially making protein structure prediction more accessible to researchers with limited computing resources. What you should know: SimpleFold represents a fundamental shift in how AI approaches protein folding by prioritizing simplicity over complex engineering. Rather than relying on multiple sequence alignments, pairwise interaction maps, triangular updates or other specialized modules, Apple's model uses flow matching techniques that were...
read Sep 24, 2025Google Sheets gets smarter with Gemini’s formula assistance
Google has enhanced Gemini's capabilities within Google Sheets, adding formula explanation, error correction, and multi-formula generation features. These updates aim to reduce spreadsheet-related busywork for professionals while building user trust through improved transparency in AI-generated formulas. What you should know: Gemini can now explain how formulas work, diagnose why they fail, and provide multiple formula options for complex tasks. When Gemini creates a formula, users can ask for explanations that break down each component with bulleted descriptions of what each part does. If a formula fails, users can request error analysis and corrections from the AI assistant. The system can...
read Sep 24, 202540% of workers receive AI-generated “workslop” that takes hours to fix
A new study reveals that workers are increasingly using AI to produce "workslop"—low-quality, AI-generated work that appears legitimate but lacks substance and requires others to fix or redo it. Research from BetterUp Labs, a coaching and development platform, and Stanford Social Media Lab found that 40% of 1,150 surveyed employees received workslop in the past month, with recipients spending nearly two hours cleaning up the mess. What you should know: Workslop represents a fundamental shift in workplace dynamics, where AI tools enable workers to offload cognitive work to their colleagues rather than genuinely improving productivity. The researchers define workslop as...
read Sep 24, 2025Faux pas! French voice actor sues game studio over AI voice cloning in Tomb Raider
French video game developer Aspyr used AI to clone voice actor Françoise Cadol's distinctive performance as Lara Croft without her permission in an August update to "Tomb Raider IV–VI Remastered." The incident has ignited widespread concern among voice actors and gaming fans about unauthorized AI voice cloning, highlighting broader workplace automation threats as the technology becomes more accessible and difficult to regulate. What happened: Gamers immediately detected that something was wrong with Lara Croft's French voice in the August 14 update, describing it as robotic and lifeless compared to Cadol's original performance. Cadol, who has voiced the character since 1996,...
read Sep 24, 2025AI system invented by Al Gore tracks deadly soot pollution in 2,500 cities
Former Vice President Al Gore has expanded his Climate TRACE system to track deadly soot pollution using satellite technology and artificial intelligence, enabling neighborhood-level monitoring of particle pollution sources across 2,500 cities worldwide. The system can identify 137,095 pollution sources and track their emissions in real-time, potentially saving millions of lives by empowering communities with precise data about local air quality threats. How it works: Gore's coalition deploys an extensive network of 300 satellites, 30,000 ground sensors, and AI algorithms to monitor particle pollution with unprecedented precision. The system tracks 137,095 sources of particle pollution globally, with 3,937 classified as...
read Sep 24, 2025Iranian students win top spots in AI competition at Turkish TEKNOFEST 2025
Iranian students captured first and second places in the inventions and innovative technologies category at TEKNOFEST 2025, demonstrating the country's growing prowess in robotics and artificial intelligence. The achievement at Turkey's premier technology festival signals Iran's emergence as a competitive force in global tech innovation, with young engineers successfully competing against teams from 56 countries. What you should know: TEKNOFEST 2025 brought together nearly 1,000 projects from around the world in Istanbul from September 17-21, positioning itself as the world's largest aviation, space, and technology festival. The Iranian team consisted of eight members: Kian Karbalei, Mehrtash Razgordani, Artin Islampanah, Seyyed...
read Sep 24, 2025AI models now pass toughest Chartered Financial Analyst exam in minutes
Advanced AI models can now pass the most challenging level of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exam in just minutes, according to new research from New York University and AI wealth-management platform GoodFin. This breakthrough represents a significant leap in AI's financial reasoning capabilities, as Level III of the CFA—focused on portfolio management and wealth planning—previously stumped AI systems due to its complex essay questions. What you should know: Researchers tested 23 large language models on mock CFA Level III exams, finding that frontier reasoning models successfully passed using advanced prompting techniques. The study evaluated models including o4-mini, Gemini 2.5...
read Sep 24, 2025Skild AI’s universal robot brain goes starfish, adapts even after losing limbs
Skild AI has developed an "omni-bodied brain" that allows a single AI model to control multiple types of robots and adapt to extreme physical damage, including continuing to operate after losing limbs. The breakthrough represents a significant step toward more generalized robotic intelligence that could work across any hardware platform, addressing a key limitation in current robotics where AI models are typically designed for specific robot types. What you should know: The AI system can control unfamiliar robotic hardware and adapt to severe physical modifications without additional training. When a four-legged robot's limbs were cut off with a chainsaw, the...
read Sep 24, 2025Commerce Department opens probe into medical equipment and robotics imports
The U.S. Commerce Department has opened national security investigations into imports of medical equipment, robotics, and industrial machinery under Section 232 authority. These previously undisclosed probes, initiated on September 2, could lead to significant tariff increases on a broad range of critical goods including personal protective equipment, medical devices, and advanced manufacturing systems. What you should know: The investigations target four key sectors that are considered essential to national security and economic competitiveness.• Personal protective equipment and medical items under scrutiny include face masks, syringes, and infusion pumps.• The robotics category encompasses programmable, computer-controlled mechanical systems used in manufacturing and...
read Sep 24, 2025Qualcomm CEO plans to bring AI everywhere with next-gen chips
Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon appeared on CNBC's "Closing Bell Overtime" to discuss the company's next generation of mobile and PC processors designed to integrate AI capabilities across devices. The interview focused on Qualcomm's strategy to embed artificial intelligence into its semiconductor offerings and the broader outlook for the chip industry as AI becomes increasingly central to consumer and enterprise technology. What you should know: The discussion centered on Qualcomm's vision to democratize AI access through its chip technology. Amon emphasized the company's commitment to "bring AI everywhere" through its latest processor developments. The conversation covered both mobile and PC processors,...
read Sep 24, 2025Women Applying AI launches in Boston to bridge gender gap through hands-on learning
Women Applying AI (WAAI), a new Boston-based nonprofit, officially launched during Boston AI Week with an inaugural event at Microsoft's New England Research and Development (NERD) Center on September 26. The organization aims to empower women across industries to actively use and lead with artificial intelligence in their careers and communities, addressing the gender gap in AI adoption and leadership through hands-on application rather than theoretical learning. What you should know: WAAI welcomes women from all industries and career stages, from AI-curious beginners to C-suite executives who want to integrate AI innovation into their daily work. Members gain access to...
read Sep 24, 2025Humanoid robot takes a stand against engineer behaving aggressively
A viral video showing a robotics engineer violently yanking a humanoid robot by a chain around its neck has sparked widespread social media discussion about robot resilience and potential future uprisings. The footage demonstrates remarkable advances in robotic balance and stability, as the Unitree G1 robot maintains its footing despite aggressive physical disturbances designed to test its adaptive capabilities. What you should know: The disturbing footage was originally shared by Tsinghua University PhD student Zhikai Zhang, who developed the humanoid motion tracker system called Any2Track in collaboration with Galbot, a Chinese robotics company. The video shows the robot stumbling but...
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