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No biggie? A paltry 5% of German workers fear losing jobs to AI
A new survey reveals that only 5% of German workers fear losing their jobs to artificial intelligence within the next five years, despite research suggesting nearly 40% of jobs in Germany involve tasks that could be automated. The widespread complacency may reflect limited AI knowledge among employees, with fewer than 40% having received any AI-related training even in companies already using the technology. What you should know: The survey by AOK's Scientific Institute found that two-thirds of German employees are "not at all concerned" about AI threatening their job security, while another 23% are "rather unconcerned." 42% of respondents said...
read Oct 14, 2025Tying tech knots: Scouting America launches AI, cybersecurity merit badges for 1M scouts
Scouting America has introduced two new merit badges focused on artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, marking the organization's latest effort to engage its one million scouts with emerging technologies. The badges represent a strategic push to maintain relevance in an increasingly digital world while addressing critical skills gaps in high-demand tech fields. What you should know: The new badges challenge scouts to explore AI's impact on daily life and develop cybersecurity awareness through hands-on learning experiences. The AI badge requires scouts to examine how artificial intelligence affects everyday activities, learn about deepfakes (digitally manipulated videos or images that can make people...
read Oct 14, 2025Revolute Robotics raises $1.9M for hybrid roll-and-fly surveillance robots
Revolute Robotics has raised $1.9 million to accelerate deployment of its spherical robots that can both roll across terrain and fly when needed. The Arizona-based company's hybrid mobility robots are designed for surveillance, security, defense applications, and industrial inspections in hard-to-reach areas, positioning them to serve critical infrastructure and military markets. What you should know: Revolute's robots combine ground and aerial capabilities in a single spherical design equipped with advanced sensing technology. The "Hybrid Mobility Robot" features LiDAR sensors (which use laser beams to create detailed 3D maps), thermal imaging, gas and radiation detection, and ultrasonic systems for comprehensive data...
read Oct 14, 2025Moxi robots target $900B senior care market to address labor shortages
Diligent Robotics is piloting its Moxi robots in US senior living facilities to address chronic labor shortages in the sector. The Texas-based startup, which has already deployed Moxi robots for over 1.25 million deliveries across 25+ hospitals, is now targeting the $900 billion senior care market through its participation in the AARP AgeTech Collaborative, a program that helps technology companies develop solutions for aging populations. What you should know: Moxi robots are being adapted from hospital environments to meet the unique needs of senior living facilities, where both operational support and companionship are essential. The robots will be tested for...
read Oct 14, 2025From clumsy to clobbering: Berkeley theater’s Frankenstein production mirrors AI development fears
Theatre Lunatico's new adaptation of Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" draws striking parallels between the 200-year-old tale and today's artificial intelligence era, featuring a creation that learns to speak with alarming speed and eventually challenges its creator's humanity. The Berkeley production, running through November 2 at La Val's Subterranean, demonstrates how Shelley's exploration of artificial consciousness and unchecked technological ambition remains unnervingly relevant as AI systems like ChatGPT exhibit increasingly human-like behavior. Why this matters: The production arrives as society grapples with AI systems that replicate human conversation patterns while inheriting our biases, raising fundamental questions about what distinguishes human consciousness from...
read Oct 14, 2025Microsoft gives all schools in its home state of Washington free AI tools to promote tech prowess
Microsoft has launched Elevate Washington, providing all 295 public school districts and 34 community colleges in the state with free access to AI tools and training resources. The initiative addresses a stark digital divide where AI usage ranges from over 30% in urban Puget Sound counties to just 2.5% in rural Ferry County, positioning Washington as a national model for equitable AI adoption in education. What you should know: The program provides comprehensive AI access and support starting January 2026, with tools designed to reduce administrative burdens for educators while giving students early exposure to emerging technologies. School districts and...
read Oct 14, 2025France’s Publicis raises growth forecast as AI powers 73% of operations
French advertising giant Publicis raised its full-year organic growth forecast for the second time in 2025, crediting artificial intelligence as its primary growth driver. The company now reports that 73% of its operations are AI-powered, demonstrating how strategic AI implementation can deliver measurable business results amid ongoing debates about AI's practical value. What you should know: Publicis has systematically invested €12 billion ($12.7 billion) in data, technology, and AI infrastructure since 2015, enabling the company to monitor consumer behavior across more than 4 billion individuals globally. The advertising firm now individualizes marketing strategies at unprecedented scale, leveraging this massive data...
read Oct 14, 2025AI drives 25% of major M&A deals worth upwards of 5 billion dollars
Artificial intelligence companies are driving a surge in major M&A activity, accounting for more than a quarter of deals valued at $5 billion or above this year. Latham & Watkins, a global law firm, has emerged as the clear winner in capturing this lucrative legal work, advising on $110.5 billion worth of AI-related transactions—nearly double that of its closest competitor. The big picture: AI's influence on the M&A landscape extends beyond pure-play AI companies to include deals supporting AI infrastructure, security services, and power demands driven by data center expansion. Key details: Of nearly 90 transactions valued at $5 billion...
read Oct 14, 2025Social media’s 80s moment: Instagram adds PG-13 content filters to teen accounts
Instagram has implemented new content filtering rules for teen accounts that mirror the PG-13 movie rating system introduced in 1984, restricting users aged 13-18 to age-appropriate content by default. The changes expand existing safety measures and include similar restrictions for Meta's AI chatbot, addressing concerns about inappropriate interactions with minors. What you should know: Teen accounts will automatically filter out content that wouldn't be suitable for a PG-13 movie audience, including posts with strong language, risky stunts, and potentially harmful behavior. • Instagram will stop suggesting posts featuring marijuana paraphernalia, while maintaining existing restrictions on sexually suggestive, graphically disturbing, and...
read Oct 14, 2025Study finds AI-assisted therapy viewed as less trustworthy than traditional approaches
Public perception of mental health therapists who use AI in their practice remains largely negative, with people viewing AI-assisted therapy as potentially less trustworthy and empathetic than traditional approaches. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) on physicians found that patients generally rated AI-using doctors as less competent and trustworthy, suggesting similar challenges await therapists as they increasingly integrate artificial intelligence into mental health services. The big picture: The mental health profession is gradually shifting from a traditional therapist-patient relationship to a therapist-AI-patient triad, but public acceptance lags behind the technology's capabilities. Over 400...
read Oct 14, 2025BlackRock exec says AI investments aren’t in a bubble—capacity is the real problem
BlackRock's Alex Brazier says artificial intelligence investments are not in a bubble and current valuations appear "pretty reasonable." He argues that the primary challenge facing AI development today is capacity constraints, which recent large-scale deals have been designed to address. What you should know: Brazier's assessment counters growing concerns about AI investment overheating in the current market environment. The BlackRock executive specifically pointed to capacity as the main bottleneck limiting AI progress, rather than inflated valuations or speculative investment. Recent mega deals in the AI space have been strategically focused on addressing these capacity constraints. In plain English: When Brazier...
read Oct 14, 2025Etsy sellers can now do business through ChatGPT as concern over being seen by customers grows
Etsy has launched a new ChatGPT integration allowing U.S. buyers to purchase products directly through OpenAI's platform without visiting Etsy's website. The partnership represents a significant shift in AI-powered commerce, but seller reactions remain divided as many worry about losing customer relationships and personalized connections that define their handmade businesses. What you should know: The integration is currently limited to sellers participating in Etsy's Offsite Ads program, which automatically enrolls most merchants but allows some to opt out. Only products from Offsite Ads participants can be purchased directly through ChatGPT, while others display a "visit" button redirecting to Etsy's main...
read Oct 14, 2025Award-winning director to create AI-powered Hanuman film for 2026 release
National Film Award-winning director Rajesh Mapuskar has been hired to direct "Chiranjeevi Hanuman – The Eternal," which is being promoted as one of India's first theatrical films created using generative AI technology. The Hindi-language project about Hindu deity Lord Hanuman will be produced by Abundantia Entertainment and Collective Media Network's Historyverse, with a worldwide theatrical release planned for Hanuman Jayanti in 2026, making it a significant test case for AI's role in feature filmmaking. What you should know: The film represents a major experiment in AI-driven filmmaking backed by substantial technical resources and industry expertise. More than 50 engineers from...
read Oct 14, 2025Democrats, Republicans on same page as data centers become bipartisan political target
Local and state candidates across both parties are increasingly targeting data centers as a key campaign issue, blaming them for rising electricity bills as AI investments drive massive energy demands. The bipartisan backlash is particularly intense in Virginia's suburbs, where voters are becoming single-issue opponents of data center expansion despite the industry's economic benefits. The big picture: Data centers have become an unexpected political lightning rod, uniting Republicans and Democrats in opposition to what they see as corporate freeloading on local energy infrastructure. In Prince William County, Virginia, both Republican Patrick Harders and Democrat George Stewart agreed to block future...
read Oct 13, 2025Google Meet adds 12 AI makeup filters for shyness-free video calls
Google Meet has introduced 12 AI-powered makeup filters that let users apply virtual cosmetics during video calls, building on the platform's existing "Touch-up" feature launched last year. The update addresses a common remote work challenge—looking presentable for unexpected video meetings—while positioning Google to compete more directly with beauty-focused video calling features. What you should know: The AI makeup system offers studio-style presets ranging from subtle professional looks to more creative options, with virtual foundation and lipstick that adapts to individual facial features.• The filters use AI to create natural-looking makeup that stays in place as users move around or drink...
read Oct 13, 2025TDK develops analog AI chip that mimics brain function for edge computing
TDK, a company best known for audio cassettes, has developed a prototype analog reservoir AI chip that mimics brain function for real-time learning applications. The chip, created in collaboration with Hokkaido University, uses analog circuitry to process time-varying data at high speed and ultra-low power, making it suitable for robotics and human-machine interfaces that require instant feedback. How it works: The chip mimics the human cerebellum and uses natural physical dynamics of analog signals for efficient processing. Unlike traditional deep learning models that rely on cloud processing and extensive datasets, this technology learns directly at the edge using analog circuitry...
read Oct 13, 2025Elon Musk’s own Grok confirms Lucid Air beats Tesla Model S
Lucid Motors used Elon Musk's own AI chatbot Grok to validate claims that its luxury electric vehicles outperform Tesla's offerings, with the AI confirming the 2025 Lucid Air as the best luxury EV option. The marketing stunt highlights intensifying competition in the premium electric vehicle market, where Lucid is positioning itself as a more advanced alternative to Tesla's aging Model S lineup. What happened: Lucid posted a social media video asking three AI chatbots—Grok, ChatGPT, and Copilot—"What's the best luxury EV?" All three AI systems identified the 2025 Lucid Air as the top luxury electric vehicle choice. Grok specifically praised...
read Oct 13, 2025AI brings ancient Rome to life with highly plausible, historically accurate images
Two University of Zurich researchers have created Re-Experiencing History, an AI image generator that produces historically informed visualizations of ancient Rome and Greece based on scholarly sources. The platform represents a novel approach to historical education, using curated academic materials to train AI models that generate plausible visual representations of historical scenes rather than generic "ancient-looking" imagery. How it works: Professor Felix K. Maier, an ancient history professor, and computational linguist Phillip Ströbel trained existing AI image generators using nearly 300 carefully curated images and captions from scholarly sources. The system draws from annotated materials including illustrations from academic books...
read Oct 13, 2025Brookfield invests $5B in Bloom Energy fuel cells for AI data centers
Brookfield Asset Management has agreed to invest up to $5 billion with Bloom Energy to deploy fuel cells for powering AI data centers, marking the first phase of their plan to build "AI factories" globally. This partnership addresses the critical energy infrastructure gap as demand for AI computing power rapidly outpaces what existing power grids can support, positioning both companies at the forefront of the AI infrastructure boom. The big picture: Current projections show electricity demand for AI facilities will exceed what public power grids can handle in their current form, creating an urgent need for alternative energy solutions. Fuel...
read Oct 13, 2025How-to: Amazon Quick Suite enables AI assistants to access enterprise data with standardized protocol
Amazon Quick Suite now enables organizations to connect their AI assistants directly to enterprise applications through a standardized protocol called Model Context Protocol (MCP). This capability addresses a critical challenge: allowing AI agents to securely access organizational data and take actions across multiple business systems without requiring complex custom integrations. MCP functions as a universal translator between AI systems and enterprise applications. Instead of building individual connections between your AI assistant and each business tool—a process that traditionally required extensive custom development—MCP provides a single, standardized approach that works across platforms. This matters because it dramatically reduces the technical complexity...
read Oct 13, 2025Nvidia launches $3K desktop AI supercomputer with petaflop performance
Nvidia has launched its DGX Spark "personal AI supercomputer" for sale this week, priced at $3,000 and designed to fit on a desktop while delivering data center-level AI performance. The compact machine democratizes access to sophisticated AI computing power that was previously only available through expensive, energy-intensive data centers, potentially transforming how researchers, students, and data scientists engage with AI development. What you should know: The Spark delivers enterprise-grade AI capabilities in a desktop form factor that can run on standard power outlets. The system features Nvidia's GB10 Grace Blackwell Superchip, 128GB of unified memory, and up to 4TB of...
read Oct 13, 2025Housing expert closes door on return of in-person board meetings, prefers AI safeguards
A Chicago Tribune condo advice column addressed whether artificial intelligence concerns should prompt condominium boards to abandon virtual meetings in favor of in-person gatherings. Legal expert Kim Quillen argued that embracing technological advances with appropriate safeguards is more productive than reverting to older practices out of fear, noting that the full impact of AI on communal living remains uncertain. The big picture: While AI deepfakes and impersonation risks are legitimate concerns for virtual board meetings, housing law experts suggest that proper technological safeguards are preferable to abandoning digital tools entirely. What the expert recommends: Quillen, writing in the Chicago Tribune's...
read Oct 13, 2025AWS builds AI dashboard to analyze medical reports. Here’s how to make it work.
Healthcare organizations generate massive amounts of medical data daily, yet much of this valuable information remains locked away in complex reports that require significant time and expertise to interpret. A new solution combining Amazon Web Services' artificial intelligence capabilities with modern web technologies promises to transform how medical professionals interact with patient data. This comprehensive dashboard solution leverages Amazon Bedrock (AWS's managed AI service), LangChain (a framework for building AI applications), and Streamlit (a Python-based web application framework) to create an intelligent system that not only stores medical reports but actively helps interpret them through natural language conversations and dynamic...
read Oct 13, 2025Microsoft launches MAI-Image-1, its first in-house text-to-image AI generator
Microsoft AI has announced MAI-Image-1, its first in-house developed text-to-image generator, marking a significant step in the company's effort to reduce reliance on external AI partnerships. The model has already secured a top-10 position on LMArena, the competitive AI benchmark platform where human evaluators compare outputs from different systems. What you should know: Microsoft designed MAI-Image-1 specifically to address common limitations in AI-generated imagery by consulting with creative professionals during development. The model "excels" at photorealistic imagery including lightning and landscapes, according to Microsoft. It processes requests and produces images faster than "larger, slower models," the company claims. Microsoft sought...
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