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Step to this: GPT-5 beats Pokémon Red in 6,470 steps, smashing AI record
Sometimes it's better to not get your steps in. OpenAI's GPT-5 has set a new world record for completing Pokémon Red, finishing the classic Game Boy game in just 6,470 steps—nearly three times faster than the previous record holder, ChatGPT-o3. This achievement demonstrates the rapid advancement of AI gaming capabilities, with models now completing complex video games at unprecedented speeds compared to just months ago when competing AI systems struggled to even finish the game. The big picture: AI models are increasingly using video games as benchmarks to showcase their problem-solving capabilities, with Pokémon serving as a particularly effective test...
read Aug 15, 2025Chinese brand debuts 16-core AMD laptop with 99.9Wh battery under 1.8kg
Sixunited, a Shanghai-based laptop manufacturer, has launched the XN77-160M-CS featuring AMD's latest Ryzen AI MAX+ 395 APU, beating major brands like Dell and Lenovo to market with the high-end processor. The laptop combines the rare 16-core Strix Halo chip with a massive 99.9Wh battery in an under-1.8kg aluminum chassis, targeting users who need both power and extended battery life. What you should know: The XN77-160M-CS is one of only a handful of laptops to feature AMD's Ryzen AI MAX+ 395 APU, also known as Strix Halo. The 16-core processor includes integrated Navi 3.5 graphics and a 50 TOPS NPU (neural...
read Aug 15, 2025Albanian PM proposes AI ministers to combat government corruption
There's all in, and then there's all in. Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama has proposed replacing government ministers with AI systems like ChatGPT to combat corruption and increase transparency. The suggestion, made at a July press conference, envisions voters potentially electing AI algorithms to the council of ministers, making Albania "the first to have an entire government with AI ministers and a prime minister." What they're saying: Albanian officials believe AI governance could eliminate human failings in government administration. • "One day, we might even have a ministry run entirely by AI," Rama said. "That way, there would be no...
read Aug 15, 2025ChatGPT mobile app hits $2B in revenue since 2023 launch
OpenAI's ChatGPT mobile app has generated $2 billion in global consumer spending since launching in May 2023, with revenue surging 673% year-over-year in 2025 alone, according to new data from Appfigures, a mobile app analytics firm. The explosive growth demonstrates ChatGPT's dominance in the AI assistant market, where it leads competitors by massive margins in both downloads and revenue per user. What you should know: ChatGPT significantly outperforms other AI assistants in key financial metrics across mobile platforms. The app has been downloaded 318 million times in 2025, representing 2.8 times more downloads than the same period last year. ChatGPT...
read Aug 15, 2025Apple’s UICoder AI masters SwiftUI by generating its own training data
Apple researchers have developed UICoder, a specialized large language model that teaches itself to generate high-quality SwiftUI interface code through automated feedback loops. The breakthrough demonstrates how AI models can overcome training data limitations by creating their own curated datasets, potentially revolutionizing how developers approach UI code generation across multiple programming frameworks. What you should know: The research team started with StarChat-Beta, an open-source coding model, and used an innovative self-improvement process to create nearly one million SwiftUI programs. Researchers instructed the model to generate SwiftUI code from UI descriptions, then filtered outputs through Swift compiler checks and GPT-4V visual...
read Aug 15, 2025AI sinks its teeth into the Peach State as Georgia’s largest school districts integrate the tech
Georgia's largest school districts are implementing artificial intelligence tools across K-12 classrooms, with educators using AI to craft rubrics, design lessons, and create new career pathways despite ongoing concerns about cheating and data privacy. This shift reflects the broader transformation of education as schools navigate the balance between leveraging AI's potential and maintaining academic integrity while preparing students for an AI-driven workforce. What you should know: Major Georgia districts including DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett are integrating AI both as a standalone subject and as a learning aid across traditional subjects. Fulton County uses Edia, an AI-powered math platform that provides...
read Aug 15, 2025Firefox’s new AI features cause CPU spikes and drain batteries
Firefox users are experiencing unexpected CPU usage spikes and increased power consumption, with early evidence pointing to artificial intelligence features recently integrated into the popular web browser. Mozilla has acknowledged the performance issues and reversed the rollout of the problematic feature while working on a permanent fix. The performance problems appear linked to an "inference engine" - essentially a local AI system that runs directly on users' devices rather than in the cloud. This engine powers several new features in recent Firefox versions, most notably an AI-powered tab organization system that automatically suggests names for groups of browser tabs. What's...
read Aug 15, 2025AI tool costs could jump 10-15x by 2026 as subsidies end
Companies are embracing AI tools to replace workers and cut costs, but the economics may soon flip dramatically as AI providers end their loss-leader pricing strategies. Current AI services are heavily subsidized, with companies like OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, burning $8 billion annually while charging customers far below actual costs. The big picture: Microsoft exemplifies this trend, with CEO Satya Nadella claiming AI tools like GitHub Copilot now write 30% of the company's code while simultaneously laying off over 15,000 employees—nearly 7% of its workforce. Why developer trust is declining: Despite widespread adoption, programmer confidence in AI tools is...
read Aug 15, 2025UK balances AI energy demands with renewable power transition
The United Kingdom faces a critical infrastructure challenge as artificial intelligence reshapes the digital economy. AI data centers consume enormous amounts of electricity at precisely the moment when national grids are transitioning toward renewable energy sources. This creates a complex balancing act between technological advancement and environmental sustainability that could determine whether the UK achieves its ambitious AI leadership goals. The scale of this challenge is substantial. The International Energy Agency reports that a single ChatGPT query requires 2.9 watt-hours of electricity—nearly ten times more than a traditional Google search, which consumes just 0.3 watt-hours. With ChatGPT surpassing 100 million...
read Aug 15, 2025Rogers sells 9 data centers to InfraRed to reduce $26B debt
Rogers Communications has signed a definitive agreement to sell nine data centers from its Rogers Business portfolio to InfraRed Capital Partners for an undisclosed sum. The transaction represents part of Rogers' broader strategy to divest non-core assets and reduce debt, while maintaining operational control over facilities critical to its network infrastructure. What you should know: The sale involves Tier 2 and 3 data centers across key Canadian cities with a combined capacity of up to 49 MW. Rogers will retain its corporate data centers used for internal network and IT operations. The telecom giant will continue selling data center services...
read Aug 15, 2025UK tackles AI data center power surge with smart scheduling
The United Kingdom faces a critical infrastructure challenge as artificial intelligence reshapes the digital economy. AI data centers consume enormous amounts of electricity at precisely the moment when national grids are transitioning toward renewable energy sources. This creates a complex balancing act between technological advancement and environmental sustainability that could determine whether the UK achieves its ambitious AI leadership goals. The scale of this challenge is substantial. The International Energy Agency reports that a single ChatGPT query requires 2.9 watt-hours of electricity—nearly ten times more than a traditional Google search, which consumes just 0.3 watt-hours. With ChatGPT surpassing 100 million...
read Aug 15, 20256 Democratic senators challenge Trump’s 15% AI chip export fee as illegal
Democratic senators have formally challenged President Trump's plan to collect a 15% fee from Nvidia and AMD's AI chip exports to China, arguing the arrangement violates federal law and potentially the Constitution. The bipartisan pushback highlights growing tensions over balancing national security concerns with commercial interests in the lucrative AI semiconductor market. What you should know: Six Democratic senators sent a letter to Trump on Friday demanding he reverse his decision to allow the chip exports with the fee structure. The lawmakers include Mark Warner of Virginia, Chuck Schumer of New York, Jack Reed of Rhode Island, Jeanne Shaheen of...
read Aug 15, 2025Anthropic bans Claude from helping develop CBRN weapons
Anthropic has updated its usage policy for Claude AI with more specific restrictions on dangerous weapons development, now explicitly banning the use of its chatbot to help create biological, chemical, radiological, or nuclear weapons. The policy changes reflect growing safety concerns as AI capabilities advance and highlight the industry's ongoing efforts to prevent misuse of increasingly powerful AI systems. Key policy changes: The updated rules significantly expand on previous weapon-related restrictions with much more specific language. • While the old policy generally prohibited using Claude to "produce, modify, design, market, or distribute weapons, explosives, dangerous materials or other systems designed...
read Aug 15, 2025Big Think AGI hype may be diverting focus from practical AI regulation needs
A new analysis argues that artificial general intelligence (AGI) hype from the AI industry serves as a strategic distraction that benefits companies by shifting policy focus away from immediate regulatory concerns. The argument suggests that by emphasizing existential AGI risks, the industry can operate with fewer constraints on current narrow AI applications while harvesting profits from controllable technologies. The core argument: Industry incentives align with promoting AGI-focused policies regardless of whether AGI actually emerges. If AGI doesn't happen, loose regulation allows companies to profit from narrow AI with minimal guardrails on issues like intellectual property, algorithmic transparency, or market concentration....
read Aug 15, 2025Text-to-worldbuilding: Google’s Genie 3 turns text prompts into explorable 3D worlds
Google DeepMind has released Genie 3, an AI "world model" that can generate entire explorable virtual worlds from a single text prompt at 720p resolution and 24 frames per second. This represents a significant leap forward in generative AI capabilities, potentially transforming gaming, education, training simulations, and virtual exploration by creating interactive 3D environments that users can navigate and modify in real-time. What you should know: Genie 3 creates fully interactive virtual worlds that respond to keyboard or touchscreen controls and maintain consistency for several minutes. The system generates worlds on-the-fly, theoretically making them infinitely explorable as new areas load...
read Aug 15, 2025NVIDIA releases 1M-hour speech dataset for 25 European languages
NVIDIA has released Granary, an open-source multilingual speech dataset containing approximately one million hours of audio, alongside two new AI models designed for transcription and translation across 25 European languages. The release addresses a critical gap in speech AI development, as only a tiny fraction of the world's 7,000 languages are currently supported by AI language models, with particular focus on underrepresented European languages like Croatian, Estonian, and Maltese. What you should know: The Granary dataset represents a massive leap forward in multilingual speech AI training data, providing developers with ready-to-use resources for production-scale applications. The dataset includes nearly 650,000...
read Aug 15, 2025Read my Lips: AI dubbing tech creates world’s first fully visual-dubbed film in US theaters
Flawless, a London-based AI company, has developed DeepEditor, a technology that creates realistic visual dubbing by manipulating actors' facial movements to match foreign language dialogue. The technology was recently used to create the world's first fully visually-dubbed feature film, Watch the Skies, which was released in 110 AMC theaters across the US, marking a potential breakthrough for international cinema distribution. Why this matters: The global film dubbing market is projected to grow from $4 billion in 2024 to $7.6 billion by 2033, driven by streaming platforms seeking to expand international content reach to audiences resistant to traditional subtitles and dubbing....
read Aug 15, 2025WIRED investigation finds 100+ YouTube channels using AI for fake celebrity videos
WIRED's investigation has uncovered over 100 YouTube channels using AI to create fake celebrity talk show videos that are fooling viewers despite their obvious artificial nature. These "cheapfake" videos use basic AI voiceovers and still images to generate millions of views, exploiting psychological triggers and YouTube's algorithm to monetize outrage-driven content. What you should know: These AI-generated videos follow predictable patterns designed to trigger emotional responses rather than fool viewers with sophisticated technology. The videos typically feature beloved male celebrities like Mark Wahlberg, Clint Eastwood, or Denzel Washington defending themselves against hostile left-leaning talk show hosts. Despite using only still...
read Aug 15, 2025OpenAI weighs getting Roku-ized with advertising as ChatGPT costs rise
OpenAI's ChatGPT head Nick Turley has acknowledged that the company might introduce advertising to its products in the future, though he emphasized any ads would need to be "thoughtful and tasteful." While Turley suggested ChatGPT itself might remain ad-free due to its core mission of providing unbiased answers, he didn't rule out advertising entirely, particularly for other OpenAI products targeting markets where users aren't willing to pay for premium features. What they're saying: Turley took a diplomatic approach when pressed about ChatGPT's advertising future during an interview with The Verge. "Maybe there is a certain market where people aren't willing...
read Aug 15, 2025Native artists build AI systems rooted in consent, not extraction
A new generation of Native American artists is leveraging artificial intelligence and technology to create installations that challenge Western assumptions about data extraction and consent. Led by artists like Suzanne Kite (Oglala Lakota), Raven Chacon (Diné), and Nicholas Galanin (Tlingít), this movement rejects extractive data models in favor of relationship-based systems that require reciprocal, consensual interaction rather than assumed user consent. What makes this different: These artists are building AI systems rooted in Indigenous principles of reciprocity and consent, fundamentally challenging how technology typically harvests and uses data. Unlike conventional AI that assumes consent through terms of service, these installations...
read Aug 15, 2025Curio releases AI-powered, anime-inspired stuffed animals as chatbots for kids aged 3+
Curio, a Redwood City-based startup, has launched AI-powered stuffed animals that serve as chatbots for children as young as 3 years old. The plushies contain hidden Wi-Fi-enabled voice boxes that connect to artificial intelligence language models, positioning the toys as an alternative to screen time and traditional parental interaction. How it works: Each of Curio's three smiling plushies features a back zipper pocket concealing the AI technology that brings the characters to life. The toys connect to Wi-Fi and use artificial intelligence language models specifically calibrated to converse with young children. Characters like Grem, a fuzzy cube styled like an...
read Aug 15, 2025Cutting off your nose? McKinsey deploys 12,000 AI agents while slashing 5,000 jobs
McKinsey, a global consulting firm, is confronting an existential threat as artificial intelligence agents prove capable of performing the same consulting work that has generated billions in revenue for the firm. The company has deployed 12,000 AI agents across its operations while simultaneously reducing its workforce from 45,000 to 40,000 employees over the past 18 months, highlighting the tension between embracing automation and maintaining human expertise. What you should know: McKinsey's leadership acknowledges AI poses fundamental challenges to the consulting industry's traditional model. "Do I think that this is existential for our profession? Yes, I do," said Kate Smaje, a...
read Aug 15, 2025UK’s £100M Turing AI Institute faces collapse amid turn toward defense concerns
The UK's Turing AI Institute leadership has acknowledged that recent months have been "challenging" for staff amid internal turmoil over the government's directive to prioritize defense research. This comes after employees filed a whistleblowing complaint with the Charity Commission this week, warning that the £100 million government-funded organization risks collapse under Technology Secretary Peter Kyle's ultimatum to shift focus or lose funding. What you should know: The institute's leadership is attempting to balance government demands while maintaining other research priorities. Chair Dr Doug Gurr said the Turing institute would "step up at a time of national need" and has established...
read Aug 15, 2025Delete emails to help conserve water (and support data centers), England drought officials say
England's National Drought Group has advised millions of residents to delete old emails and photos to help conserve water during the country's driest six-month period since 1976. The unusual recommendation stems from the fact that data centers storing digital information require vast amounts of water to cool their systems, creating an unexpected link between digital habits and water conservation during drought conditions. What you should know: England is experiencing severe drought conditions with five areas under formal drought declarations and reservoirs averaging just 67.7% full compared to the typical 80.5% for this time of year. The affected regions include Yorkshire;...
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