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3 AI-themed theater shows explore humanity’s digital future at Scottish festival
Edinburgh's fringe festival is featuring three AI-themed theatrical productions that explore humanity's complex relationship with artificial intelligence through immersive storytelling and cutting-edge technology. These performances—Dead Air, Stampin' in the Graveyard, and AI: The Waiting Room—use AI as both subject matter and creative tool, reflecting broader cultural anxieties about our technological future. What you should know: Each production takes a different approach to examining AI's impact on human experience and emotional processing. Dead Air reimagines Hamlet with protagonist Alfie using an AI service called AiR to communicate with her deceased father, exploring themes of grief and digital dependency. Stampin' in the...
read Aug 6, 2025Duolingo beats Q2 estimates as AI features drive $1B revenue forecast
Duolingo raised its 2025 revenue forecast and beat second-quarter estimates, driven by growing adoption of its AI-enhanced subscription tiers that offer features like video-call conversation practice with chatbots. The language-learning company now expects annual revenue between $1.01-$1.02 billion, up from its previous projection of $987-$996 million, as AI tools boost user engagement and lower operational costs than anticipated. Key financial results: Duolingo's second-quarter revenue reached $252.3 million, surpassing analyst estimates of $240.7 million. The company's stock jumped about 20% in after-hours trading following the earnings announcement. For the third quarter, Duolingo projects revenue between $257-$261 million, compared to analyst estimates...
read Aug 6, 2025Google’s new AI agent outperforms OpenAI and Perplexity on research benchmarks
Google researchers have developed Test-Time Diffusion Deep Researcher (TTD-DR), a new AI framework that outperforms leading research agents from OpenAI, Perplexity, and others on key benchmarks. The system mimics human writing processes by using diffusion mechanisms and evolutionary algorithms to iteratively refine research reports, potentially powering a new generation of enterprise research assistants for complex business tasks like competitive analysis and market entry reports. The big picture: Unlike current AI research agents that follow rigid linear processes, TTD-DR treats report creation as a diffusion process where an initial "noisy" draft is progressively refined into a polished final report. The framework...
read Aug 6, 2025Elite students are dropping out of Harvard, MIT to prevent AI extinction of both humans and jobs
College students at elite universities like Harvard and MIT are dropping out to work on preventing artificial general intelligence (AGI) from potentially causing human extinction, driven by fears that superintelligent AI could arrive within the next decade. This exodus reflects growing anxiety among young people about both existential AI risks and the possibility that their future careers will be automated away before they even begin. What you should know: Students are abandoning prestigious academic programs to join AI safety organizations and startups, believing the threat is too urgent to wait. Alice Blair took permanent leave from MIT to work as...
read Aug 6, 2025Anduril opens Taiwan office to sell AI attack drones amid China tensions
US defense technology company Anduril is opening a Taiwan office and will sell AI-powered attack drones to the island nation, marking a significant expansion of American defense tech presence in the region. The move comes amid escalating tensions between Taiwan and China, as fears of a potential Chinese invasion continue to mount. Why this matters: Taiwan's strategic importance to US technological leadership makes its defense capabilities critical to American interests, particularly given the island's dominance in semiconductor manufacturing that powers AI development. What Anduril is saying: The company frames Taiwan's defense as essential to broader regional stability and American strategic...
read Aug 6, 2025States create AI rules as federal regulation stalls. Here are their 4 priorities.
While Congress remains largely silent on artificial intelligence regulation, state governments across America are stepping into the void with unprecedented legislative activity. All 50 states introduced AI-related legislation in 2025, creating a complex regulatory landscape that businesses must now navigate. This surge in state-level action follows Congress's recent defeat of a proposed moratorium on state AI regulation, effectively giving states the green light to continue crafting their own rules. The result is a patchwork of regulations that, while complicating compliance efforts for AI developers, addresses critical gaps in privacy protection, civil rights, and consumer safeguards that federal lawmakers have yet...
read Aug 6, 2025Federal agencies can now buy OpenAI’s ChatGPT for just $1 annually
OpenAI has announced a major partnership with the US government, making its frontier AI models available to federal agencies for just $1 for the next year through an agreement with the General Services Administration. This unprecedented deal represents the culmination of months of lobbying efforts by OpenAI executives and positions the company to capture a significant share of the massive federal AI market, particularly as the Trump administration accelerates government modernization efforts. What you should know: The partnership grants federal employees access to OpenAI's most advanced models at a symbolic price point, marking a significant expansion of AI tools across...
read Aug 6, 2025Nuclear weapons experts oppose AI launch control despite inevitable integration
Nuclear weapons experts gathered at the University of Chicago in July are unanimous that artificial intelligence will inevitably become integrated into nuclear weapons systems, though none can predict exactly how this integration will unfold. The consensus among Nobel laureates, scientists, and former government officials underscores a critical shift in global security as AI permeates the most dangerous weapons on Earth. What you should know: While experts agree AI integration is inevitable, they remain united in opposing AI control over nuclear launch decisions. "In this realm, almost everybody says we want effective human control over nuclear weapon decisionmaking," says Jon Wolfsthal,...
read Aug 6, 2025Magic-less Kingdom: Disney scraps AI projects over legal fears and union pushback
Disney's secretive AI experiments have repeatedly collapsed due to legal concerns and union tensions, forcing the entertainment giant to scrap multiple projects despite investing heavily in the technology. The company's struggles highlight the complex challenges media companies face when trying to implement AI while protecting intellectual property and maintaining relationships with creative talent. What you should know: Disney created an entire business unit dedicated to AI but has abandoned several high-profile projects over the past 18 months. The company scrapped plans to use AI to "clone" Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson for the live-action "Moana" remake, despite Johnson's approval and 18...
read Aug 6, 2025AI accounting startup Rillet raises $70M at $500M valuation
Rillet, an AI-powered accounting software startup founded by former N26 executive Nicolas Kopp, has raised $70 million in a Series B funding round co-led by Andreessen Horowitz and ICONIQ. The funding values the company at approximately $500 million and comes just two months after its previous $25 million raise, bringing total funding to over $100 million as the startup targets legacy accounting systems from Oracle and Microsoft. Why this matters: Rillet's platform addresses a critical pain point in enterprise finance by automating accounting tasks that traditionally take weeks to complete, leveraging AI to transform what Kopp calls "dumb databases" into...
read Aug 6, 2025No Chill: Silicon Valley shifts from workplace perks to high-stakes AI development
Silicon Valley's workplace culture has undergone a dramatic transformation, shifting from the fun, perk-filled environment of the Web 2.0 era to a more demanding "hard tech" atmosphere driven by the AI revolution. This cultural shift reflects broader changes in the tech industry's priorities and could signal what's coming for workplaces across other industries. The big picture: The era of Google's personal chefs, on-site acupuncture, and "Whiskey Fridays" has given way to intense pressure around AI development, where success is measured by access to Nvidia H100 graphics processing units rather than creative workplace amenities. What's driving the change: The transition from...
read Aug 6, 2025Nvidia rejects U.S. demands for AI chip backdoors and kill switches
Nvidia has rejected U.S. government demands to include backdoors and kill switches in its AI chips, with the company's chief security officer publishing a blog post calling such measures "an open invitation for disaster." The pushback comes as bipartisan lawmakers consider legislation requiring tracking technology in AI chips, while Chinese officials have alleged that backdoors already exist in Nvidia's hardware sold in China. What you should know: Nvidia's stance directly opposes the proposed Chip Security Act, which would mandate security measures including potential remote kill switches. The bipartisan bill introduced in May would require Nvidia and other manufacturers to include...
read Aug 6, 2025Microsoft brings OpenAI’s open-source GPT model to Windows PCs
Microsoft has made OpenAI's new open-source GPT model available on Windows through its AI Foundry platform, marking the first time users can run an OpenAI model locally on Windows. The lightweight gpt-oss-20b model requires at least 16GB of VRAM and is optimized for code execution and tool use, with macOS support coming soon. What you should know: The gpt-oss-20b model represents a significant shift in OpenAI's approach, offering a free and open alternative that can run entirely on local hardware. Users need a PC or laptop with at least 16GB of VRAM (video memory), requiring high-end GPUs from Nvidia or...
read Aug 6, 2025Even AI researchers hobnobbed with Epstein, claim “strange vibe”
Twenty-three years after attending a Caribbean AI conference, leading computer scientists are revealing disturbing details about their 2002 encounter with Jeffrey Epstein, the financier later convicted as a child sex offender. The academics, who had accepted what they thought was a standard academic symposium invitation from "some rich guy," now describe feeling unsettled by Epstein's behavior and the "strange vibe" surrounding his private island operations. What you should know: The St. Thomas Common Sense Symposium in April 2002 brought together about 20 AI pioneers to discuss artificial intelligence research, funded entirely by Epstein. Attendees included computer scientist Benjamin Kuipers from...
read Aug 6, 2025AWS signs 80MW wind power deal to fuel $8.3B India expansion
Amazon Web Services has signed a long-term Power Purchase Agreement with Gentari, the clean energy subsidiary of Malaysian energy giant Petronas, for 80MW of wind energy in Tamil Nadu, India. The wind farm is expected to generate 300,000 MWh of clean electricity annually starting mid-2027, supporting AWS's ambitious goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 while powering the company's expanding $8.3 billion cloud infrastructure investment across India. What you should know: The wind farm is part of the broader Karur Wind Development zone, a major renewable energy hub in Tamil Nadu that hosts several large-scale projects. The region includes...
read Aug 6, 2025Ask Jules: Google launches AI coding agent for developers and beginners
Google has launched Jules, its AI-powered coding agent, to the general public after months of beta testing. Built on Gemini 2.5 Pro and designed for both developers and non-technical users, Jules aims to democratize coding by helping anyone write, test, and improve code without requiring formal programming experience. What sets Jules apart: The AI agent can run multiple tasks simultaneously and has been significantly upgraded based on extensive beta feedback. During beta testing, users submitted tens of thousands of tasks, resulting in over 140,000 publicly shared code improvements. Jules can now reuse past setups, visualize test results, and integrate with...
read Aug 6, 2025AI Underwater adhesive achieves 10x stronger bonds in seawater
Researchers have developed a groundbreaking underwater adhesive that maintains its stickiness even when submerged in seawater, achieving adhesion strength 10 times greater than existing soft materials in similar conditions. The breakthrough combines analysis of 24,000 natural protein sequences with AI-driven material design, potentially transforming everything from deep-sea robotics to surgical procedures. How it works: Scientists at Shenzhen University and Hokkaido University analyzed sticky protein sequences from thousands of organisms to identify the most effective amino acid combinations for adhesion.• The team created 180 different types of adhesive hydrogel (a stretchy, soft material) based on their protein analysis findings.• They then...
read Aug 6, 2025Democrats launch AI playbook to combat GOP’s $1.2M tech use advantage
The National Democratic Training Committee has released the first official AI playbook for Democratic campaigns, offering guidance on responsible artificial intelligence use ahead of the 2026 midterms. The comprehensive training program targets smaller campaigns with limited resources, aiming to help five-person teams operate with the efficiency of 15-person teams while maintaining ethical standards and transparency. What you should know: The three-part training course covers AI fundamentals and practical applications for campaign operations. Democrats can use AI to create social media content, write voter outreach messages, draft speeches, develop phonebanking scripts, and research districts and opponents. All AI-generated content must be...
read Aug 6, 2025India’s Yashoda AI program trains 2,500 rural women in digital skills
India's National Commission for Women has trained 2,500 women from rural and semi-urban areas through its Yashoda AI program, an artificial intelligence literacy initiative aimed at enhancing digital inclusion. The program targets women from diverse backgrounds including self-help group members, elected officials, healthcare workers, and entrepreneurs to build AI literacy skills in cybersecurity, digital privacy, and safe online practices. What you should know: The Yashoda AI program represents a significant government effort to bridge the digital divide for women in underserved communities. Participants include members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs), local elected representatives such as sarpanchs, pradhans, parshads, mayors, MLAs, ASHA...
read Aug 6, 2025Google defends AI search features against website traffic decline claims
Google has defended its AI-powered search features against claims they're reducing website traffic, with VP and Head of Search Liz Reid arguing that organic click volume remains "relatively stable year-over-year." The response directly counters third-party reports suggesting AI Overviews and similar features are harming web publishers, highlighting Google's financial stake in maintaining a healthy web ecosystem since advertising revenue depends on continued site engagement. What they're saying: Google emphasizes that AI features are actually improving the quality of user interactions with websites. "Average click quality has increased and we're actually sending slightly more quality clicks to websites than a year...
read Aug 6, 2025Against the wind: Meet the “AI vegans” who avoid artificial intelligence tools
A growing number of people are choosing to abstain from artificial intelligence tools entirely, calling themselves "AI vegans" who avoid AI for environmental, ethical, and personal wellness reasons. This digital abstinence movement emerges as concerns mount over AI's environmental impact, exploitation of creative labor, and potential negative effects on human cognitive abilities. The big picture: Just as traditional veganism gained momentum through ethical concerns about animal products, AI veganism represents a conscious choice to opt out of AI consumption despite societal pressure to embrace the technology. Why this matters: Tech leaders like Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, warn that avoiding...
read Aug 6, 2025Researchers hack Google Gemini through calendar invites to control smart homes
Security researchers have successfully hacked Google's Gemini AI through poisoned calendar invitations, allowing them to remotely control smart home devices including lights, shutters, and boilers in a Tel Aviv apartment. The demonstration represents what researchers believe is the first time a generative AI hack has caused real-world physical consequences, highlighting critical security vulnerabilities as AI systems become increasingly integrated with connected devices and autonomous systems. What you should know: The attack exploits indirect prompt injection vulnerabilities in Gemini through malicious instructions embedded in Google Calendar invites. When users ask Gemini to summarize their calendar events, the AI processes hidden commands...
read Aug 6, 2025Google says AI search isn’t killing website traffic—here’s their evidence
Google has defended its AI-powered search features against claims they're reducing website traffic, with VP and Head of Search Liz Reid arguing that organic click volume remains "relatively stable year-over-year." The response directly counters third-party reports suggesting AI Overviews and similar features are harming web publishers, highlighting Google's financial stake in maintaining a healthy web ecosystem since advertising revenue depends on continued site engagement. What they're saying: Google emphasizes that AI features are actually improving the quality of user interactions with websites. "Average click quality has increased and we're actually sending slightly more quality clicks to websites than a year...
read Aug 6, 2025Art of the Steal: News Corp warns AI is cannibalizing Trump’s book sales
News Corp is warning Donald Trump that artificial intelligence is cannibalizing sales of his books, including The Art of the Deal, by allowing AI systems to profit from his intellectual property without permission. The media conglomerate owned by Rupert Murdoch used its earnings report to highlight how AI companies are undermining book sales across the publishing industry, even affecting high-profile authors like the president. What they're saying: News Corp delivered a pointed message about AI's impact on intellectual property rights in its fourth-quarter earnings statement. "The AI age must cherish the value of intellectual property if we are collectively to...
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