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Tech

AI Summary

  • The tech industry is seeing an explosion of AI integration across consumer products, enterprise solutions, and even creative fields, though this expansion is met with growing concerns over plagiarism, deepfakes, and ethical data use.
  • Data privacy remains a critical flashpoint, with major tech companies facing investigations and public backlash for sharing user information with government agencies and for alleged surveillance practices.
  • Significant shifts are occurring in corporate leadership and talent retention, particularly within newer AI ventures and established tech giants experiencing high-profile departures and internal restructuring.
  • Venture capital funding remains robust, with numerous startups in AI, cybersecurity, and other innovative sectors securing substantial investment rounds.
  • Regulatory bodies globally are stepping up their scrutiny of major tech platforms, focusing on issues like competition, content moderation, and the responsible handling of user data.

TechCrunch

  • An ice dance duo skated to AI music at the Olympics 38 minutes ago by Amanda Silberling
    AI, figure skating, Music

    Czech ice dancers Katerina Mrazkova and Daniel Mrazek are learning the hard way that LLMs sometimes spit out straight-up plagiarism.

  • Boston Dynamics CEO Robert Playter steps down after 30 years at the company 2 hours ago by Rebecca Szkutak
    AI, Robotics, artificial intelligence, atlas, boston dynamics, In Brief, Robert Playter, SPOT

    Robert Playter announcd he is leaving Boston Dynamics after 30 years at the company in various roles, including six years as CEO.

  • VC Masha Bucher, Epstein associate and Day One founder, explains herself 2 hours ago by Julie Bort
    Venture, day one ventures, Epstein Files, jeffrey epstein, Masha Bucher

    After numerous news reports documented Masha Bucher's close business and personal relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Bucher took to X to explain.

  • Google sent personal and financial information of student journalist to ICE 2 hours ago by Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai
    Security, Department of Homeland Security, DHS, Google, ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Trump Administration, u.s. immigration and customs enforcement

    The tech giant handed over the personal information of a journalist and student who attended a pro-Palestinian protest in 2024. This is the latest example of ICE using its controversial subpoena powers to target people critical of the Trump administration.

  • Nearly half of xAI’s founding team has now left the company 3 hours ago by Russell Brandom
    AI, Elon Musk, talent, xAI

    Whatever the cause of the departures, the cumulative impact is alarming. There is a lot of work left to do at xAI, and an IPO will bring more scrutiny than the lab has ever faced before.


Hacker News


Engadget

  • Discord will soon require age verification to access adult content an hour ago by Will Shanklin
    Arts & Entertainment, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Will Shanklin

    Discord is the latest company looking to bolster its child safety (again). Starting in March, all users will have a "teen-appropriate experience" by default. Unlocking adult content and age-gated spaces will require a (usually one-time) verification process. However, following blowback, the company appears to have pivoted. It now says its age prediction AI will verify the identities of “the majority of adult users” without requiring a manual age check. The platform's big safety update encompasses communication settings, restricted access to age-gated spaces and content filtering. Users who aren't verified as adults will see blurred sensitive content. In addition, age-restricted channels, servers

  • The NLRB just gave up on SpaceX workers who claim they were illegally fired an hour ago by Ian Carlos Campbell
    Politics & Government, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Ian Carlos Campbell

    The National Labor Review Board (NLRB) has dropped a case accusing SpaceX of illegally firing eight employees who criticized the company's CEO Elon Musk, The New York Times. The employees were originally fired in 2022 after circulating a letter that referenced reports of Musk's sexual misconduct and called the executive "a frequent source of distraction and embarrassment." The NLRB filed a complaint claiming the firing was illegal in 2024. Originally, SpaceX's opposition to the NLRB's case was that the agency is unconstitutional, The New York Times writes. Complaints about the NLRB's independence and power are not uncommon. Amazon has previously claimed

  • Facebook is offering Meta AI-powered animations for profile photos 3 hours ago by Anna Washenko
    Software, Media, Social & Online Media, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Anna Washenko

    Meta has been going all in on AI, whether people want it or not, and now it's bringing more features in that vein to Facebook. The network's latest move is to let people use Meta AI to animate their profile photos. Because what better way to express your individuality than to use a pre-canned AI-generated animation on your own face? Meta AI is also coming for your Facebook Stories and Memories. The network's Restyle lets you use gen-AI to change up the aesthetic of your posts. You can once again use pre-canned stylings or give the AI assistant your own prompt. In

  • Get two years of Surfshark VPN for up to 87 percent off 3 hours ago by Georgie Peru
    Technology & Electronics, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Georgie Peru

    If you’ve been thinking about signing up for a VPN, Surfshark has solid deals on its two-year plans right now. Surfshark’s One plan is 87 percent off right now when you pay for two years upfront, plus you’ll get three extra months free. That comes out to a total of $62 for the first 27 months of access. We’ve generally liked Surfshark as a straightforward, speedy service for everyday use, and it’s one of the picks in our guide to the best VPNs. In our Surfshark review, we found it delivered excellent speeds overall and reliably unblocked Netflix across most of

  • This Itch.io bundle to help Minnesota includes over 1,200 games and costs just $10 4 hours ago by Lawrence Bonk
    Arts & Entertainment, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Lawrence Bonk

    You have likely heard about the masked agents of ICE mucking around in Minnesota for the past few months, resulting in numerous violent incidents and deaths. Itch.io is hosting a bundle to help raise money for the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, which was organized by charity creator Jes Wade. The No ICE in Minnesota bundle includes nearly 1,300 video games and tabletop games and costs just $10, though those with deep pockets can certainly donate more than that. It has a goal of $100,000, which it certainly is on pace to meet. There are some nifty titles here, particularly for those


The Verge

  • Trump’s new ‘Buy American’ requirement for EV charging would dramatically curtail build-out 38 minutes ago by Andrew J. Hawkins
    Electric Cars, News, Policy, Transportation

    It seems clear at this point to say that Donald Trump does not want to spend a single dime on EV charging. He tried to freeze $5 billion in funding for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, which was approved as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. And when a federal judge ordered the government to unfreeze the funds, his administration came up with a new tactic to stall the plan. EV chargers must now be built in the US, with components that also originate in the US, in order to receive federal funding, the US Department of Transportation said

  • Fitbit’s AI health coach is now available on your iPhone an hour ago by Stevie Bonifield
    Gadgets, Google, News, Tech, Wearable

    Google announced on Tuesday that the public preview of Fitbit's AI personal health coach is rolling out to iOS users in the U.S. as well as both iOS and Android users in the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. The update tests a major overhaul of Fitbit's app, introducing a conversational interface with a Gemini-powered AI that interprets your latest results, creates custom routines and workouts based on users' personal health goals, workout equipment, and training preferences. It initially launched in October, when it was only available in the US and only on Android devices. To try out the feature, users

  • Ayaneo’s new Windows handheld will cost up to $4,299 with maxed out specs 2 hours ago by Andrew Liszewski
    Gadgets, Gaming, Microsoft, News, Tech, Windows

    The Next 2 features a 9.06-inch OLED screen with an adjustable refresh rate. | Image: Ayaneo Ayaneo opened preorders for its next Windows 11 handheld and it looks like a powerhouse. The Ayaneo Next 2 is 13.45 inches wide, 10.3-inches tall, and weighs 3.14 pounds. That's more than twice as heavy as the original Ayaneo Next that launched back in 2022, and it easily outweighs the Steam Deck and Switch 2. The Next 2 could be the ultimate Windows handheld if money and pocketability aren't a concern for you. Pricing starts at $1,999 for a version of the Next 2 with a

  • My favorite Switch 2 controller is 30 percent off for today only 3 hours ago by Cameron Faulkner
    Deals, Gadgets, Gaming, Nintendo, Verge Shopping

    The EasySMX S10 is a fantastic wireless controller for the Switch 2 that offers nearly as many features as Nintendo’s $90 gamepad. I ranked it as the best Switch 2 controller you can buy, thanks to its satisfying rumble sensation in games, support for motion controls as well as Nintendo’s amiibo NFC figures, plus the ability to remotely wake your console. Not to mention, it has durable TMR joysticks that are designed to last a lot longer than the hardware used by Nintendo in its controller. I think it’s worth considering even at its original $59.99, but it’s considerably cheaper for

  • Discord says ‘vast majority’ of users won’t see its new age verification setup 3 hours ago
    Apps, Gaming, News, Privacy, Tech

    On Tuesday, Discord released an update clarifying that the "vast majority of people can continue using Discord exactly as they do today," without needing to use a face scan or ID to verify their age so they can use the platform without restrictions. Discord states in the post that "age prediction" using information Discord already has will likely be sufficient for many users: > We've seen some questions about our age assurance update and we want to share more clarity. We know how important these changes are to our community. > > Here's what we want you to know: > > • Discord


Wired


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