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Sun, Jul 5, 2026, 10:16 PM EDT

Tech

AI Summary

  • Generative AI development is showing slower-than-anticipated progress, with leaders like Mark Zuckerberg admitting agents haven't advanced as rapidly as hoped, impacting ambitious projects like AI companions.
  • The tech industry is grappling with the ethical and practical implications of AI, evident in Midjourney's request for Hollywood studios to disclose their AI usage and reports of Alibaba banning employees from using certain AI coding tools.
  • The startup ecosystem continues to churn out new ventures, with nearly 90 new unicorns minted this year, alongside significant developments in emerging tech like quantum computing, though its future remains uncertain.
  • While electric vehicles are seeing innovation, like Chevy's all-American EV truck, market adoption remains a challenge, contrasting with the rapid growth in areas like AI agents and the expansion of robotaxi services.
  • The debate around digital ownership and media formats persists, with Sony affirming its commitment to physical discs for games released before 2028 and discussions on how proprietary platforms might limit user control over content.

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  • Some of the nation’s rich are letting AI teach their kids 5 hours ago by Terrence O’Brien
    AI, News, Policy

    Most Americans don't trust AI . It's proven that it doesn't know what safe toppings for pizza are. People don't even want to listen to AI music . But none of that matters for some of America's wealthy, who are turning to AI to teach their kids instead of traditional schools. Companies like Forge Prep and Alpha School are charging families tens of thousands of dollars to turn their kids into beta testers for AI tutors and "interactive project-based workshops." Unsurprisingly, Silicon Valley have been major adopters of this new model. Shaun Johnson, a San Francisco-based venture capitalist, told the

  • Mr. Lif’s Emergency Rations EP is post-9/11 hip hop at its most daring 9 hours ago by Terrence O’Brien
    Column, Entertainment, Music, Music Review

    First, you drop bombs, then you send aid. Totally logical. | Image: Definitive Jux There was a period in the early aughts when Definitive Jux (nee: Def Jux) seemed like it was going to be the future of hip hop. While the label featured plenty of experimental, boundary-pushing, and politically minded acts, Lif stood out as the most "conscious rapper" in the traditional sense. It was clear though, that label head El-P envisioned that as an important part of Def Jux's identity, as the first record it put out was 2000's Enter the Colossus EP, from Lif. Mr. Lif's follow-up

  • Where to preorder Grand Theft Auto VI 11 hours ago by Brad Bourque
    Gadgets, Gaming, PlayStation, Verge Shopping, Xbox

    A look at in-game cosmetics you’ll get with the Ultimate edition. | Image: Rockstar Games Rockstar's long-awaited Grand Theft Auto VI is launching November 19th, 2026 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X consoles. The game will be available digitally at launch, with physical cases containing codes, not discs , so your options for preordering are straightforward. The preloading phase for the game begins on November 12th, which should give you plenty of time to install the game. There are two versions of the game to choose from, the $79.99 Standard and $99.99 Ultimate editions. Both include the same preorder

  • Infuriating Google commercial imagines the founding fathers embracing AI 13 hours ago by Terrence O’Brien
    AI, Google, News, Policy, Politics, Tech

    I call BS: the founding fathers definitely would have been Microsoft Teams users. | Image: Google "Group project, but make it 1776." That's how a new commercial for Google Workspace opens. And things only get cringier from there. The clip imagines what it would be like if the founding fathers turned to Google's collaboration tools and Gemini to help them draft the Declaration of Independence. Ben Franklin texts Thomas Jefferson to check on the status of a draft, who takes a photo and uses AI to transcribe it into a Google Doc. Franklin and Adams hop in to make edits

  • The Sourdough Sidekick automates the boring bit of baking 13 hours ago by Dominic Preston
    Reviews, Smart Home, Smart Home Reviews, Tech

    The Sourdough Sidekick was codeveloped with King Arthur Baking Company. Baking sourdough bread is inherently old-fashioned, relying on natural fermentation and wild yeast instead of the simple, predictable commercial stuff. So it might sound anathema to bring a gadget into the mix. The trick to the Sourdough Sidekick - backed and branded by King Arthur flour - is that it promises to automate the boring bit of sourdough baking: starter management. It feeds your starter flour and water on a set schedule, ready for exactly when you want to bake, leaving you to focus on kneading, shaping, and the actual


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