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Technology News
Breaking news and analysis from the world of technology
China hosted the World Humanoid Robot Games, an event where robots with human-like features compete in various activities. The competition shows advances in robotics and hints at what future robots might be able to do.
Key Facts
The event is called the World Humanoid Robot Games.
It took place in China.
Humanoid robots are machines designed to look and move like humans.
Robots competed in different tasks during the games.
The games demonstrate new progress in robot technology.
This event helps people understand what robots might do in the future.
The coverage was provided by CBS News reporter Anna Coren.
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A deadline is approaching soon for people to submit their claims to receive money from a $68 million settlement involving Google Assistant. Those affected need to act quickly to be part of the settlement and possibly get compensation.
Key Facts
The total settlement amount is $68 million.
The settlement is related to Google Assistant, a voice-controlled digital helper.
People who believe they were affected can submit a claim form.
The deadline to submit the claim form is only a few days away.
Submitting the form is necessary to receive any payment from the settlement.
This is a legal resolution involving claims against Google Assistant.
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Apple has announced new versions of its Mac mini and Mac Studio desktop computers, featuring two new chips called the M6 and the M5 Ultra. These updates focus on improving performance for local artificial intelligence (AI) tasks, especially for developers running AI models on their own machines instead of online servers.
Key Facts
The new M6 chip is Apple’s first 2-nanometer chip in its Mac lineup.
M6 has a 12-core CPU with three types of cores: super, performance, and efficiency cores.
The M6 offers up to 40% faster multi-threaded CPU speed compared to the older M4 chip.
The M6 Ultra chip, available in the updated Mac Studio, supports up to 512GB of unified memory.
Unified memory means the CPU and GPU share the same fast memory, helping AI and graphics tasks run better.
macOS 26.2 update enabled better connection speeds between Macs for sharing AI tasks using Thunderbolt 5 cables.
Developers are using these Macs to run large AI language models locally, avoiding expensive cloud computing costs.
The new machines don’t add major new features but improve hardware specs focused on AI workloads.
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Recently, top mathematicians met to discuss the impact of AI on math jobs, with many worried about their future. AI models have made notable math discoveries but still lack the ability to create entirely new mathematical theories like human experts can.
Key Facts
About 40 leading mathematicians met at OpenAI in June to talk about how AI affects mathematics.
AI recently disproved the unit distance conjecture, an 80-year-old math problem.
AI has produced several notable math results, including in cryptanalysis and attempts on the Riemann hypothesis.
AI discoveries often involve finding counterexamples or applying known methods in new ways.
AI combines search ability with learned intuition to identify answers among many options.
These AI achievements show creativity in recombining existing ideas but not in creating deep new math theories.
Humans are still needed for developing new mathematical concepts and theories.
Current AI systems have large memory and fast processing but lack full conceptual creativity.
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A major court trial has begun against Meta in California and 28 other states. The states accuse Meta of making addictive products for children and hiding this fact from the public, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg expected to testify.
Key Facts
Meta faces a lawsuit from 29 US states over claims it designed addictive products for children.
A whistleblower accused CEO Mark Zuckerberg of lying about child safety commitments.
Prosecutors argue Meta “hooks,” “holds,” “harvests,” and “hides” user data, especially affecting kids.
Meta denies the allegations and calls the lawsuit an attempt to get an unreasonable payout.
US courts play a major role in regulating tech companies quickly, unlike slower legislation.
The Social Media Victims Law Center represents individual plaintiffs suing Meta and other firms.
Past government lawsuits against big companies, like tobacco and Google, show mixed results.
Zuckerberg and Instagram’s CEO are expected to face tough questions during the trial.
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The United States is building twice as much new gas-powered electricity capacity as China, mainly to support a rapid increase in artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. This expansion could lead to more pollution and higher energy costs, while also facing growing local opposition due to environmental and resource concerns.
Key Facts
The US is constructing twice the gas-fired power capacity compared to China, with a 76% increase in new projects in early 2024.
Gas power development in the US grew from 252 gigawatts (GW) to 378 GW since January, about one-third of the world’s total.
Around half of this new capacity is connected to new data centers that require large amounts of electricity to run AI technology.
Using gas, a fossil fuel that contributes to climate change, risks increasing US power emissions by up to 20%.
The Trump administration has removed some environmental rules to speed up building new data centers, aiming to support AI growth.
Many AI data centers are planned in drought-affected areas, raising concerns about water shortages.
Public opposition to data centers is increasing, with many cities and states imposing restrictions or bans on construction.
Some companies are using less efficient gas turbines because the most efficient ones are backlogged, leading to more pollution.
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French astronaut Sophie Adenot is preparing for her second spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS) as part of her current mission. The spacewalk will focus on replacing a communication antenna and is scheduled to last about six and a half hours.
Key Facts
Sophie Adenot is a French astronaut currently on a nine-month mission at the ISS.
She performed her first spacewalk on August 18, becoming the first French woman to do so.
Adenot’s second spacewalk is planned to start at 12:35 GMT and should last around six and a half hours.
The spacewalk’s main task is to replace one of the ISS’s communication antennas.
American astronaut Anil Menon is assisting Adenot during the spacewalk.
Adenot is an engineer and former test pilot.
She is the second French woman to fly into space, after Claudie Haigneré.
The last French astronaut to walk in space before her was Thomas Pesquet, who did six spacewalks.
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A Pocket Full of Slagford is a new 3D puzzle adventure game set in a strange future version of northern England influenced by the 1980s Thatcher era. The game, created by solo developer Patrick Grant, uses a unique puzzle system and aims to combine a strong story with retro-style graphics inspired by classic point-and-click games.
Key Facts
The game is a 3D puzzle adventure with a retro, point-and-click style.
It is set in a surreal near-future northern England that reflects effects of the Thatcher era.
The main character is Pip Bunting, a local boy who uses a mysterious relic to change reality.
Developer Patrick Grant is based in New Zealand and is the sole creator through his studio Slumps.
The game’s design includes collecting and pasting scenery "imprints" to solve puzzles.
Grant wants to evoke the late 1990s CD-ROM game era with looping backgrounds and simple 3D models.
The story draws on northern English culture, inspired by British TV shows like Boys from the Blackstuff.
Themes include working-class life, economic hardship, and class conflict, but with a comedic and surreal tone.
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Taiwanese authorities have charged nine people, including employees from Nvidia and Supermicro, for illegally exporting advanced artificial intelligence (AI) servers to China. These exports violated rules aimed at controlling sensitive technology transfers, and some servers were sent through other countries before reaching China.
Key Facts
Nine people, including workers from Nvidia and Supermicro’s Taiwan offices, were charged by prosecutors in Taiwan.
Charges include breach of trust, document forgery, and embezzlement related to exporting AI servers to China.
About 50 servers were sent through Indonesia, eight through Japan, and others directly to China.
Taiwanese prosecutors seized an additional 56 AI servers at the border.
Exporting cutting-edge AI chips to China is restricted by the United States but not explicitly illegal under Taiwanese law.
Nvidia and Supermicro said they are cooperating with Taiwanese authorities; Supermicro said it is not accused of wrongdoing.
Prosecutors seek up to five years in prison for seven defendants involved in the illegal exports.
Taiwan has recently tightened export controls to prevent advanced technology from reaching China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory.
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Flock Safety, a company that makes automated license plate readers (ALPRs), is losing contracts and facing privacy concerns in many U.S. cities. Other companies like Axon, Motorola, Rekor, Verkada, and Genetec are competing to replace Flock by offering similar ALPR technology and security services.
Key Facts
46 U.S. communities have canceled contracts with Flock Safety.
20 communities have rejected new contract proposals from Flock.
Critics worry that ALPRs let authorities track drivers’ movements without needing a warrant.
Supporters say ALPRs help fight crime by providing useful information to law enforcement.
Axon is gaining business by offering ALPRs with stronger privacy controls and tools that work with body cameras and crime evidence systems.
Motorola Solutions offers ALPRs through its Vigilant platform and integrates with police databases.
Verkada provides cloud-based ALPR technology targeted at smaller cities to avoid needing local infrastructure.
Privacy advocates say switching brands does not solve concerns about surveillance and data tracking.
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A cyberattack reportedly linked to Iran caused a small British power plant to go offline for four days. Similar cyberattacks on water systems in the United States suggest that hackers are increasingly targeting critical infrastructure like electricity and water, raising concerns about wider disruptions in physical services important for society.
Key Facts
A British power plant was offline for four days due to a cyberattack linked to Iran.
The British government said the attack posed no risk to the wider energy system.
U.S. water and wastewater systems in at least 12 states have experienced cyberattacks recently.
Over 30 water systems in Minnesota were affected; a Georgia incident caused a water pressure drop and boil-water advisory.
U.S. officials have pointed to a hacker group tied to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) but have not officially accused Iran.
Cyberattacks on critical infrastructure differ from traditional data hacks because they affect physical systems like power and water.
The U.S. warns Iranian-linked hackers are targeting internet-connected devices that control industrial equipment.
Disruptions to one part of critical infrastructure can affect other sectors like communications, transport, healthcare, and finance, making resilience vital.
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Google has added an AI chatbot summary called "AI Overviews" at the top of its search results. This change means users often get quick answers without clicking through to other websites, which some media companies say reduces their web traffic and income.
Key Facts
Google shows AI-generated summaries at the top of search result pages.
Users see the list of website links only after scrolling past the AI summary.
Google says more AI features will be added to search soon.
People spend more time on Google but may visit fewer outside sites.
Some big US media companies are suing Google over lost web traffic and revenue.
Google reports no overall drop in clicks to websites from Google Search.
AI Overviews cite the websites they get information from in their answers.
The Guardian is collecting public opinions on whether AI has made Google search better or worse.
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Australia’s official music charts will no longer include songs made entirely by artificial intelligence (AI). Songs that use AI only as a helper will still be allowed. These changes come after criticism over an AI-made cover of Madonna’s song "Like a Prayer."
Key Facts
The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) announced a ban on fully AI-generated music from its official charts.
Songs created with AI just as a supporting tool can still appear on the charts.
AI-made music will also not be eligible for awards at the ARIA Music Awards starting this Friday.
ARIA will use a new labeling system to show if a song is "AI-Generated" or "AI-Assisted" based on how much AI helped make the track.
The decision was prompted by a popular cover of Madonna’s "Like a Prayer" that used AI vocals and drums, which caused backlash.
The cover has over 48.5 million plays on Spotify and is number one on a dance music chart in Australia.
Industry experts say AI music raises concerns about using other artists’ work without permission and about fairness in creativity.
ARIA members include major music companies like Sony Music Australia and Universal Music Australia.
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The World Robot Conference 2026 in China showcased many advanced robots, including humanoid robots, robotic dogs, and robot arms. Visitors saw robots performing activities like dancing, playing sports, bartending, and even doing shadow plays.
Key Facts
The event took place on August 19, 2026.
Chinese companies, such as Unitree and VBOT, presented humanoid robots and robot dogs.
Robots performed synchronized dances and sports like soccer and table tennis.
Some robots demonstrated practical tasks, like bartending and operating robotic hands.
Visitors interacted with robots, including high-fives and watching demonstrations.
The conference included robots doing entertainment activities like shadow plays.
The robots were both realistic in appearance and capable of complex movements like flips.
The event attracted people of all ages, including children.
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The World Humanoid Robot Games are currently happening in Beijing, China. These games take place in a stadium previously used for the 2022 Winter Olympics, where advanced robots compete by running and jumping, sometimes better than top human athletes.
Key Facts
The event is called the World Humanoid Robot Games.
It is being held in Beijing, China.
The competition takes place in a stadium used for the 2022 Winter Olympics.
Robots compete in activities like running and jumping.
Some robots can perform better than top human Olympians.
The games showcase advances in robot movement and athletic ability.
The event is covered by CBS News.
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China is rapidly increasing the use of robots in factories and is investing heavily in training people in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. The country aims to become a global leader in technology by producing and using industrial robots on a large scale.
Key Facts
China has more than two million robots working in factories, the highest number worldwide.
The Chinese government has a $20 billion plan to advance AI and robotics technology.
Vocational schools like the Hangzhou Technician Institute are training new engineers in robotics and coding.
Over half of the world’s industrial robots are manufactured in China.
Robots in factories perform tasks like welding, painting, lifting, and assembling without breaks or benefits.
China is hosting events such as the World Humanoid Games to showcase robotic advancements.
Factories blend traditional human workers with robotic technology to increase productivity.
The impact of automation on China’s workforce and economy remains uncertain.
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The FDA has approved a new blood test called Elecsys Phospho-Tau, made by Roche, to help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease. This is the fourth blood test approved for Alzheimer’s in less than two years.
Key Facts
The FDA gave approval to a new Alzheimer’s blood test.
The test is called Elecsys Phospho-Tau and is made by Roche.
It helps diagnose Alzheimer’s disease through a simple blood sample.
This is the fourth blood test for Alzheimer’s approved by the FDA in under two years.
Blood tests for Alzheimer’s aim to detect proteins linked to the disease.
Blood tests offer a less invasive way compared to brain scans or spinal taps.
The new test is expected to improve earlier and easier detection of Alzheimer’s.
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Kit Harington will play the role of Gilderoy Lockhart in HBO’s Harry Potter TV series, replacing Nicholas Hoult due to scheduling conflicts. The show’s first season, based on the first Harry Potter book, will premiere this Christmas on HBO Max, and the second season will cover the second book, The Chamber of Secrets.
Key Facts
Kit Harington is cast as Gilderoy Lockhart in the Harry Potter TV series on HBO.
Nicholas Hoult was originally cast but left due to schedule conflicts.
The series adapts J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books, starting with the first book this year.
The second season will follow the story of Harry Potter’s second year at Hogwarts.
The main cast includes Dominic McLaughlin as Harry, Alastair Stout as Ron, and Arabella Stanton as Hermione.
John Lithgow plays Dumbledore, and Nick Frost plays gamekeeper Hagrid.
The production is expected to take around 10 years, covering all seven books.
Kit Harington has previously worked with HBO on Game of Thrones and Industry.
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Data centers are increasing electricity demand and putting pressure on US power grids. A new technology called solid-state power transformers, which use modern electronics instead of old coil-based designs, is being developed and funded to help meet this demand more efficiently.
Key Facts
Current power transformers use copper coils and steel cores, a design from the 1880s, and are handmade and custom-built.
These traditional transformers take years to deliver because they cannot be mass-produced.
Solid-state transformers use semiconductor technology to convert voltage and can be mass-manufactured like electronic devices.
They are smaller, lighter, modular, and can perform multiple electrical tasks in one device.
AI data centers, which need a lot of direct current (DC) power, benefit from solid-state transformers because they can convert alternating current (AC) power directly into DC power.
US tech companies have raised over $280 million recently to develop and sell solid-state transformer technology.
Solid-state transformers use less copper and take up less space, which helps data center design and material supply.
This technology could also help fix supply shortages for power transformers in general and support broader electricity grid improvements.
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Taiwanese prosecutors charged nine people, including employees from Nvidia and Super Micro, for illegally exporting advanced AI servers to China. These exports broke strict rules set by the U.S. and Taiwan to limit China's access to high-end AI technology.
Key Facts
Nine individuals were charged in Taiwan for illegally exporting AI servers to China.
The charged include one person from Nvidia and two from Super Micro.
The servers contained "B300" graphics processing units (GPUs), banned for sale to China.
U.S. export controls require licenses and strict reviews for Nvidia’s AI server exports to China.
74 servers reached China via indirect routes like Indonesia, Japan, and Hong Kong.
56 more servers failed to be exported and remain in Taiwan.
Some defendants made fake websites and false documents to avoid export rules.
Prosecutors want up to five years in prison for four key suspects, including an Nvidia manager.
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