Google has signed a deal with the US Pentagon to allow the military to use its artificial intelligence (AI) models for classified work. The agreement lets the Pentagon use Google’s AI for any lawful government purpose, but the company’s employees have raised concerns about the ethical use of AI in military projects.
Key Facts
Google joined other AI companies like OpenAI and xAI in signing deals with the Pentagon for classified AI use.
The contract lets the Pentagon use Google’s AI on classified networks for tasks like mission planning and weapons targeting.
Google must help adjust AI safety settings and filters if the government requests it.
The agreement says the AI should not be used for domestic mass surveillance or autonomous weapons without human oversight.
Google employees have protested the deal, worrying their AI work could be used harmfully or unethically.
More than 600 Google workers signed a letter asking the CEO to stop providing AI for classified government work.
Alphabet, Google’s parent company, removed a ban on AI use for weapons and surveillance last year.
The Pentagon says it wants AI to support lawful government uses without mass surveillance or fully autonomous weapons.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A court case began between Elon Musk and OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman over OpenAI’s change from a non-profit to a for-profit company. Musk claims the company broke promises and unfairly benefited its leaders, while OpenAI says Musk’s lawsuit is motivated by jealousy and competition.
Key Facts
Elon Musk and Sam Altman are involved in a legal dispute in a California courtroom.
Musk co-founded OpenAI but left in 2018; he argues OpenAI changed its mission and self-enriched its leaders.
OpenAI denies the claims and says Musk filed the lawsuit to harm a competitor since he started his own AI company, xAI.
The trial involves testimony from Musk, Altman, and other tech executives like Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella.
The case is about broken promises, not technical AI details, according to the judge.
Musk is seeking $134 billion in damages and wants Altman and Brockman removed from OpenAI’s leadership.
OpenAI plans to go public with a valuation of about $1 trillion later this year.
Jury selection showed some jurors had negative views of Musk and AI, but the judge emphasized the case is legal, not technical.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Taylor Swift’s company applied for trademarks to protect her voice and image because of concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) creating fake audio and videos that imitate her. These trademarks cover specific phrases she says and an image of her on stage, aiming to stop unauthorized use.
Key Facts
Taylor Swift filed three trademark applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Two trademarks cover her voice saying “Hey, it’s Taylor Swift” and “Hey, it’s Taylor.”
The third trademark is for an image of Swift holding a guitar on stage.
These actions respond to AI creating “deepfakes,” which are fake videos or audio that show people doing or saying things they did not do.
Intellectual property lawyer Josh Gerben says this is becoming a common protection tool against AI misuse.
Actor Matthew McConaughey also filed to trademark a famous line to protect his voice.
Current trademark laws help fight copying but were made before AI technology advanced.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The fast growth of data centers, which help run artificial intelligence (AI), has caused political pushback at the community level. This opposition has led to strict actions like a ban on new data centers in Maine and concerns about high electricity costs and the reliability of the power grid.
Key Facts
Data centers are expanding quickly to support AI technologies.
Some local communities have reacted negatively to this growth.
Maine has banned new data center development because of these concerns.
Rising electricity bills are one reason for the pushback.
Some proposed solutions from companies or officials have been seen as ignoring local concerns.
The power grid is facing serious challenges in handling the increased demand from data centers.
There is worry that the power grid could become unreliable due to this stress.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
General Motors (GM) is upgrading millions of its 2022 and newer Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC vehicles with Google Gemini, an AI assistant that makes cars smarter through software updates sent over the air. This upgrade will replace Apple CarPlay and Android Auto by 2028 and aims to offer drivers a more natural and helpful in-car digital experience.
Key Facts
GM will upgrade about 4 million U.S. vehicles from model year 2022 and newer with Google Gemini software.
The upgrade is free and delivered over-the-air, meaning no dealership visits are needed.
Google Gemini is an artificial intelligence (AI) assistant that learns driver habits to provide better help over time.
GM plans to phase out Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in all new vehicles by 2028, even in gas-powered cars.
The new system can do tasks like rerouting traffic, translating texts, and finding parking suitable for trailers.
GM says the AI assistant aims to reduce driver stress and improve the usefulness of time spent in cars.
Future updates will make the AI more integrated with GM’s OnStar safety and support more languages and markets.
GM began developing its own AI assistant as part of its GM Forward strategy announced in late 2023.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
GitHub will change how it charges for its Copilot AI service, moving to a system where users pay based on how much they actually use the AI starting June 1. This is to better match costs with usage and help keep the service financially sustainable as demand grows.
Key Facts
GitHub Copilot currently gives users monthly "requests" but those cover many different AI tasks with varying computing costs.
Under the new model, subscribers will get "AI Credits" based on their subscription, and pay extra if they use more credits.
Costs will depend on the number of AI tokens used, which measure input and output in AI interactions.
Simple AI features like code completion will still be free of credit use, but code reviews will cost additional GitHub Actions minutes.
The change responds to a rise in high AI usage that has nearly doubled Copilot’s weekly costs since January.
GitHub paused new signups and tightened usage limits to maintain service quality before this pricing change.
Other AI companies like Anthropic are also moving to usage-based billing to manage rising AI computing costs.
GitHub says this approach will help keep Copilot reliable and financially sustainable as demand increases.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Tin Can is a new phone designed for children that looks like an old-fashioned landline phone but uses modern wifi to make calls. It does not have a screen, apps, or games, aiming to give kids a simple way to call approved contacts without the distractions of smartphones.
Key Facts
The Tin Can phone was launched in April last year by three dads from Seattle.
It looks like a landline phone with bright colors, big numbers, and a curly cord.
Calls are made via wifi but it plugs into a normal power socket.
Children can only call people on an approved contact list set by parents.
It does not have texting, apps, games, or internet access.
The phone sells only in the US and Canada, costing $100.
Calls between Tin Cans are free, but calling regular phone numbers costs $9.99 per month.
Many parents and some schools have supported the phone as a way to reduce screen time for kids.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Elon Musk is suing OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, claiming the company changed from a nonprofit to a for-profit business, breaking its original promise. The trial started in a federal court in California and could affect OpenAI’s future and the development of artificial intelligence.
Key Facts
OpenAI was co-founded in 2015 by Sam Altman, Elon Musk, and others as a nonprofit focused on benefiting humanity with AI.
Musk left OpenAI in 2018 and stopped funding the company afterward.
OpenAI later shifted to a commercial hybrid model and launched ChatGPT, gaining major investment from Microsoft.
Musk filed a lawsuit in 2024 seeking over $134 billion in damages, asking for OpenAI to return to its nonprofit status and for Altman and Brockman to be removed.
Microsoft denies the lawsuit’s claims, and OpenAI calls Musk’s case baseless and accuses him of harassment.
The trial is taking place in Oakland, California, with Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers presiding.
A jury’s advisory verdict and the judge’s final decision will affect OpenAI’s leadership and business structure.
Musk has publicly said OpenAI “stole a nonprofit” and wants to reverse the company’s direction.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A chemist at the University of Oregon, Christopher Hendon, has researched how electrical current can help measure coffee flavor more easily. His work shows that adding water before grinding coffee beans reduces static electricity, which helps produce better espresso. This method could offer a simpler way for baristas to ensure consistent coffee quality.
Key Facts
Christopher Hendon studies coffee to find ways to improve brewing and flavor measurement.
Coffee flavor comes from around 2,000 compounds extracted during brewing.
Hendon's earlier work created a model to measure extraction yield, which is how much coffee dissolves into the drink.
Static electricity causes coffee grounds to clump, which can affect brewing.
Adding a small amount of water to beans before grinding reduces static electricity and clumping.
This water trick, called the Ross droplet technique, was scientifically tested for the first time by Hendon's team.
Current methods to analyze coffee flavors, like chromatography, are expensive and slow.
Electrical measurement considering roast color and beverage strength may provide a faster and simpler way to assess coffee quality.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Many tech companies are cutting jobs and say it is because of advances in artificial intelligence (AI). However, some experts believe the layoffs are more about saving money and shifting investments than actually replacing workers with AI.
Key Facts
Tech companies have announced many job cuts recently.
These layoffs are often linked to the rise of AI technology.
Some people think companies are reducing costs rather than only automating roles.
Investment changes may be driving job cuts more than AI itself.
The trend shows how AI influences business decisions, but not always by eliminating workers.
Companies may be focusing on new priorities in technology spending.
The situation is complex and not solely about replacing employees with AI tools.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
NASA and SpaceX have chosen the next group of astronauts who will travel to the International Space Station. This will be the 13th mission where NASA works together with SpaceX through the Commercial Crew Program.
Key Facts
NASA named new astronauts for an upcoming trip to the space station.
SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, will provide the spacecraft.
This flight is the 13th mission in NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
The Commercial Crew Program is a partnership to send astronauts to space using private companies.
The mission will continue the work of supporting the International Space Station in orbit.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
General Motors’ Super Cruise hands-free driving system has reached over a billion miles driven on highways in the US and Canada since its launch in 2017. GM plans to release an upgraded version with more advanced features, including the ability for drivers to take their eyes off the road on highways, expected around 2028.
Key Facts
Super Cruise launched in 2017 on the Cadillac CT6 and works only on certain highways that are mapped and scanned in advance.
The system includes a camera that watches the driver's eyes to ensure they remain focused on the road.
Super Cruise is now used in nearly 750,000 vehicles and has been driven over 1 billion miles.
The mapped highway network for Super Cruise has grown from 160,000 miles to about 700,000 miles.
On average, trips using Super Cruise cover 17 miles and last 24 minutes.
The system's use is doubling every year, with millions of hours and miles recorded in 2025.
GM is developing a more advanced version (still called Super Cruise) that allows drivers to look away from the road on highways, aiming for a 2028 release in the Cadillac Escalade IQ.
This new version will move from a level 2+ (driver assist) to level 3 (partial automation) system.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Elon Musk is suing OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman for breaking their original agreement by turning the company into a for-profit business. The court case involves Musk seeking leadership changes and damages, but it mainly focuses on personal conflicts rather than broader AI safety questions.
Key Facts
Elon Musk and Sam Altman, co-founders of OpenAI, are in a legal dispute with Musk suing OpenAI for breach of contract.
Musk claims OpenAI restructured into a for-profit without his agreement.
Musk left OpenAI in 2018 and now runs a rival AI company called xAI.
Musk wants Altman and OpenAI president Greg Brockman removed and seeks over $134 billion in damages.
The case could have raised important questions about AI’s purpose and safety but instead centers on personal conflicts and money.
Musk’s AI company xAI has been criticized for misuse of its technology and environmental concerns.
Winning for Musk could hurt OpenAI’s funding, while Altman’s side wants to keep the company’s for-profit model.
The trial is expected to reveal personal details and disputes rather than focus on AI’s future or benefits to humanity.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Joby Aviation has tested a new fully electric aircraft in New York City. This aircraft can take off and land vertically like a helicopter but is quieter, faster, and produces zero emissions, potentially changing how people travel around the city.
Key Facts
The aircraft uses six propellers that tilt to allow both vertical takeoff/landing and forward flight.
It can fly up to speeds of 200 mph and reach midtown Manhattan from JFK airport in about 10 minutes.
The aircraft is much quieter than helicopters, producing about 45 decibels compared to more than 100 decibels from helicopters.
It produces zero carbon emissions, unlike helicopters that emit significant carbon dioxide per hour.
Joby Aviation claims the design is safer due to its six propellers and uses wings as well as blades to fly.
The aircraft’s noise blends into normal city sounds when flying at about 1,000 feet altitude.
New York has groups opposing helicopter noise and nonessential flights, but the electric aircraft may help reduce these issues.
The aircraft’s design looks like a blend between a helicopter and a drone but is classified as a new type of aircraft.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Zoox, a self-driving car company owned by Amazon, created a special robotaxi designed specifically for ride-hailing services in cities like Las Vegas and San Francisco. Their vehicle has sensors placed high on the corners for better vision and a unique shape that can drive forward or backward equally well, making it very agile in tight city streets.
Key Facts
Zoox was bought by Amazon in 2020.
Their robotaxi uses sensors located on small ledges at the top four corners for wide and clear surroundings view.
The vehicle does not have a traditional front hood, allowing better sensor placement.
It has a symmetrical design that lets it drive in both directions without turning around.
Both the front and rear axles steer, enabling the car to "crab walk" sideways.
Important components like batteries and heating/cooling units are duplicated on both ends for safety.
The robotaxi interior aims for a calm and comfortable experience with features like cup holders and wireless charging pads.
Zoox focuses on making the robotaxi highly maneuverable for dense urban environments.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The article discusses concerns about online child sexual abuse happening on platforms run by Mark Zuckerberg. It suggests that Zuckerberg has not taken enough action to stop this problem.
Key Facts
Children are experiencing abuse on social media platforms controlled by Mark Zuckerberg.
There are calls for Zuckerberg to change his priorities to better protect children.
The article implies current efforts to prevent abuse are insufficient.
It raises concern about the safety of users, especially children, on these platforms.
The focus is on the responsibility of a major tech leader to prevent harmful content.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Some US startups are working on editing genes in human embryos to try to prevent diseases or enhance abilities. This idea raises ethical questions about whether it is right to change human embryos genetically.
Key Facts
US companies want to use genome editing on human embryos.
Genome editing means changing DNA to remove or add traits.
These companies think it could improve health by stopping diseases.
The process involves correcting a small number of cells early in development.
There is debate about whether it is ethical to alter embryos this way.
Gene editing in embryos could lead to enhanced humans with better abilities.
The topic causes concern among scientists, ethicists, and the public.
The technology is seen as one of the most important health innovations in the century.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Elon Musk and Sam Altman, co-founders of the AI company OpenAI, are now in a legal battle in a federal court in California. Musk claims Altman cheated him out of millions and broke promises about OpenAI’s original nonprofit goals, while OpenAI denies these claims and says Musk is acting out of jealousy.
Key Facts
Elon Musk and Sam Altman co-founded OpenAI in 2015 as a nonprofit organization.
OpenAI’s goal is to develop artificial general intelligence (AGI) that benefits humanity.
Musk accuses Altman of illegally turning OpenAI into a for-profit company and cheating him financially.
Musk is suing Altman, OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman, and Microsoft, which he says helped monetize OpenAI.
The lawsuit demands billions of dollars in damages and wants Altman removed from the company.
OpenAI says Musk left the company and is now trying to harm a competitor.
The court trial will last about one month, with both Musk and Altman expected to testify.
A jury and Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers will decide the case without special treatment for either party.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Japan Airlines will start using humanoid robots to help with ground handling tasks at Tokyo's Haneda airport in a two-year trial beginning in May. The robots will initially load and unload cargo containers to reduce workers' physical workload amid labor shortages in the airline industry.
Key Facts
Japan Airlines (JAL) plans to deploy humanoid robots at Haneda airport for ground handling tasks.
The trial will last two years and start in May.
Robots will first be used to load and unload cargo containers.
JAL faces a labor shortage due to increasing tourism and fewer working-age people in Japan.
The airline employs about 4,000 ground handling staff.
Future robot tasks may include cabin cleaning and operating ground support equipment.
Other Japanese airports already use robots for security and retail services.
Some duties, like safety management, still require human workers.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Valve will release its new Steam Controller on 4 May for £85 in the UK and $99 in the US. The wireless controller is designed for PC gaming and Valve's Steam Deck, and its price has caused mixed reactions among gamers.
Key Facts
The Steam Controller is Valve's second generation gamepad.
It works with PCs, the Steam Deck handheld console, and is meant for Valve's Steam gaming platform.
The controller costs £85 in the UK and $99 in the US, about twice the price of the original 2015 version.
It uses haptic trackpads to simulate mouse controls and has a magnetic "puck" for syncing and charging.
The controller does not have swappable parts or customization options.
Some gamers think the price is too high compared to standard controllers from Nintendo, Xbox, and PlayStation.
Others feel the price is reasonable for the advanced technology inside.
The Steam Controller is not compatible with other gaming consoles.
Valve is working on another gaming PC, the Steam Machine, expected to launch in the first half of 2026, but this may cost more due to rising hardware prices.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
