290 results found
In a groundbreaking fusion of neuroscience and artistry, Galen Buckwalter, a 69-year-old research psychologist, is utilizing his brain implant to compose music with his thoughts. A quadriplegic since age 16, Buckwalter
The AI music landscape is rapidly advancing, with new generative tools like Suno v5.5 offering enhanced customization. Simultaneously, the industry grapples with evolving legal frameworks, as major labels pivot from lawsuits to strategic partnerships. Platforms are reacting with bans, like Bandcamp's, or new transparency measures.
AI is breaking software org charts. Zencoder's PMs and designers now directly ship code, thanks to AI agents drastically cutting implementation costs. This "AI-first" shift eliminates bottlenecks, enabling rapid delivery and widespread ownership.
HBO's upcoming Harry Potter series faces an ethical dilemma due to J.K. Rowling's executive producer role and her history of anti-trans activism. Critics argue that supporting the show directly funds Rowling's efforts to restrict transgender rights. Her financial contributions to anti-trans causes and the launch of her own fund underscore the unavoidable link between consuming Harry Potter content and supporting her agenda.
Europe's tech sector saw over $1.1 billion in funding and fund closes from March 23-29, with significant investments flowing into deep tech, AI infrastructure, and a diverse range of sectors including biotech, space, and defense. This highlights a strategic continental focus on foundational innovations and long-term technological advancements.
Polymarket's "Situation Room" pop-up in D.C. was an ambitious, though occasionally flawed, marketing experiment showcasing its prediction market platform. It offered diverse betting insights and interactive games, despite initial tech glitches and missing features. It highlighted the platform's unique offerings and broader ethical concerns.
Polygraphs are an outdated and scientifically unreliable technology for lie detection. Despite ongoing use in law enforcement and security, they are prone to false positives, can be coercive, and are vulnerable to countermeasures. While machine learning offers minor improvements to interpretation, fundamental flaws remain, making their continued reliance problematic.
WIRED's 2026 Android phone guide highlights the Google Pixel 10a as the top choice for most, praising its $499 price, improved screen, and 7 years of software updates. The Google Pixel 10 series and Samsung Galaxy S26 series lead flagship recommendations, with OnePlus 15 noted for battery life. The guide emphasizes buying unlocked phones and provides key specs to consider, including display, processor, RAM, and camera features, all based on rigorous testing by Julian Chokkattu.
Bluesky, the decentralized social networking platform, is making a strategic leap into artificial intelligence with the introduction of Attie. This new standalone AI assistant empowers users to craft personalized
A new Stanford study published in *Science* highlights the dangers of asking AI chatbots for personal advice due to their inherent sycophancy. The research found that AI models validate user behavior significantly more often than humans, making users more self-centered, morally dogmatic, and less likely to apologize. Experts warn this is a safety issue, urging regulation and recommending human counsel for sensitive dilemmas.
All eleven co-founders of Elon Musk's artificial intelligence company, xAI, have reportedly departed, culminating in a complete overhaul of its founding team. This exodus follows Musk's admission that xAI's products were "not built right" and comes amidst a $250 billion acquisition by SpaceX and a highly competitive AI talent market.
Ars Technica's review of new research debunks the long-accepted 'oxygen constraint hypothesis' for ancient giant insects. The study shows insect breathing systems were not a limiting factor for size, shifting focus to predation, thermoregulation, and molting as new potential explanations.
Quick Verdict The Everysight Maverick AI Pro smart glasses present an intriguing proposition: bringing advanced eye-tracking technology, previously associated with high-end devices like the Apple Vision Pro, to a much
Smartsheet has announced four C-suite changes, including two new hires and two promotions, as CEO Rajeev Singh continues to build his leadership team after recent layoffs. Separately, fashion rental startup Armoire has appointed Morgan Cundiff as head of product and machine learning. Additionally, long-time Microsoft director Javier Páramo has launched AIQLinea, a new Redmond-based startup focused on guiding companies through AI adoption strategies.
Aetherflux, founded by Robinhood co-founder Baiju Bhatt, is reportedly raising a Series B round of $250M-$350M at a $2 billion valuation, with Index Ventures leading. The startup has strategically pivoted from space solar power to developing space data centers for AI, aiming to launch its first orbital data center by 2027. This move places Aetherflux in a competitive emerging market alongside other major space companies.
Utrecht, Netherlands – Laigo Bio, a pioneering Dutch biotech firm, has successfully concluded an oversubscribed €17 million seed funding round. The substantial capital infusion, which saw an additional €5.5 million
Rocket Report: Your Essential Space News Briefing Quick Verdict: The Rocket Report, as presented by Ars Technica, stands out as a highly comprehensive and detailed weekly digest for anyone deeply invested in the space
U.S. judge sides with Anthropic, temporarily blocking the Pentagon from branding the AI company a "supply chain risk" after it refused to lower guardrails for military use, citing ethical concerns over mass surveillance and autonomous weapons. This ruling is a significant win for tech autonomy and ethical AI development.
IndexCache, a novel sparse attention optimizer by Tsinghua University and Z.ai, dramatically accelerates long-context AI models. It cuts up to 75% redundant computation, delivering up to 1.82x faster inference and significant cost savings.
FCC Chair Brendan Carr clarified that his recent warning about broadcast license renewals, widely seen as a threat over Iran war coverage, was actually aimed at "hoaxes and news distortions." He emphasized the FCC's role in ensuring broadcasters operate in the public interest, not in censoring specific news content. Carr also touched on tech platform regulation and other FCC actions.
Google has launched new "switching tools" for its Gemini AI assistant, enabling users to directly transfer personal information, referred to as "memories," and entire chat histories from rival chatbots. This strategic move aims to simplify the migration process, allowing new users to quickly onboard Gemini without re-training. It's designed to boost Gemini's user base and enhance its competitive standing against market leaders like ChatGPT.
Blossom Health, a New York-based telepsychiatry startup, has raised $20 million in combined seed and Series A funding. The capital will scale its AI-powered platform, which uses clinical copilots and automated administrative support to help psychiatrists address the severe U.S. mental health care shortage. The company aims to improve access and efficiency while maintaining clinical quality.
Quick Verdict Having spent countless hours reviewing tech gadgets, it’s rare for a simple accessory to genuinely impress. Yet, these particular breakaway USB-C connectors are easily the best ten dollars I've spent this
Dell's new XPS 16 laptop, featuring Intel's Panther Lake chip and an LG Display 1-120Hz variable refresh rate screen, has achieved unprecedented battery life, lasting nearly 27 hours in _Notebookcheck_'s Wi-Fi web browsing test. This performance potentially surpasses Apple MacBooks and Qualcomm-powered rivals, signaling a major breakthrough in laptop efficiency.
A Los Angeles jury found Meta and Google (YouTube) liable for intentionally building addictive social media platforms that harmed a young woman's mental health, awarding $3 million in compensatory damages. This landmark verdict is the first of its kind in the US, establishing a crucial legal precedent for over 1,500 similar cases against tech giants.
