Artificial Intelligence
Ongoing coverage on Artificial Intelligence.
Latest coverage
AI Yi-Yi!
This article contrasts the development of AI models in the US and China, highlighting China's Kimi AI's use of GitHub. It also briefly mentions DeepMind's AI advancements in predicting hurricanes earlier than traditional methods.
The AI storage squeeze has made the humble USB stick relevant again
The surge in demand for AI-related storage has dramatically increased Solid State Drive (SSD) prices, making traditional USB flash drives relevant again for tasks like installing operating systems or carrying essential utilities. While SSDs offer higher capacities and faster speeds, their current inflated cost makes them impractical for certain uses, shifting the balance back towards the more affordable and accessible USB stick.
OpenAI Halts Work on Parts of Astra, Citing Cybersecurity Capability Concerns
OpenAI has halted development on certain aspects of its upcoming Astra model due to concerns about its advancements in cybersecurity capabilities. The company stated that the model reached a 'critical cybersecurity threshold,' meaning it could potentially identify and execute cyberattacks. This decision was made following an internal review and the implementation of stricter security controls.
Cybersecurity Is Being Rebuilt by AI at Frightening Speed
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming cybersecurity, leading to a significant increase in sophisticated phishing, voice clone, and deepfake attacks. While AI tools empower defenders, they also provide criminals with powerful new methods, democratizing cybercrime and creating an imbalance where attackers need only find one vulnerability. The article discusses prompt injection, data poisoning, and the risks associated with AI agents having high-level system access, urging users to implement strong security practices like multi-factor authentication and restrict AI permissions.
When video games make the horrors of nuclear war seem real - Reader's Feature
This reader's feature explores the portrayal of nuclear war in video games, highlighting titles like Fallout 4 and Missile Command. It discusses how these games use the threat of nuclear annihilation to create tension and drama, reflecting real-world Cold War anxieties and contemporary concerns about artificial intelligence.
ByteDance’s Next Model Could Be China’s Biggest — Reportedly 10 Trillion Parameters
ByteDance is reportedly developing an artificial intelligence model with up to 10 trillion parameters, which would be the largest in China. This model is in pretraining and aims for world-leading capabilities, potentially rivaling systems from Anthropic and xAI. The company is focusing on advanced training techniques without relying on distillation from rival models.
AI Yi-Yi!
Take-Two Interactive's CEO stated that AI tools will not replace human developers, despite concerns raised by leaks of Google AI potentially revealing internal development plans. The article touches on the broader implications of AI in the gaming industry.
Evening Safety Dance
Ransomware attacks are reportedly increasing as global attention is diverted by advancements in Artificial Intelligence. Concerns are also raised about the security of water system controllers connected to the internet, following suspected attacks originating from Iran.
MARA Dumped 91% of Its Q2 Mining Output, Then Staked 18,750 BTC on an AI Data-Center Bet It Won’t Fully Explain
MARA Holdings sold 91% of its second-quarter Bitcoin mining output and then leveraged 18,750 BTC as collateral for new debt to fund the purchase of a power generation site for AI workloads. The company secured $750 million in loans from Coinbase and Two Prime, but the exact amount of unrestricted Bitcoin remaining and the liquidation price are not disclosed, creating significant financial risk.
Telegram keeps getting yanked from the App Store. X never does — here’s why
Apple's App Store moderation policies appear to be applied inconsistently, with Telegram being removed for child sexual abuse material while X faced no delisting for similar deepfake content generated by its AI chatbot, Grok. This disparity is attributed to X's stronger political support in the US and a more direct engagement from Apple with its developers, including Elon Musk, compared to Telegram.
A San Francisco Startup Will Pay You $50 to Strap On a 4-Pound Helmet and Let AI Read Your Mind
San Francisco startup Conduit is recruiting participants for a study where they wear a four-pound helmet and talk to an AI for two hours, offering $50 to $55 for their time. The company aims to develop non-invasive mind-reading technology, envisioning a future where AI can be controlled directly through thoughts. Conduit's founders and a former OpenAI researcher believe this technology could be worth over a trillion dollars.
AI Tools Aren’t Going To Replace Anyone, Says GTA 6 Publisher Boss
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick stated that AI tools will not replace human employees in game development, emphasizing creativity as a core pillar. While acknowledging AI's potential to enhance creativity and game quality, he believes it won't significantly lower development costs or lead to layoffs. Zelnick also confirmed Grand Theft Auto 6 remains on track for its November 19 release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, with preorders described as unprecedented.
OpenAI’s Ring-Shaped Speaker Reportedly Lands at $300–$400
OpenAI is reportedly developing a ring-shaped smart speaker with moving parts, expected to launch in 2027 with a price tag of $300-$400. The device, designed in collaboration with Jony Ive's LoveFrom studio, aims to bring ChatGPT into homes as a persistent presence. However, the premium price point and the competitive smart speaker market, where giants like Amazon and Google have struggled with profitability, pose significant challenges. OpenAI also faces a lawsuit from Apple over alleged trade secret theft related to its hardware ambitions.
Comings and Goings
Developer That's No Moon, known for the Crossfire franchise, has experienced layoffs. Separately, former Icelandic minister Áslaug Arna Sigurbjörnsdóttir has joined Fenris Creations to lead new AI partnerships.
AI Yi-Yi!
AMD has acquired Taalas, a startup focused on integrating artificial intelligence models directly into silicon. The article also touches on the current limitations of AI chatbots, particularly in crisis situations, and mentions a new AI chatbot that is presented as a person.
The Sandbox Opens $7,500 “Overgrown” AI Creator Game Jam on August 12
The Sandbox is launching its "Overgrown" AI Creator Game Jam on August 12, 2026, utilizing its new AI-driven creation toolkit. The event offers a $7,500 prize pool, with Larry Hryb serving as lead judge, aiming to democratize game creation on the platform.
AI is changing cybersecurity in quick and terrifying ways
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming cybersecurity, presenting both new opportunities and significant threats. Hackers are leveraging AI to discover and exploit previously unknown vulnerabilities, leading to a more complex and dangerous digital landscape.
Fenris Creations hires former Icelandic minister to lead AI partnerships, deepens Google DeepMind research through EVE Frontier
Fenris Creations, formerly CCP Games, has appointed former Icelandic Minister Áslaug Arna Sigurbjörnsdóttir as Senior Director of AI Partnerships to foster collaborations with AI labs and universities. The company is leveraging its persistent world MMO, EVE Frontier, as a live testing environment for autonomous AI agents, building on its existing research partnership with Google DeepMind.
We'll all be streaming our games in about "three years", says Take-Two boss, raising some post-release questions about GTA 6
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick predicts that the gaming industry will fully embrace cloud streaming within three years, potentially multiplying the effective install base for games. He also expressed skepticism towards generative AI's impact on the industry. The article speculates on how this shift to streaming might affect the release of Grand Theft Auto 6, particularly its PC version, and contrasts Zelnick's views with Sony's recent move away from physical media.
Analyst: AI-focused M&A deals are "weakening" the games investment landscape
An S&P Global Market Intelligence report indicates a weakening investment landscape for the games industry, with capital increasingly directed towards AI-focused deals. Analysts note that investors recognize low revenue growth and compressed margins in gaming, leading them to keep funds on the sidelines. This shift, coupled with a focus on live services and play-to-earn models, could make it difficult for traditional PC and console development teams to secure financing.
