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OpenAI CEO Fires Back at Meta's AI Talent Grab: Mission vs. Mercenaries

2025-07-02

OpenAI CEO Fires Back at Meta's AI Talent Grab: Mission vs. Mercenaries

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has responded forcefully to Meta's recent aggressive recruitment of AI talent. In an internal memo, Altman highlighted OpenAI's unique advantages in building artificial general intelligence (AGI) and hinted at a company-wide compensation review for its research team. He argued that Meta's approach risks creating deep cultural problems and expressed confidence that OpenAI's mission-driven culture will ultimately prevail over Meta's mercenary tactics. Several OpenAI employees echoed these sentiments, defending the company's unique culture.

(www.wired.com)

AI

Duolingo's AI Pivot Sparks User and Employee Backlash

2025-06-30

Duolingo's AI Pivot Sparks User and Employee Backlash

Language learning app Duolingo's announcement of its shift to an "AI-first" strategy, planning to replace some contractors with AI, has ignited a fierce backlash. Young users took to social media to express their anger, even deleting the app in protest. This incident reflects growing public concerns about AI's large-scale replacement of human labor and increasing discontent with the technology's potential negative impacts, such as copyright infringement and environmental damage. While Duolingo claims AI won't entirely replace employees, its move aligns with similar downsizing trends in other tech companies, fueling fears of AI threatening jobs.

(www.wired.com)

Tech user protest

Browser Dating: A Controversial New App That Uses Your Search History to Find Matches

2025-06-12

Browser Dating: A Controversial New App That Uses Your Search History to Find Matches

An artist has launched Browser Dating, a dating app that uses users' browser history to suggest matches. For a one-time fee of €9, users get unlimited matches; a free version limits users to five. The app has sparked debate over privacy and security concerns, although the developer insists data is processed locally and not shared with third parties. While initial user feedback is mixed, the app's unique approach challenges conventional dating app models and raises questions about the intersection of technology, privacy, and personal relationships. The artist's previous work focuses on surveillance and social media, making this latest project a continuation of their exploration of these themes.

(www.wired.com)

Misc

Critical Google Account Flaw Allowed Phone Number Extraction

2025-06-09

Critical Google Account Flaw Allowed Phone Number Extraction

A security researcher discovered a critical vulnerability in Google accounts that allowed attackers to easily obtain users' phone numbers through brute-forcing. The exploit leveraged Google Looker Studio's document ownership transfer feature, allowing attackers to guess phone numbers without the victim's knowledge. Google has since patched the vulnerability and awarded the researcher $5,000. This flaw poses a significant risk to SIM swappers, enabling them to steal various accounts, including cryptocurrency and email, through identity theft.

(www.wired.com)

Tech

Cybercriminals Shift to Proxies to Mask Their Activities

2025-06-07

Cybercriminals Shift to Proxies to Mask Their Activities

To evade law enforcement, cybercriminals are increasingly using proxy servers and VPNs to mask their malicious activities. Previously reliant on 'bulletproof' hosting providers, the crackdown on these services has forced a shift. Criminals now leverage residential proxies and other decentralized services, using ordinary consumer IP addresses to obscure their operations, making tracking and identification extremely difficult. This transition presents new challenges to cybersecurity, requiring law enforcement to develop new strategies to combat increasingly sophisticated cybercrime.

(www.wired.com)

Tech proxy servers VPNs

Uber's Route Share: Reinventing the Wheel or Disrupting Public Transit?

2025-06-07

Uber's Route Share: Reinventing the Wheel or Disrupting Public Transit?

Uber's new "Route Share" service, essentially a rebranded bus system, has sparked debate about its effectiveness in addressing traffic congestion and air quality, and its impact on existing public transit. While Uber claims it offers more affordable and predictable transportation, experts point to the higher carbon emissions of ride-sharing services compared to public transit and the lack of public accountability inherent in Uber's model, potentially harming public transit systems. This echoes Silicon Valley's repeated attempts to "disrupt" public transportation, often with disappointing results.

(www.wired.com)

Tech Ride-sharing Public Transit

AI-Powered Hacking: A New Threat Emerges?

2025-06-05

AI-Powered Hacking: A New Threat Emerges?

The rise of AI presents new challenges to cybersecurity. Researchers have found that AI models like ChatGPT can be manipulated to generate malicious code, lowering the barrier to entry for cybercrime. While AI can't yet fully replace experienced hackers, its potential to accelerate malicious code generation is alarming. This could lead to more sophisticated attacks, such as multiple simultaneous zero-day exploits. However, AI also offers new tools for cybersecurity defense, initiating an "AI arms race" where future security will increasingly depend on AI-powered offense and defense.

(www.wired.com)

Tech

Massive Data Breach Exposes 184 Million Login Credentials

2025-05-28

Massive Data Breach Exposes 184 Million Login Credentials

Security researcher Jeremiah Fowler uncovered a massive exposed Elastic database containing 184 million records, including login credentials for Apple, Facebook, Google, and accounts linked to numerous governments. The database lacked any identifying information about its owner or origin, highlighting the sheer scale and scope of the breach. A sample revealed compromised accounts across various platforms like Facebook, Google, Instagram, and Roblox, along with government .gov email addresses. Fowler reported the breach to the hosting provider, World Host Group, resulting in swift closure of access. This incident underscores the severe risks of carelessly compiling sensitive data, potentially leading to future cybersecurity catastrophes.

(www.wired.com)

Tech

New Bacteria Discovered on China's Tiangong Space Station

2025-05-22

New Bacteria Discovered on China's Tiangong Space Station

A new bacterium, Niallia tiangongensis, has been discovered on China's Tiangong space station. This rod-shaped, spore-forming bacterium is unlike any previously known terrestrial species. It thrives in microgravity and possesses unique adaptations, including the ability to break down gelatin for survival in nutrient-poor environments and to withstand radiation damage. The discovery highlights the potential hazards of space travel and informs the development of improved sanitation protocols for future long-duration missions. While its terrestrial relative can cause sepsis, the potential risk to taikonauts remains unclear.

(www.wired.com)

Tech space bacteria Tiangong space station

Keyword Search Warrants: Privacy vs. Law Enforcement

2025-05-22

Keyword Search Warrants: Privacy vs. Law Enforcement

A teen arson case sparks a debate over 'keyword search warrants.' Police used this method to track down suspects via search engine keywords, raising concerns about privacy and law enforcement efficiency. The article details the case, the convicts' post-incarceration lives, and explores the complex relationship between digital identities and online footprints. This case also provides a precedent for the US Supreme Court's review of the legality of keyword search warrants.

(www.wired.com)

Tech keyword search warrants

Microsoft Shuts Down Bing Search API, Reshaping the Search Landscape

2025-05-15

Microsoft Shuts Down Bing Search API, Reshaping the Search Landscape

Microsoft's decision to shut down its Bing search API is sending ripples through the search engine ecosystem. For years, the affordable and convenient Bing API powered search engines like DuckDuckGo and Brave. However, the advent of ChatGPT and a tenfold price increase prompted many to build their own indexes. While Microsoft claims its new AI-powered system is superior, developers report reduced flexibility. This move could force Google to open its search data, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape.

(www.wired.com)

Tech

Airbnb's Transformation: From Occasional Stays to a Super Platform

2025-05-14

Airbnb's Transformation: From Occasional Stays to a Super Platform

Airbnb is evolving from a platform for occasional travel accommodations to a more frequently used comprehensive platform. Its redesigned app features intuitive icons guiding users to three key sections: stays, services, and experiences. To enhance user trust, Airbnb rigorously vets new service providers (chefs, masseuses, etc.), conducting background checks and professional photography. Future plans include developing user profiles into primary internet IDs and enhancing messaging functions to create a community platform for travelers, while avoiding advertising. This transformation is driven by CEO Brian Chesky's admiration for Apple's design philosophy and his collaboration with former Apple designer Jony Ive.

(www.wired.com)

Startup Platform Transformation

Trump's Proposed 'Gold Card': A Fast Track to US Citizenship for the Wealthy?

2025-05-07

Trump's Proposed 'Gold Card': A Fast Track to US Citizenship for the Wealthy?

A proposed 'gold card' program, allowing wealthy individuals to obtain US green cards for a $5 million investment, has sparked debate. This initiative would potentially replace the EB-5 investor visa, which requires a $1.05 million investment and job creation. While the EB-5 program has rigorous vetting to prevent illicit funds, the proposed 'gold card' lacks clarity on its screening process, raising concerns about potential abuse by wealthy individuals, particularly foreign oligarchs. Supporters argue it boosts the economy, while critics cite increased inequality and potential for misuse. The program's launch date remains uncertain.

(www.wired.com)

Startup gold card

Meta's AI Copyright Battle: Did Using Pirated Books to Train AI Cross the Line?

2025-05-05

Meta's AI Copyright Battle: Did Using Pirated Books to Train AI Cross the Line?

Meta faces a copyright lawsuit from authors including Sarah Silverman and Ta-Nehisi Coates over its AI tools. The judge is questioning whether Meta illegally used their books, obtained through 'shadow libraries,' to train its AI and whether this harms the authors' sales. Meta claims 'fair use,' but the judge suggests that significantly impacting or destroying the market for their work might invalidate this defense. This case will set a precedent for future AI copyright cases, hinging on proving actual harm to the authors' commercial prospects.

(www.wired.com)

Tech

US Ebola Research Facility Shut Down Amidst Safety Concerns

2025-05-01

US Ebola Research Facility Shut Down Amidst Safety Concerns

The Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, Maryland, a US National Institutes of Health facility studying Ebola and other deadly infectious diseases, has been ordered to halt all research activities. The order, from the Department of Health and Human Services, follows identified personnel issues compromising the facility's safety culture. Research on Lassa fever, SARS-CoV-2, and Eastern equine encephalitis has been suspended. The facility's director has been placed on administrative leave, and staff face an uncertain future. This disruption raises concerns about the impact on infectious disease research and the management of federal science agencies.

(www.wired.com)

Tech infectious disease research safety culture

Mystery Programmer Uses AI to Rewrite HUD Regulations, Sparking Controversy

2025-04-30

Mystery Programmer Uses AI to Rewrite HUD Regulations, Sparking Controversy

Chris Sweet, a University of Chicago student on leave, joined Elon Musk's DOGE and used AI to review and revise regulations at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Sweet's application analyzes regulations and suggests revisions, prompting questions from HUD staff about his role and methodology. Some find the effort redundant, while others question his qualifications. Sweet's background is shrouded in mystery, with extensive experience in finance and investment, yet a sparse online presence. The incident also raises concerns about DOGE's activities within HUD, with Representative Maxine Waters accusing DOGE of stealing funds, illegally terminating staff, and accessing confidential data.

(www.wired.com)

Tech Government Regulation

Connected Cars: Privacy's Price Tag?

2025-04-29

Connected Cars: Privacy's Price Tag?

Automakers are increasingly pushing subscription models to unlock car features, raising concerns about government surveillance. Police records reveal law enforcement's ability to access data from connected cars, with varying access levels depending on manufacturers and internet providers. This highlights how corporate policies and technology, not laws, largely determine driver privacy. GM, for example, requires court orders for location data, while others haven't responded to inquiries. Experts emphasize the role tech companies play in setting data access standards, mirroring practices seen with Google, Facebook, and Apple.

(www.wired.com)

Tech

ChatGPT Adds Shopping: Personalized E-commerce Search

2025-04-28

ChatGPT Adds Shopping: Personalized E-commerce Search

OpenAI announced that ChatGPT will soon allow users to buy products directly through the chat interface. This feature, rolling out to all users regardless of login status, redirects shoppers to the merchant's website for checkout. Leveraging ChatGPT's memory of user preferences and web-sourced product reviews, the AI provides personalized recommendations. OpenAI emphasizes that results are organic, not ads or sponsored placements, offering a more conversational and personalized shopping experience based on understanding user reviews and discussions.

(www.wired.com)

Tech AI Shopping

Google AI's Nonsense: Seriously Wrong Answers

2025-04-24

Google AI's Nonsense: Seriously Wrong Answers

Google's AI Overview feature provides definitions and origins for any made-up phrase, even nonsensical ones. It uses a probabilistic model, predicting the next most likely word based on its training data, generating seemingly plausible explanations. However, this approach ignores semantic correctness and may cater to user expectations, leading to seemingly reasonable explanations for meaningless phrases. This highlights the limitations of generative AI in handling uncommon knowledge and minority perspectives, and its tendency to 'please' the user.

(www.wired.com)

AI

Objective-C: The Unexpected Legacy of a Polarizing Language

2025-04-18

Objective-C: The Unexpected Legacy of a Polarizing Language

Leibniz's dream of a 'characteristica universalis' lives on in programming languages. This story recounts the author's experience with Objective-C, a verbose and polarizing language that unexpectedly became the foundation of Apple's ecosystem. Despite its criticisms, Objective-C's unique syntax and role in early iOS development left a lasting impact, as the author shares their personal journey and the surprising power of this often-overlooked language.

(www.wired.com)

Development

Arizona County Delays $500K AI Crime-Fighting Software Purchase Amidst Concerns

2025-04-17

Arizona County Delays $500K AI Crime-Fighting Software Purchase Amidst Concerns

Pinal County, Arizona, considered a $500,000 contract for Overwatch, an AI-powered crime-fighting software from Massive Blue. The software, using 50 AI bots, aims to combat human trafficking, drug trafficking, and gun trafficking. However, concerns arose regarding its unproven effectiveness; despite claims of assisting in an arson investigation, no arrests have been made. After questioning from supervisors about the lack of demonstrable results, the county board delayed the vote, requesting further evaluation before committing taxpayer funds.

(www.wired.com)

Tech Law Enforcement

AlphaGo's Stunning Victory: A Glimpse into the Future of AI

2025-04-17

AlphaGo's Stunning Victory: A Glimpse into the Future of AI

The historic match between AlphaGo, Google's AI, and Lee Sedol, one of the world's best Go players, concluded with AlphaGo winning 4-1. AlphaGo's move 37 in game two was hailed as a moment of genius, a move no human would make. However, Lee Sedol's response in game four demonstrated the enduring brilliance of human intuition. This match showcased not only the remarkable advancements in AI but also the resilience and creativity of the human mind. AlphaGo's victory marks a significant leap for AI in complex game playing, hinting at transformative potential across various fields, while simultaneously prompting reflection on the ethical implications of AI's rapid advancement.

(www.wired.com)

AI

Nobel Laureate Explains: Why We Die

2025-04-17

Nobel Laureate Explains: Why We Die

Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, 2009 Nobel laureate in Chemistry, delves into the mechanisms of aging and death in his new book, Why We Die. He reveals that death isn't genetically programmed but a consequence of evolution's focus on efficient gene transmission. Lifespan isn't simply accumulated cellular wear and tear, but a balance between resource allocation for maintaining bodily functions and repair versus growth, reproduction, and nurturing offspring. Ramakrishnan shared his findings at the Milan Longevity Summit, challenging conventional understanding of death and aging.

(www.wired.com)

Tech

SSA Moves to X, Sparking Concerns Amidst Massive Layoffs

2025-04-11

SSA Moves to X, Sparking Concerns Amidst Massive Layoffs

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is shifting its public communication exclusively to X, abandoning press releases and internal memos. This comes amidst significant staff cuts, raising concerns about access to information for beneficiaries and employees. While the White House claims the move optimizes service delivery, sources reveal an approximately 87% reduction in regional office staff. This aligns with Elon Musk's efforts to downsize the federal workforce and highlights the role and potential risks of X as a primary information source.

(www.wired.com)

Tech Social Security Administration

Bluesky's Eternal September: Navigating New User Etiquette

2025-04-08

Bluesky's Eternal September: Navigating New User Etiquette

The influx of new users to platforms like Bluesky echoes the 'Eternal September' phenomenon of the early internet, frustrating longtime users accustomed to established online norms. The article explores strategies for navigating this, such as thoughtful replies, avoiding redundant jokes, and utilizing robust blocking features. Some users view blocking as a proactive measure to maintain a positive environment, while others emphasize empathy for newcomers unfamiliar with online culture. The article highlights the contrast between Bluesky's approach and the more abrasive environment of platforms like X (formerly Twitter).

(www.wired.com)

Tech online etiquette

New Mexico Bans 'Forever Chemicals' in Consumer Products

2025-04-08

New Mexico Bans 'Forever Chemicals' in Consumer Products

After discovering PFAS, or 'forever chemicals', in a furniture protectant, New Mexico Environment Secretary James Kenney spearheaded legislation banning added PFAS in consumer products. This makes New Mexico the third state to ban PFAS through legislation, reflecting a growing national concern over the health and environmental risks of these chemicals. The chemical and consumer products industries are fighting back, lobbying state legislatures and even suing to prevent the laws from taking effect.

(www.wired.com)

Tech chemicals

How Much Does the Internet Weigh?

2025-04-07

How Much Does the Internet Weigh?

The question of the internet's weight, seemingly absurd, has spurred scientific inquiry. Early estimates pegged it at roughly 50 grams, equivalent to a few strawberries. However, with the explosive growth of data, this figure is outdated. This article explores three calculation methods: server energy consumption, electron information transmission, and DNA storage density. The final calculation, based on the law of conservation of energy, reveals an incredibly small mass: 53 quadrillionths of a gram. Yet, regardless of its physical weight, the internet's impact on humanity remains immense.

(www.wired.com)

Tech data

Halley's Hollow Earth: A Beautiful Blunder

2025-04-04

Halley's Hollow Earth: A Beautiful Blunder

In the 17th century, astronomer Edmond Halley proposed a hollow Earth theory, suggesting three concentric spheres within our planet, each inhabited and held together by magnetism. While based on limited scientific knowledge and ultimately disproven, his theory ingeniously explained variations in the Earth's magnetic field. Although incorrect, Halley's meticulous geomagnetic data collection and insightful speculation about Earth's interior laid groundwork for future geological research, showcasing the spirit of bold hypothesis and experimentation in scientific inquiry.

(www.wired.com)

Tech geomagnetism

Indiana University Professor Under Investigation for Undisclosed Chinese Research Funding

2025-04-02

Indiana University Professor Under Investigation for Undisclosed Chinese Research Funding

Indiana University (IU) data privacy professor Xiaofeng Wang and his wife are under investigation for allegedly failing to disclose research funding received from China. The university began reviewing whether Wang received unreported funding months before the FBI raided two of the couple’s homes last week. A statement, purportedly written by a long-time collaborator, reveals IU contacted Wang in December about a 2017-2018 Chinese grant listing him as a researcher. The statement alleges IU was concerned Wang failed to properly disclose the funding to the university and in US federal grant applications. While Wang claims to have explained the situation, the investigation continues. The allegations involve research misconduct, including failure to properly disclose the principal investigator and not fully listing co-authors. Wang regularly collaborated with researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Information Engineering, but his publications show his primary funding came from US government agencies and corporations. No evidence currently suggests impropriety in the collaborations.

(www.wired.com)

Tech US-China research collaboration

Simulating a Worm: A Decade-Long Quest for Digital Life

2025-03-30

Simulating a Worm: A Decade-Long Quest for Digital Life

Amidst fierce Santa Ana winds, the author ran a worm simulation, part of the OpenWorm project aiming to create a digital twin of a nematode, accurate down to the molecule. The simulation, using 10 hours of compute time to generate a mere 5 seconds of worm movement, highlights the immense challenge of creating such a complex biological simulation. However, as Los Angeles wildfires raged, the author's simulated worm unexpectedly moved, prompting reflection on the relationship between life science and technology: Why dedicate 13 years to digitally recreating a microscopic worm?

(www.wired.com)

Tech Biological Simulation Technological Exploration

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