NerdNews

Google's Veo 3.1 AI video model offers better audio, realism, and prompt accuracy. It will be available in the Gemini app, Flow filmmaking tool, and Vertex AI, with a 'Fast' variant to reduce costs. The model can produce landscape and portrait 16:9 video and is compatible with generated audio.

OpenAI has acquired Software Applications, the maker of Sky, an AI-powered natural language interface for Mac computers. Sky is designed to work alongside users as they use apps on their computer, and can see what's on the screen and take action in apps for them. The move is a significant step towards embedding OpenAI's technology into consumers' everyday lives and within businesses that run on Mac.

Microsoft has launched Copilot Mode in its Edge browser, an AI-powered feature that allows for intelligent browsing and task automation. This release comes just two days after OpenAI launched its similar Atlas browser, raising questions about the similarity between the two products. Copilot Mode includes features such as 'Actions' and 'Journeys' that enable users to fill out forms, book hotels, and trace connections between open tabs.

An open letter signed by over 700 celebrities, AI scientists, and policymakers calls for a ban on the development of superintelligent AI until it can be proven safe and controllable. The letter, coordinated by the Future of Life Institute, defines superintelligence as a system that can surpass human performance on all useful tasks and warns that its development could have catastrophic consequences for humanity.

OpenAI's Sora app, which generates AI videos, has been found to have vulnerable anti-impersonation safeguards, raising concerns about the growing threat of deepfakes and the need for better regulation and protection against fraud and harassment.

OpenAI has formed an Expert Council on Wellness and AI to improve ChatGPT's mental health impact. The council consists of eight experts, including researchers and professionals with experience in child development, mental health, and technology. Notably, no suicide prevention expert is included in the council. The council aims to help OpenAI develop ChatGPT in a way that supports users' well-being, particularly children and vulnerable populations.

Tensormesh, a startup, has raised $4.5 million in seed funding to develop a commercial version of its open-source LMCache utility. The utility aims to reduce inference costs by up to 10x by optimizing AI server loads, particularly for chat interfaces and agentic systems. The company plans to build on its academic reputation and provide an out-of-the-box product to simplify the complex process of optimizing AI inference.

Abu Dhabi's Autonomous Racing League (A2RL) is using high-speed competition to test and advance real-world AI and robotics systems. The league is part of a wider national strategy to position Abu Dhabi as a hub for deep-tech innovation, with the goal of making the city a world leader in autonomous innovation. A2RL's vehicles use identical chassis fitted with UAE-designed sensor stacks and computing units, competing purely on algorithmic performance.

Experts share advice on how to work with AI systems without eroding critical thinking, including experimenting with different models, understanding their strengths, and keeping your brain in the loop.

Amazon launched 'Help Me Decide', a tool using generative AI to analyze user browsing history and preferences, providing product recommendations with one tap, aiming to simplify the shopping experience.

Samsung has unveiled its Galaxy XR headset, a competitor to Apple's Vision Pro, featuring a micro OLED display, pass-through cameras, and a lower price point of $1,800. The headset runs on Google's Android XR operating system and Qualcomm's Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 platform, offering various experiences optimized for XR, including Google Maps, YouTube, and Google Photos.

Amazon has launched a revamped version of its Luna game-streaming service, which now includes new beginner-friendly multiplayer games that can be controlled with a phone. The service, available at no extra cost for Prime members, features a collection of over 25 local multiplayer games, including exclusive titles developed by Amazon Game Studios.

Tractive AI retopology tool automates the tedious task of recreating a 3D model's mesh, allowing artists to focus on more creative parts of the job. The tool provides more control over edge loops and topology, and doesn't collect data unless artists opt-in. A beta version is set to be released soon.

Amazon has introduced smart glasses designed specifically for delivery drivers, featuring a monochromatic display, computer vision capabilities, and a controller for hands-free operation. The glasses can scan packages, provide turn-by-turn directions, and take pictures for proof of delivery. Amazon plans to use these glasses to improve delivery efficiency and safety, and may also release a consumer-focused version in the future.

Microsoft announced the general availability of Model Context Protocol (MCP) support in Visual Studio, enabling AI agents to connect to external tools and services via a consistent protocol. MCP allows developers to attach AI assistants to external tool chains and systems using a standard protocol, simplifying interactions between AI-enabled development workflows and external systems.

Researchers found a vulnerability in OpenAI's Atlas and Perplexity's Comet browsers that allows spoofed AI sidebars to trick users into performing malicious actions. The attack works by injecting a fake sidebar using a malicious extension, which can lead users to phishing pages, perform OAuth attacks, or install reverse shells.

A lawsuit alleges OpenAI relaxed safeguards on ChatGPT, leading to a teen's suicide. The company changed guidelines to prioritize engagement, potentially encouraging self-harm conversations.

A major global outage impacted popular websites and apps, including Amazon, Snapchat, and Facebook, due to an issue with Amazon Web Services (AWS). The outage, which lasted for 15 hours, was caused by an underlying internal subsystem responsible for monitoring the health of AWS' network load balancers. Many companies, including Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and several banks, were affected by the disruption.

OpenAI's Sora 2 model generates realistic AI videos, raising concerns about the spread of misinformation and the blurring of reality on social media platforms. Critics worry that this technology could lead to a decline in social media's usefulness and potentially harm society.

Elon Musk claims he wants to create a world with no poverty using Tesla and robots, but his comments and actions suggest he doesn't truly care about poverty. Musk's plan is based on his idea of 'sustainable abundance' and the use of his robot, Optimus, but experts argue that poverty is a complex issue that cannot be solved by technology alone.