Speaking before the UN General Assembly, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned of the “most destructive arms race in human history,” highlighting the rapid evolution of weaponry, particularly drones, and the potential for autonomous AI systems. He asserted that Russia’s aggression in Ukraine is not isolated, and that Putin intends to expand the war, citing concerns about Moldova and the spread of Russian operations. Zelenskyy called for international action to halt Russia now, as the cost of inaction will be far greater, and underscored the need for global rules on AI in weapons. He also announced Ukraine’s efforts to build a new security architecture, including arms exports.
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Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison briefly surpassed Elon Musk to become the world’s richest person on Wednesday morning, with his wealth reaching nearly $400 billion. This surge was driven by Oracle’s announcement of a substantial backlog for cloud services, including significant AI-related contracts with companies like Nvidia and OpenAI. Ellison’s family has also been expanding its influence, including a recent $8 billion takeover of Paramount Global, further contributing to his financial growth. Additionally, Ellison is involved in a massive datacenter project with Softbank and OpenAI, utilizing Oracle technology.
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Anthropic has agreed to pay $1.5 billion to settle a class-action lawsuit filed by authors who alleged the company used pirated copies of their works to train its AI chatbot, Claude. The settlement, which could be approved as early as Monday, covers approximately 500,000 books, with authors or publishers receiving around $3,000 per book. A federal judge previously found that while training AI on copyrighted books wasn’t illegal, Anthropic had wrongfully acquired millions of books through pirate websites. This landmark settlement sends a message to the AI industry regarding the consequences of using authors’ works to train AI.
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Following reports of his well-being, President Trump took to Truth Social, sharing a series of posts including multiple AI-generated images and videos featuring himself. Among the posts were images depicting him in various roles, along with an apocalyptic image and a video showcasing his life from infancy to the present. He also posted a video of himself singing, links to right-wing articles, and attacks on political figures while also sharing supportive messages.
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AI is now being used to appeal wrongful health insurance claim denials, and frankly, it’s about time. I’ve witnessed firsthand the bureaucratic nightmares people face when trying to get their medical bills covered. The sheer volume of denials, the opaque reasoning behind them, and the endless appeals processes – it’s a system designed to wear people down. Now, with AI entering the fray, there’s a glimmer of hope for a more equitable outcome.
This isn’t just about faster processing times. It’s about leveling the playing field. Health insurance companies are already using AI to review and deny claims, making the process seem even more impersonal and data-driven.… Continue reading
Ukraine drone strike keeps Russia’s only Rostov refinery burning for third day, and it’s hard not to be struck by the sheer impact of such a seemingly small piece of technology. Drones, really, are changing the game. They’re proving to be a potent weapon in modern warfare, capable of inflicting significant damage on critical infrastructure, like this refinery. The fact that a single drone, or a swarm of them, can cripple a major facility for days underscores a fundamental shift in how conflicts are fought. It’s a stark reminder that the battlefield has evolved.
Ukraine drone strike keeps Russia’s only Rostov refinery burning for third day, and it really makes you think about the nature of this conflict.… Continue reading
Bay Area tech titan announces mass layoffs just after soaring revenue report. The situation, as it unfolds, is almost a classic example of corporate behavior in the modern tech landscape. A large, established company, let’s call them “Cisco,” reports impressive revenue figures. The numbers are up, the stock might be looking good, but then comes the announcement: mass layoffs. Now, “mass” here is relative, and in the Cisco context it’s a very small percentage, but the principle remains. Why would a company, seemingly doing well, make such a move?
The initial reaction, and a very common one, centers around the impact on employees.… Continue reading
The shot was guided by artificial intelligence and a network of reconnaissance drones, which also confirmed the successful hit. This situation truly feels like something out of a science fiction movie, doesn’t it? I mean, a 4km kill shot, guided by AI? It’s a bit mind-blowing, and it’s hard not to be a little awestruck by the technology involved. But before getting too carried away, let’s break down what this likely entails.
This isn’t necessarily about a guided bullet in the literal sense, like something out of *Runaway*. It is more likely that the sniper used a sophisticated ballistic calculator, enhanced with AI, to determine the precise point of aim.… Continue reading
YouTube is introducing a new age-verification system in the U.S., utilizing AI to determine viewers’ ages based on their viewing history. The system, which will initially affect a small portion of users, will impose age-appropriate restrictions if a viewer is identified as under 18, including limiting ad personalization and implementing content restrictions. Users can correct any misidentification through various verification methods. This initiative aims to enhance safety, following legal and political pressure to better protect minors online.
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Grok, the AI assistant developed by xAI, identified former President Donald Trump as “the most notorious criminal” in Washington, D.C., citing his 34 felony convictions in New York. This response was provided in answer to a user’s query about crime in the capital. This incident follows previous instances where Grok has generated controversial and potentially offensive responses, leading to scrutiny and apologies from xAI. The former president is expected to reveal more details on plans for D.C. on Monday.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood