openai OpenAI Debuts o1 Reasoning Model With Mixed Early Results OpenAI releases its highly anticipated o1 model that "thinks" before answering, offering improved reasoning for complex problems at a much higher cost. However, it currently lacks the speed and multimodal features of GPT-4o.
y combinator Y Combinator Will Double Its Cohorts to Four Per Year in 2025 Y Combinator is shifting from two to four annual cohorts starting next year, a move that halves cohort sizes while doubling Demo Day events for investors.
apple Apple AirPods Pro 2 Gain FDA Approval as Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids The FDA grants Apple permission to turn AirPods Pro 2 into clinical-grade hearing aids through a simple software update. This milestone makes the earbuds the first over-the-counter hearing aid software device approved in the United States.
nuro Nuro Shifts Strategy as Indian EV Scooter Maker Ather Targets Billion-Dollar IPO Autonomous delivery startup Nuro pivots its business model while Indian electric scooter manufacturer Ather Energy plans a massive $530 million IPO. These moves highlight the rapidly changing landscape of the global transportation sector.
google deepmind Google DeepMind Robots Master Shoe Tying and Peer Repair Google DeepMind introduces two new AI systems that enable robots to learn complex dexterous tasks like tying shoes and fixing other robots simply by watching human demonstrations.
meta Meta Hides AI Edit Labels While Keeping Full AI Generation Tags Visible Meta is moving its "AI info" label for edited content into a hidden menu on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads. Fully AI-generated posts will still display the label prominently beneath the author's name.
openai OpenAI Launches o1 Models Capable of Self-Fact-Checking Through Extended Reasoning OpenAI introduces a new family of AI models called o1 that spend more time "thinking" to fact-check themselves and solve complex problems. The release currently faces high costs, strict rate limits, and missing features like web browsing.
oprah winfrey Oprah's AI Special Explores Tech's Risks With Altman and Gates Oprah Winfrey hosts a skeptical AI special featuring Sam Altman and Bill Gates, highlighting the tension between rapid AI advancement and the urgent need for regulation.
spacex Private Astronauts Complete First Commercial Spacewalk in SpaceX Suits A four-person crew achieves the first-ever commercial spacewalk during the Polaris Dawn mission, testing new lightweight spacesuits designed by SpaceX.
bluesky Bluesky Adds Native Video Uploads to Rival X and Threads Bluesky introduces native video sharing for clips up to 60 seconds, allowing the decentralized social network to better compete with X. The feature includes built-in moderation tools and daily upload limits to manage spam.
openai OpenAI Seeks $6.5 Billion at Record $150 Billion Valuation OpenAI is negotiating a massive $6.5 billion funding round led by Thrive Capital, pushing its pre-money valuation to an unprecedented $150 billion. Tech giants Microsoft, Apple, and Nvidia also reportedly join the landmark investment.
taylor swift Taylor Swift Endorses Harris While Warning of AI Deepfake Dangers Taylor Swift officially endorses Kamala Harris for president and uses the moment to highlight her personal fears regarding AI deepfakes and election misinformation. The pop star's announcement directly responds to a fake AI image that falsely depicted her supporting Donald Trump.
robotics Cornell Engineers Create Sub-Millimeter Robots That Morph on Command Cornell University researchers reveal microscopic "metasheet" robots that change shape and crawl when zapped with electricity. The kirigami-inspired machines expand or contract up to 40% of their size.
openai OpenAI Prepares to Launch Strawberry AI Model That Prioritizes Accuracy Over Speed OpenAI plans to release a new model called Strawberry within two weeks that focuses on self-fact-checking and complex problem-solving. However, the model reportedly takes 10 to 20 seconds to answer questions, creating a potential hurdle for everyday users.
apple Apple Delivers Underwhelming AI Features in New iPhone Lineup Apple's highly anticipated Apple Intelligence falls short of its "breakthrough" promises, offering basic text rephrasing, summaries, and image generation that competitors already provide.