Welcome to today’s curated collection of interesting links and insights from 2025/08/19. Our AI-powered system has processed and summarized 27 URLs to bring you the key takeaways.
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1. Nearly 90% of videogame developers use AI agents, Google study shows
Nearly 90% of videogame developers utilize AI agents, according to a study by @Google, highlighting the widespread integration of artificial intelligence in game development. The study reveals that AI enhances player experience by enabling more realistic and adaptive non-player characters (NPCs), thereby improving gameplay engagement. Developers reported that AI tools help streamline the creation process, reduce costs, and introduce innovative game mechanics. This growing trend underscores the transformative impact of #AI in the gaming industry, illustrating how technological advancements drive creative and economic benefits. The findings link to broader applications of AI, demonstrating its potential beyond traditional gaming frameworks.
2. AI is changing the job market, with layoffs and new opportunities
The rapid advancement of #artificialintelligence is reshaping the job market, causing layoffs in some sectors while creating new roles in others. Companies like @OpenAI and @Google are investing heavily in AI, leading to workforce reductions in traditional tech roles but also a surge in demand for AI specialists and data analysts. This shift highlights the necessity for workers to adapt and acquire new skills in AI and tech-related fields to stay relevant. The evolving landscape indicates a significant transformation in employment patterns, urging policymakers and educators to support workforce transition programs. Overall, AI is both a disruptor and a creator in the job market ecosystem.
3. Google will pay Australia $36 million over anticompetitive search deal with mobile carriers
@Google is paying AU$55 million ($36 million) after admitting its agreements with @Telstra and @Optus to pre-install Google Search were anticompetitive. The deals, from December 2019 to March 2021, forced Telstra and Optus to exclude other search engines and to share ad revenue from Google searches on their Android devices. The ACCC says such conduct restricted competition and could harm consumers through reduced choice, noting that #AI search tools are increasingly altering how people search on mobile. Google admitted liability, is cooperating with authorities, and a court will determine the final penalty, following previous EU actions that culminated in a multibillion euro fine. This outcome underscores ongoing regulatory scrutiny of mobile search deals in Australia and beyond as regulators seek to preserve contestability in the face of evolving technologies #ACCC #antitrust.
4. MIT report: 95% of generative AI pilots at companies are failing
The @MIT GenAI Divide: State of AI in Business 2025 finds that despite the promise of #GenAI, only about 5% of AI pilot programs deliver rapid revenue acceleration, while the vast majority stall. The study, based on 150 interviews with leaders, a 350-person employee survey, and 300 public deployments, shows a sharp divide between pilots that generate measurable revenue gains and those that do not. The core issue is a #learning-gap for tools and organizations, as enterprise systems fail to learn from and adapt to actual workflows, unlike consumer tools such as #ChatGPT. Purchasing AI tools from specialized vendors and forming partnerships succeed about 67% of the time, while internal builds succeed only about one-third as often. The biggest ROI appears in #back-office-automation, while empowering line managers to drive adoption and ensuring deep tool integration are crucial, as the rise of #shadowAI and the difficulty of measuring productivity accompany ongoing workforce disruption.
5. Apple won’t have to build backdoor for UK access to American data – 9to5Mac
The UK has dropped a mandate that would have forced Apple to provide a backdoor to US data, marking a win for user privacy and the integrity of encryption. In a post on @X, DNI @TulsiGabbard said the decision came after months of work with @POTUS and @VP to ensure Americans’ private data remains private, and that the UK agreed to drop the mandate. Previously, UK authorities issued a technical capability notice under the Investigatory Powers Act to compel tech companies to weaken encryption, a move that would have required Apple to turn off Advanced Data Protection #ADP for US users so UK agencies could access iCloud data. Apple had already removed iCloud end-to-end encryption in the UK in response, stating it never built a backdoor and remains committed to high security, while the outcome leaves questions about when #ADP will be restored in the UK and how it affects users worldwide.
6. China sent an AI to its space station, to plan spacewalks
China placed an AI model on its #Tiangong space station to assist taikonauts in preparing for extravehicular activities, leveraging @WukongAI tailored for aerospace standards. The model, based on a homegrown open-source design, arrived mid-July and runs on-prem aboard Tiangong as well as from Earth, with a knowledge base centered on aerospace flight standards #AI #open-source. During a recent spacewalk—the twentieth use of a single spacesuit—the AI produced a work schedule and supplied relevant links and guidance, illustrating how it can aid mission planning and potentially extend the life of space hardware #spacewalk #Loongson. This development underscores China’s push to lead in space exploration and to modernize operations with AI, including plans for newer suits and additional Tiangong modules, while echoing earlier deployments of AI in space by @HPE and @BoozAllen.
7. Intel is getting a $2 billion investment from SoftBank
Intel is receiving a $2 billion investment from SoftBank to bolster its growth in the semiconductor industry. This substantial capital injection highlights SoftBank’s confidence in Intel’s strategy to innovate and expand its chip manufacturing capabilities. The partnership is expected to accelerate Intel’s development of advanced technologies and improve its competitive position against rivals like AMD and Nvidia. The investment aligns with broader industry trends where major firms seek to reinforce their supply chains amid global semiconductor demand. Overall, this collaboration with SoftBank strengthens Intel’s financial and strategic resources for future growth.
Scientists have developed a brain implant capable of decoding silent inner speech and translating it into words, potentially revolutionizing communication for people unable to speak. The technology analyzes neural signals associated with imagined speech and converts them into text, showing promising accuracy in initial tests. However, this advancement raises ethical concerns about privacy and consent, with critics warning of the potential for unauthorized mind-reading or misuse of private thoughts. Discussions emphasize the need for strict regulations to protect individuals’ mental privacy as the technology progresses. This innovation highlights the balancing act between technological progress in #brain-computer interfaces and safeguarding fundamental human rights.
9. Nigeria’s election prospects test Buhari’s toughest promise yet
Nigeria faces a critical election that tests President @Buhari’s promise to strengthen democracy amid ethnic tensions and economic challenges. The election, scrutinized internationally, is complicated by concerns over electoral fairness and violence. Evidence shows that Nigeria’s political landscape remains fragmented, with various groups seeking representation and stability. This situation highlights the fragility of Nigeria’s democratic institutions and the urgent need for reforms to ensure peaceful transitions of power. The outcome will influence Nigeria’s trajectory as Africa’s largest economy and its role in regional stability.
10. Judge says FTC investigation into Media Matters should alarm all Americans
A federal judge has expressed concern over the Federal Trade Commission’s investigation into Media Matters, a nonprofit focusing on monitoring right-wing misinformation, stating it should alarm all Americans. The inquiry has raised fears about potential government overreach and threats to free speech, as Media Matters plays a crucial role in exposing disinformation in political discourse. Critics argue the investigation could intimidate watchdog organizations and undermine efforts to hold misinformation spreaders accountable. The case highlights growing tensions between regulatory agencies and organizations dedicated to media accountability. This situation underscores the importance of protecting free speech while addressing misinformation in a democratic society.
11. Coal Is Linked To Cancer, Not Wind Power – CleanTechnica
The article contends that coal poses substantial health risks and is not justified by wind power. It cites @Duke University finding that coal-fired emissions are linked to premature deaths, cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, low birth weights, and higher infant mortality, and a @Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health study showing greater lung cancer risk with higher coal reliance. It also notes miners’ higher mortality from CWP, COPD, and lung cancer, with Central Appalachian workers born after 1940 facing markedly elevated risk. Coal combustion creates #coal_ash containing radium, with cancer risk estimates reportedly up to 35 times higher than previously known, and the material is used in construction and road projects. The piece also discusses #phosphogypsum incidents in Florida and regulatory actions such as a 2021 wastewater release and 2023 legislation, highlighting perceived gaps in protecting public health while Trump criticizes #wind_power as a con job, illustrating a broader policy clash between coal harms and renewable energy advocacy.
12. ‘Play Instantly on Discord’: Fortnite will be Nvidia and Discord’s first instant game demo
An early test from @Nvidia, @Discord, and @Epic Games is piloting instant game demos inside Discord, with @Fortnite as the first demo to demonstrate the idea. Players can click a button labeled “try a game,” sign in with their @Epic Games account, and jump into @Fortnite in seconds without downloads or installs, though the demo is limited to a 30-minute free trial. The company frames this as a technology announcement rather than a confirmed feature, and it’s not clear if the demo will appear outside Gamescom. The move echoes the original try-before-you-buy vision of Gaikai and similar attempts by Google Stadia, illustrating a cloud-gaming path that could lower friction to try new games. If publishers adopt it, this approach could accelerate access to titles via cloud gaming and reshape how demos are distributed in the future.
The article highlights Dfinity Foundation’s plan to scale software developers from under 50 million to up to 5 billion through AI-assisted app creation, introducing alpha Caffeine AI on the #ICP blockchain to enable natural-language prompts that generate fully functional apps, aiming for a #SelfWritingInternet where billions can build apps in minutes. At its “Hello, Self-Writing Internet” event in San Francisco, @Dominic Williams demonstrated live prompts like “build a user blog similar to Medium” and “build me an online shop with payments,” with the code and a companion web app appearing within minutes, signaling development at chat speed. Dfinity contends this will democratize app creation and ownership at scale, even as it acknowledges concerns about the Web3 space and token relevance, arguing the value lies in speed and efficiency rather than tokens. The platform’s App Market lets users clone, adapt, and iterate starter apps, challenging gatekeeping by traditional app stores, according to @Pierre Samaties, with an emphasis on “clone” over “buy” to accelerate experimentation. Anthropic’s Claude Sonnet is linked to powering Caffeine’s backend, underscoring collaboration with @Anthropic, though details remain sparse. Taken together, the article frames Caffeine as a wake-up call for developers to embrace chat-speed development and broader participation, while cautioning that enterprise adoption will depend on reliability, trust, and tangible productivity gains rather than hype or token economics.
14. Maryland tax on digital ads violated Big Tech’s free speech, judges say
An appeals court ruled that part of Maryland’s first-in-the-nation tax on digital advertising aimed at Big Tech is unconstitutional #digitalads #BigTech #freeSpeech. The ruling centers on the specific provision of the tax and its impact on free speech #Maryland. This decision highlights the legal challenges faced by digital ad taxes and signals potential limits to such state measures. The outcome may influence ongoing debates about how online advertising is taxed and regulated in Maryland and beyond.
15. Biden reverses Trump ban on electric vehicle purchases for US Postal Service
President @JoeBiden overturned a Trump-era ban that prevented the US Postal Service from purchasing #electricvehicles as part of its fleet modernization efforts. The ban, implemented under former President @realDonaldTrump, aimed to save money but limited the USPS to buying only gasoline-powered trucks. The reversal supports the Biden administration’s goals of reducing carbon emissions and promoting clean energy. The USPS plans to acquire thousands of new electric trucks, which will modernize its aging fleet and reduce environmental impact. This policy shift highlights the administration’s commitment to sustainability and addresses the growing need for greener federal operations.
16. Nvidia’s app gets global DLSS override and more control panel features
@Nvidia is expanding its new app with a global #DLSSOverride and more control panel features, reducing the need to switch to the legacy control panel. It adds #AnisotropicFiltering, #AntiAliasing, and #AmbientOcclusion options, and the setup tool for #NvidiaSurround is now part of the app. DLSS override can be set globally across all override-supported games, and the app’s overlay shows which DLSS settings are active. The new #SmoothMotion feature, previously limited to #RTX50Series, is now available to all #RTX40Series owners and can work with DLSS Super Resolution, native resolution, or other upscaling, typically doubling perceived frame rate. Nvidia also says the #GAssist AI assistant uses 40% less memory with no drop in performance, and the update is arriving for beta users on Aug 19 at 9AM PT / 12PM ET, with a general release the following week.
17. T-Mobile claimed selling location data without consent is legal—judges disagree
U.S. appellate judges in the DC Circuit unanimously rejected T-Mobile’s bid to overturn roughly $92 million in FCC fines for selling customers’ real-time location data without consent. The court cited that every cell phone periodically connects to a tower, creating an exhaustive location history and that T-Mobile and Sprint failed to verify consent and continued selling CLI even after abuses were known, including to aggregators LocationSmart and Zumigo up to 2019. The panel held that the FCC acted within its authority and that the carriers’ arguments about misinterpretation of the Communications Act, penalty calculations, and jury-trial rights lacked merit; the fines were $80.1 million for T-Mobile and $12.2 million for Sprint. The case sits alongside AT&T’s and Verizon’s challenges in other circuits, with AT&T facing a $57.3 million fine and Verizon $46.9 million; T-Mobile may seek en banc review or Supreme Court review, while the FCC chairman @AjitPai led the 2024 final vote that split 3-2, with dissents from @BrendanCarr and @NathanSimington. The FCC highlighted that major carriers disclosed location information without consent to a Missouri Sheriff via a ‘location-finding service’ operated by @Securus, illustrating the ongoing privacy concerns around #locationData #privacy.
18. World Humanoid Robot Games set to showcase Tesla’s Unitree in China
The upcoming World Humanoid Robot Games in China are set to highlight advances in robotics, featuring Tesla-backed Unitree’s presence. Unitree, known for its agile quadruped robots inspired by Boston Dynamics, will compete alongside various global innovators. This event underscores China’s growing ambition in #robotics and AI technologies, positioning itself as a leader in humanoid and quadruped robot development. The games serve as a platform for technological exchange and competitive innovation, pushing boundaries in robot mobility, intelligence, and autonomy. This competition illustrates the accelerating pace and international nature of robotics research tied closely with companies like Tesla and Unitree, emphasizing China’s significant role in this emerging sector.
19. The Silicon Illusion: Why AI Cannot Substitute for Scientific Understanding | TechPolicy.Press
The article argues that the glamorous claim that AI is transforming science is seductive but misleading, because AI’s current use in science often obscures understanding rather than delivering reliable insights #AI #scientificunderstanding. It notes critiques by @Emily M. Bender and @Alex Hanna in The AI Con, which warn of real world harms, and it observes that even favorable reviews in @Science hedge praise by acknowledging promising capabilities while flagging risks. The piece uses historical analogies, invoking @Oppenheimer and the Dr. Strangelove imagery, to suggest spectacle risks distorting understanding rather than improving control over technology. It cites research from @Nature by Lisa Messieri and M.J. Crockett warning that AI tools could lead to producing more data while understanding less, and points to a broader science crisis over the past two decades. It also cites the Human Genome Project and pharmaceutical industry data, noting that promises did not materialize and that mergers and reorganizations failed to raise new medicines output, urging a reevaluation of AI’s role in scientific progress #HumanGenomeProject #NME.
20. Grok Exposes Underlying Prompts for Its AI Personas, Including Explicit Content
Meta’s AI, Grok, reveals its persona prompts openly, showing transparency uncommon in AI systems. The exposure includes some provocative and explicit prompt content, highlighting a candid approach to AI design. This transparency allows users to understand how AI responses are influenced, fostering informed interaction. However, the inclusion of explicit prompts raises concerns about content moderation and user experience. Grok’s approach contrasts with other AI models that keep such prompts hidden, potentially setting a new standard for openness in #AI persona development.
21. The Palantir Mafia Behind Silicon Valley’s Hottest Startups
Silicon Valley’s technology scene features many influential entrepreneurs and investors emerging from the secretive #Palantir, which has become a breeding ground for startups. Alumni of @Palantir have founded or backed notable companies, leveraging expertise gained from the data-centric software firm’s intensive environment. This network, often termed the ‘Palantir Mafia,’ exemplifies how the company’s culture and approach to big data inspire new ventures tackling complex problems. The success of these startups illustrates Palantir’s broader impact on innovation beyond its immediate business. Consequently, Palantir serves not only as a software company but also as an influential incubator shaping the future landscape of tech entrepreneurship.
22. White House sending social media teams with FBI for some arrests, DC sources say
The White House is reportedly deploying social media monitoring teams alongside the FBI to assist in certain arrests in Washington DC, according to local sources. These teams aim to track potential threats and coordinate responses on digital platforms, enhancing law enforcement’s situational awareness. This collaboration highlights increased federal focus on using social media intelligence to prevent and respond to security concerns. The partnership suggests an evolving approach to public safety, leveraging technology and inter-agency cooperation. It reflects broader efforts to address challenges posed by digital communications in law enforcement contexts.
23. Maha draft takes on electromagnetic radiation, echoing RFK Jr.’s conspiracies
A draft bill in Maharashtra addresses concerns about electromagnetic radiation exposure, reflecting arguments similar to those promoted by @RFKJr., who is known for his controversial conspiracy theories on technological health risks. The draft proposes stringent regulations on radiation-emitting devices, citing potential health hazards despite limited scientific consensus supporting such claims. Critics warn that the bill echoes misinformation, risking public alarm and hindering technological advancement without sufficient evidence. Supporters argue that precautionary measures are necessary to protect public health from unknown long-term effects of #EMradiation. This debate highlights the challenge policymakers face in balancing public health concerns with scientific evidence amid increasing wireless technology use.
24. HR Giant Workday Discloses Data Breach Amid Salesforce Attacks
Workday, a prominent HR software provider, confirmed a data breach resulting from unauthorized access to a third-party vendor, following a spike in attacks on cloud services like Salesforce. The breach impacted a limited number of customers, with sensitive employee data exposed, although Workday stated that no payroll or financial information was compromised. Analysis reveals this incident exemplifies the growing risk of supply chain attacks targeting large cloud platforms and SaaS providers, emphasizing the need for enhanced vendor security measures. Workday is actively investigating the breach and working to strengthen defenses to protect customer data. This case highlights the broader challenges faced by enterprises relying on interdependent cloud services and reinforces the critical importance of vigilant cybersecurity practices.
25. Meta Hits Back at Robby Starbuck Over AI Bias Allegations
Meta recently responded to claims by filmmaker and political figure Robby Starbuck, who accused the company’s AI systems of bias. Starbuck argued that Meta’s algorithms showed discriminatory tendencies against conservative voices, raising concerns about fairness and censorship. In response, Meta provided data and examples demonstrating efforts to mitigate bias and promote neutrality in its AI operations, emphasizing transparency and continual improvements. This exchange highlights ongoing tensions between tech platforms and political critics regarding AI ethics and content moderation. The controversy underscores the challenges of ensuring AI systems are both unbiased and accountable in highly polarized environments.
A brain implant that translates silent inner speech into words offers a potential path to reading thoughts through technology #brain-computer-interface. In a demonstration, a paralyzed man piloted a virtual drone using his brain, showing the system can enable fast, accurate typing by thought via wireless links #inner-speech. But critics warn the capability raises fears of mind reading without consent, highlighting privacy and ethical risks associated with such access to private thoughts #mind-reading #privacy. To curb misuse, researchers reportedly devised a ‘password’ to limit authorized mind reading, suggesting safeguards will be essential as these systems mature.
27. Nuclear waste could supply rare hydrogen fuel for US fusion reactors
US DOE scientists are pursuing a method to recycle nuclear waste into tritium, a rare hydrogen isotope that is a key fuel for #fusion reactors. In simulations, a particle accelerator is used to jump-start atom-splitting reactions in the waste to produce tritium, a material currently valued at about $15 million per pound. Fusion requires deuterium and tritium, and while deuterium is plentiful, tritium is scarce, making this recycling approach potentially attractive for supplying fuel to future reactors. Fusion would generate electricity with much less radioactive waste than fission, reinforcing its status as a low-emission option, though large-scale implementation hinges on overcoming technical, economic, and regulatory challenges. If proven feasible, the strategy could create a steady #tritium supply for future #fusion energy and link waste management to clean electricity generation under @DOE oversight.
That’s all for today’s digest from 2025/08/19! We found and processed 27 URLs. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s collection of insights and discoveries.
Thanks Patricia Zougheib and Dr Badawi for curating the links
See you in the next one! 🚀