Microsoft and OpenAI have renegotiated their foundational partnership, resolving a significant legal cloud over OpenAI's $50 billion deal with Amazon. The new terms grant Microsoft a non-exclusive license through 2032 while allowing OpenAI to serve products across any cloud provider.
Google has reportedly signed a classified deal allowing the US Pentagon to use its AI models for "any lawful government purpose," despite recent employee protests. This agreement places Google alongside other major AI firms, but raises questions about the company's ability to control the military's use of its technology.
A years-long legal feud between Elon Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman culminates this week in a Northern California courtroom, potentially reshaping the future of the AI giant. The trial will delve into OpenAI's controversial pivot from a non-profit mission to a for-profit enterprise.
Microsoft and OpenAI have officially terminated their famed AGI agreement, making their partnership less exclusive and allowing OpenAI to use other cloud providers. This strategic shift reflects OpenAI's push for profitability and expansion into the enterprise market.
David Silver, a former DeepMind researcher, has raised $1.1 billion for his new AI lab, Ineffable Intelligence, to build a "superlearner" that learns without human data. This venture aims to revolutionize AI by leveraging reinforcement learning, a technique Silver mastered at DeepMind.
Motif Neurotech has received FDA approval to begin human trials for its blueberry-sized brain implant, designed to treat severe, treatment-resistant depression by delivering targeted electrical stimulation to the brain's central executive network. This innovative device offers the potential for at-home therapeutic stimulation, aiming to improve daily function and quality of life for millions of adults.
Meta has signed an agreement with Overview Energy to power its AI data centers at night using solar energy beamed from a constellation of satellites in space. This innovative solution aims to address the massive energy demands of AI models and enhance renewable energy utilization.
A groundbreaking self-driving chemistry laboratory, costing only US$5,000, promises to revolutionize chemical research by automating and accelerating crucial experiments. This innovation significantly speeds up the optimization of product synthesis.
Chinese AI firm DeepSeek unveils its V4 model, matching leading rivals and optimizing for Huawei chips, while researchers push for "world models" to bridge the gap between digital and physical AI. This marks a new phase in the intense global AI competition.
After 15 years, Tim Cook is stepping down as Apple CEO in September, with John Ternus set to take over. Experts reflect on Cook's legacy of operational mastery and the robust services business he built, while also examining the global economic and AI-driven challenges awaiting Ternus.
Chinese AI firm DeepSeek has unveiled V4, its new flagship open-source model, promising competitive performance and an exceptionally long context window at a fraction of the cost of leading alternatives. This release marks a significant step for developers seeking advanced AI capabilities without prohibitive expenses.
The Trump administration has abruptly dismissed all 22 members of the U.S. National Science Board, a key advisory body to the National Science Foundation, without explanation. This unprecedented move raises significant concerns about political interference in scientific governance and the independence of basic research funding.
Maine Governor Janet Mills has vetoed a bill that would have imposed the country's first statewide moratorium on new data centers, citing the need for an exemption for a locally supported project. The decision sparks debate over balancing economic development with environmental and energy concerns.
A new study suggests that even if fusion power becomes a reality, it might not come cheap, challenging assumptions about its future affordability and the pace of cost reduction.
A new book by Helen Pearson, "Beyond Belief," explores the historical shift from opinion to evidence in decision-making, highlighting its critical role in combating misinformation. The work, featured on the Nature Podcast, details the rise of evidence-based practices and the challenges faced by their pioneers.
A BBC investigation reveals that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein used London apartments to house women he sexually abused, an operation that continued for years after British police decided not to investigate earlier claims. The findings, based on millions of documents, show a wider scope of his UK activities and missed opportunities by authorities.
Canadian AI startup Cohere is acquiring Germany-based Aleph Alpha to create a "sovereign AI" alternative, challenging US tech giants. The merger, backed by governments and Germany's Schwarz Group, aims to offer full data control for enterprises in regulated sectors.
A new study reveals significantly higher levels of microplastic particles in brain tissue surrounding tumours compared to healthy brain samples. This finding raises critical questions about the impact of pervasive plastic pollution on human neurological health.
The Trump administration has reportedly dismissed the entire National Science Board, an advisory body crucial to the National Science Foundation, amidst existing turmoil in federal science funding. This move has drawn sharp criticism, with concerns raised about the politicization of science and its impact on American innovation.
A new analysis reveals a global market for fake authorship in scientific studies, with costs ranging from under $100 to over $5000 per slot. Researchers amassed over 18,700 advertisements from seven paper mills targeting academics in the Middle East, Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and India.
While AI tools are rapidly being adopted in healthcare, from notetaking to interpreting medical results, a critical question remains unanswered: Do they actually lead to better patient health outcomes? Experts highlight a significant gap in rigorous evaluation of these technologies' real-world impact.
Anthropic's "Project Deal" successfully demonstrated AI agents conducting real-world commerce, revealing that advanced models lead to better outcomes but also raising concerns about users' awareness of 'agent quality gaps'.
Physicists have achieved a significant milestone by detecting cosmic rays using radio waves generated in Antarctic ice. This breakthrough paves the way for building "mega-observatories" dedicated to spotting elusive, ultra-high-energy neutrinos, promising a new era in particle astrophysics.
X has launched its stand-alone messaging app, XChat, on iOS, allowing users to connect with contacts for messaging, calls, and file sharing. This move signifies a shift from Elon Musk's original 'everything app' vision to a suite of specialized applications.
