That is at this time’s version of The Obtain, our weekday publication that gives a day by day dose of what’s occurring on the planet of know-how.
What are AI brokers?
When ChatGPT was first launched, everybody in AI was speaking in regards to the new era of AI assistants. However over the previous yr, that pleasure has turned to a brand new goal: AI brokers.
Brokers featured prominently in Google’s annual I/O convention in Might, when the corporate unveiled its new AI agent known as Astra, which permits customers to work together with it utilizing audio and video. OpenAI’s new GPT-4o mannequin has additionally been known as an AI agent.
And it’s not simply hype, though there may be undoubtedly a few of that too. Tech firms are plowing huge sums into creating AI brokers, and their analysis efforts might usher within the form of helpful AI we have now been dreaming about for many years. Many specialists, together with Sam Altman, say they’re the following massive factor. However what are they? And the way can we use them? Learn the total story.
—Melissa Heikkilä
AI lie detectors are higher than people at recognizing lies
Can you see a liar? It’s a query I think about has been on a number of minds these days, within the wake of varied televised political debates. Analysis has proven that we’re usually fairly dangerous at telling a reality from a lie.
Some consider that AI might assist enhance our odds, and do higher than dodgy quaint methods like polygraph exams. AI-based lie detection techniques might sooner or later be used to assist us sift reality from pretend information, consider claims, and probably even spot fibs and exaggerations in job functions. The query is whether or not we are going to belief them. And if we must always. Learn the total story.
—Jessica Hamzelou
This story is from The Checkup, our weekly well being and biotech publication. Join to obtain it in your inbox each Thursday.
The must-reads
I’ve combed the web to seek out you at this time’s most enjoyable/vital/scary/fascinating tales about know-how.
1 The EU is plotting tariffs for Chinese language-made EVs
The choice is an enormous spanner within the works for automakers looking for a reprieve from the continued commerce struggle. (WSJ $)
+ Chinese language officers will probably be allowed to make use of Teslas for the primary time. (Bloomberg $)
+ The nation’s EV battery makers need to get into stationary power storage. (Reuters)
+ Europe’s best-selling Chinese language EV maker has a shocking identify. (MIT Know-how Evaluation)
2 Xenophobia is rampant on social media in China
Excessive Chinese language nationalism seems to be fueling violent assaults on foreigners. (NYT $)
3 Cloudflare has launched a software designed to thwart AI bots
The cloud agency’s mannequin flags bots making an attempt to scrape its websites’ information. (TechCrunch)
+ It’s not a good time for cloud firms throughout the board. (FT $)
4 Afghan ladies are main secret lives on-line
They’re turning to the web to fight the Taliban’s restrictions on their freedom. (WP $)
5 Political candidates are monitoring their stolen marketing campaign indicators
With a bit of little bit of assist from Apple AirTags. (WSJ $)
6 An ‘moral’ AI music generator can’t create good songs
Skilled musicians had been left unimpressed by its dodgy compositions. (Wired $)
+ Coaching AI music fashions is about to get very costly. (MIT Know-how Evaluation)
7 Mapping apps are wildly simplistic
Their must cater to a large viewers leaves few feeling glad. (The Atlantic $)
8 WhatsApp is dabbling with AI-generated avatars
A phrase to the sensible: don’t. (The Verge)
9 TikTok customers are hungry for political content material
Because the UK’s basic election has proved. (The Guardian)
+ Three know-how developments shaping 2024’s elections. (MIT Know-how Evaluation)
10 Minecraft is eyeing a future past video video games
AI is more likely to play an element in these plans, I’d wager. (Bloomberg $)
+ Fb gaming juggernaut FarmVille continues to be going, too. (The Guardian)
+ A bot that watched 70,000 hours of Minecraft might unlock AI’s subsequent massive factor. (MIT Know-how Evaluation)
Quote of the day
“I’m so cute; please watch my marketing campaign broadcast.”
—Airi Uchino, a candidate in Tokyo’s forthcoming governor elections, takes a novel strategy in attempting to safe residents’ votes, the Related Press studies.
The large story
How tradition drives foul play on the web, and the way new “upcode” can defend us
From Bored Apes and Fancy Bears, to Shiba Inu cash, self-replicating viruses, and whales, the web is crawling with fraud, hacks, and scams.
And whereas new applied sciences come and go, they modify little about the truth that on-line unlawful operations exist as a result of some persons are keen to behave illegally, and others fall for the tales they inform.
Finally, on-line crime is a human story. However why does it work, and the way can we defend ourselves from falling for such schemes? Learn the total story.
—Rebecca Ackermann
We are able to nonetheless have good issues
A spot for consolation, enjoyable and distraction to brighten up your day. (Received any concepts? Drop me a line or tweet ’em at me.)
+ These geese simply love the hose.
+ We are able to’t say for positive, however popcorn was most likely invented as a method of storing corn for lengthy intervals of time 
+ Congratulations to Patrick Bertoletti, who gained Nathan’s annual sizzling dog-eating competitors after consuming a whopping 58 canines inside 10 minutes.
+ Hurry up George R.R. Martin, we would like one other ebook!