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Artificial Intelligence

Harmonic Launches 'Aristotle': An AI Chatbot for Hallucination-Free Math Reasoning

Harmonic, an AI startup founded by Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev, has launched 'Aristotle,' an AI chatbot app for iOS and Android. Aristotle aims to provide accurate, 'hallucination-free' answers to math-related questions using its AI model. Harmonic plans to release an API for enterprises and a web app for consumers, claiming Aristotle achieved gold medal performance on the International Math Olympiad (IMO) through a formal test. The company recently raised $100 million in a Series B round led by Kleiner Perkins, valuing it at $875 million. Harmonic aims to create 'mathematical superintelligence' and believes that math is a critical domain for AI development due to its verifiable nature.

Artificial Intelligence & Browsers

Microsoft Edge Integrates AI with 'Copilot Mode' for Enhanced Web Browsing

Microsoft Edge has introduced 'Copilot Mode,' an AI-powered feature designed to assist users while browsing. Copilot Mode aims to understand user research, anticipate needs, and take actions on their behalf. The feature is currently experimental and opt-in, available for Mac and PC users with Copilot access. Copilot Mode allows users to search, chat, and navigate the web with AI assistance. It can also assist with tasks such as suggesting recipe substitutions or presenting recipe information. Copilot can handle booking appointments, creating shopping lists, and drafting content. It can view open tabs with user permission to aid in product comparison or online research. Microsoft emphasizes user control over browsing content access, with visual cues indicating when Copilot is active.

Technology & Manufacturing

Nemo Industries: Social Media Founder's Bold Move to Reinvent Steelmaking with AI

Daniel Liss, co-founder of Dispo and TeaserAI, is venturing into steelmaking with his new startup, Nemo Industries. Inspired by a war game exercise at the National War College, Liss identified a critical vulnerability in the U.S. steel supply chain. Nemo Industries aims to modernize pig iron production using AI, addressing the industry's reliance on outdated methods. The company plans to build its own natural gas-powered furnaces, potentially incorporating carbon capture technology to leverage Inflation Reduction Act incentives. With a team including Michael DuBose, a former Cheniere Energy investor, Nemo has already raised $28.2 million and is seeking $100 million in Series A funding. The company has also received offers for over $1 billion in incentives from two southern states.

Technology & Internet Safety

UK Online Safety Act Enforced: Age Verification for Porn and Social Media Platforms

The U.K.'s Online Safety Act is now in effect, requiring online platforms to verify users' ages to protect children from harmful content. Around 6,000 porn sites are implementing age checks, and platforms like Reddit, Bluesky, X, and Grindr are also asking U.K. users to verify their age using selfies or IDs.

Critics like the Electronic Frontier Foundation argue that these measures threaten online privacy and anonymity. The breach of dating app Tea, where verification selfies and IDs were exposed, highlights these concerns.

Users may try to bypass age checks with fake IDs or VPNs.

Electric Vehicles and Autonomous Technology

EV Strategy Divergence: GM's Flexibility vs. Tesla's Autonomy Focus

GM is emphasizing flexibility in EV production amid tariff pressures, aiming to adjust its manufacturing mix between EVs and ICE vehicles based on demand. CEO Mary Barra highlighted 'flexibility' multiple times during the Q2 earnings call. Meanwhile, Tesla is heavily investing in autonomy and AI, with CEO Elon Musk envisioning Tesla as more than just a car company, focusing on Optimus robots and autonomous vehicles. Despite a decline in automotive revenue, Musk anticipates future profits from these ventures, though challenges and regulatory hurdles remain. Several deals in the mobility sector include Bosch Ventures leading a $21 million Series B in 4screen, Blockskye raising $15.8 million, Glīd Technologies securing $3.1 million, Nevoya raising $9.3 million, Rune Technologies raising $24 million and Swift Navigation raising $50 million in Series E. Lyft will add autonomous shuttles in 2026 and Lucid Air owners can use Tesla Superchargers with limitations. Uber is introducing a feature for women riders and drivers to match with each other in select U.S. cities.

Business Innovation

Innovation Through Hands-On Product Reviews: Tesla's and GM's Strategies

Jon McNeill, former president of Tesla and current GM board member, highlights the importance of reviewing actual products, not mock-ups, for fostering innovation. Inspired by advice Elon Musk received from Steve Jobs, Tesla prioritized a 'perfect product' through weekly reviews focused on surprise, delight, and minimalism.

McNeill credits this approach, along with Musk's hands-on involvement, for maintaining a culture of continuous innovation at Tesla. Now at GM, McNeill is implementing similar practices with CEO Mary Barra and President Mark Reuss, contributing to GM's success in the EV market.

The key takeaway is that regular, in-depth product reviews, emphasizing tangible interaction and direct feedback, drive innovation and keep companies focused on delivering exceptional products.

Film & Entertainment

AI-Enhanced 'Wizard of Oz' Coming to Sphere's Giant Screen

The Sphere in Las Vegas will showcase a newly remastered version of 'The Wizard of Oz' starting August 28. Sphere Entertainment is utilizing a 2,000-person team and AI to enhance the film's resolution and expand the visuals beyond the original frame. This includes creating new details and performances while aiming to immerse the audience in the world of the film, as if they were present during the original studio shoot.

Government & AI

AI-Powered Deregulation: DOGE's Plan to Cut Federal Regulations in Half

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is developing an AI tool aimed at eliminating half of the federal government's regulatory mandates. According to a report in The Washington Post, the "DOGE AI Deregulation Decision Tool" will analyze approximately 200,000 federal regulations to identify those no longer required by law.

A PowerPoint presentation indicates that the tool has already been used to review regulations at the Department of Housing and Urban Development and to draft all deregulations for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. While a White House spokesperson stated that no specific plan has been approved, they lauded the DOGE team's capabilities.

This initiative is the latest AI endeavor by DOGE, which was initially led by Elon Musk during the early stages of the Trump administration.

Technology & Internet Safety

UK Enforces Age Verification for Online Pornography and Social Platforms

The U.K. has implemented a law requiring age verification for pornography websites and other online platforms to protect children from harmful content.

Approximately 6,000 porn sites are complying with the Online Safety Act by verifying users' ages. Platforms like Reddit, Bluesky, X, and Grindr are also implementing age verification through selfies or government-issued IDs.

Critics like the Electronic Frontier Foundation express concerns about online privacy and anonymity due to these age checks. There are also concerns that users may attempt to bypass these checks using fake IDs, game character selfies, or VPNs.

Data Security

Tea App Data Breach Exposes User Images

The dating safety app Tea announced a data breach, with hackers accessing 72,000 user images, including selfies and photo IDs submitted for account verification. The breach affected users who signed up before February 2024. The company has engaged cybersecurity experts and implemented additional security measures. Reports indicate that 4chan users claimed to be sharing personal data from Tea after discovering an exposed database.