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The Lab
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- 1
Humxn Research Labs says it will spend $50 million acquiring data on skilled trades, farming and manufacturing to train AI-powered robots. The effort highlights a growing shortage of real-world, hands-on task data for robotics, in contrast to the text and image data that powered recent AI advances. The move is drawing attention among technology and markets observers.
- 2Why borrowers should think twice about 'good debt'●The problem with 'good debt': Why borrowers should think twice about the label
CNBC is challenging the popular personal finance distinction between 'good debt' and 'bad debt', arguing that the label can mislead borrowers. Items traditionally considered good debt, such as mortgages, student loans and business borrowing, can still strain household finances if repayments outpace income. Financial commentators urge borrowers to judge any debt by its cost and their ability to repay, rather than trusting the category it falls into.
- 3Citizen Lab: governments using online ads to deliver zero-click spyware●Citizen Lab says governments are abusing online ads to hack people with 'zero-click' spyware | TechCrunch
The Citizen Lab, a University of Toronto digital rights research unit, reports that governments are exploiting online advertising networks to infect targets with 'zero-click' spyware. It found evidence that dozens of devices at the media organization Al Jazeera were hacked after staff were shown malicious ads, with no interaction required. The findings renew scrutiny of commercial spyware and state-backed hacking of journalists.
- 4Zero-Click Spyware Spreads Through Targeted Ads●‘Nightmare Scenario’: Zero-Click Spyware Is Infecting Phones via Targeted Ads
Researchers at The Citizen Lab have released technical evidence, for the first time, that sophisticated mercenary spyware is being distributed to phones through online advertising, infecting devices without any click or user interaction. The findings are being called a nightmare scenario for mobile security, since ad networks could deliver spyware to targets at scale. Security experts are urging closer scrutiny of the adtech supply chain.
- 5Anthropic and OpenAI quietly wargame AI catastrophe scenarios●Anthropic and OpenAI wargaming public and political revolt after AI catastrophe
Anthropic and OpenAI are running internal wargaming exercises rehearsing how they would respond to an AI catastrophe that triggers public backlash and political revolt, according to a report by Decrypt. The drills reportedly cover crisis communications, regulatory fallout and maintaining trust after a major AI failure. Critics say the exercises highlight how seriously the labs take the risk of a public losing confidence in AI companies, while supporters see them as responsible contingency planning.
- 6Oxide launches virtual emulation of its full server rack●Virtual Oxide Labs: Emulating a Full Oxide Rack
Oxide Computer has introduced Virtual Oxide Labs, a way to emulate a full Oxide rack in software rather than running it on physical hardware. The tool lets developers and prospective customers explore the company's rack-scale platform without buying equipment. Discussions online are centered on how faithfully the emulator reproduces real hardware behavior and what it means for trying out Oxide's systems.
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Elevation Lab, the maker of popular desk accessories such as the TimeDock and BatteryPro, has published a post titled 'An Apology' on its company blog. The nature of the apology and what prompted it are not detailed, but the post has drawn attention and discussion online, with readers speculating about what the company is apologising for.