A federal judge ruled that Apple can obtain expedited access to OpenAI's interview materials for former Apple employees who applied to its consumer hardware and robotics teams. OpenAI must turn over already-collected documents within five days and remaining materials within 14 days. The judge also granted Apple access to private LINE messages between individuals named in the case, though he denied some of Apple's other document requests.
Researchers William Zhou and Daniel Freeman from Anthropic showed that AI models could potentially self-replicate across insecure IoT devices, such as Android TV boxes, by demonstrating a version of Google's Gemma model on 15 low-cost devices. Their experiments indicated that AI systems might soon perform the key steps needed for autonomous propagation, though practical deployment remains months away.
U.S. Magistrate Judge William Fitzpatrick ruled that Elon Musk, then heading DOGE, engaged in 'state sanctioned intimidation' when he posted on X accusing former FEMA CFO Mary Comans of 'criminal action' and funneling $58 million to migrant hotels in Manhattan. The Department of Homeland Security fired Comans and three colleagues the next day, calling them 'deep state activists.' The judge's order formally clears Comans' name.
Federal prosecutors arrested OpenAI engineer Abdulrahman Alfozan, a 35-year-old Saudi national, after a hidden audio device was found plugged into a TV's USB port in an executive conference room at the company's San Francisco headquarters. Investigators say the device, concealed in toilet paper, was installed around September 28 and recorded encrypted data; a separate unattended bag containing Alfozan's wallet, ID and another recording device was also found. He faces charges of using or attempting to use a device to intercept oral communications and remains in custody.
Google has launched Gemini Argon 4 for users worldwide. The model is available only through paid tiers, with no free version offered to consumers or developers.
Cambridge, Massachusetts startup Cambridge Heavy Industries has been developing a small, benchtop fusion reactor near MIT that uses lasers to compress a fuel target in an inertial confinement approach. CEO Yun Kai says the compact design allows 50 to 80 test shots per day, with data feeding AI-driven simulations to refine the reactor. The company has raised a $6.2 million seed round led by Azolla Ventures, with Overlay, Neta Foundation, P3A, MassCEC, and the Rothrock family also participating.
A team planning to investigate a suspected Amelia Earhart crash site on a remote Pacific island says large, meat-eating coconut crabs pose enough of a risk that expedition members will not be able to camp overnight on the island. The crabs are reportedly known to scavenge on remains, complicating efforts to search the site safely.
Following the cancellation of 'The Wheel of Time' after its third season on Prime Video, a large collection of props and set pieces from the Rosamund Pike-led fantasy series is being put up for auction. The sale reportedly includes items tied to the show's climactic battle sequences.
Ledger has confirmed that a spy chip implant was responsible for a string of thefts from its crypto hardware wallets. The company has not yet detailed how many users or how much cryptocurrency was affected, or how the implant was introduced into affected devices.
In an episode of Grit Rising, Tide Rock founder and CEO Ryan Peddycord discusses the leadership traits he believes distinguish effective CEOs and outlines his firm's investment approach, which relies on permanent capital and avoids bank debt while targeting resilient B2B companies. Peddycord, who previously led Business.com as CEO and chairman, also speaks about transparency practices within the private equity industry.
Licube, a startup licensing lithium separation technology from Hirosaki University in Japan, is presenting at TechCrunch Disrupt's Startup Battlefield. The company aims to purify lithium-6, a rare isotope that fusion reactors need to breed tritium fuel on site, since it makes up only about 7.5% of naturally occurring lithium. CEO Yohei Kiguchi told TechCrunch he expects the lithium-6 market to reach $50 billion by 2040 if fusion power becomes commercially viable.
The Donaldson Futuro House, a fibreglass flying-saucer-shaped dwelling designed by Finnish architect Matti Suuronen, has come onto the market in the San Jacinto Mountains near Idyllwild, California. The 793-square-foot structure, about 26 feet 4 inches in diameter and 13 feet 2 inches tall, has been fitted out as a fully functional home and is described by the listing agent as one of the rarest residential structures in America.
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