GoKawiil
Tech News
Analysis of existing AI capabilities finds that today's models, not some future superintelligence, are already lowering barriers to fraud, cyberattacks, manipulation campaigns, and weapons development. The concern centers on present-day misuse rather than speculative future risks like AI takeover scenarios.
Google analyzed five years of aggregated Google Flights data and found that domestic fares have historically been cheapest around 39 days before departure, while international fares bottom out near 89 days out, staying low between 50 and 133 days. The company also found holiday-specific patterns: Thanksgiving fares are lowest around 34 days ahead, Christmas around 56 days, and summer trips closer to departure at about 21 days out.
Marvel's 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' recorded another box office win just before its home release, continuing to perform alongside 'Avengers: Endgame – Encore' in theaters. The two titles are reported to be keeping Marvel's theatrical slate strong heading into the holiday season.
Companies in the $64 billion functional beverage industry are reformulating adult-oriented products—those built around electrolytes and better-for-you ingredients—into versions marketed to Gen Alpha children. The shift moves away from traditional sugary kids' drinks like Hi-C, Kool-Aid, and Capri Sun toward healthier-positioned alternatives.
A roundup gathers perspectives from 30 executives across industries on laws and proposed bills shaping their sectors, spanning AI accountability, healthcare policy, tariffs, clean energy and consumer protection. The leaders describe how they are responding to or advocating around legislative changes that affect their companies and customers.
In an interview, Christa Acampora, dean of the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences at the University of Virginia, discussed mounting scrutiny of liberal arts degrees as entry-level jobs shrink, tuition rises, and AI reshapes work. She addressed job prospects for liberal arts graduates and made the case for why humanities education remains significant in an AI-driven world.
At Connect, Mark Zuckerberg introduced the Muse Charm, a small pendant device running Meta's Muse AI assistant, set to launch as soon as December this year. The announcement came amid a broader showcase of smart glasses and a new VR headset, but notably without updates to Meta's existing neural band wrist wearable.
Kodiak AI, founded in 2018, has deployed 35 fully driverless trucks for Atlas Energy Solutions hauling frac sand in the Permian Basin since its Kodiak Driver system launched in December 2024. The company now plans to run driverless trucks on public highways in Texas later this year, operating a 219-mile route between Houston and Dallas for Ikea along Interstate 45.
Safeworld, founded by Carnegie Mellon's Dr. Ding Zhao, Kyle Wong, and Simo Rachidi, has emerged from stealth with a seed round exceeding $12 million led by Shine Capital and a16z Speedrun. The company evaluates robotic control systems using simulations populated with realistic human models, aiming to assess risk in generative AI-driven robots before deployment.
Jewelry and smart-ring maker Qalo has released the SL-1, a subscription-free, screenless fitness band priced at $199.95 that condenses health metrics into a single score. The device syncs with Qalo's existing smart ring ecosystem, letting wearers switch between ring and band while data feeds into one account, and Qalo says the SL-1 runs on its own software and design rather than white-labeled hardware.
Leaker Ice Universe claims the Galaxy S27 Ultra will launch in four colors: Black, Blue, Light Pink, and White. The report suggests Light Pink may replace the Deep Purple option offered on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, though exact shades and finishes were not specified.
According to the report, Apple hardware chief John Ternus is engaging closely with the company's design lab in a manner reminiscent of Steve Jobs' tight collaboration with Jony Ive. This contrasts with Tim Cook's reported practice of visiting the design team only about once a month after becoming CEO, delegating more to specialists.