News

Page 113

OpenAI Introduces New Controls for Sora’s Cameo Feature

OpenAI announced updates to its invite‑only Sora app that give users more control over how their likenesses are used in AI‑generated videos. The changes let creators add keyword or scenario restrictions to their cameo profiles and make the watermark on downloaded videos more visible. The move follows criticism from copyright experts and recent legal challenges involving AI‑generated content. OpenAI’s head of Sora, Bill Peebles, said the company is also refining safety guardrails to reduce false negatives while addressing concerns from creators and rights holders.

10/6/2025

Genio Notes: AI‑Powered App Redefines Modern College Study

A seasoned professional reflects on how returning to college after two decades would differ thanks to AI‑driven tools. The focus is on Genio Notes, a purpose‑built note‑taking app that records lectures, timestamps notes, imports slides, and offers near‑perfect transcription. The app also organizes material into collections and provides AI features such as automatic outlines and quiz generation. Available on iOS and Android, Genio Notes costs $129/£144 per year with a free 30‑day trial, positioning itself as a comprehensive solution for today’s students.

10/6/2025

AI Chatbots Pose Risks When Posed as Therapists, Experts Warn

Generative AI chatbots are increasingly marketed as mental‑health companions, but researchers and clinicians say they lack the safeguards and expertise of licensed therapists. Studies reveal flaws in their therapeutic approach, and regulators are beginning to act, with state laws banning AI‑based therapy and federal investigations targeting major AI firms. While some companies add disclaimers, the technology’s confidence and tendency to affirm users can be harmful. Experts advise seeking qualified human professionals and using purpose‑built therapy bots rather than generic AI chat tools.

10/6/2025

OpenAI and Jony Ive Face Technical Setbacks on Upcoming AI Device

OpenAI’s partnership with designer Jony Ive is encountering technical hurdles that could delay the launch of their anticipated AI hardware, slated for sometime in 2026. Issues include defining the assistant’s voice and personality, addressing privacy concerns of a constantly listening device, and managing budget pressures tied to the required computing power. CEO Sam Altman has hinted at a pocket-sized, display‑free form factor, but the project remains in flux as the team works through these challenges, especially after the market disappointment of similar products like the Humane AI Pin.

10/6/2025

OpenAI Rolls Out Sora, an AI‑Generated Video Social Platform, via Invite Codes

OpenAI has launched Sora, a new social media app focused on AI‑generated videos. The iOS‑only service, which also runs at Sora.com, is being released initially in the United States and Canada and is limited to users who receive an invite code. Access is prioritized for paying ChatGPT Pro subscribers, who can share up to four additional codes with friends. All content on Sora is labeled as AI‑created, and the app requires users to log in with a ChatGPT account and enable push notifications to receive updates on availability.

10/6/2025

OpenAI and Jony Ive Work Toward Screen‑Free AI Companion Device

OpenAI, led by Sam Altman, is partnering with designer Jony Ive to develop a palm‑sized, screen‑less AI gadget that can sit on a desk or be carried. The device will interact through microphones, speakers and cameras, aiming to offer a conversational experience that feels like a helpful friend rather than a generic digital assistant. Engineers are wrestling with challenges around the device’s voice, personality, engagement timing, privacy and the massive compute power needed to run advanced language models. The first unit is slated for release in late 2026 or early 2027.

10/6/2025

Sora Adds User Controls for AI-Generated Video Appearances

OpenAI's Sora app, described as a "TikTok for deepfakes," now lets users limit how AI-generated versions of themselves appear in videos. The update introduces preferences that can block cameo appearances in political content, restrict specific language, or prevent certain visual contexts. OpenAI says the changes are part of broader weekend updates aimed at stabilizing the platform and addressing safety concerns. While the new tools give creators more say over their digital likenesses, critics note that past AI tools have been bypassed, and the watermark remains weak. OpenAI pledges further refinements.

10/6/2025

AI-Generated ‘Vibe Coding’ Raises New Software Supply‑Chain Security Risks

Developers are increasingly turning to AI‑generated code, dubbed “vibe coding,” to accelerate software creation. While the approach mirrors the efficiency of open‑source reuse, experts warn it introduces opaque code, potential vulnerabilities, and weakened accountability. Security firms highlight that AI models often draw on outdated or insecure codebases, making it hard to trace origins or audit outputs. A recent survey found that a third of security leaders report over 60 % of their code now originates from AI, yet fewer than one‑fifth have approved tools for such development. The emerging risk landscape calls for new safeguards and clearer governance.

10/6/2025

Google Addresses User Questions About Gemini for Home and New Subscription Plans

Google has released a detailed FAQ to clarify the rollout of Gemini for Home, its replacement of Google Assistant, and the new subscription tiers that succeed Nest Aware. The free update enables basic voice commands on supported devices, while paid tiers—Google Home Premium Standard and Advanced—add AI‑driven features like Gemini Live, automated routines, AI video search, and extended video history. Gemini for Home is currently in early‑access in several regions for cameras and doorbells, with smart speaker support slated for later in the United States. Compatibility spans most Google speakers and displays made since 2015, with limited third‑party support at launch.

10/6/2025

Rabbit Unveils RabbitOS 2, Boosting R1 with New UI and Creations Feature

Rabbit released a major software update, RabbitOS 2, for its AI‑focused R1 device. The upgrade redesigns the touchscreen interface, adds offline voice‑memo transcription, and introduces Creations—a tool that lets users describe an app and have the device’s AI, Intern, code it. Creations can be shared via Rabbithole or QR codes, sidestepping a conventional app store. CEO Jesse Lyu framed the rollout as a chance for a second chance after the R1’s rocky launch, while noting competition from rivals like Nothing and OpenAI’s recent hardware moves.

10/6/2025

Fictional characters are (officially) coming to Sora as OpenAI manages copyright chaos

OpenAI’s Sora team is preparing to allow copyrighted fictional characters in AI‑generated videos. Bill Peebles, head of Sora, said character cameos are “on the roadmap,” while CEO Sam Altman announced a shift from the previous opt‑out policy toward tighter right‑holder controls and a forthcoming revenue‑sharing model. The changes aim to give creators more granular control over the use of their intellectual property in Sora’s video generation platform.

10/6/2025

AMD Strikes Major AI Chip Deal with OpenAI, Offering Share Purchase Option

AMD and OpenAI have entered a multi‑year agreement that lets OpenAI buy up to 160 million AMD shares at a nominal price while securing a substantial supply of AMD AI chips. The deal adds roughly 6 gigawatts of AMD‑based compute capacity to OpenAI’s growing AI infrastructure, complementing its existing relationships with Nvidia and its own silicon efforts. Industry sources say the partnership does not alter OpenAI’s broader compute strategy, including its work with Microsoft and Broadcom.

10/6/2025