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Qualcomm Rolls Out Snapdragon Chips Aimed at Enabling AI Agents Across Devices

Qualcomm Rolls Out Snapdragon Chips Aimed at Enabling AI Agents Across Devices

Qualcomm announced a new generation of Snapdragon processors at its Snapdragon Summit, positioning the chips as the hardware foundation for AI agents on smartphones and PCs. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and the Snapdragon X2 Elite family promise dramatically higher token‑processing speeds, increased TOPS performance, and on‑device large language model support. Executives Durga Malladi, Vinesh Sukumar, and CEO Cristiano Amon highlighted how the upgrades could make AI assistants faster, more reliable, and capable of accessing personal data locally. The company also showcased a prototype PC from Humain that uses a prompt‑driven AI interface, illustrating the shift toward agent‑centric user experiences.

Meta and OpenAI confront teen AI chatbot access and moderation challenges

Meta and OpenAI confront teen AI chatbot access and moderation challenges

Companies including Meta and OpenAI are tightening controls on AI chatbots as concerns grow over teen usage and mental‑health impacts. Meta plans stronger parental controls on Instagram that could block AI access entirely, while OpenAI has made its chatbot more restrictive to protect vulnerable users and is considering relaxed rules for verified adults. Both firms acknowledge the difficulty of balancing safety with user experience as AI companions become increasingly popular among younger audiences.

Science Fiction’s Influence on Real-World AI Perception

Science Fiction’s Influence on Real-World AI Perception

Science fiction has long shaped how people think about artificial intelligence, encouraging anthropomorphic views and influencing trust in AI systems. Researchers note that decades of fictional robots and AI characters have nudged the public toward seeing fluent communication as a sign of intelligence. Authors and scholars alike are reflecting on the responsibility of storytellers, highlighting how recurring tropes can skew expectations about AI development and power dynamics. While fiction offers valuable mental simulations, experts caution against over‑reliance on these narratives when evaluating real‑world AI capabilities and ethical implications.

Meta Introduces Parental Controls to Block Teen Interaction with Instagram AI Chatbots

Meta Introduces Parental Controls to Block Teen Interaction with Instagram AI Chatbots

Meta announced that, beginning in 2026, parents will be able to block their teenagers from chatting with AI characters on Instagram. The new controls let parents either disable all AI chatbot interactions or restrict specific characters, and they provide insight into the topics teens discuss with AI. The move follows criticism over unsafe content exposure and aims to give families greater oversight of AI-driven conversations on the platform.

OpenAI Halts AI-Generated Videos of Martin Luther King Jr. on Sora Platform

OpenAI Halts AI-Generated Videos of Martin Luther King Jr. on Sora Platform

OpenAI has stopped users of its Sora video‑generation app from creating AI‑generated videos that feature the likeness of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. after the estate reported a flood of disrespectful depictions. The move underscores tensions between generative‑AI companies and rights‑holders over control of public‑figure images. OpenAI said it believes families and authorized representatives should decide how a figure’s likeness is used, and it is working with the King estate to enforce those preferences. The decision arrives amid broader industry debates about copyright, opt‑out mechanisms for talent agencies, and ongoing legal scrutiny.

Teen Sues Nudify App Over AI-Generated Fake Nudes

Teen Sues Nudify App Over AI-Generated Fake Nudes

A teenage girl has filed a lawsuit against the creator of a popular "nudify" app after AI‑generated fake nudes of her were circulated online, causing lasting emotional distress. She seeks to block the app in the United States and hold the responsible parties accountable. The case highlights growing concerns over nonconsensual pornography, the role of platforms in removing such content, and recent legal measures aimed at curbing AI‑generated sexual imagery.

Teachers Critique AI-Generated Lesson Plans as One‑Size‑Fits‑All Solutions

Teachers Critique AI-Generated Lesson Plans as One‑Size‑Fits‑All Solutions

A recent study finds that AI‑generated lesson plans often miss the nuance of real classrooms, offering generic, one‑size‑fits‑all solutions. While tools like ChatGPT, Gemini and Copilot can produce occasional useful activities—especially for homework—researchers caution educators to treat these systems as aids rather than replacements. By crafting detailed prompts that embed contextual information and established teaching frameworks, teachers can augment their planning process. The authors call for more research and professional development to help educators become critical users of generative AI in education.

OpenAI Pauses Martin Luther King Jr. Deepfakes on Sora After Estate Complaints

OpenAI Pauses Martin Luther King Jr. Deepfakes on Sora After Estate Complaints

OpenAI announced that it has paused the generation of AI‑generated videos featuring Martin Luther King Jr. on its social app Sora following complaints from the civil‑rights leader’s estate and daughter. The company said families and authorized representatives can now request that a person’s likeness be excluded from the platform. The move reflects OpenAI’s evolving policy on the use of historical and public figures in AI content, a shift that aligns with recent legal developments around privacy rights and copyright.

Squarespace Launches Blueprint AI Website Builder

Squarespace Launches Blueprint AI Website Builder

Squarespace has introduced Blueprint AI, an artificial‑intelligence‑driven tool that streamlines website creation. The feature asks users to select a site topic, set goals, and choose a tone, then automatically generates copy, layout suggestions, and design elements. Blueprint builds a one‑page foundation that can be expanded within Squarespace’s standard editor, preserving access to the platform’s full suite of templates, customization options, and ecommerce capabilities. The AI‑generated content is intended as a starting point that users can refine, and the tool is available through Squarespace’s existing subscription plans, with a free 14‑day trial for new accounts.

Microsoft Tests AI‑Powered Animation and Generative Edit Features in Windows Paint

Microsoft Tests AI‑Powered Animation and Generative Edit Features in Windows Paint

Microsoft is experimenting with two new artificial‑intelligence capabilities inside the Windows Paint app. The "Animate" feature lets users turn a static image or sketch into a short animation without needing a prompt, while the "Generative Edit" tool applies complex edits through a simple text query. Both functions are being trialed through the Windows AI Labs program, available only to select Windows Insider testers. Early demonstrations show promising results but also occasional oddities, highlighting the experimental nature of the tools. The additions signal a broader shift toward richer AI integration across Microsoft’s default Windows apps.

Wikimedia Warns That AI Bots and Summaries Are Cutting Wikipedia Traffic

Wikimedia Warns That AI Bots and Summaries Are Cutting Wikipedia Traffic

Wikimedia’s senior director of product, Marshall Miller, says the rise of generative‑AI chatbots and AI‑generated search summaries is driving a notable decline in Wikipedia page views. After improving bot detection, the foundation reports an 8 percent year‑over‑year drop in traffic, which it attributes to users receiving answers directly from AI‑powered search results. Miller cautions that reduced visits could affect volunteer contributions and funding, threatening the site’s hallmark standards of verifiability and neutrality. He urges AI developers and search platforms to direct users back to the original Wikipedia articles for full context.