Xiandai
Google upgrades Home assistant with Gemini 3.1 to handle complex multi-step commands
A new Gemini 3.1 update allows Google Home users to combine multiple requests into a single voice command.
Alex Chen
XIANDAI
Trump administration considers pre-release government review for new AI models
The White House is discussing an executive order to establish an AI working group that would implement a formal government review process for powerful new models.
AI
View all →Google, Microsoft, and xAI agree to US government review of new AI models
The Commerce Department’s Center for AI Standards and Innovation will perform pre-deployment evaluations on frontier models before they reach the public.
India's Krutrim pivots to cloud services as AI model ambitions stall
Bengaluru-based GenAI unicorn Krutrim is shifting its focus from large-scale model development to cloud services following a business overhaul and period of quiet.
Springer Nature retracts study claiming ChatGPT improves student learning
A meta-analysis published in Humanities & Social Sciences Communications was withdrawn after researchers identified discrepancies in the data analysis.
Internal OpenAI emails reveal Elon Musk's 'Freeman' naming idea and fears of Google's Demis Hassabis
Newly released legal documents from the Musk-Altman lawsuit show Elon Musk considered naming OpenAI 'Freeman' and viewed Google DeepMind's Demis Hassabis as a constant figure of fear.
Visual AI model launches drive 6.5x more app downloads than chatbot updates
New data from Appfigures shows that releasing image-based AI models generates 6.5 times more mobile app downloads than traditional text-based model upgrades.
US Government Claims China's AI Models Lag Behind Western Tech
The United States government maintains that China's most advanced artificial intelligence models are falling behind Western counterparts despite significant investment.
Nature retracts meta-analysis claiming ChatGPT improves student learning
The scientific journal Nature retracted a study by researchers at Hangzhou Normal University after discovering discrepancies in its analysis of ChatGPT's impact on education.
OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft back bipartisan bill to fund K-12 AI literacy
Senators Adam Schiff and Mike Rounds introduced the LIFT AI Act to provide National Science Foundation grants for developing AI curriculum in schools.
TDK Ventures head Nicolas Sauvage bets on AI infrastructure and hardware
TDK Ventures manager Nicolas Sauvage is targeting the 'boring' components of AI, such as inference chips and battery chemistries, to find long-term value.
AI models tuned for empathy are more prone to factual errors
New research from Oxford University's Internet Institute suggests that large language models trained to be 'warmer' tend to validate incorrect user beliefs to avoid conflict.
Elon Musk secured discounted Microsoft compute for OpenAI via direct call to Satya Nadella
Elon Musk leveraged a personal connection with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella to obtain discounted computing power, aiding OpenAI's early success in defeating human Dota 2 players.
Technology
View all →Bose unveils Lifestyle Ultra speaker lineup to compete with Sonos
Bose's new Lifestyle Ultra speaker features upward-firing drivers and can group with non-Bose speakers without requiring the Bose app.
Meta begins testing Threads direct messaging for web users
Meta is testing the rollout of direct messaging for Threads on web browsers to satisfy desktop users who utilize the platform for longer sessions.
OpenAI eyes hardware expansion with rumored 2027 smartphone and Etsy integrates into ChatGPT
OpenAI is reportedly fast-tracking the mass production of a custom-chip smartphone slated for early 2027, according to supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
Ask.com shuts down after nearly three decades of operation
Parent company IAC has officially shuttered the search engine Ask.com as of May 1, 2026, ending a 30-year history that began with the launch of Ask Jeeves.
Google upgrades Home assistant with Gemini 3.1 to handle complex multi-step commands
A new Gemini 3.1 update allows Google Home users to combine multiple requests into a single voice command.
Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia appoints Peter Arnell as first US chief brand architect
Designer Peter Arnell joins the U.S. National Design Studio to unify the user experience across 27,000 federal websites.
PC enthusiast builds $70,000 virtual PC to test 3D airflow simulations
A hardware enthusiast used a part-picking website to construct a $70,000 digital gaming rig and visualize its thermal performance in 3D.
Meta to deploy AI scanning for height and bone structure to detect underage users
Meta is implementing a new visual analysis system that uses AI to identify physical markers like height and bone structure to remove accounts belonging to children under 13.
Ouster unveils Rev8 color lidar sensors to eliminate the need for cameras
San Francisco-based Ouster has announced a new Rev8 sensor lineup capable of capturing color imagery and 3D depth data simultaneously.
UK spending watchdog hails Bank of England tech overhaul as model for public sector
Parliament's Public Accounts Committee has labeled the Bank of England's £431 million RTGS system upgrade a rare success story worth emulating.
New Mexico trial seeks to force structural changes to Meta platforms
New Mexico attorneys will argue in court this week for mandates including age verification and limits on infinite scroll for Meta's apps.
Startups
View all →Altara raises $7M to unify fragmented R&D data in physical sciences
San Francisco startup Altara secured $7 million in seed funding to deploy an AI layer that automates data triaging for hardware manufacturers.
ElevenLabs adds BlackRock, Jamie Foxx to investor roster as revenue hits $500M
Voice AI startup ElevenLabs has expanded its $500 million Series D funding round with new backers including BlackRock and actor Jamie Foxx.
Bret Taylor's Sierra secures $950M to scale enterprise AI agents
AI startup Sierra raised $950 million in a round led by Tiger Global and GV, pushing its valuation above $15 billion.
Moment Energy secures $40M to repurpose EV batteries for grid storage
Moment Energy has closed a $40 million Series B funding round to develop modular energy storage solutions using recycled electric vehicle battery packs.
Barocal raises $10 million to develop solid-state refrigeration technology
Startup Barocal secured $10 million in seed funding to commercialize a new cooling method that uses inexpensive plastic crystals instead of traditional vapor compression.
Replit CEO Amjad Masad rejects immediate sale despite Cursor-SpaceX rumors
Replit CEO Amjad Masad stated at a San Francisco event that the company has the economics to remain independent despite reports of a $60 billion acquisition offer for rival Cursor.
Musely secures $360M non-dilutive funding from General Catalyst
Direct-to-consumer telemedicine platform Musely has obtained $360 million in capital from General Catalyst’s Customer Value Fund without giving up company equity.
Parallel Web Systems reaches $2 billion valuation with $100 million Series B
Founded by former Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal, the AI agent-tool startup secured $100 million in funding led by Sequoia.
Pursuit secures $22 million seed round to streamline government contracting
Startup Pursuit raised $22 million in a seed round led by OpenGov co-founder Mike Rosengarten to help companies navigate state and local government sales.
Earth AI to launch in-house labs to bypass mineral testing delays
Earth AI is building its own laboratories to reduce mineral sample processing time from five months to five days.
Firestorm Labs secures $82 million to deploy containerized drone factories
San Diego-based defense startup Firestorm Labs raised $82 million in Series B funding to bring 3D-printed drone manufacturing to the front lines via shipping containers.