Micro1 Raises $35M at $500M Valuation to Supply Vetted AI Training Contractors ↗
Micro1 raised $35M at a $500M valuation to supply vetted human contractors for AI training. Led by O1 Advisors, the three‑year‑old startup — led by 24‑year‑old CEO Ali Ansari — says ARR jumped to $50M in 2025. Micro1’s AI recruiter 'Zara' vets expert labelers and the company is expanding into simulated training environments as labs diversify away from Scale AI.
NL Education Reform Report Riddled with Fake AI-Generated Citations ↗
Newfoundland and Labrador's 418-page education reform report includes at least 15 fabricated citations—possibly generated by an AI—despite urging ethical AI instruction. Academics couldn't locate sources (one cites a nonexistent 2008 film 'Schoolyard Games'). Co-chairs and the education department are reviewing the report and will update it online.
NSW AI Seatbelt Cameras Net $59M in Fines, Spark Privacy Concerns ↗
New South Wales' rollout of AI-powered seatbelt cameras has driven revenue from fines up 1,400%—to almost $59m from 132,698 penalties after scanning about 140 million vehicles since July 2024. Most flagged cases (88%) were incorrectly worn belts; only 0.09% of drivers were penalised. Fines exceed $400 plus three demerit points. Authorities say funds go to road safety; critics warn of privacy, fairness and automation pitfalls as fatalities remain high.
Vergecast: AI Drama Meets AirPods Pro 3 Cable-less Launch ↗
On the latest Vergecast, hosts David and Jake wrestle with the messy, high-stakes world of AI—big money, intense feelings, and scattered products—while catching up on gadget news. Highlights include Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 shipping without a charging cable and discussions around AI personalities and recent moves from OpenAI and Claude.
Medra AI Launches Continuous Science Platform to Automate Labs and Accelerate Discovery ↗
Medra AI launched the Continuous Science Platform, a closed-loop system pairing Physical AI (robotics automating ~70% of lab instruments and capturing fine-grained process data like reagent timings and pipette angles) with Scientific AI (which analyzes results and recommends protocol tweaks). The platform aims to boost throughput, reproducibility and discovery speed, and is already being piloted with partners including Addition Therapeutics and Lila Sciences across gene editing, protein work and antibody engineering.
Charlie Kaufman Slams Hollywood Formula, Premieres 'How to Shoot a Ghost' ↗
Charlie Kaufman, frustrated by financing woes and a stalled feature, is promoting a new short, How to Shoot a Ghost, as Eternal Sunshine is re-released. He rejects chasing studio formulas or doing work he considers "garbage," arguing Hollywood’s repetitive, AI-like machine fuels cultural harm. Candid about anxiety and art, Kaufman insists true creativity comes from lived experience and refuses to sacrifice that for mainstream clout.
OpenAI, Microsoft Sign MOU for $100B Public Benefit Corp Conversion ↗
OpenAI and Microsoft signed a non‑binding memorandum of understanding to let OpenAI convert its for‑profit arm into a public benefit corporation (PBC). OpenAI’s nonprofit would retain control and receive a stake in the PBC worth upwards of $100 billion. The deal needs state regulator approval (California and Delaware) and follows tense negotiations over cloud access, the failed Windsurf deal, and Elon Musk’s lawsuit and $97B bid.
FBI Releases Blurry Charlie Kirk Shooting Suspect Photo; AI ‘Enhancements’ Unreliable ↗
Today the FBI posted two blurry surveillance photos of a person of interest in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk. Social-media users quickly shared AI-upscaled “enhancements” (via X’s Grok, ChatGPT, etc.), but those images are inferred reconstructions, not evidence—AI fills gaps and often hallucinates (past depixelations altered race or added features). Eye-catching, yes; reliable for a manhunt, no.
Satirical CAAAC Parody Lampoons AI Alignment Industry ↗
A new parody called the Center for the Alignment of AI Alignment Centers (CAAAC) launched this week, lampooning the AI 'alignment' industry. The slick site mimics real labs but hides jokes (swirls that spell "bullshit"), a Bay Area–only hiring mock, a DIY AI-center generator, and even a Rickroll. It's satire by the team behind The Box.
Amazon Prime Video Adds AI-Powered ‘Pocket Health’ and End-of-Game Tools to Thursday Night Football ↗
Amazon Prime Video is adding new AI features to Thursday Night Football. “Pocket Health” analyzes tens of thousands of offensive-line data points to show on-screen how at-risk a quarterback is. New End-of-Game tools map possible possession scenarios and estimate how much time a trailing team would need for a comeback, joining earlier tools like Defensive Alerts that flag potential blitzers.