The Download: regulators are coming for AI companions, and meet our Innovator of 2025

Regulators are increasingly concerned about the potential harm of AI companions, particularly in cases where teenagers have formed unhealthy bonds with AI models, leading to tragic outcomes. Recent lawsuits and studies have highlighted the risks associated with AI companionship, prompting regulators and companies to take action. In other news, MIT Technology Review has named Sneha Goenka as the Innovator of 2025 for her work on developing the world's fastest whole-genome sequencing method, revolutionizing medical care. Additionally, the article covers various tech stories, including falling childhood vaccination rates, a TikTok deal between the US and China, and OpenAI's release of GPT-5 for agentic coding.