Technology

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

Source

MIT Technology Review

Published

Sep 16, 2025

TL;DR

AI Generated

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.

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Microsoft will allow users to indefinitely pause updates in Windows 11 — first change in over a decade to the mandatory update policy

Microsoft has announced a significant change in its update policy for Windows 11, allowing users to indefinitely pause updates. This marks the first time since Windows 10's launch in 2015 that users can pause updates indefinitely. The change aims to address user complaints about the mandatory update policy and lack of control over update timing. The new update options include delaying updates on new devices, scheduling updates, restoring normal shutdown and restart options, and providing clearer update information. Microsoft emphasizes that while users can now control updates more effectively, updates remain crucial for security and system stability.

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The Download: murderous ‘mirror’ bacteria, and Chinese workers fighting AI doubles

Scientists initially proposed creating mirror bacteria with reversed proteins and sugars for research purposes, but now fear these organisms could pose a catastrophic threat to life on Earth. In China, tech workers are concerned about AI replication of their skills and personalities, leading to fears of losing professional identity. Meanwhile, the White House and Anthropic are working on a compromise, and other tech news includes Palantir's manifesto, Germany's push for looser AI rules, and Nvidia's shift towards AI over gaming.

MIT Technology Review•

1 week ago

News outlets are blocking Wayback Machine from archiving their pages — 23 outlets concerned AI companies might abuse fair use and use it to train their models

Many news outlets are blocking the Wayback Machine from archiving their pages due to concerns that AI companies may misuse fair use policies by using archived content to train their models. This move could limit access to historical news stories and crucial information in an era where misinformation is rampant and AI models can generate convincing but false answers. Notably, 23 major publications, including USA Today and The New York Times, are currently blocking the Internet Archive's crawler. While some argue that publications should handle their own archiving, a neutral third party like the Wayback Machine is crucial for maintaining accurate historical records and tracking changes in online content. Despite concerns about fair use, preventing archiving services like the Wayback Machine could have more negative consequences than benefits for society.

Tom's Hardware•

2 weeks ago

Tested: Microsoft may finally end forced Windows 11 updates with a new pause feature that gives you full control

Microsoft is testing a new feature in Windows 11 that allows users to select a specific date to pause updates until then, potentially ending forced updates. This new feature replaces the existing dropdown menu for pausing updates for up to five weeks. Users may now have greater control over Windows Updates, with the ability to pause updates for as long as they want. The new pause controls are still under development, but users can now pick a date in the calendar to pause updates. This change marks a significant shift in Microsoft's approach to Windows updates.

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