Technology

The Download: what’s next for AI agents, and how Trump protects US tech companies overseas

Source

MIT Technology Review

Published

Jul 23, 2025

TL;DR

AI Generated

The article discusses the rise of AI agents, which are AI models that can provide information and take actions on behalf of users. Companies like OpenAI and Anthropic have developed products that can make bookings, fill in forms, and collaborate on coding projects. The piece also covers the Trump administration's efforts to protect US tech firms abroad and the use of AI by UK border officials to assess child asylum seekers. Additionally, it touches on topics such as Google's AI impacting web traffic, Iranian iPhones targeted with spyware, and Amazon shutting down its AI lab in Shanghai.

Read Full Article

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

SemiEngineering

The Smart Advantage: How Artificial Intelligence Is Transforming Inspection And Metrology In Semiconductor Manufacturing

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing semiconductor inspection and metrology by enhancing defect detection processes with automation, speed, and adaptability. AI-driven systems leverage Big Data to uncover patterns and anomalies that traditional methods may miss, leading to improved accuracy and efficiency. AI-integrated platforms like Nordson's SQ3000 Multi-Function System can detect microscopic flaws with unparalleled speed and efficiency, surpassing traditional methods. AI's real-time, in-line inspection capabilities enable rapid data processing without compromising production speed, while machine learning models adjust quickly to new production requirements. The advancement of Machine Learning (ML) in inspection systems is transforming defect detection by creating self-teaching AI systems that become smarter and more adaptable with each interaction.

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2 weeks ago

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The Download: gig workers training humanoids, and better AI benchmarks

Gig workers worldwide, like medical student Zeus in Nigeria, are training humanoid robots by recording their daily activities for data collection by companies like Micro1. These workers are helping to train humanoids for various tasks, raising concerns about privacy and consent. Meanwhile, the AI evaluation process needs to shift from isolated problem-solving to assessing performance in real-world, complex environments to better understand AI capabilities and impacts. Additionally, a quantum computer competition in Oxford aims to solve healthcare problems that traditional computers cannot, with a $5 million prize at stake.