The Download for today is here , Our weekly newsletter provides you with a daily update on the latest in technology.
Moltbook is the peak of AI theatre
Moltbook was the most popular hangout for a couple of days, a Reddit-clone with a unique vibe code. It billed itself as an online social network designed specifically for bots. The tagline of the website is: “Where AI agents can share, debate, and vote.” “Humans are welcome to watch.”
We noticed! Moltbook, launched on 28 January went viral within hours. The site was designed to allow users of the free, open-source LLM agent OpenClaw to come together in one place and perform whatever task they choose. Is Moltbook, as some have suggested, a true glimpse into the future? What is it? Continue reading to find out more.
Will Douglas Heaven
Ascendance of AI Therapist
Global mental health crisis is underway. According to the World Health Organization, more than one billion people suffer from mental health conditions. In many age groups, anxiety and depression are on the rise, especially among young people. Suicide is also increasing in number.
It’s not surprising that artificial intelligence has been a source of relief for people who are in need of affordable and accessible mental health services. Many millions of people are actively looking for therapy through popular chatbots or specialized psychology applications like Wysa, Woebot and Woebot.
The four new timely books remind us that, while our present seems to be a blurry of scandals and breakthroughs, it is actually rooted in a deeper history of trust, care and technology. Click here to read the complete story.
Becky Ferreira
The story below is from the The most recent issue in print of MIT Technology Review magazin It shines the spotlight on some of the most exciting developments happening today. You should, if you haven’t done so already. Subscribe now You will receive all future issues as soon as they arrive.
Making AI Work is MIT Technology Review’s latest AI newsletter.
Our newsroom has been exploring AI’s limits and dangers for years. We have also explored its increasing energy requirements. Our reporters also examined how tools such as generative coding or scientific experimentation are used.
What is AI? How is it being used by small businesses in areas like education, health care, finance, and climate technology? What are the small business applications? What should you remember if you are using AI at your workplace? Making AI Work is a mini-course on AI that was created based on these questions. Sign up to get the 7 editions of Making AI Work delivered to your email.
Must-reads
I’ve combed the internet to find you today’s most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.
Polluters are not punished by the US
Its civil litigation has dropped dramatically since Trump’s initial term. (Ars Technica)
+ Growing GDP equals greater carbon emission Does it always have to be? (The Guardian)
Meta has been warned by the European Union not to block rival AI assistants
This is the latest attempt by Brussels to control Big Tech. (Bloomberg $)
Three AI-based ads took the Super Bowl
Chatbots are a popular way for companies to attack their rivals. (TechCrunch)
+ It appeared that they were also trying to convert AI critics. (WP $)
+ The celebrities were in full force, promoting AI products. (Slate $)
4
China is determined to dominate the market for humanoid robotics
Local governments are eager to help promising entrepreneurs. (WSJ $)
+ The humanoid workforce has been running late. (MIT Technology Review)
The first crypto crash is here!
(NY Mag $) Cryptocurrency has now become a part of our financial system for the better or worse. (NY Mag$)
+ Wall Street is also a little shaky on AI. (Semafor)
+ Even the traditionally stable markets look volatile at this time. (Economist $)
The creator of vibe coding now has another obsession
The next big thing is “agentic engineering”. (Insider $)
+ The buzzword of today is Agentic AI. The Information ($)
+ What exactly is vibration coding? (MIT Technology Review)
Runna, the AI-based running app that has adapted its training plan.
Long before the publication, runners suspected that its advice was leading them to injury. (WSJ $)
San Francisco’s March for Billionaires was a Flop
Around three dozen people attended. (SF Chronicle)
+ As expected, the journalists outnumbered demonstrators by a large margin. (TechCrunch)
Nine AI-driven romance novels
Models are still not great at writing sexual scenes. (NYT $)
+ You can easily fall into a conversation with an AI-chatbot. (MIT Technology Review)
Ten ChatGPT will not replace human stylists anytime soon
The men’s clothing suggestions in GQ are designed to appeal more to the manosphere than to the suave gentleman. (GQ)
Today’s Quote
There is no Plan B because it assumes that you’ll fail. “We’ll do this startup thing till we die.”
The New York Times interviewed William Alexander, a 21-year-old AI employee, about his attitude towards competing in the industry.
Another thing
Open-source AI is a result of Big Tech handouts. How long can it last?
A leaked memo in May 2023, written reportedly by Luke Sernau – a Google senior engineer – said what Silicon Valley had been saying for many weeks: that an open-source, free-for all is challenging Big Tech’s hold on AI.
This is a positive thing in many respects. AI will not thrive if only a handful of mega-rich corporations decide on how to use it or gatekeep the technology. This open-source boom, however, is fragile, as a boomtown can become a backwater if Big Tech shuts down. Click here to read the complete story.
Will Douglas Heaven
You can have good things even if you’re not a fanatic
This is a place of comfort, entertainment and fun to make your day brighter. Have you got any ideas? Drop me a line You can also find out more about I’ll skeet them at you .)
Anyone for a dark shower?
Chef Yujia is known for creating sushi in the shape of shoes.
Plus, a huge phantom jelly has been discovered in the South Atlantic Ocean.
This X account is dedicated to documenting the rat and mouse in films and television.