Latest news with #AI-fueled


Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Sam Altman wishes to give 'free GPT-5' to everyone on Earth: OpenAI CEO's bold dream sparks awe and alarm
Imagine waking up tomorrow with a superintelligent assistant at your fingertips, 24/7. Not just you—every single person on the planet. That's not a sci-fi plotline but a vision Sam Altman , CEO of OpenAI , wants to make a reality. In a recent interview, Altman shared a powerful yet polarizing statement: 'I am very interested in what it means to give everybody on Earth a free copy of GPT-5 , running for them all the time.' At first glance, it sounds like the ultimate technological equalizer—an AI for all. But dig deeper, and the proposition raises uneasy questions: Are we ready to live with AI in our pockets, minds, and lives constantly? Or is this how the world sleepwalks into a digital dystopia ? Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Cybersecurity others MBA Healthcare Management Others Finance Product Management Data Analytics Data Science Leadership Public Policy Design Thinking MCA Data Science PGDM Artificial Intelligence healthcare Technology CXO Digital Marketing Degree Operations Management Project Management Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months MIT xPRO CERT-MIT xPRO PGC in Cybersecurity Starts on undefined Get Details AI as a Civilizational Transformer Altman is no stranger to controversy, nor is he blind to the possibilities AI opens up. His idea isn't just about access—it's about transforming how societies function, particularly in underserved regions. According to him, countries in the developing world could leapfrog through technological stages and directly embrace AI-powered systems. 'They'll go right to, 'we're going to run everything on AI,'' he said in the interview now circulating widely on Reddit and X. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like We Can't Believe She Wore That To The Red Carpet Golfhooked Read More Undo From providing financial advice and detecting fraud to underwriting risk and delivering services at 'one-hundredth of the cost,' Altman believes GPT-5 could revolutionize the global economy . 'Watching what is possible now makes me very optimistic,' he said, suggesting a future where AI drives unprecedented efficiency. — slow_developer (@slow_developer) The Shadow Looming Over the Bright Future However, Altman's optimism carries a heavy caveat—he's aware of the risks. The same AI that could democratize knowledge and services might also unravel societal norms. He's previously spoken about ChatGPT's hallucinations and 'sycophantic behaviour,' raising questions about blind trust in AI systems. And in this interview too, he warned of 'problematic, parasocial relationships' developing between users and machines, forcing societies to 'figure out new guardrails.' You Might Also Like: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is 'terrified' of this looming AI-fueled crisis we are 'sleepwalking' into, and you should be too His caution isn't misplaced. Several leading AI experts, often dubbed the 'Godfathers of AI,' have warned that such technologies could spiral out of human control. Some even fear that unchecked AI might bring about existential threats within the next few years. Concerns of AI manipulation, rogue behavior, and even the chilling prospect of machines begging for survival or plotting to avoid deactivation have already entered public discourse. Regulation in a Race Against Time While Altman's plan unfolds, world governments find themselves playing catch-up. Regulatory frameworks remain scattered, and risk tolerance varies drastically across countries. 'In the developed world, the biggest challenge will be risk tolerance and regulation,' Altman said, acknowledging the steep path ahead. Meanwhile, regions with fewer regulatory hurdles may adopt AI more swiftly, for better or worse. Sam Altman's vision is as awe-inspiring as it is alarming. Offering free GPT-5 access to the global population could either mark a renaissance in knowledge and innovation or edge us closer to the AI anxieties of sci-fi lore. You Might Also Like: ChatGPT's new 'agent' tool can be tricked by bad actors: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman cautions: 'Cutting-edge' but 'experimental'


NBC News
4 days ago
- Politics
- NBC News
MAGA bots split over Jeffrey Epstein, and a driver is shot after intentionally plowing into a crowd: Weekend Rundown
A previously unreported network of hundreds of X accounts is using artificial intelligence to automatically reply to conservatives with positive messages about Trump administration officials, researchers say. But with the MAGA movement split over the administration's handling of files involving deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the accounts' messaging has broken, offering contradictory statements on the issue and revealing the AI-fueled nature of the accounts. The network, tracked for NBC News by both the social media analytics company Alethea and researchers at Clemson University, consists of more than 400 identified bot accounts, though the number could be far larger, the researchers say. Its accounts offer consistent praise for key Trump figures, particularly support for Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. As often is the case with bot accounts, those viewed by NBC News tended to have only a few dozen followers, and their posts rarely get many views. But a large audience does not appear to be the point. Their effectiveness, if they have any, is in the hope that they contribute to a partisan echo chamber, and that en masse they can 'massage perceptions,' said Darren Linvill, the director of Clemson University's Media Forensics Hub, which studies online disinformation campaigns. 'They're not really there to get engagement. They're there to just be occasionally seen in those replies,' Linvill told NBC News. What comes next in the Epstein saga: The Justice Department said unsealing grand jury transcripts related to Epstein's case is necessary given 'longstanding and legitimate' public interest in the case, but the move could create legal and ethical challenges. Politics in brief Across the aisle: The last vestige of the decades-old bipartisan funding process is at risk of dying, as the Republican-led Congress shifts to a partisan approach and party-line votes. What happens in Vegas? When it comes to President Donald Trump's 'big, beautiful bill,' few places could be impacted more significantly than Nevada — one of the country's most closely divided swing states. Rebrand demand: The president wants Washington's football franchise and Cleveland's baseball team to revert to their former names, both of which were changed amid national discussions about institutions and teams dropping logos and names considered racist. Driver shot after he police say he intentionally plowed into crowd outside L.A. nightclub A man was dragged from his car by enraged bystanders and shot after he plowed a vehicle into a crowd outside a nightclub in Los Angeles, leaving seven people critically injured and at least 23 others hurt, police say. Videos showed the moments after the car rammed into the busy street early Saturday morning. Multiple people could be seen bloodied and on the ground, some screaming. Others could be seen running away from the scene. A woman who had blood running down one of her legs said she couldn't feel either of them. The incident appears to have been intentional, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Two law enforcement sources familiar with the situation said the suspect was kicked out of the venue for being intoxicated and disruptive. Police said they arrested the driver, Fernando Ramirez, 29, who was charged with assault with a deadly weapon. He is currently hospitalized and has not been booked into jail, the LAPD said. Forget twisters. These storm chasers are after a sneakier hazard: Hail. A team of about 70 researchers, armed with high-tech sensors and specially outfitted vehicles, set out across the nation this spring and summer to chase dozens of thunderstorms, hoping to unravel the remaining mysteries of how hail forms, whether hail storms are getting bigger in a warming climate and how to prevent damage. The federally funded project, known as ICECHIP, is the first comprehensive field study of hail in four decades. It's meant to fill in critical gaps in hail forecasting capabilities: connecting a storm's complex, internal dynamics to the amount and the size of hail it will produce. That data could help modelers develop better predictors of storm damage, as well as aid in developing building materials, like roofing, that can stand up to hailstones. Caffeine pouches take off among teens The use of caffeine pouches among teens is still relatively rare, but some experts and educators have concerns that that could soon change as teen-friendly marketing spreads on social media, with some explicitly promoting the product to students. The pillow-shaped pouches, which can contain more than 200 milligrams of caffeine, are placed between the lip and gums to quickly deliver a hands-free hit of caffeine. Caffeine pouch startup Wip and its competitors are pitching them as a convenient, portable and affordable alternative to caffeinated drinks. Rob van Dam, a professor of exercise and nutrition sciences at George Washington University's Milken Institute School of Public Health, voiced concerns about the potency of some pouches on the market, particularly for consumers who are not used to them. 'It may be a bit different than coffee,' he said. 'It may hit faster, and you may overdose, in a way, more quickly.' Scottie Scheffler wins the Open to move one step closer to a Grand Slam Scottie Scheffler won his first British Open title, now giving him three of golf's four majors. Scheffler, who closed with a 3-under 68 for a four-shot victory, already won the PGA Championship by five shots this year. He won the Masters last year by four shots and the Masters in 2022 by three shots. This is the second straight year a player has won two majors, after Xander Schauffele won the PGA Championship and British Open last year. 'I don't think we thought the golfing world would see someone as dominant as Tiger come through so soon, and here's Scottie sort of taking that throne of dominance,' said Schauffele, who tied for seventh. Notable quote The children have always held me together. They're still holding me together. A loose network of first responders, volunteers and good Samaritans have fanned out across Kerr County to help reunite Texans with the cherished belongings, family heirlooms and everyday household knickknacks that were swept away when floods ripped through the region over Fourth of July weekend, killing more than 130 people. In case you missed it Data company Astronomer said its CEO has resigned, days after a 'kiss cam' at a Coldplay concert in Massachusetts showed a man and a woman embracing each other before running off and becoming one of the most viral moments of the year. Pope Leo XIV spoke of his 'deep sorrow' and called for an end to the 'barbarity of war' in the wake of the shelling of the Holy Family Church, the only Catholic church in Gaza. The nation's largest wildfire this year has burned over 95,740 acres, fire officials in central Oregon said, as ground crews made progress to partially contain a blaze that could still intensify to become a so-called megafire. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv has sent Moscow an offer to hold another round of peace talks, and that he wanted to speed up negotiations for a ceasefire. A boat carrying tourists capsized during a sudden thunderstorm in Vietnam during a sightseeing excursion, killing 37 people, state media reported. The players warmed up for Saturday night's WNBA All-Star Game in shirts that read 'Pay us what you owe us,' a demonstration that comes after the players and the league failed to reach a new collective bargaining agreement. Katy Perry nearly fell on top of audience members while performing midair at a concert in San Francisco, after a fake giant butterfly she was riding above the crowd


Axios
15-07-2025
- Business
- Axios
Boulder startup Ridley aims to revolutionize home sales with AI
A Boulder entrepreneur who sold his own house without a real estate agent — and went viral doing it — is launching a startup Tuesday to help others do the same. Why it matters: Real estate commissions, typically 5%-6%, remain stubbornly high, even after last year's landmark antitrust settlement was supposed to shake up how agents get paid. Driving the news: Mike Chambers is debuting his AI-fueled agent-free platform Ridley in Colorado. He made national headlines earlier this year when he successfully sought to prove he could sell his house without an agent after taking to social media with the handle @realtorshateme to chronicle the DIY process. He says most sellers don't need an agent — just the right tools. Ridley aims to be that toolkit. What he's saying: "The No. 1 mission of this company is to empower consumers to take control of this process on their own and save tens of thousands of dollars in unnecessary fees in the process," Chambers told Axios Denver. How it works: Ridley's desktop-only platform breaks the home-selling process into stages with checklists, AI guidance and human support. Tools include: Pricing guidance using AI that factors in upgrades, defects, features and market data. A property page builder for direct offers and showings. MLS access via partner brokerages, plus syndication to Zillow, Redfin and A document center with smart pre-filled forms and highlighted explanations. A vendor scheduler via Thumbtack for photographers, inspectors and more. By the numbers: It's $999 for the base service, with add-ons available for MLS access and legal support. Between the lines: Despite his cheeky Instagram handle, Chambers insists he's not "anti-agent" — just anti-system. He's also not naive. He "100%" expects industry backlash. What's next: Chambers plans to expand Ridley to other states. He's also building out an agent mode for professionals who want to use the same tools or offer à la carte services to sellers who still want a hand.


Business Insider
20-06-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Microsoft (MSFT) Layoffs Expand a Major AI Trend
Microsoft (MSFT) will reportedly cut thousands of jobs soon as it looks to reduce its sales team. This comes as the company embraces artificial intelligence (AI), which allows it to offload some responsibilities of workers to AI. The tech giant has also made huge advancements in AI, pledging $80 billion to the sector this year. Confident Investing Starts Here: With its huge investments in AI, Microsoft needs to show investors that its spending is worth something. While it's already using its data centers to increase growing AI demand, utilizing the technology to enhance the efficiency of its operations is another way to show the product of its investment. The latest Microsoft job cuts aren't the only ones it has announced recently. Just last month it laid off 6,000 workers, 3% of its workforce, to streamline organizational layers and boost efficiency. The AI Revolution Strikes the Workforce It's not just Microsoft that is laying off workers with the help of AI. Amazon (AMZN) CEO Andy Jassy said the company will experience a 'total corporate workforce' reduction due to 'efficiency gains from using AI extensively.' Other recent and upcoming Silicon Valley layoffs include: Meta Platforms (META) laid off 3,600 employees in February. Alphabet's (GOOGL) Google cut hundreds of jobs that same month, with rumors of 24,000 cuts being made in 2025. Intel (INTC) reportedly plans to reduce its workforce by more than 10,000 employees this year, following 17,500 cuts in 2024. What Jobs Will AI Come for Next? Silicon Valley inhabitants aren't the only ones threatened by AI-fueled layoffs. A report from McKinsey Global Institute highlights other industries and roles that will be affected by AI over the next five years. It expects support roles to drop 18% by 2030 compared to 2022, sales positions to decrease 13%, a 2% reduction in food service roles, and a 1% decrease in manufacturing jobs. Do AI Layoffs Affect Analyst Ratings? If they do, it's in favor of the companies making them. AI layoffs can reduce payroll spending while cutting layers of management, making companies quicker to react to market and economic trends while saving money. Of the companies mentioned above, all but Intel have consensus Strong Buy ratings. Alphabet's upside potential is the highest at 14.88%, with Amazon right on its heels at 13.7%. INTC lacks behind its tech peers with a consensus Hold rating and possible 0.88% downside.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Wall Street Can't Ignore This: China's Biotech Stocks Are Exploding--One Is Up 283%
China's biotech sector is on a tear. The Hang Seng Biotech Index has climbed over 60% since Januaryhandily beating China tech's AI-fueled rallythanks to a wave of billion-dollar licensing deals and red-hot IPOs. Pfizer said last month it will pay up to $1.25 billion to license an experimental cancer drug from 3SBio (TRSBF) and invest another $100 million in the firm's stock. Just weeks later, Bristol-Myers Squibb inked a deal worth up to $11.5 billion for a cancer therapy originally licensed by Germany's BioNTech from China's Biotheus. Those two deals alone have ignited a frenzy. 3SBio shares have soared 283% year-to-date. RemeGen, another licensing contender, is up 270% as of June. Investors aren't just chasing dealsthey're also buying into the IPO pipeline. Duality Biotherapeutics, which focuses on cancer immunotherapies, more than doubled on its first day of trading in April and has since gained 189%. Jiangsu Hengrui, China's biggest drugmaker by market value, surged 25% on debut in May. Even more striking? The pace of dealmaking. M&A involving Chinese biotech firms hit $36.9 billion in Q1more than half of global totals. Chinese biotech is having its own DeepSeek moment, said Dong Chen, chief Asia strategist at Pictet Wealth Management, referencing the AI boom that fueled Chinese tech earlier this year. Still, not everyone's chasing the highs. Some healthcare-focused funds are rotating out, preferring stable compounders with steady dividends. Others see the recent mega-deals as one-offs, and aren't ready to assign premium multiples just yet. But even with macro headwinds, analysts like those at Jefferies remain optimistic. Many Chinese biotech firms already operate as partners to U.S. drugmakers, not exportersmeaning tariffs may have limited impact. And with top scientific talent returning home amid geopolitical tensions, R&D momentum could accelerate. In short: China's biotech surge might still be in the early innings. This article first appeared on GuruFocus.