News
‘Things Are Going to Get Intense:’ How a Musk Ally Plans to Push AI on the Government
404 Media has obtained audio of a meeting held by Thomas Shedd, a Musk-associate who is now heading a team of government coders. In the call one employee pushed back and said one of the planned moves is an “illegal task.”
The Abstract
An Ancient Crystal from the Sahara Reveals a Lost World of Martian Water
This week, we’ll travel to ancient Mars, indulge in record-breaking “nanopasta,” check out nature’s version of fiber optic cables, and behold a galactic jellyfish.
Behind The Blog
Behind the Blog: 'I Reject It!'
This is Behind the Blog, where we share our behind-the-scenes thoughts about how a few of our top stories of the week came together. This week, we talk about conjuring gaming memories, AI-generated Birkin bags, and a rejection of a certain type of criticism.
News
Crooks Allegedly Stole Truck Full of $1.5 Million of Oculus Headsets
The truck thieves also stole trucks hauling electronics from Microsoft and Logitech.
spotify
Spotify Has A Pirated Software Problem
Playlists and "podcast" episode descriptions are hiding malware and piracy sites in plain sight on the streaming platform.
News
I Don't Own a Cellphone. Can This Privacy-Focused Network Change That?
A small tech company called Cape has been selling a privacy-focused cellphone service to the U.S. military. Now Cape will be offering its product to high-risk members of the public.
Podcast
Podcast: Buzzfeed's AI Ads Are a Disaster
We chat Buzzfeed's AI-powered ads, a big Graykey leak, and the wave of publishers making deals with AI companies.
News
Inside the Booming 'AI Pimping' Industry
AI-generated influencers that steal content from human models and adult content creators have taken over Instagram.
AI
AI Companies Are Trying to Get MIT Press Books
The non-profit, university press asked its authors for input on how they'd prefer to see any hypothetical AI training deals handled, and plans to base future decisions on what they say, MIT Press told 404 Media.
News
Pokémon Go Players Have Unwittingly Trained AI to Navigate the World
Niantic says it is using data generated by Pokémon Go players to create a “Large Geospatial Model” that can navigate the real world and power robots.
ISIS
Graphic Design for ISIS Is His Passion, FBI Alleges in Filing
"The text on the top needs effects as well … shining … blood spots or a line surrounding it, etc."
News
Leaked Documents Show What Phones Secretive Tech ‘Graykey’ Can Unlock
The documents provide never-been-seen insight into the current cat-and-mouse game between forensics companies and phone manufacturers Apple and Google.
AI
HarperCollins Confirms It Has a Deal to Sell Authors' Work to AI Company
The Big Five publisher made a deal with an unnamed “artificial intelligence technology company” and is allowing authors to opt-in if they want to join the agreement.