AI & Robotics News and Discussions

[firestar464]

Well, this is interesting. I remember Sam Altman saying that we would have superhuman level persuasion capability long before actual superintelligence itself. I would be hesitant to call that this though.

People Are Losing Loved Ones to AI-Fueled Spiritual Fantasies

Self-styled prophets are claiming they have 'awakened' chatbots and accessed the secrets of the universe through ChatGPT

By Miles Klee

May 4, 2025

Source: Rolling Stones

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Unfortunately, this one is paywalled, hopefully the article can be accessed if one hasn't read any other free monthlies.

Pro-AI Subreddit Bans 'Uptick' of Users Who Suffer from AI Delusions

https://www.404media.co/pro-ai-subreddi ... delusions/

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Amazon Is Testing Bipedal Delivery Robots to Deliver Packages
Apparently, the Terminator 800 got its start delivering packages.
By Josh Gulick June 5, 2025

As Amazon builds up its robotic workforce, we’re seeing everything from squat and goofy to humanoid and somewhat intimidating. The Amazon Astro (and its doomed Business version) putters around with a smile, but the bipedal Digit has the size and shape of a human—and it walks. Digit started with basic warehouse tasks at an Amazon research facility, but Amazon is now testing a similar robot that can deploy from a van to deliver packages, according to The Verge.

Right now, it looks like Amazon is still a long way from letting its bipedal robot kick down, er, deliver packages to your door. Testing will begin soon in a custom facility that will let the robots hop out of a Rivian van, which appears to be Amazon’s vision for when the robots are eventually cleared to take to the streets. Amazon’s existing fleet of blue delivery vans is made by Rivian, so it’s not surprising that the electric vehicle maker is part of this new delivery system. There’s no word yet on when the robots might get the OK to head into the real world.

https://www.extremetech.com/computing/a ... r-packages

[Cyber_Rebel]

Not certain whether there was an ElevenLabs thread or not, but I remember back when it made the waves here and how enthusiastic everyone was. Amazing to see just how far they've come since.

Meet Eleven v3. The most expressive Text to Speech model.

[wjfox]

[firestar464]

[wjfox]

AI Chatbot Turns Out to Be 700 Engineers in India

The company has declared for bankruptcy and owes millions to Amazon and Microsoft in cloud computing costs.

June 6, 2025

London-based startup Builder.ai reportedly hired 700 engineers to pose as, and do the work of, its AI chatbot Natasha. The company initially promised customers the ability to produce an app entirely generated by AI.

The setup is an example of AI-washing, where businesses are able to benefit from the excitement surrounding the new technology, without actually having to implement it. Builder.ai’s perceived potential earned it previous investment and backing from many companies, including Microsoft.

We can expect to see AI-washing on the rise as the pressure to implement AI continues to mount on businesses, at the risk of being left out of the loop.

It has been revealed that Builder.ai, a startup backed by Microsoft, hired engineers to pose as the company’s AI assistant, Natasha. The company caught investors’ attention by claiming it could use AI to make the process of building an app “as easy as ordering a pizza.”

Originally, users were prompted to chat with Natasha and give the assistant the information it needed to build an app. Soon after, users would receive the app based on their initial prompts. However, instead of using AI technology for the chatbot and app generation, the company hired 700 engineers in India to pose as the chatbot and build the app themselves.

https://tech.co/news/ai-startup-chatbot ... -engineers

[weatheriscool]

Copilot Vision Lets AI See Your Windows 11 Screen and Guide You in Real Time
The company said activating Copilot Vision is fully optional; you're in control of which windows to share and can stop at any time.
By Devesh Beri June 13, 2025

Microsoft has released Copilot Vision on Windows, a new AI tool that lets you share what's visible on your screen with the AI and talk to it simultaneously. Copilot can analyze what you see on your screen, answer your questions, and guide you as you work with different apps and tasks.

The system lets you share up to two apps or windows at a time, so Copilot can gain context from multiple sources and help you connect information across different platforms.

https://www.extremetech.com/computing/c ... ou-in-real

[wjfox]

[firestar464]

[firestar464]

[spryfusion]

[firestar464]

US Army swore in tech executives as lieutenant colonels

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/us-ar ... xecutives/

[firestar464]

BBC threatens AI firm with legal action over unauthorised content use

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy7ndgylzzmo

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[firestar464]

[firestar464]

404 Media- Wikipedia Pauses AI-Generated Summaries After Editor Backlash

https://archive.ph/UlYTW

I mean, yeah, the lead already serves that purpose. This is redundant

[weatheriscool]

Jetpack-strapping rescue robot achieves stable lift and hover
By Paul Ridden
June 24, 2025

For the last few years, Italian engineers have been working on a humanoid robot for emergency response applications. The iRonCub3 has jets on its back and fire-breathers on its arms, and has now achieved stable take-off and hover for the first time.

Editor's note: Readers often ask us for follow-ups on memorable stories. What has happened to this story since publication? This article was originally published last year but has been re-edited and updated with new information current as of June, 2025. Enjoy!

The project from the Artificial and Mechanical Intelligence group at the Italian Institute of Technology (Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia) has taken a child-like biped designed for AI research – the iCub – and aims to get it off the ground using jet power

https://newatlas.com/ai-humanoids/ironc ... st-flight/

[caltrek]

Scientists Investigate Whether Using Artificial Intelligence Ruins Your Actual Intelligence
By Vitomir Kovanovic & Rebecca Marrone
June 26, 2025

Introduction:

(Science Alert) Since ChatGPT appeared almost three years ago, the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies on learning has been widely debated. Are they handy tools for personalised education, or gateways to academic dishonesty?

Most importantly, there has been concern that using AI will lead to a widespread "dumbing down", or decline in the ability to think critically. If students use AI tools too early, the argument goes, they may not develop basic skills for critical thinking and problem-solving.

Is that really the case? According to a recent study by scientists from MIT, it appears so. Using ChatGPT to help write essays, the researchers say, can lead to "cognitive debt" and a "likely decrease in learning skills".

So what did the study find?

Read more here: https://www.sciencealert.com/does-usin ... stigated

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