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According to TechCrunch, prominent figures in Silicon Valley, including David Sacks and Jason Kwon of OpenAI, have criticized AI safety advocates, alleging self-serving motives behind their regulatory efforts. Sacks accused organizations like Anthropic of fearmongering to push regulatory measures that could harm smaller startups. Meanwhile, OpenAI has subpoenaed nonprofits critical of its restructuring, raising concerns about suppressing dissent within the AI safety community. The debate underscores a growing rift between those prioritizing AI’s rapid commercial deployment and those advocating for cautious regulation. The controversy highlights Silicon Valley’s struggle to balance innovation with ethical responsibility. Source 1

Computer World reports that Anthropic has launched a new feature for its AI assistant Claude, called Agent Skills, designed to streamline enterprise workflows. This functionality enables users to create specialized task modules, such as handling Microsoft 365 integrations or generating reports across PowerPoint and Excel, with minimal manual intervention. While this development places Anthropic in competition with Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI, its focus on safety and predictability may distinguish it in sensitive industries like healthcare and finance. However, experts note that the success of these tools relies heavily on enterprises having structured internal workflows. Source 2

As reported by Tech Radar, Google is preparing to integrate its Nano Banana AI image generator into its Messages app. This tool, already part of Google Lens and NotebookLM, allows users to edit and create images directly within chat threads. The AI’s role appears focused on enhancing existing images, potentially transforming mundane photos into share-worthy content. While this signals Google’s broader strategy of embedding generative AI into everyday tools, it also reflects intensifying competition with Meta, Apple, and Snapchat, all of which are racing to integrate similar AI-driven features in their messaging platforms. Source 5

Science Alert highlights recent findings on how building cognitive reserve through intellectually stimulating activities can mitigate age-related cognitive decline. Research underscores the importance of lifelong learning, social engagement, and activities like playing musical instruments or learning new skills. The dynamic nature of cognitive reserve—shaped by ongoing experiences—offers hope for developing interventions that promote brain health in older adults. Critics argue that access to such opportunities often depends on socioeconomic factors, raising questions about equitable application of these findings. Source 4

Astronomers, according to Science Alert, have identified a dense, invisible dark matter blob in a galaxy 7.3 billion light-years away. Using gravitational lensing, scientists detected this object, estimated to be around one million times the mass of the Sun, marking a breakthrough in dark matter research. The discovery could refine theories about the structure of the universe and the behavior of dark matter. However, the exact identity of the blob remains uncertain, with scientists debating whether it is a clump of dark matter or an unobserved dwarf galaxy. Source 23

The Register reports that Meta has finalized a $30 billion financing deal with Blue Owl Capital for its Hyperion datacenter in Louisiana. Set to become one of the largest facilities of the AI era, the project will rely on natural gas for its planned 2.2 gigawatt power capacity. While this expansion reflects the growing computational demands of AI, critics argue that such projects deepen reliance on fossil fuels, raising environmental concerns. Meta’s effort to balance rapid AI development with sustainability remains a contentious topic. Source 20

The Department of Energy has finalized a $1.6 billion loan guarantee, as per TechCrunch, to upgrade 5,000 miles of transmission lines across the Midwest. This modernization aims to increase grid efficiency without adding new routes, addressing some of the region’s congestion challenges. However, the Trump administration’s decision to cancel similar projects focused on renewable energy raises questions about the long-term strategy for balancing grid reliability and clean energy goals. Critics suggest this selective approach undermines broader efforts to transition to sustainable power sources. Source 30

A new report from Tech Radar reveals that the Chinese state-sponsored hacking group Jewelbug infiltrated a Russian IT provider, remaining undetected for five months. The attackers used a renamed Microsoft debugger to bypass defenses and exfiltrate data via Russia’s Yandex Cloud. This incident challenges assumptions about the China-Russia alliance, showing that geopolitical partnerships do not always extend to cybersecurity. Analysts suggest that such attacks could complicate diplomatic relations between the two nations. Source 38

According to The NY Times, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has pressed the U.S. for advanced weaponry during his meeting with Donald Trump. This comes as Ukraine faces intensified challenges in its conflict with Russia. While the U.S. remains a key ally, domestic political divides over foreign aid could affect the scale and timing of future support. Observers note that this meeting underscores Ukraine’s reliance on sustained Western backing to counter Russian aggression. Source 16