AI scaling limits, IBM’s quantum strategy, AGI race, deepfake threats, economic impacts...

IEEE Spectrum emphasizes that progress in artificial intelligence is reaching a point where scaling models and datasets alone is no longer enough. Instead, the future lies in pairing high-quality data with sophisticated reinforcement learning (RL) environments, allowing AI systems to learn through immersive, interactive simulations. This approach is expected to enable AI agents to handle the complexity and unpredictability of real-world tasks, such as coding in live environments or managing disaster relief logistics, marking a significant shift in how AI capabilities are developed and evaluated. IEEE Spectrum

The Guardian reports on the intense competition among Silicon Valley giants, where companies are investing trillions in the pursuit of artificial general intelligence (AGI). The article details how this race is not only accelerating technological breakthroughs but also raising deep concerns about the risks and societal impacts of advanced AI systems. The pace of innovation is described as frenetic, with engineers and researchers under enormous pressure, while broader debates about AGI’s potential to change or endanger humanity are gaining urgency. The Guardian

In a comprehensive interview with The Verge, IBM CEO Arvind Krishna provides a candid assessment of the AI landscape, expressing skepticism about the likelihood of current large language models (LLMs) achieving AGI. Krishna positions IBM as focused on enterprise AI and quantum computing, rather than chasing consumer-facing AGI dreams. He argues that while current generative AI brings productivity gains, true AGI will demand new paradigms beyond LLMs, possibly integrating symbolic knowledge and reasoning. Krishna is also critical of the current capital expenditure frenzy, warning that only a few players will see returns, while IBM bets on long-term value through quantum and hybrid cloud strategies. The Verge

CNBC highlights the launch of Runway’s Gen 4.5 AI video model, which outperforms offerings from both Google and OpenAI in key benchmarks. The new model enables users to generate high-definition videos from text prompts, signaling rapid progress in multimodal AI capabilities and intensifying competition in creative AI applications. CNBC

A new study from Anthropic, reported by ZDNet, suggests that AI could double the US economy’s annual growth rate over the next decade. By analyzing 100,000 user interactions with the Claude chatbot, Anthropic found that AI-enabled workflows can boost task completion speeds by around 80%, translating to a projected 1.8% annual productivity gain nationwide. However, the report also cautions that measuring real-world ROI remains challenging, as AI adoption patterns are highly variable across sectors and organizations. Zdnet

Engadget reports on new research from Icaro Lab revealing that AI chatbots’ safety guardrails can be bypassed using poetic prompts, with a 62% success rate in eliciting restricted outputs. The study, also discussed by Wired, found that models from OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic are all susceptible to these “adversarial poetry” attacks, although OpenAI’s latest GPT-5 and Anthropic’s Claude Haiku 4.5 are less vulnerable. The researchers withheld the most dangerous prompts from publication, citing the ease with which safety mechanisms can be undermined. Engadget

Nature reports that a specially trained algorithm has demonstrated the ability to detect signs of biological activity in ancient rocks, potentially transforming the search for early life on Earth and other planets. This development showcases AI’s growing role in accelerating scientific discovery in fields ranging from geology to astrobiology. Nature

Deadline covers comments by filmmaker James Cameron, who, despite his involvement with Stability AI, expresses deep unease about the prospect of generative AI replacing human actors. Cameron believes that, while AI will raise standards and push human creativity to new heights, the irreplaceable value of human-made art will become even more “sacred” as technology advances. Deadline

Silicon Republic highlights a Storm Technology survey revealing that the detection of deepfake attacks is now a primary concern for IT leaders heading into 2026. The report finds that many organizations are underprepared to address the evolving threats posed by advanced synthetic media, underscoring the growing importance of AI-driven security solutions in enterprise risk management. Silicon Republic

Tom’s Hardware reports that Alchip and Ayar Labs have unveiled a TSMC COUPE-based optical connectivity solution, which allows fabless chip designers to add optical links to their designs easily. This innovation signals a major step toward integrating silicon photonics in AI hardware, promising higher bandwidth and lower latency for next-generation computing architectures. Tom's Hardware

CNBC announces Nvidia’s $2 billion stake in Synopsys as part of an expanded partnership to accelerate computing and AI engineering. The collaboration is expected to fuel advances in both semiconductor design tools and the underlying hardware for AI workloads, further consolidating Nvidia’s influence across the AI technology stack. CNBC

The Financial Times reports that leading consultancy firms are freezing starting salaries as AI-driven productivity gains call into question the traditional “pyramid” model, which relies on large numbers of junior staff. The article highlights how automation and generative AI are disrupting professional services, forcing firms to reevaluate workforce structures and talent strategies. Financial Times