AI
ArXiv to Ban Researchers for a Year if They Submit AI Slop
The change comes as arXiv and others struggle to manage an influx of AI-generated materials masquerading as rigorous science.
Behind The Blog
Behind the Blog: New Music and a Crash Out
This week, we discuss developers' AI woes, how the magic happens, and the Beach Boys.
AI
Students Boo Commencement Speaker After She Calls AI the ‘Next Industrial Revolution’
A commencement speaker at the University of Central Florida was booed, with graduating humanities students yelling out, "AI SUCKS!"
Behind The Blog
Behind the Blog: Storage Woes and RSS
This week, we discuss storage, RSS, and a big reporting project.
age verification
UK iPhone and iPad Users Can Watch Porn Again
Following the latest iOS update which requires UK mobile Apple device users to verify their ages, Pornhub’s parent company Aylo is lifting its ban—but only for people using iPads and iPhones.
AI
OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft Back Bill to Fund ‘AI Literacy’ in Schools
A new bill introduced by Senators Adam Schiff and Mike Rounds would award grants to the National Science Foundation—which has endured massive funding cuts under the Trump Administration for science research—to put “AI literacy” in schools.
Behind The Blog
Behind the Blog: Big Questions of Consciousness
This week, we discuss a wild message, a new anthology, and a visit to a museum.
Podcast
Podcast: How This Trippy Image Started A Massive Conspiracy Theory
A magic eye that isn't, an AI learning tool that sucks, and more in this week's podcast.
AI
University Professors Disturbed to Find Their Lectures Chopped Up and Turned Into AI Slop
ASU Atomic, a new tool in beta at Arizona State University, takes faculty lectures and chops them into extremely short clips, that AI then attempts to turn into learning materials.
Behind The Blog
Behind the Blog: Waiting in the Apple Store
This week, we discuss Tim Cook, Meta layoffs, and a very bad ad.
ai psychosis
Researchers Simulated a Delusional User to Test Chatbot Safety
Grok and Gemini encouraged delusions and isolated users, while the newer ChatGPT model and Claude hit the emotional brakes.
Podcast
Podcast: How Algorithms Make Us Feel Bad and Weird
Lost in the wedding algorithm sauce, "clean rooms" for AI, and founders obsessed with "tokenmaxxing" in this week's 404 Media Podcast.