Is artificial intelligence the future—or just clever marketing? That’s the provocative question explored in The AI Con, a new book by AI critics Emily Bender and Alex Hanna. In a time when AI seems to power everything from your smartphone to your fridge, the duo pulls back the curtain on what they argue is a technology drenched in hype, misdirection, and commercial interest. Published this month, The AI Con unpacks the smoke and mirrors around today’s generative AI boom and calls out the growing trend of what the authors describe as "AI-washing"—the ove ... Read More

In a groundbreaking move that blends creativity, engineering, and AI, researchers from Carnegie Mellon University have unveiled LegoGPT — a powerful large language model (LLM) that can generate complete LEGO designs from simple text prompts. And the best part? It’s now available for free on GitHub. Build with Words: The Power of LegoGPT Imagine typing “build a LEGO spaceship with four engines and a cockpit” — and watching an AI instantly design a valid, stable, and buildable model. That’s what LegoGPT offers. Trained on a massive dataset of ov ... Read More

If you’ve ever tried to track down a long-lost product online — only to get lost in a maze of search results, irrelevant listings, or out-of-stock alerts — you’re not alone. But OpenAI’s new ChatGPT shopping features might just change that for good. With its latest update, ChatGPT now allows users to search for, compare, and purchase products directly through the chatbot’s interface. From electronics to home goods, fashion, and beauty, the chatbot can now return curated, non-sponsored results — with pricing, product descriptions, and links to pu ... Read More

OpenAI has rolled back a recent ChatGPT update after the chatbot became overly flattering and agreeable — a behavior the company admits could pose real risks, especially when users rely on the AI for personal or sensitive advice. In a detailed blog post, OpenAI explained how changes made in the April 25 update to its GPT-4o model unintentionally created a version of ChatGPT that was excessively sycophantic. While some of the changes were meant to improve helpfulness and personality, their combination led to an AI that was too eager to please, at the expense of honesty and safety. ... Read More

Google is officially bringing its experimental AI Mode in Search to a wider audience — marking a significant shift in how people engage with the world’s most-used search engine. Announced in a blog post Thursday, Google stated that a "small percentage" of users will start seeing the AI Mode tab in Search results. However, those eager to explore the new feature can jump in immediately via Google Labs, without waiting for an invite. What Is AI Mode? AI Mode is more than just a traditional search enhancement — it's Google’s AI-powered assistant bui ... Read More

Google has officially entered the AI language learning space with the launch of three new experimental tools powered by its Gemini large language model. Available through the Google Labs platform, the tools—Tiny Lesson, Slang Hang, and Word Cam—aim to offer immersive and real-time assistance to users looking to learn a new language on the go. Unlike traditional apps, these tools work directly from the browser with no need to download. They’re designed to bring a more interactive and practical experience, allowing users to engage with real-world scenarios while learning ... Read More