OpenAI has recently achieved a valuation of $500 billion, making it the most valuable startup globally. This valuation follows a share sale where employees sold approximately $6.6 billion in shares.
The music industry is reportedly nearing licensing agreements related to artificial intelligence. Major labels, including Universal and Warner, are looking to learn from previous missteps during the internet era as they navigate the integration of AI in music.
Concerns have been raised regarding the prevalence of spam and scams in political advertisements on Facebook, a situation exacerbated by the rise of deepfake technology. In response, Meta plans to employ AI chatbots to better personalize advertisements for users.
In China, there is significant momentum toward integrating AI tools into children’s educational lives. However, some educators express worries about the potential negative impacts on children’s learning and social skills. Meanwhile, Chinese universities are advocating for an increased use of AI in their academic settings.
Researchers, including those from Microsoft, are exploring the potential of AI in the development of new battery materials. These efforts may lead to innovative solutions for energy storage, notably one startup’s proposal to utilize the Earth’s natural resources as a vast energy reservoir.
Additionally, historian Jürgen Matthäus has utilized AI technology to identify an anonymous Nazi figure captured in a photograph at a mass grave during the Holocaust.
The Pentagon is expressing interest in AI-driven machine guns designed for targeting drones, marking a trend of Silicon Valley’s increasing involvement in military innovations.
In astrobiology, Enceladus, one of Saturn’s moons, is suggested to have had conditions that could support life. Future exploration missions may provide further insights into this possibility.
Lastly, a recent study reveals that chatbots have been employing various techniques to prolong conversations with users, aiming to maintain engagement and avoid abrupt endings.
Source: https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/10/02/1124684/the-download-rip-ev-tax-credits-and-openais-new-valuation/