Technology

404 Media previously reported kids said they were using photos of Trump and G-Man from Half Life to bypass the age verification software in the popular VR game Gorilla Tag. That game uses the service k–ID, which is the same as what Discord is using.

Archive.

During the Super Bowl, Anthropic ran a dystopian AI ad about dystopian AI ads featuring an AI android physical trainer hawking insoles to a user who only asked for an ab workout. Not to be outdone, Amazon ran a commercial for its AI assistant Alexa+ in which Chris Hemsworth fretted over all the different ways AI might kill him, including severing his head and drowning him in his pool. Equally bleak, the telehealth company Hims & Hers ran an ad titled “RICH PEOPLE LIVE LONGER” in which oligarchs access such healthcare luxuries as facelifts, bespoke IVs, and “preventative care” to live longer than the rest of us. It was an anti-billionaire ad by a multibillion-dollar healthcare company.

Turn on the TV today, and you will drown in a sea of ads in which capitalists denounce capitalism. Think of the PNC Bank ads where parents sell their children’s naming rights a la sports stadiums for the money to raise them or the Robinhood ads where a white-haired older man, perhaps meant to evoke Bernie Sanders or Jeremy Corbyn, curses the “men of means with their silver spoons eating up the financial favors of the one percent” from the deck of a yacht.

After years of ingesting the mainstream discourse around surveillance capitalism, Occupy Wall Street, and democratic socialism, corporations are regurgitating and even surpassing the rhetoric of the modern left. Naturally, it’s all a winking sleight of hand meant to corral us back into engaging with the same capitalism they portray as a hellscape — but with new and improved privatized solutions. In another widely reviled Super Bowl ad, the video doorbell company Ring tells us that every year, 10 million family pets go missing, and by opting into a web of mass surveillance, the company has reunited “more than a dog a day” with their families.

Modern advertisers descend from those ad men of the 1960s who first perfected the art of channeling our angst with society writ large into buying more junk. As historian Thomas Frank wrote in his book “The Conquest of Cool,” midcentury advertisers constructed “a cultural perpetual motion machine in which disgust with the … everyday oppressions of consumer society could be enlisted to drive the ever-accelerating wheels of consumption.”

The machine has hummed on ever since, retrofitting capitalism’s reprimands into its rationales. It churns out commercials reframing the precariat’s pain not as the product of plutocracy but as the product of buying the wrong products. Advertisements pitch that the good life is to be secured by procuring high quality goods, by curating the right combination of AI assistants, locally crafted beer, paraben-free dryer sheets, Jimmy Dean breakfast biscuits, Capital One Venture X points, BetMGM spreads, Coinbase crypto wallets, on and on.

It’s lunacy. Buying Levi’s won’t give you deep pockets. Brand promises, like all promises, are made to be broken. As AI anxiety fueled fears of mass layoffs, Coca-Cola soothed American workers’ worries about “AI coming for everything” with a glossy 2025 Super Bowl ad, featuring Lauren London, where the gleaming actress flexed her dimples and told us everything would be all right. Ten months later, Coke automated its advertising with generative videos, replacing the actors they’d paid to soothe our worries about being replaced by AI with AI itself.

Users are walking away from ChatGPT and calling it a political statement

Several years ago I had a Discord community with hundreds of users. This was an IRL community, so it was very difficult to abandon but I did anyway. Tried to get people to leave but they were unwilling. So I handed it off to another member and deleted my account. Now that admin has contacted me again and let me know everyone is ready to leave. I found Fluxer yesterday while poking around #Discord on Mastodon and I think we're going to end up there.

Fluxer is still very early in development and they have plans for many advanced features in the roadmap but it's very feature-rich today. Current monetization plan is freemium + Patreon-like monetization. I understand that may be a dealbreaker for some but there aren't a ton of other great options, and everything is open source, and self-hostable, and if you do, you get all of the premium features for free, while still communicating with the main instance over federation (in roadmap). That still leaves it susceptible to Mattermost-style enshittification but honestly rolling back updates solves most of those style of problems.

“No provider or user of an interactive computer service shall be treated as the publisher or speaker of any information provided by another information content provider.”

This is section 230, and for years it made it so that platforms aren’t directly responsible for what their users do. Repealing it would in a way mandate moderating each and every post for any potential risk for a lawsuit. The companies with the resources to do that will do that, those without will struggle.

There’s a push to repeal or weaken Section 230. https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3546/text https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-graham-introduce-bill-to-sunset-section-230-immunity-for-tech-companies-protect-americans-online

Unwanted pre-installed software, known as bloatware, is the bane of new computer buyers. We give the lowdown on the worst offenders and how to get rid of ones you don’t need.

A Super Bowl ad for Ring security cameras boasting how the company can scan neighborhoods for missing dogs has prompted some customers to remove or even destroy their cameras.

Online, videos of people removing or destroying their Ring cameras have gone viral. One video posted by Seattle-based artist Maggie Butler shows her pulling off her porch-facing camera and flipping it the middle finger.

Butler explained that she originally bought the camera to protect against package thefts, but decided the pet-tracking system raised too many concerns about government access to data.

"They aren't just tracking lost dogs, they're tracking you and your neighbors," Butler said in the video that has more than 3.2 million views.

Actual link to study: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(25)00257-8/fulltext

An AI safety researcher has quit US firm Anthropic with a cryptic warning that the "world is in peril".

In his resignation letter shared on X, Mrinank Sharma told the firm he was leaving amid concerns about AI, bioweapons and the state of the wider world.

He said he would instead look to pursue writing and studying poetry, and move back to the UK to "become invisible".

It comes in the same week that an OpenAI researcher said she had resigned, sharing concerns about the ChatGPT maker's decision to deploy adverts in its chatbot.

Anthropic, best known for its Claude chatbot, had released a series of commercials aimed at OpenAI, criticising the company's move to include adverts for some users.

The company, which was formed in 2021 by a breakaway team of early OpenAI employees, has positioned itself as having a more safety-orientated approach to AI research compared with its rivals.

Sharma led a team there which researched AI safeguards.

He said in his resignation letter his contributions included investigating why generative AI systems suck up to users, combatting AI-assisted bioterrorism risks and researching "how AI assistants could make us less human".

But he said despite enjoying his time at the company, it was clear "the time has come to move on".

****"The world is in peril. And not just from AI, or bioweapons, but from a whole series of interconnected crises unfolding in this very moment," Sharma wrote.

He said he had "repeatedly seen how hard it is to truly let our values govern our actions" - including at Anthropic which he said "constantly face pressures to set aside what matters most".

Sharma said he would instead look to pursue a poetry degree and writing.

He added in a reply: "I'll be moving back to the UK and letting myself become invisible for a period of time."****

Those departing AI firms which have loomed large in the latest generative AI boom - and sought to retain talent with huge salaries or compensation offers - often do so with plenty of shares and benefits intact. Eroding principles

Anthropic calls itself a "public benefit corporation dedicated to securing [AI's] benefits and mitigating its risks".

In particular, it has focused on preventing those it believes are posed by more advanced frontier systems, such as them becoming misaligned with human values, misused in areas such as conflict or too powerful.

It has released reports on the safety of its own products, including when it said its technology had been "weaponised" by hackers to carry out sophisticated cyber attacks.

But it has also come under scrutiny over its practices. In 2025, it agreed to pay $1.5bn (£1.1bn) to settle a class action lawsuit filed by authors who said the company stole their work to train its AI models.

Like OpenAI, the firm also seeks to seize on the technology's benefits, including through its own AI products such as its ChatGPT rival Claude.

It recently released a commercial that criticised OpenAI's move to start running ads in ChatGPT.

OpenAI boss Sam Altman had previously said he hated ads and would use them as a "last resort".

Last week, he hit back at the advert's description of this as a "betrayal" - but was mocked for his lengthy post criticising Anthropic.

Writing in the New York Times on Wednesday, former OpenAI researcher Zoe Hitzig said she had "deep reservations about OpenAI's strategy".

"People tell chatbots about their medical fears, their relationship problems, their beliefs about God and the afterlife," she wrote.

"Advertising built on that archive creates a potential for manipulating users in ways we don't have the tools to understand, let alone prevent."

Hitzig said a potential "erosion of OpenAI's own principles to maximise engagement" might already be underway at the firm.

She said she feared this may accelerate if the company's approach to advertising does not reflect its values to benefit humanity.

BBC News has approached OpenAI for a response.

#How OptimAI Infrastructure is Transforming Cloud Computing for Modern Enterprises

In the rapidly evolving digital era, cloud computing has become the backbone of modern enterprises. Organizations today rely heavily on cloud platforms to manage data, streamline operations, and deliver services with unprecedented speed and efficiency. However, as demands for scalability, security, and intelligent automation grow, traditional cloud infrastructure faces limitations. Enter OptimAI Infrastructure, a groundbreaking approach that is redefining how businesses leverage cloud technology for maximum impact.

#Understanding OptimAI Infrastructure

At its core, OptimAI Infrastructure represents a next-generation framework for cloud computing, combining high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, and decentralized architecture. Unlike conventional cloud systems, which often struggle with latency, single points of failure, and inefficient resource allocation, OptimAI Infrastructure integrates intelligent automation to optimize resource utilization while maintaining resilience and security.

This infrastructure is not just a technological upgrade; it is a paradigm shift. By merging AI-driven insights with a flexible cloud environment, OptimAI Infrastructure allows enterprises to scale dynamically, deploy applications faster, and make smarter decisions based on real-time data analytics.

#Key Components of OptimAI Infrastructure

To fully understand how OptimAI Infrastructure transforms cloud computing, it’s important to break down its main components:

1. AI-Powered Resource Optimization

One of the hallmark features of OptimAI Infrastructure is its ability to dynamically allocate resources. Traditional cloud platforms often rely on static allocation or manual configuration, leading to underutilized servers and wasted computational power. OptimAI Infrastructure leverages AI algorithms to monitor workloads and predict demand patterns, ensuring resources are distributed efficiently and costs are minimized.

2. High Scalability and Flexibility

Modern enterprises demand cloud systems that can scale seamlessly. OptimAI Infrastructure supports horizontal and vertical scaling with minimal downtime. Businesses can expand their computing power as needed without worrying about complex infrastructure upgrades, making it ideal for organizations experiencing rapid growth or seasonal spikes in demand.

3. Robust Security Measures

Security remains a critical concern in cloud computing. OptimAI Infrastructure employs advanced encryption, anomaly detection, and AI-driven threat monitoring to safeguard sensitive data. Its decentralized components reduce the risk of single points of failure, ensuring continuous protection against cyber threats.

4. Integrated Analytics and Monitoring

OptimAI Infrastructure is equipped with sophisticated analytics tools that provide actionable insights into system performance, user behavior, and operational bottlenecks. This allows enterprises to make informed decisions, optimize workflows, and predict potential issues before they escalate.

#Benefits of OptimAI Infrastructure for Modern Enterprises

Enterprises adopting OptimAI Infrastructure enjoy a wide range of tangible benefits that extend beyond traditional cloud computing capabilities.

Enhanced Performance and Efficiency

By intelligently allocating resources and optimizing workflows, OptimAI Infrastructure significantly boosts performance. Applications run faster, workloads are managed more efficiently, and enterprises experience reduced latency across cloud services.

Cost Reduction

AI-driven optimization ensures that enterprises only pay for the resources they actually need. This level of efficiency reduces unnecessary expenditures, making cloud operations more cost-effective without compromising performance.

**Improved Reliability and Uptime

**Decentralized architecture and intelligent monitoring enhance system reliability. Enterprises can maintain near-constant uptime, ensuring that mission-critical applications remain operational even during peak loads or unexpected failures.

Accelerated Innovation

With the ability to deploy applications quickly and scale infrastructure seamlessly, enterprises can experiment with new ideas and innovate faster. OptimAI Infrastructure provides a sandbox for testing AI-driven services, machine learning models, and other advanced applications without the typical overhead associated with traditional cloud platforms.

#Real-World Applications of OptimAI Infrastructure

The versatility of OptimAI Infrastructure allows it to address a variety of enterprise challenges across industries:

1. Financial Services

Banks and financial institutions rely on real-time data analytics for fraud detection, risk assessment, and customer service optimization. OptimAI Infrastructure enables secure, high-speed processing of massive datasets while providing AI-powered insights for smarter decision-making.

2. Healthcare

From patient data management to predictive diagnostics, healthcare organizations benefit immensely from OptimAI Infrastructure. It allows for secure storage of sensitive medical records, efficient computational power for AI-driven diagnostics, and scalable solutions for telemedicine platforms.

3. E-Commerce

E-commerce platforms demand high availability, fast transactions, and personalized user experiences. OptimAI Infrastructure supports these needs by ensuring rapid scaling during peak shopping seasons, AI-driven personalization, and robust security for customer data.

4. Manufacturing and IoT

OptimAI Infrastructure enhances manufacturing operations through predictive maintenance, smart supply chain management, and real-time IoT data processing. Its AI integration allows companies to anticipate equipment failures and optimize production lines efficiently.

#The Role of Decentralization in OptimAI Infrastructure

A standout feature of OptimAI Infrastructure is its alignment with the broader decentralized AI movement EVM Layer‑2 Data Network for AI, which promotes distributed computing and data sovereignty. By embracing decentralization, enterprises gain more control over their data, reduce reliance on single cloud providers, and enable secure collaboration across multiple stakeholders. This approach enhances transparency, resilience, and scalability in ways that traditional centralized cloud systems cannot match.

#Future Trends Shaped by OptimAI Infrastructure

As cloud computing evolves, OptimAI Infrastructure is expected to influence several key trends in the enterprise landscape:

AI-Driven Cloud Management

The integration of AI into cloud infrastructure will continue to grow, with systems becoming increasingly autonomous. OptimAI Infrastructure exemplifies this trend by proactively managing resources, predicting demand, and mitigating risks without constant human intervention.

Edge Computing Integration

OptimAI Infrastructure is well-suited for edge computing, enabling low-latency data processing closer to end users. This is especially beneficial for industries like autonomous vehicles, smart cities, and remote healthcare services.

Sustainable Cloud Practices

Energy efficiency is a growing concern for enterprises. OptimAI Infrastructure’s AI-based optimization reduces unnecessary resource usage, contributing to greener, more sustainable cloud operations. Enhanced Collaboration Across Enterprises

Decentralized cloud solutions allow multiple organizations to collaborate securely on shared data and AI models. OptimAI Infrastructure supports this collaborative ecosystem, fostering innovation and efficiency across industries.

#Conclusion: OptimAI and the New Era of Cloud Computing The transformative potential of OptimAI Infrastructure is undeniable. By combining AI-driven optimization, decentralized architecture, and scalable cloud capabilities, it addresses the most pressing challenges faced by modern enterprises. From enhanced performance and cost savings to improved security and innovation acceleration, OptimAI Infrastructure is setting a new benchmark for what cloud computing can achieve. Enterprises seeking to stay competitive in the digital age should consider leveraging solutions like OptimAI, which embodies the principles of OptimAI Infrastructure, to unlock smarter, faster, and more resilient cloud ecosystems. With OptimAI, businesses are not just adapting to the future—they are actively shaping it.

Removed/flagged from Hacker News/ Y Combinator news.

Tan, the CEO of the vaunted startup incubator Y Combinator, announced Wednesday he had spun up a dark-money group called “Garry’s List” that he described as a “voter education group” that is “dedicated to civic engagement, voter education and support for common-sense policies and candidates” in a press release. Such groups give donors a way to anonymously support causes without giving directly to a candidate or a measure.

Hacker News.