Fictional characters are (officially) coming to Sora as OpenAI manages copyright chaos

Collabs with fictional characters are on the horizon for Sora. Officially, that is, as OpenAI moves to restrict the flow of unauthorized horrors like meth-cooking and Nazi SpongeBobs and criminal Pokémon that have plagued the platform from day one. Bill Peebles, leader of the Sora team at OpenAI, said fictional character appearances in videos, known … Read more

AMD teams up with OpenAI to challenge Nvidia’s AI chip dominance

AMD is partnering with OpenAI to provide six gigawatts worth of processors for AI data centers, a move that challenges Nvidia’s AI chip market dominance. The five-year agreement aims to help OpenAI bolster its infrastructure to meet growing computational demands for AI applications like ChatGPT, starting with a gigawatt deployment of AMD Instinct MI450 GPUs … Read more

While you were partying with your Steam Deck, GPD studied the cord

I know, it’s “studied the blade,” but you got it, right? Handheld makers are throwing paint at the wall to see what sticks. They apparently can’t compete with the Steam Deck on price, so they’re trying giant handhelds, 3D handhelds, more familiar and comfortable handhelds, and premium handhelds with Switch-like detachable controllers that double as … Read more

Sam Altman and Jony Ive’s secret device won’t be ‘your weird AI girlfriend’

The goal is to develop a similar AI-assistant experience to Siri, “but better.” OpenAI and designer Jony Ive are trying to solve a number of technical challenges before releasing their mysterious AI gadget, according to a Financial Times report. Two of the challenges include figuring out the palm-sized device’s “personality” and how often it should … Read more

Can tap-to-pay save public transportation?

This is The Stepback, a weekly newsletter breaking down one essential story from the tech world. For more on the intersection of transportation and technology, follow Andrew J. Hawkins. The Stepback arrives in our subscribers’ inboxes at 8AM ET. Opt in for The Stepback here. How it started I vividly remember the first time I … Read more

Daniel Ek stepping down changes nothing for Spotify

Spotify has found itself the target of artists’ ire for many reasons over the years: poor audio quality, terrible payouts, giving Joe Rogan millions of dollars… the list goes on. But recently it’s been CEO and founder Daniel Ek’s extracurricular activities that have been cause for consternation. Over the past few months his funding of … Read more

Tilly Norwood is a gen AI psyop

Last week at the Zurich Film Festival, Eline Van der Velden – founder and CEO of AI production house Particle6 and its subsidiary talent studio Xicoia – said that a number of talent agents had expressed interest in working with Tilly Norwood, an AI-generated “actress” created by the companies. Van der Velden has not gone … Read more

Breaking up (Google) is hard to do

Breaking up Google’s ad tech monopoly is, apparently, like going to Mars or trying to replace Michael Jordan – dubiously possible and a huge amount of work. Those were some of the analogies witnesses testifying in Google’s defense told a federal judge this week as the company mounts its second attempt to stave off a … Read more

Tales from the AI hiring frenzy

This is an excerpt of Sources by Alex Heath, a newsletter about AI and the tech industry, syndicated just for The Verge subscribers once a week. The billboard didn’t say “Listen Labs.” It didn’t say anything about hiring. It consisted of just a plain white background with “https://” and a single line of grouped numbers … Read more

Unity discloses a years-old security exploit and urges developers to update their games

Unity is urging developers to take “immediate action” after it disclosed a major security vulnerability affecting games built using versions of its popular development tool dating back to 2017. While there is “no evidence of any exploitation of the vulnerability, nor has there been any impact on users or customers,” Unity already has fixes available … Read more

Hori’s new Switch 2 controller lets you deactivate its home and screenshot buttons

The Horipad Turbo features a similar design to Nintendo’s Switch 2 Pro Controller. | Image: Hori Hori has announced another addition to the ever-growing list of cheaper alternatives to Nintendo’s $90 Switch 2 Pro Controller. The Wireless Horipad Turbo is around $35 cheaper than Nintendo’s, and while it lacks a lot of premium features such … Read more

Tesla’s cheaper Model Y finally breaks cover

Tesla’s long-rumored more affordable electric vehicle won’t be out until next year, but it was recently spotted uncamouflaged on a highway in Texas. And no, your eyes are not fooling you; it’s just a cheaper version of the Model Y. The rumor that the affordable EV would just be a bare-bones Model Y has been … Read more

I’ve fallen into Sora’s slippery slop

I’m not running. I’m frolicking. An anime version of Jesus Christ flipping tables. OpenAI employees performing in Hamilton costumes. News anchors discussing a story on television. A man doing a thirst-trap TikTok dance. Sam Altman – stealing GPUs on CCTV, listening to a business pitch, crying. Such were the contents of my feed on Sora, … Read more