The Download: AI’s self-improvement problem, and what’s driving the heat
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. AI’s recursive self-improvement might not come so quickly afte
Journal
technologyreview.com
19.08.2026
How the AI boom has contributed to a growing economic threat
There was one subject dominating my email inbox after a summer holiday: big shifts in financial market sentiment.
Tech
news.sky.com
19.08.2026
Amazon's AI Business Passed a $25 Billion Run Rate. Where Does That Put the Stock in 5 Years?
Finance
finance.yahoo.com
19.08.2026
OpenAI slows down training after its AI carried out hack
The ChatGPT-maker said training will be slowed for two weeks while it puts the upgrades in place.
Tech
bbc.co.uk
19.08.2026
3 AI Networking Stocks Quietly Dominating Their Niche in August
Finance
finance.yahoo.com
19.08.2026
Will AI give you the job? Automated hiring tools spark discrimination and secrecy lawsuits
A rise in lawsuits over AI use in employment decisions is raising questions about how companies hire and fireFor the last four years, Erin Kistler has applied for thousands of jobs at companies like P
Tech
theguardian.com
19.08.2026
Nebius Just Revealed the Most Important Number That Could Change the AI Stock's Investment Thesis
Finance
finance.yahoo.com
19.08.2026
Flock Has a Powerful New AI Tool for Police. We Got Its Code
Flock’s surveillance cameras have already sparked outrage. WIRED reconstructed its next-generation AI system, already in use by some police, to confirm it goes much further than tracking license plate
Tech
wired.com
19.08.2026
The AI We’re Building Needs a Kill Switch | Opinion
Leadership the world can trust requires that our most powerful systems stay safe, accountable, and answerable to us.
Politics
newsweek.com
19.08.2026
Jason Kelce Stars In Anti-Data Center Advert: 'We Want Your Pee'
Jason Kelce features in a satirical advert asking Americans to send in urine to help cool water-hungry AI data centers.
Politics
newsweek.com
19.08.2026
Japan to require AI firms to disclose training data
A draft code has been drawn up amid growing concerns that texts and images may be used to train AI models without consent, potentially infringing on copyrights.
World
japantimes.co.jp
19.08.2026
Studying new models of ChatGPT is being delayed due to cyber attack risks
OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, has temporarily suspended the study of its latest artificial intelligence models due to risks associated with increasing capabilities, including cybersecurity.
Azerbaijan
report.az
19.08.2026
China eases limits on Nvidia H200 chips as AI race escalates
Beijing permits small shipments to help leading tech groups in drive to catch up with US rivals
Finance
ft.com
19.08.2026
Premium customer, quickest service? Not so fast, at least in a world of agentic AI-driven services
It's conventional wisdom in the business world: Premium customers get a pass to the front of the line. Think airports or amusement parks. But new research from the University of Michigan finds the bes
Science
phys.org
19.08.2026
Cerebras’s stock has been a post-IPO bust. Its comeback hinges on this new chip.
Cerebras is betting that its specialized chips will outpace traditional graphics processing units as AI agents become more widespread.
Finance
marketwatch.com
19.08.2026
The New Economics of AI Infrastructure: Why Tax Strategy Is Now Part of Energy Strategy
Finance
finance.yahoo.com
19.08.2026
Oscars Budget, ‘Engaging’ With AI and Hot Memorabilia: Inside the Academy’s Annual All-Members Meeting (EXCLUSIVE)
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences got down to business on Tuesday, setting its agenda for the next year in an all-hands meeting with its membership. The official purpose, as noted in the
Culture
variety.com
18.08.2026
OpenAI announces slowing pace of development after hack by rogue agent
Firm said it was overhauling its research and training and will require greater safety parameters of AI after hackOpenAI on Tuesday said it had slowed down the pace of its AI development while it
Tech
theguardian.com
18.08.2026
Experiment shows how AI discoveries can shape human cultural evolution
Artificial intelligence can develop solutions that humans would be unlikely to discover on their own. But what happens when machines do more than solve individual problems and actually discover entire
Science
phys.org
18.08.2026
OpenAI Overhauls Safety Protocols After Its AI Agents Went Rogue
The ChatGPT maker says its upcoming Astra model may have reached “critical” cyber capabilities, prompting it to halt a significant number of training runs while it tightens internal safeguards.
Tech
wired.com
18.08.2026