Pollo AI, a leading all-in-one AI video and image creation platform, has recently launched a groundbreaking AI avatar generator that completely transforms the creation of realistic AI talking avatars from scratch. This next-generation tool allows users to generate lifelike, expressive avatars using just a single photo, eliminating the traditional need for pre-recorded videos or extensive pre-training. The avatars produced by Pollo AI are capable of natural speech synchronization, expressive gestures, and even custom human-like movements such as holding products or giving thumbs-ups, providing a more engaging and interactive experience. The platform’s AI avatar generator offers a seamless and natural-looking finish, ensuring that the avatars feel authentic and relatable. It empowers creators to bring any character to life quickly—whether a brand mascot, a beloved pet, or a cartoon figure—turning static images into dynamic, speaking avatars in seconds. This technology significantly broadens creative possibilities for content creators, marketers, and businesses by simplifying the production of professional-grade videos without complex editing or high production costs. In addition to the avatar generator, Pollo AI integrates multiple state-of-the-art video and image AI models within a single platform, enabling users to create viral-ready videos, cinematic effects, and consistent character animations with ease. With a user-friendly interface and powerful AI capabilities, Pollo AI is pushing the boundaries of digital content creation, making advanced AI tools accessible to all[1][2][5]. <br /> <br /> This innovation marks a new era in AI video generation, allowing for unprecedented personalization and realism that can capture audience engagement more effectively than ever before.

8/11/2025, 6:32:00 AM

Among the six principles of the Global AI Governance Action Plan, **"aligning AI with development goals" is central**. This principle represents a significant shift in the global approach to AI governance, moving away from being primarily technology-focused toward being centered on development priorities. The emphasis is on using AI as a tool to bridge the digital divide—reducing disparities in access to technology and its benefits among different countries and communities. <br /> <br /> This development-centric approach highlights the importance of **inclusive development**, ensuring that the advantages of AI reach all segments of society, particularly underserved and vulnerable groups. It recognizes AI not merely as a scientific or economic asset but as a means to advance broader human and social development objectives. By embedding AI governance within the framework of sustainable development goals, policymakers aim to promote equity, fairness, and accessibility in the AI ecosystem worldwide. <br /> <br /> The principle stresses collaboration and solidarity across nations to responsibly harness AI’s transformative potential while mitigating risks such as inequality and exclusion. It calls for shared efforts to ensure that AI technologies contribute to inclusive growth, education, healthcare improvements, and poverty reduction, thereby supporting the United Nations’ vision for a fair and secure digital future. <br /> <br /> In summary, placing "aligning AI with development goals" at the core of AI governance reinforces that technological advancement should serve humanity's broader interests, promoting fairness and narrowing global digital gaps rather than deepening them. This marks a paradigmatic reorientation in how AI is governed internationally, emphasizing collective progress and social inclusion over mere innovation for its own sake.

8/11/2025, 6:27:00 AM

ChatGPT 5 marks a significant shift in artificial intelligence technology, signaling that the era of “transformers”—the neural network architecture that has dominated AI development—is likely coming to an end. Instead, the new approach integrates a hybrid system capable of automatic, dynamic switching between different specialized models for various tasks. This system includes a fast and smart default mode, a deeper reasoning model for complex challenges, and a real-time router that selects the appropriate mode based on context, complexity, and user intent. This architecture allows GPT-5 to think more deeply and deliver highly accurate responses faster than previous models, excelling particularly in coding, scientific analysis, and data synthesis. Importantly, GPT-5’s design reflects a trend toward making AI more flexible and context-aware, with new features like custom “personalities” (cynic, robot, listener, nerd) that tailor interactions to users’ preferences, voice-based inputs, and deeper integration with personal tools such as Google Calendar and Gmail. The model also handles potentially dangerous queries with nuanced safe responses, improving usability without sacrificing safety. While the details of what the next AI architecture will be remain uncertain, GPT-5’s “hybrid” system demonstrates a clear evolution beyond purely transformer-based frameworks, combining speed and expert-level intelligence in a single unified system. This model already surpasses humans in many cognitive tasks, showing smarter and more reliable performance across varied domains, and suggests the future of AI lies in flexible systems that can adapt their reasoning depth dynamically according to the problem at hand.<br /><br />This development not only enhances everyday productivity by delivering better answers faster but also opens new possibilities in fields like healthcare and education through improved interaction modes and integration with user data, signifying a new era in intelligent assistance.

8/11/2025, 6:22:00 AM

US semiconductor giants Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) have reached an agreement to pay the United States government 15 percent of their revenue from selling artificial intelligence (AI) chips to China. This deal allows them to resume exports to the Chinese market after a prior export ban was reversed. The arrangement reportedly stemmed from negotiations involving former President Donald Trump and was solidified following a recent meeting between Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang and Trump at the White House. <br /> <br /> As part of the deal, the U.S. Commerce Department has begun issuing export licenses for Nvidia’s H20 AI chips to China. AMD, which produces the MI308 AI chip, is also subject to this arrangement but has not commented publicly. The combined sales of AI chips to China for these companies are expected to exceed $25 billion, making China a crucial market for both Nvidia and AMD. <br /> <br /> Critics of the deal caution that allowing these chips to flow to China, even with revenue sharing, could pose a risk to U.S. national security by potentially enhancing China’s AI capabilities. Former U.S. Commerce Department advisor Alasdair Phillips-Robins expressed concerns that the arrangement might weaken U.S. national security protections. Nvidia has stated it complies with U.S. government regulations in its global market activities. <br /> <br /> The deal represents a unique approach by the U.S. government to manage exports of sensitive technology while securing a financial stake in the lucrative AI chip market in China. It underscores ongoing tensions between maintaining global trade and protecting national security interests in a highly competitive semiconductor industry.

8/11/2025, 6:22:00 AM

ChatGPT maker OpenAI has announced substantial bonus payouts for about 1,000 employees, which accounts for roughly one-third of its full-time workforce. This move comes on the eve of the highly anticipated GPT-5 launch. The bonuses, which are awarded quarterly for the next two years, reflect the company's strategic effort to compete in the fiercely competitive AI talent market. Employees eligible include researchers and software engineers working in applied engineering, scaling, and safety domains. The payouts vary considerably based on role and seniority. Top researchers stand to receive mid-single-digit millions, while engineers are expected to earn bonuses in the hundreds of thousands. These bonuses can be paid out in cash, stock, or a combination of both, giving recipients flexibility in how they receive their rewards. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman highlighted that this compensation increase is a response to current market dynamics, particularly the rising demand for AI expertise. In a message to employees, Altman acknowledged the intense competition for talent across the tech industry, which includes rival companies like Meta and Elon Musk's xAI aggressively recruiting AI researchers. Altman emphasized that OpenAI intends to continue raising compensation as the company grows and succeeds, marking this bonus policy as a new and transparent approach to retaining top talent. The AI industry's ongoing talent war, highlighted by Meta’s lucrative offers to poach researchers, has undoubtedly influenced OpenAI’s decision to invest heavily in its workforce to maintain its competitive edge.

8/10/2025, 6:34:00 AM

Australia’s leading cybersecurity expert has warned that artificial intelligence (AI) developed outside Western countries poses significant risks. These AI systems could potentially teach Australians “how to make a dirty bomb” and enable authoritarian governments to propagate alternate realities, deepening geopolitical and security concerns. The proliferation of AI technologies from non-Western sources could circumvent established safeguards, increasing the danger of malicious knowledge dissemination and sophisticated propaganda campaigns. This warning comes amid a rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape in Australia, where AI is increasingly exploited for criminal purposes. AI tools have been used to produce deepfake videos, generate highly convincing synthetic voices for financial fraud, and automate phishing attacks, making cybercrime more scalable and harder to detect. Attacks integrating AI, such as AI-enhanced malware and cloned voices, have already been observed targeting Australian organizations, emphasizing the urgency to bolster AI security measures domestically. Additionally, the concern extends beyond conventional cybercrime. With AI’s growing capability to simulate realistic content, authoritarian regimes could leverage these technologies to distort information, manipulate public opinion, and undermine democratic processes in Australia by promoting false narratives or alternate realities. This calls for enhanced cybersecurity frameworks and international cooperation to prevent misuse of AI technologies originating outside the West. In response, Australia and its allies have begun implementing stricter AI data security guidelines and are increasing investments in cybersecurity defenses. However, experts stress that the accessibility of powerful AI tools globally—and the diversity of their sources—mandates vigilance and proactive measures to mitigate emerging risks posed by AI, especially those developed beyond Western oversight. <br /> <br /> The situation illustrates an urgent need to balance AI innovation benefits with proactive governance and security strategies to protect Australians and maintain geopolitical stability in an AI-powered world.

8/10/2025, 6:30:00 AM

This year’s Emmy nominations reflect an entertainment landscape deeply engaged with the social and political upheavals shaping our world, tackling urgent issues like climate change and the rise of artificial intelligence through storytelling. As society grapples with these transformative challenges, television has become a platform to explore, dramatize, and sometimes offer reassurance about our collective anxieties. The nominees for the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, announced in July 2025, highlight series that resonate with contemporary fears and hopes. Shows like "Severance," which led with 27 nominations, and HBO Max’s "The Penguin" and "The White Lotus," each with over 20 nominations, are recognized for narratives that probe the complexities and consequences of technological innovation and societal shifts. The comedy series "The Studio" made history with 23 nominations in its debut season, suggesting a nuanced blend of humor and reflection in addressing modern issues. The diversity of nominated programs mirrors the spectrum of public concerns—from dystopian corporate control to personal identity and environmental crises. The inclusion of veteran actor Harrison Ford at age 83 for a comedic role in "Shrinking" also signals a broadening of creative perspectives and the blending of genres to engage audiences facing uncertainty. With the ceremony scheduled for September 14, 2025, hosted by comedian Nate Bargatze, the Emmys serve not only as a celebration of television excellence but also as a cultural commentary. They capture a vital moment where art seeks to make sense of and sometimes soothe the profound social anxieties surrounding climate change and rapidly advancing AI technologies, illuminating how storytelling remains key to navigating turbulent times. <br /> <br /> This year’s Emmy nominations demonstrate television’s role as both a mirror and a salve for audiences confronting global upheaval, blending powerful narratives with empathetic insights as society faces unprecedented challenges.

8/10/2025, 6:29:00 AM

As the cryptocurrency market intensifies, long-term investors are focusing on tokens that have the potential to shape the next wave of technological breakthroughs. Despite ongoing market volatility and unpredictability, history shows that those who identified promising projects early in previous cycles often reaped substantial, sometimes life-changing, rewards. The cryptocurrency industry is rapidly evolving, driven by innovation in areas such as decentralized finance (DeFi), tokenization of assets like real estate and art, and the integration of artificial intelligence, which enhances efficiency and opens new opportunities. Innovations such as stablecoins are facilitating mainstream adoption by enabling smoother cross-border transactions and digital payments. In 2025, the crypto market has demonstrated renewed bullish momentum following a bear market in 2023. Prominent cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are predicted to reach significant price milestones, fueled by institutional adoption and growing regulatory clarity. Bitcoin’s dominance often signals the broader market’s health, serving as a catalyst for a subsequent rally in alternative cryptocurrencies. Investor sentiment remains optimistic, with many viewing crypto assets as potential hedges against inflation and tools for portfolio diversification. Regulatory developments, including policies enhancing security and anti-fraud measures, are contributing to increased mainstream confidence. Additionally, the entrance of major companies and pro-crypto government policies are strengthening market foundations. While the crypto market remains highly volatile, insightful and patient investors who align their strategies with emerging trends and technological advancements stand to benefit from the transformative potential of the next generation of tokens and projects. <br /> <br /> This dynamic environment calls for careful tracking of market trends, innovations, and regulatory changes while maintaining a long-term perspective to identify breakout projects early and capitalize on their growth potential.

8/10/2025, 6:15:00 AM

Following the launch of OpenAI's GPT-5 AI model, several users have expressed dissatisfaction, claiming that older models performed better in certain aspects. GPT-5, released recently, is touted as OpenAI’s most advanced and fastest model, integrating reasoning capabilities from previous o-series models with the quick response nature of the GPT-series. It introduces a unified approach designed to enhance a wide range of tasks, including software development, calendar management, and research briefing generation. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has hailed GPT-5 as the best AI model in the world and a significant advancement toward artificial general intelligence (AGI). However, despite the touted improvements in speed, accuracy, and task versatility, some users report that the model’s outputs occasionally seem less reliable or less coherent compared to earlier versions. A possible reason for this feedback could be the transition to the unified routing system, where GPT-5 dynamically decides whether to answer quickly or use more time to reason, which might lead to inconsistency in user experience. Additionally, free-tier users have limited access to the full GPT-5 model, being switched to a smaller "mini" version upon reaching queries limits, potentially affecting their perception of the model's performance. Enterprises such as Amgen have given early positive feedback on GPT-5's strength in handling complex ambiguity and improving workflow productivity. Nonetheless, as with many new AI releases, some users’ preference for older models may stem from familiarity or specific use cases where previous versions excelled. OpenAI continues to monitor and refine GPT-5, aiming to balance advanced capabilities with user expectations and reliability. <br /> <br /> The mixed reception highlights the challenges of deploying cutting-edge AI models at scale, where increased complexity and new features may not immediately translate to universally better user experiences. OpenAI has incorporated safety features and reduced hallucinations in GPT-5, making it better at coding and health tasks, but the evolution comes with trade-offs as the technology pushes limits. As GPT-5 becomes the default model for many paying users, feedback will likely guide further enhancements and optimizations to address concerns raised by the AI community.

8/9/2025, 6:27:00 AM

The U.S. Department of Commerce has begun issuing licenses to Nvidia, allowing the company to export its H20 artificial intelligence chips to China. This development, confirmed by a U.S. official to Reuters on August 8, removes a major obstacle for Nvidia's access to the Chinese market, which is crucial for the company's growth in AI technology.<br /> <br /> This follows the U.S. government's reversal last month of an April ban that had restricted the sale of Nvidia's H20 chips to China amid Biden-era export controls on AI technology. Nvidia had specifically tailored the H20 GPU to comply with these export regulations targeted at China’s AI and defense sectors, ensuring the product met U.S. guidelines.<br /> <br /> The restrictions had threatened to cut Nvidia’s sales by up to $8 billion in the July quarter, a significant financial impact the company warned about earlier. Nvidia also disclosed a $5.5 billion charge related to the export restrictions, though some losses were mitigated by reusing materials. The resumption of exports may help Nvidia avoid this substantial revenue reduction.<br /> <br /> Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang recently met with former U.S. President Donald Trump, an event linked by sources to ongoing discussions about these trade issues. Though the exact number of licenses issued, recipient companies in China, and shipment values remain undisclosed, the licenses mark a notable easing of U.S. restrictions.<br /> <br /> Amid concerns over security, Nvidia has stated that the H20 chips contain no "backdoors" permitting remote access or control, addressing Chinese apprehensions about the chip’s security features.<br /> <br /> This move is expected to sustain Nvidia's competitive position in the AI hardware market, particularly against local rivals like Huawei, who have been actively developing their own AI chips.

8/9/2025, 6:27:00 AM

The term "clanker" originated in the 2005 video game Star Wars: Republic Commando, where it was used as slang by clone troopers to describe B1-series battle droids, named for their distinctive clanking sound. This usage was later continued and popularized in the 2008 animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars, where clone troopers frequently used the term in dialogue. Over time, the word gained traction within the Star Wars community, especially among fans on related subreddits, who often used it humorously or affectionately to refer to battle droids. In recent years, "clanker" has experienced a resurgence in popularity beyond the original Star Wars context. On platforms like TikTok, it has become a widespread slang term used to refer disparagingly to robots and AI bots. This shift grew notably in mid-2025, propelled by viral videos mocking artificial intelligence and robots. Content creators such as @texantrooper and others contributed to the meme’s spread by crafting humorous videos that often portrayed AI as mechanical, unfeeling "clankers," echoing the original Star Wars insult. The association of "clanker" with AI resentment reflects a broader cultural skepticism about the growing presence of artificial intelligence. As AI becomes more prevalent, some users adopt the term to express frustration with automated systems, such as customer service bots, combining the Star Wars heritage of the word with contemporary concerns about technology's role in society. Thus, a term once confined to science fiction lore has evolved into a modern internet slang with layered meanings across fandom and AI discourse.

8/9/2025, 6:25:00 AM

In the past year, the number of generative AI (GenAI) startups has surged dramatically, growing by 3.7 times to exceed 890 companies globally. This rapid expansion highlights the intense entrepreneurial activity in the AI space, particularly concentrated on creating application-layer solutions. About 83% of these startups focus on developing user-centric tools like copilots and domain-specific agents, which provide specialized AI assistance tailored to various professional and consumer needs. Despite this explosive growth in startup numbers, funding has not kept pace at the same rate. While investments in generative AI have increased substantially—global venture capital funding nearly doubled from $24 billion in 2023 to approximately $45 billion in 2024—the growth in funding is described as more modest relative to the proliferation of new ventures. This discrepancy suggests a competitive market where capital is more cautiously allocated or concentrated in certain leading players, rather than broadly distributed across all startups. This trend reflects the evolving AI ecosystem where foundational models and platforms have matured, pushing new companies to innovate at the application level to capture market niches. The emphasis on application-layer solutions aligns with growing business adoption, as enterprises seek practical AI integrations into workflows, enhancing productivity and customer interaction. Overall, the landscape shows a vibrant startup scene buoyed by strong but measured capital investment, signifying both opportunity and challenges in scaling generative AI solutions effectively within a rapidly expanding market. <br /> <br /> The expansion of GenAI startups coincides with a booming market expected to reach tens of billions in size within the next few years, driven by widespread AI adoption across industries. However, hurdles such as talent shortages and data security concerns remain obstacles for many companies to fully integrate AI technologies. This dynamic positions the leading startups well, especially those offering tailored application-layer AI, to capture significant growth as AI becomes integral to business operations worldwide.

8/9/2025, 6:22:00 AM

TechnologyAdvice’s Matt Gonzales conducted interviews with cybersecurity experts at Black Hat 25, focusing on the most closely watched topics in the cyber world today. These key areas include artificial intelligence (AI), deepfakes, and human error, each presenting unique challenges and opportunities in cybersecurity. AI is increasingly influential in cybersecurity, with experts discussing how it can both aid defenders and pose new threats. AI-powered tools can enhance real-time threat detection and response, enabling security teams to outpace hackers and mitigate attacks before they escalate. However, the dual-use nature of AI means adversaries can also exploit it to develop more sophisticated cyberattacks, increasing the arms race between attackers and defenders. Deepfakes represent another critical concern at Black Hat 25. These highly realistic synthetic media can be used to create misleading videos and audio, complicating the identification of authentic content. Such technology raises risks in disinformation campaigns, fraud, and identity manipulation, requiring new detection techniques and awareness to manage the threat effectively. Human error remains a persistent vulnerability despite technological advances, as unintentional mistakes by employees or users continue to open doors for cyber intrusions. Experts stress the need for comprehensive training, improved security protocols, and user-friendly defenses to reduce these risks. Together, AI, deepfakes, and human error form the triad of pressing issues shaping cybersecurity strategies today, revealing the complexity and evolving nature of threats in the digital landscape explored at Black Hat 25.<br /><br />This discussion highlights the importance of ongoing innovation and vigilance in cybersecurity, balancing the advancements in technology with human factors and emerging risks to protect networks and information systems effectively.

8/8/2025, 6:21:00 AM

Meta Platforms Inc. has finalized a $29 billion financing deal to support the expansion of its AI-focused data center campus in rural Louisiana. The funding will be led by Pacific Investment Management Co. (PIMCO), which will handle the $26 billion debt portion, likely issued as investment-grade bonds backed by the data center assets, while Blue Owl Capital will provide $3 billion in equity. <br /> <br /> This financing arrangement is part of Meta's broader strategic push to expand its artificial intelligence infrastructure and minimize shareholder dilution through a hybrid capital structure combining debt and equity. Meta's leadership in the funding process involved a competitive negotiation with several top private credit firms, including Apollo Global Management, KKR, Brookfield, and Carlyle, facilitated by Morgan Stanley. <br /> <br /> The $29 billion facility is notable for its scale and the way it reflects growing trends among technology giants investing heavily in AI infrastructure. Meta is planning to invest between $66 billion and $72 billion in 2025 alone for AI development, emphasizing the critical role of new data centers in maintaining its competitive edge in generative AI technologies. This funding approach could set a precedent for similar large-scale tech infrastructure projects, leveraging institutional expertise to back asset-backed bonds for technology expansions. <br /> <br /> The rural Louisiana site will become a major hub in Meta’s AI data center network, supporting the company’s vision to scale AI capabilities with extensive capital expenditure while enhancing overall operational resilience. This move also aligns Meta with other "AI hyperscalers" like Microsoft, Alphabet, and Amazon, who are similarly investing billions into artificial intelligence infrastructure.

8/8/2025, 6:21:00 AM

Lip-Bu Tan took over as Intel's CEO in March 2025, marking a significant leadership change aimed at refocusing the company amid challenges in the semiconductor industry.<br /><br />Upon his appointment, Tan quickly initiated a series of strategic actions to rightsize Intel, which included scaling back various projects and reducing the workforce. Specifically, the company implemented a plan to cut approximately 15% of its global headcount, ending the year with around 75,000 employees after accounting for ongoing attrition. Part of these efforts also involved reducing management layers by about half to streamline operations and improve efficiency.<br /><br />Tan emphasized that these difficult but necessary decisions were critical to strengthening Intel’s competitive position and financial performance. The company reported Q2 2025 revenue above guidance expectations, which Tan credited to solid execution across the business despite the organizational changes.<br /><br />However, the restructuring and downsizing have not been without controversy. The CEO faces scrutiny internally and externally, including concerns from U.S. political figures over Tan’s past leadership at Cadence Design Systems, which recently settled legal issues related to exports to China. This scrutiny increased tensions within Intel's board and raised questions about Tan’s leadership amidst broader geopolitical and market challenges.<br /><br />Overall, since becoming CEO, Lip-Bu Tan has aggressively scaled back projects and reduced headcount as part of a broader effort to refocus and stabilize Intel during a period of industry and company-wide pressure. His leadership continues to draw both cautious optimism and critical attention.

8/8/2025, 6:19:00 AM