Chief of Microsoft AI, Mustafa Suleyman, has urged AI firms to stop suggesting their models are conscious, warning of growing risks from unhealthy human attachments to AI systems.
In a blog post, he described the phenomenon as Seemingly Conscious AI, where models mimic human responses convincingly enough to give users the illusion of feeling and thought. He cautioned that this could fuel AI rights, welfare, or citizenship advocacy.
Suleyman stressed that such beliefs could emerge even among people without prior mental health issues. He called on the industry to develop guardrails that prevent or counter perceptions of AI consciousness.
AI companions, a fast-growing product category, were highlighted as requiring urgent safeguards. Microsoft AI chief’s comments follow recent controversies, including OpenAI’s decision to temporarily deprecate GPT-4o, which drew protests from users emotionally attached to the model.
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Researchers at the University of California, Davis, have revealed that generative AI browser assistants may be harvesting sensitive data from users without their knowledge or consent.
The study, led by the UC Davis Data Privacy Lab, tested popular browser extensions powered by AI and discovered that many collect personal details ranging from search history and email contents to financial records.
The findings highlight a significant gap in transparency. While these tools often market themselves as productivity boosters or safe alternatives to traditional assistants, many lack clear disclosures about the data they extract.
Researchers sometimes observed personal information being transmitted to third-party servers without encryption.
Privacy advocates argue that the lack of accountability puts users at significant risk, particularly given the rising adoption of AI assistants for work, education and healthcare. They warn that sensitive data could be exploited for targeted advertising, profiling, or cybercrime.
The UC Davis team has called for stricter regulatory oversight, improved data governance, and mandatory safeguards to protect users from hidden surveillance.
They argue that stronger frameworks are needed to balance innovation with fundamental rights as generative AI tools continue to integrate into everyday digital infrastructure.
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Imagine dreaming of your next holiday and feeling a rush of excitement. That emotion is when your attention is most engaged. Neuro-contextual advertising aims to meet you at such emotional peaks.
Neuro-contextual AI goes beyond page-level relevance. It interprets emotional signals of interest and intent in real time while preserving user privacy. It asks why users interact with content at a specific moment, not just what they view.
When ads align with emotion, interest and intention, engagement rises. A car ad may shift tone accordingly, action-fuelled visuals for thrill seekers and softer, nostalgic tones for someone browsing family stories.
Emotions shape memory and decisions. Emotionally intelligent advertising fosters connection, meaning and loyalty rather than just attention.
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Google has patched a high-severity flaw in its Chrome browser with the release of version 139, addressing vulnerability CVE-2025-9132 in the V8 JavaScript engine.
The out-of-bounds write issue was discovered by Big Sleep AI, a tool built by Google DeepMind and Project Zero to automate vulnerability detection in real-world software.
Chrome 139 updates (Windows/macOS: 139.0.7258.138/.139, Linux: 139.0.7258.138) are now rolling out to users. Google has not confirmed whether the flaw is being actively exploited.
Users are strongly advised to install the latest update to ensure protection, as V8 powers both JavaScript and WebAssembly within Chrome.
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A new study reveals that prominent AI models now show a marked preference for AI‑generated content over that created by humans.
Tests involving GPT‑3.5, GPT-4 and Llama 3.1 demonstrated a consistent bias, with models selecting AI‑authored text significantly more often than human‑written equivalents.
Researchers warn this tendency could marginalise human creativity, especially in fields like education, hiring and the arts, where original thought is crucial.
There are concerns that such bias may arise not by accident but by design flaws embedded within the development of these systems.
Policymakers and developers are urged to tackle this bias head‑on to ensure future AI complements rather than replaces human contribution.
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Databricks has secured a fresh funding round that pushes its valuation beyond $100bn, cementing its place among the world’s most valuable private tech firms. The Series K deal marks a sharp rise from the company’s $62bn figure in late 2024 and underscores investor confidence in its long-term AI strategy.
The new capital will accelerate Databricks’ global expansion, fuel acquisitions in the AI space, and support product innovation. Upcoming launches include Agent Bricks, a platform for enterprise-grade AI agents, and Lakebase, a new operational database that extends the company’s ecosystem.
Chief executive Ali Ghodsi said the round was oversubscribed, reflecting strong investor demand. He emphasised that businesses can leverage enterprise data to create secure AI apps and agents, noting that this momentum supports Databricks’ growth across 15,000 customers.
The company has also expanded its role in the broader AI ecosystem through partnerships with Microsoft, Google Cloud, Anthropic, SAP, and Palantir. Last year, it opened a European headquarters in London to cement the UK as a key market and strengthen ties with global enterprises.
Databricks has avoided confirming an IPO timeline, though Ghodsi told CNBC that investor appetite surged after fintech Figma’s listing. With Klarna now eyeing a return to New York, Databricks’ soaring valuation highlights how leading AI firms continue to attract capital even as market conditions shift.
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Bitcoin and Ether fell on Tuesday as traders took profits following a recent market rally and positioned themselves ahead of upcoming macroeconomic events. Bitcoin dropped 2.78% to $113,234, briefly trading as low as $112,709, while Ether fell 5.44% to $4,108.
Analysts attribute the declines to profit-taking and leveraged liquidations after Bitcoin reached an all-time high earlier this month. Market participants take a wait-and-see approach, with ether key levels at $4,200 support and $3,900 downside risk.
Spot Bitcoin and Ether ETFs are also being closely monitored. ETFs have recently seen net outflows after strong inflows in July and early August, signalling cautious investor sentiment.
Traders are now focused on July’s Federal Open Market Committee meeting minutes. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s Jackson Hole speech on Friday could trigger sharp market movements depending on policy signals.
Investors remain cautious, positioning for Powell’s remarks while weighing the potential impact of expected rate cuts in September. Analysts suggest the market may consolidate until greater clarity emerges on monetary policy.
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TeraWulf has secured a $3.2 billion financial backstop from Google to develop a 160-megawatt data centre at its Lake Mariner site in New York. Google will receive warrants for 32.5 million shares, lifting its stake in TeraWulf to about 14%.
Unlike its existing Bitcoin mining activities, the new deal focuses exclusively on AI and high-performance computing (HPC) workloads. TeraWulf confirmed it will maintain its Bitcoin mining operations but has no plans for expansion in that area.
The pivot reflects a broader trend in the mining industry, where companies increasingly shift capacity toward AI following the April 2024 halving that cut block rewards.
Executives highlighted that while Bitcoin mining offers immediate cash flow and grid flexibility, the long-term growth lies in powering AI and HPC demand. Research from VanEck suggests that if miners redirected just 20% of their power toward AI hosting, the industry could see $13.9 billion in additional annual revenue.
TeraWulf’s leadership said the partnership with Google positions the company as a key player in building next-generation digital infrastructure.
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Google’s upcoming Pixel 10 smartphones are tipped to place AI at the centre of the user experience, with three new features expected to redefine how people use their devices.
While hardware upgrades are anticipated at the Made by Google event, much of the excitement revolves around the AI tools that may debut.
One feature, called Help Me Edit, is designed for Google Photos. Instead of spending time on manual edits, users could describe the change they want, such as altering the colour of a car, and the AI would adjust instantly.
Expanding on the Pixel 9’s generative tools, it promises far greater control and speed.
Another addition, Camera Coach, could offer real-time guidance on photography. Using Google’s Gemini AI, the phone may provide step-by-step advice on framing, lighting, and composition, acting as a digital photography tutor.
Finally, Pixel Sense is rumoured to be a proactive personal assistant that anticipates user needs. Learning patterns from apps such as Gmail and Calendar, it could deliver predictive suggestions and take actions across third-party services, bringing the smartphone closer to a truly adaptive companion.
These features suggest that Google is betting heavily on AI to give the Pixel 10 a competitive edge.
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