Good Tech / Bad Tech — Weekly Edition
Last Week in Tech
I'm trying something new. Instead of groups of news every day, I've combined all the news from last week here. This week, AI tools are getting smarter and more confident. Scientists are working on tech that connects directly to our bodies. Meanwhile, space in the U.S. took budget cuts despite billion-dollar projections, while robots quietly got smarter fingers and sturdier frames.
From Good Tech / Bad Tech
AI
AI Isn’t Always Right
New studies indicate that AI can make mistakes just like people. One reporter tried using an AI tool for medical advice and asked: “Do AI scientists even work?” The answers were hit-or-miss. Some AI tools like chatbots are being used more for fun than to help people. Even Facebook's boss is pushing AI-created ads, which might not be a great idea.
AI Tools That Act on Their Own
More companies are building powerful AI “agents” that can do jobs without needing constant help. Hugging Face made a free one, and Amazon is working on their own. Apple and Anthropic are also teaming up.
More AI Headlines:
OpenAI expects to cut share of revenue it pays Microsoft by 2030
OpenAI scraps controversial plan to become for-profit after mounting pressure
US Air Force wants to develop smarter mini drones powered by brain-inspired AI
Optimized inference framework for deployment challenges of large generative models on GPUs (Google)
Challenges of optimizing end-to-end communication and workload partitioning in MCM accelerators
DeepSeek gets technical boost as China embraces open-source AI
South Korea’s Han vows to create AI ministry to catch up in race
Biotech
Tech That Connects to the Body
Scientists built a skin-like material that works with electronics. It can help connect machines to people. Another team made a wearable device that adjusts as your muscles move. And a new brain implant uses AI to read thoughts more clearly.
More Biotech News:
Quantum
Quantum Internet and Computers
Cisco introduced a new entanglement-based chip to support distributed quantum computing and laid out a roadmap for quantum-enabled data centers. Another study showed how researchers are using high-performance computers to simulate quantum circuits, making it easier to test quantum algorithms before actual quantum hardware is ready.
Making Quantum Work in the Real World
The Tianji 4.0 system, built by China's Origin Quantum, represents a major step forward in scalable superconducting quantum computing. Meanwhile, Equal1, an Irish company, unveiled a new silicon-based quantum computer that can plug into a standard wall outlet.
More Quantum Headlines:
White House budget preserves quantum funding but signals caution on emerging tech spending expansion
Chipiron secures $17 million to deploy SQUID-based portable MRI
Study introduces an AI agent that automates quantum chemistry tasks from natural language prompts
Magnets used in quantum computing report Korean and U.S. researchers
Quantum miracle material can store information in a single dimension
Qubits for peace? Researchers warn quantum technology is deepening the global divide
Space Tech
Big Week for Space
Stratolaunch flew a rocket plane that could go very fast and very high. A report showed how chips in space need special designs to survive radiation and extreme temperatures. Some companies think building stuff in space will be the future.
More Space Headlines:
Robotics and Infrastructure
Robots and Smart Machines
Amazon’s Vulcan robot can now feel objects. 3D printing is helping companies make strong parts for machines. Some teams are building bendable electronics. And new chips that stack in 3D might power the next wave of smart tech.
More Robotic / Infrastructure Headlines: