U.S. Department of Defense Secures $200M AI Contracts with OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, xAI for National Security
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) announced on July 14 it has awarded up to $200 million in AI contracts to OpenAI, Google parent company Alphabet, Anthropic, and xAI, aiming to accelerate the deployment of advanced AI capabilities across national security systems. The contracts, managed by the DoD’s Chief Digital and AI Office (CDAO), will fund the development of "agentic AI workflows" to address critical defense challenges, including cybersecurity, intelligence analysis, and operational decision-making .
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Musk Debuts Grok 4 as 'PhD-Level' AI, Achieves 44.4% on Humanity's Last Exam, Perfect AIME Score
lon Musk's xAI unveiled Grok 4 on July 9, positioning it as the "world's strongest AI" with PhD-level reasoning capabilities and multimodal advancements. The fourth major iteration of xAI's foundational model introduces five new voice modes, cuts response latency by half, and integrates real-time image/video processing, enabling culturally sensitive content analysis for social media platforms like X
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EU Unveils Final AI Code of Conduct to Guide Compliance with AI Act
The European Commission on July 10 released the final version of the General-Purpose AI Code of Conduct, a voluntary framework designed to help companies adhere to the EU’s landmark Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) set to take effect on August 2. The guidelines apply to mainstream generative AI models like ChatGPT, Gemini, Llama, and Grok, outlining requirements for transparency, copyright compliance, and systemic risk management.
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New Zealand Unveils First National AI Strategy to Boost Competitiveness
The New Zealand government on July 8 launched its first national AI strategy, outlining a roadmap to accelerate AI adoption, enhance productivity, and strengthen global competitiveness. The initiative comes as the country lags behind other advanced economies in AI readiness, with many businesses yet to plan AI adoption. Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Shane Reti stated the government will provide regulatory guidance to encourage responsible AI use, along with the Responsible AI Guide to help businesses use, develop and innovate AI in an ethical, transparent way that meets internati
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UK Startup Allotrope Energy Secures $6.7M for Revolutionary Supercapacitor, Partners with Brazilian Pulp Firm
UK-based Allotrope Energy, a 2016-founded battery capacitor startup, has unveiled a groundbreaking super EDLC (electrochemical double-layer capacitor) set to disrupt automotive tech. It secured $6.7 million from Brazil’s Suzano Ventures, partnering with the pulp producer—known for paper products—to manufacture the innovation.
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"Exploration - 3" Commissioned in Sanya, Boosting Manned Deep - sea Diving to Cover the Entire Sea Area
Xinhua News Agency, Sanya, December 29th – The "Exploration - 3", a multi - functional scientific research vessel independently built by China, arrived at the Nanshan Port Public Scientific Research Wharf in Sanya Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City on December 29th, 2024, and was officially commissioned. This event marks a significant breakthrough in China's deep - sea exploration capabilities.
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Mixed Reality: Merging VR and AR to Reshape Tech Landscape
Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies have sparked immense enthusiasm in the consumer electronics market, with tech giants rushing to enter the space. After acquiring Oculus VR in 2014, Facebook is set to launch its first VR headset this year, while Samsung, Sony, and HTC also plan to roll out their VR products. The influx of capital signals that VR is poised to become the next mainstream entertainment technology.
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Hong Kong Unveils Ambitious Digital Asset Policy 2.0 to Lead Global Race
Hong Kong has launched its Digital Asset Policy Statement 2.0, marking a pivotal upgrade from its 2022 predecessor to solidify its position as a global leader in digital assets. The June 27 announcement emphasizes stablecoin regulation and asset tokenization as core priorities, aligning with the U.S. Senate’s recent passage of the Genius Act to regulate stablecoins, signaling intensified global competition in this burgeoning sector.
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Anthropic Data Shows Minimal Demand for AI Emotional Support via Claude
Anthropic’s latest report reveals only 2.9% of users turn to its AI model Claude for emotional companionship, with conversations involving companionship or role-playing accounting for less than 0.5%. This contrasts sharply with perceptions of surging demand for AI companionship.
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The United States: Dominating the Nobel Prize Landscape
As the world’s sole remaining superpower, the United States has long reigned supreme on the global stage of scientific achievement, and its unparalleled success at the Nobel Prize ceremonies stands as a testament to its dominance. With a staggering 409 Nobel laureates to date, the U.S. accounts for nearly 40% of all global award recipients, firmly establishing itself as the uncontested leader in the pursuit of Nobel - worthy research.
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Sweden's Nobel Triumphs: A Showcase of Innovation and Heritage
As of the end of 2023, Sweden has seen 33 of its citizens honored with Nobel Prizes, a remarkable achievement rooted in the nation’s long - standing dedication to education and scientific research, as well as its rich cultural fabric. This accomplishment not only highlights the individual brilliance of Swedish laureates but also underscores the country’s holistic approach to fostering intellectual growth and innovation.
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Switzerland: Small in Size, Mighty in Nobel Achievements
Despite its relatively small population, Switzerland has firmly established itself as a global scientific powerhouse, boasting an impressive 27 Nobel laureates to date. This remarkable accomplishment underscores the nation’s extraordinary ability to nurture world - class talent and drive groundbreaking research, solidifying its reputation as a hub of innovation and academic excellence.
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Euclid Space Telescope Unveils First Scientific Results
The European Space Agency (ESA) has released the first scientific results from the Euclid Space Telescope, which was launched in July 2023. Among these results are scientific images that vividly display a brilliant galaxy cluster, nearby spiral galaxies, and a colorful interstellar gas cloud teeming with hundreds of thousands of young stars. These images offer a breathtaking view into the wonders of the universe.
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Scientists Unveil Ultra - Precise 3D Tumor Cell Maps and 'Molecular Clocks'
On October 30, in 12 papers published in Nature, researchers from the Human Tumor Atlas Network (HTAN) have created ultra - precise 3D maps of tumor cells by analyzing hundreds of thousands of cells from human and animal tissues. They also developed a “molecular clock” capable of tracking the cellular changes that lead to cancer.
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French AI Startup Mistral Unveils Powerful Multimodal Model Pixtral 12B
French AI startup Mistral has recently made waves in the tech world with the launch of its first multimodal AI model, Pixtral 12B. This model showcases the great potential of multimodal AI in handling complex tasks, boasting remarkable capabilities in both image and text processing.
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