Google announces new AI dev team aimed at simulating the physical world
Google has a new team seeking to advance artificial intelligence even further, possibly changing the game in simulation technology. Tim Brooks, who left OpenAI for Google’s AI research lab DeepMind, announced this week he’s leading the initiative.
“DeepMind has ambitious plans to make massive generative models that simulate the world,” Brooks posted to X. “I’m hiring for a new team with this mission.”
DeepMind has ambitious plans to make massive generative models that simulate the world. I'm hiring for a new team with this mission. Come build with us!https://t.co/pqvALtAvLshttps://t.co/vtwgeXl9Dl
The job listings say the new group will look to develop “real-time interactive generation” tools on top of the models they build. The team aims to study how to integrate them with existing models like “Gemini,” Google’s AI-powered assistant.
One of the job post descriptions says that the team will be on a path to “artificial general intelligence,” or AGI, which is AI that can accomplish the same tasks as humans.
Several companies are on that path, including Elon Musk’s Tesla. While it’s not directly building AGI, its work on self-driving cars involves the same AI technologies and push towards machine learning.
Not everyone in the creative industry is on board though. A recent study by the Animation Guild found that over 100,000 U.S. based film, television and animation jobs will be disrupted by AI in 2026.
Some companies are pledging to work with creative professionals, like 3D start up Odyssey, which is planning to have creators wear cameras enabled with an AI system that will allow them to capture cinematic worlds with complete control of the scenery, characters, lighting and motion.
Experts say achieving true AGI still requires work in several areas, like fully trusting its judgement over our own.
Passengers sue Royal Caribbean over hidden cameras, warn other victims
A dozen cruise ship passengers are suing Royal Caribbean after a since-fired cabin attendant was found guilty of placing hidden cameras in their rooms. The victims say hundreds more people may be victims without even being aware.
A class action lawsuit filed on Tuesday, Dec. 31, accuses Arvin Joseph Mirasol, who worked on the Symphony of the Seas cruise ship, of installing cameras on at least 12 cruises and posting some footage of people undressing or showering on the internet, including underground websites.
Authorities said Mirasol’s recordings happened between December 2023 and February 2024, with some victims as young as 2 years old.
Investigators also note that Mirasol told them he would sneak into passengers’ rooms, hide under their beds and record them while they showered.
Mirasol pleaded guilty to producing child sexual abuse material in August and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
The plaintiffs in the latest class action lawsuit accuse Royal Caribbean of failing to take proper steps to prevent Marisol’s video voyeurism and say nearly 1,000 people could be victims.
The 12 passengers who brought the lawsuit against the cruise line are seeking a jury trial and punitive damages for stress disorders and “physical pain” brought on by Mirasol’s actions.
The cruise line has yet to respond to the recent lawsuits. However, after Mirasol’s arrest, the company said in a statement, “We have zero tolerance for this unacceptable behavior.”
The company said it was cooperating with the investigation. Royal Caribbean said it fired Mirasol as a result of the allegations.
Trump was target of apparent ‘attempted assassination’ at his golf club: FBI
For the second time in just over two months, authorities say former President Donald Trump was the target of an apparent “attempted assassination.” We have the latest on the investigation. And the red carpet was rolled out for TV’s biggest stars Sunday night. We recap who won at the 76th Emmy Awards. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Monday, Sept. 16, 2024.
FBI: Trump was target of apparent ‘attempted assassination’
The FBI is investigating what it said “appears to be an attempted assassination” of former President Donald Trump near his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida Sunday, Sept. 15. Authorities said Trump was playing a round of golf when Secret Service agents spotted the gunman a few hundred yards away pointing a weapon through the bushes.
The agents fired five to six shots at the gunman. The suspect dropped his weapon, described as an AK-47-style rifle, and fled in his vehicle. It was not clear if the suspect had fired any shots.
The suspect was soon taken into custody during a traffic stop in a nearby county.
Authorities said the rifle with a scope was found in the shrubbery along with two backpacks, ceramic plates, and a GoPro camera.
Shortly after the incident, a spokesperson for the Republican presidential nominee said Trump was safe. Trump later sent out a letter to supporters saying, “Nothing will slow me down! I will never surrender.”
Law enforcement sources have told multiple news outlets the suspect has been identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh of Hawaii. Authorities are said to be looking into Routh’s possible motives, including his reported grievances about the war in Ukraine. The New York Times reported the paper interviewed Routh last year about recruiting Afghan soldiers fleeing the Taliban to fight in Ukraine.
During a Sunday afternoon press conference, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw spoke about the Secret Service’s presence protecting Trump at the time of the assassination attempt.
“At this level that he is at right now, he’s not the sitting president. If he was, we would have this entire golf course surrounded,” Bradshaw said. “Well, because he’s not, the security is limited to the areas that the Secret Service deems possible. So, I would imagine the next time he comes to the golf course, there’ll probably be a little bit more people around the perimeter. But the Secret Service did exactly what they should have done.”
Biden said he has directed his team to ensure the Secret Service “has every resource” necessary for Trump’s “continued safety.” Harris said, “We all must do our part to ensure that this incident does not lead to more violence.”
Late Sunday night, Trump posted a message on Truth Social thanking law enforcement for “an incredible job done” and saying, “It was certainly an interesting day.”
I would like to thank everyone for your concern and well wishes – It was certainly an interesting day! Most importantly, I want to thank the U.S. Secret Service, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and his Office of brave and dedicated Patriots, and, all of Law Enforcement, for the incredible… pic.twitter.com/mV15rJygOR
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) September 16, 2024
Israel says Houthis will pay ‘heavy price’ after attack on Tel Aviv
Israel’s Prime Minister has vowed retaliation after a missile fired by Houthi rebels reached central Israel for the first time. A Houthi spokesman said the hypersonic ballistic missile, fired from Yemen, traveled more than 1,200 miles in just over 10 minutes Sunday.
Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in central Israel, a surface-to-surface missile was identified crossing into central Israel from Yemen and fell in an open area. No injuries were reported.
The Israeli Defense Forces said there were repeated attempts to shoot down the missile mid-air, but it most likely fragmented as it approached Tel Aviv. Israel said there were no direct casualties from the missile, but at least nine people suffered minor injuries.
This is just the latest attack by the Houthis, in what they say is solidarity with the Palestinians, in support of Hamas.
At least 8 dead as torrential rain triggers flooding in central Europe
At least eight people are confirmed dead as torrential rain continues to pound central Europe, causing widespread flooding. Thousands of people evacuated their homes in the Czech Republic Sunday as rivers overflowed their banks in various parts of the country.
A storm system named Boris has caused heavy downpours from Austria to Romania, leading to the worst flooding the Czech Republic and Poland have seen in nearly 30 years.
The relentless rain is expected to last at least through Monday.
US Coast Guard hearing into deadly Titan submersible implosion begins
Former employees of OceanGate are expected to testify. The company was behind the experimental submersible that imploded while on its way to the wreckage of the Titanic in the Atlantic Ocean in June 2023, killing all five people on board.
On Friday, Sept. 13, the Coast Guard released a statement saying the hearing “aims to uncover the facts surrounding the incident and develop recommendations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.”
The hearing will take place in Charleston County, South Carolina and is expected to last about two weeks. Witnesses scheduled to appear include one of OceanGate’s co-founders and the company’s former engineering, operations, and scientific directors.
Apple’s AI-powered operating system to launch Monday
Apple’s latest operating system, featuring the company’s artificial intelligence capabilities, is set to go live Monday. iOS 18 will come with changes for all compatible iPhone models, but Apple Intelligence will be the highlight of the update for iPhone 15 Pro and later models.
Some tech experts say this is Apple’s biggest update since it originally launched the iPhone.
Apple usually releases its updates at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET.
‘Shogun,’ ‘Hacks,’ ‘The Bear’ win at the 76th Emmy Awards
History was made at the 76th Emmy Awards Sunday night in Los Angeles. The big winner was the historical drama Shogun.
“Shogun” became the first non-English language series to win best drama. It claimed a total of 18 wins, including lead actor, actress, and directing.
Trump, Harris prepare for presidential debate with 1 day to go
With just one day to go, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are preparing for the first debate between the presidential candidates. And Apple is reportedly set to unveil its latest iPhone models powered by artificial intelligence. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, Sept. 9, 2024.
Trump, Harris prepare for presidential debate with 1 day to go
We’re now one day away from Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump facing off on the debate stage. Tuesday night, Sept. 10, both presidential candidates will be in Philadelphia to answer questions over policies, address Americans’ concerns in the country and make their case for why voters should choose them in November.
Over the weekend, Harris was seen by reporters on a stroll with her husband Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff. She ignored the reporters’ first few questions but when asked if she’s ready for the debate, she said, “I’m ready.”
Also over the weekend, the Harris-Walz campaign unveiled a website detailing policies for the first time. It outlines proposals on key issues such as the economy, crime and immigration.
Harris will be in Pittsburgh Monday, Sept. 9, preparing for the debate with a team of advisors.
Meanwhile, sources told ABC News that Trump is “holding informal policy sessions with a small team of advisers, including GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz and former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.”
Trump was on the campaign trail in Wisconsin on Saturday, Sept. 7, where he also spoke of the upcoming debate.
“Oh, they’re waiting for the debate. You know, if I destroy her in the debate, they’ll say, ‘Trump suffered a humiliating defeat tonight,’ no matter what,” Trump said.
Two of the latest battleground polls, one from the New York Times and the other CBS News, show razor thin margins between the two candidates in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan.
While the Biden administration cited the Doha Agreement, a Trump-era agreement with the Taliban to leave Afghanistan by May 2021, as a main reason for the withdrawal, the report says the decision “was not based on the security situation, the Doha Agreement, or the advice of his senior national security advisors or our allies. Rather, it was premised on the president’s longstanding and unyielding opinion that the United States should no longer be in Afghanistan.”
The report accuses the administration of missing warning signs pointing to how quickly Kabul would fall to the Taliban upon a U.S. withdrawal and says the planning of and calling for an evacuation was delayed.
Defense secretary says temporary budget would severely impact military
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is warning Congress that passing a temporary bill to keep the government open would have devastating impacts on the Defense Department. The bill would keep the federal government funded for another six months, but cap spending at 2024 levels.
In a letter to members of Congress on Sunday, Sept. 8, Austin said that the stop-gap would cut defense spending by more than $6 billion, compared to the 2025 spending proposal. Austin said that would impact thousands of defense programs and damage recruiting just as the military is starting to recover from the pandemic.
Congress needs to approve a stop-gap spending bill before the end of the budget year on Sept. 30 to avoid a government shutdown.
Manhunt continues for suspect in Kentucky freeway shooting
The suspect in a shooting on a Kentucky freeway that left seven people injured over the weekend remains on the loose. Police said Joseph A. Couch is the man responsible for opening fire Saturday, Sept. 7, on Interstate 75, striking at least 12 vehicles.
Police said in a Sunday night, Sept. 8, news briefing, Couch purchased his weapon legally the morning of the shooting. He also bought a thousand rounds of ammunition.
An AR-15 rifle was found not far from the shooting scene and Couch’s vehicle was located abandoned nearby.
California’s Line Fire consumes 20,000 acres, prompts mandatory evacuations
Firefighters in California are battling against more than a dozen wildfires fueled by a heatwave and high winds. The most intense blaze is the Line Fire in San Bernardino County, which has surged to over 20,000 acres and prompted the evacuation of more than 11,000 residents.
Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency and as of Sunday afternoon, Sept. 8, the fire was zero percent contained. The blaze has injured three people, though details on their conditions are not yet available.
Thunderstorm winds are complicating firefighting efforts, causing unpredictable fire behavior, while critically dry vegetation and smoke continue to pose other challenges.
Officials said more thunderstorms on Monday could add fuel to the Line Fire.
Apple expected to reveal iPhone 16 lineup at ‘Glowtime’ event
It’s “‘Glowtime!” That’s the title Apple has given its event Monday where the tech giant is expected to unveil its latest lineup of iPhones.
Apple is set to reveal the iPhone 16 models. They will reportedly be the first ones powered by the company’s artificial intelligence program, Apple Intelligence, which was announced earlier this year.
The phones will also likely have larger screen displays and upgraded cameras.
Throwable cameras give users a 360 degree view: Weapon of the week
One weapon featured at Special Operations Forces Week 2024 is the size of a softball and might look like just a toy. However, the ball is actually a throwable, 360-degree tactile camera from Bounce Imaging that has more tech than what meets the eye.
“These are 360 degree throwable cameras that are used in law enforcement, search and rescue, and — in the context this week — in special operations,” Francisco Aguilar, the CEO of Bounce Imaging, said. “It’s something that you can throw into an environment and get an instant 360 degree view of what’s going on to many people, so that you can have a better view of what’s going on in that space.”
The idea of a 360 degree camera packed into a ball took time to become a reality. Bounce Imaging started in 2012, but the technology need to complete its vision was not available until 2016
According to Bounce Imaging COO Mark Fargason, people like the throwable cameras because there’s not a lot to think about when using it.
“What folks love about this is that you can you can you take it out, turn it on, deploy it, view it on your video feed, understand it very quickly, with a very low cognitive load,” Bounce Imaging COO Mark Fargason said.
The hard rubber ball is equipped with six cameras and a two-way radio that lets people talk to each other through the ball. The audio system has become an invaluable tool for police, rescue and special force operators.
“So we know it’s making a difference, which we’re super proud of,” Fargason said. “And, you know, we hope to get it out to more folks in the future.”
Aguilar said their users are actually their best innovators.
“People have come up with really clever ways to use this to look over walls, down tunnels, inside attic spaces, around corners, in ways that they wouldn’t have been able to do,” Aguilar said. “[The ball has] a much lower demand on their thinking than with other tools.”
Furthermore, the throwable camera doesn’t require any other equipment. Users can view images from the ball on smartphones using the Bounce Viewer app.
The ball is also multi-lingual. According to Fargason, the device is preloaded with simple commands in 20 different languages. This means users not only have a clear picture, but they’re breaking down barriers as well.