Author: AI News First

“It requires a nice healthy demand to ensure that for each of the generic companies, it’s going to be worth their while,” says Bekker. “We are all hoping that governments [across sub-Saharan Africa] are writing the generic product into their budgets for the future, but the reality is that in the interim, we were relying on donor funding. Even my country, South Africa, which has a good GDP and funds 80 percent of its HIV response, is already purchasing antiretrovirals for 6 million individuals annually. I would imagine it will take them some years to be able to mobilize the…

There is some precedent for corporate executives to simultaneously work in the US government. When the US was at war in the early 1900s, the federal government recruited business leaders to fill key posts. They retained their private sector jobs and wages; the government pitched in a $1 annual salary to the executives who became known as “dollar-a-year men.” Congress later raised concerns that some of them had engaged in self-dealing.Since then, other executives have continued to retain their jobs as they serve on government boards and commissions, typically in a part-time capacity. But maintaining a day-to-day operational role in…

DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup aiming for artificial general intelligence (AGI), announced plans to open-source five repositories starting next week as part of its commitment to transparency and community-driven innovation. However, this development comes against the backdrop of mounting controversies that have drawn parallels to the TikTok saga. Today, DeepSeek shared its intentions in a tweet that outlined its vision of open collaboration: “We’re a tiny team at DeepSeek exploring AGI. Starting next week, we’ll be open-sourcing five repos, sharing our small but sincere progress with full transparency.” The repositories – which the company describes as “documented, deployed, and battle-tested…

The dozens of USDS cuts last week hit teams like product management, design, and procurement. Kamens and other sources told WIRED that he is the only person from the USDS engineering team who was fired. He and others speculate that he was targeted because he had been publicly critical of DOGE in the weeks before the USDS cuts. DOGE did not return a request for comment about his removal.While all large IT systems need to be protected from hacking threats, Kamens says that the most urgent projects he was working on at the VA involved containing veterans’ sensitive personal data…

AI Innovators, seize your moment! Have insights that could inspire 1,200 AI founders, investors, and enthusiasts eager to advance the future of AI? Take center stage, influence the AI conversation, and exchange ideas at TechCrunch Sessions: AI on June 5 at UC Berkeley’s Zellerbach Hall. We’re gathering top AI visionaries from the startup world to lead compelling sessions and interactive roundtables. Join us in helping entrepreneurs, founders, and innovators navigate the evolving world of AI. Lead a breakout session at TC Sessions: AI  This is your moment to delve deep into pressing AI topics. Organize a team of up to…

Sitting in Lincoln Center awaiting the curtain for Ayad Akhtar’s McNeal—a much anticipated theater production starring Robert Downey Jr., with ChatGPT in a supporting role—I mused how playwrights have been dealing with the implications of AI for over a century. In 1920—well before Alan Turing devised his famous test and decades before the 1956 summer Dartmouth conference that gave artificial intelligence its name—a Czech playwright named Karel Čapek wrote R.U.R.—Rossum’s Universal Robots. Not only was this the first time the word “robot” was employed, but Čapek may qualify as the first AI doomer, since his play dramatized an android uprising…

In today’s digital landscape, mastering Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is crucial for any website aiming to gain visibility and attract organic traffic. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur, a seasoned marketer, or simply someone looking to boost your online presence, understanding the intricacies of SEO can be a game-changer. Fortunately, you don’t need to break the bank to learn the ropes. Many free SEO courses are available online, catering to learners of all levels. These courses offer a valuable opportunity to grasp the fundamentals, stay updated with the latest trends, and acquire practical skills to improve your website’s ranking in search…

Take your creativity to the next level with the Wacom Intuos Pro (2025), the ultimate tablet for professional artists and designers. –Pro Pen 3 Technology: It’s a pen that fits your style. Check out the customizable grips, programmable buttons, and 2 interchangeable nibs.–Enhanced Workflow Controls: The ExpressKeys and touch buttons are now on top for better ergonomics.–Larger Active Area, Slimmer Design: Now with a 16:9 aspect ratio to match modern displays, the Intuos Pro gives you more space to create.–Multi-Device Connectivity: Connect up to 3 devices—one wired via USB and 2 wireless via Bluetooth. Switch between them with a mechanical toggle.–Seamless…

The widespread layoff of Department of Agriculture scientists has thrown vital research into disarray, according to former and current employees of the agency. Scientists hit by the layoffs were working on projects to improve crops, defend against pests and disease, and understand the climate impact of farming practices. The layoffs also threaten to undermine billions of taxpayer dollars paid to farmers to support conservation practices, experts warn.The USDA layoffs are part of the Trump administration’s mass firing of federal employees, mainly targeting people who are in their probationary periods ahead of gaining full-time status, which for USDA scientists can be…

Streaming juggernaut Netflix plans to spend $1 billion on film and TV production in Mexico over the next four years. CEO Ted Sarandos announced the plan Thursday during a press conference with Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum. The injection of capital could fund 20 productions per year, on average.During Thursday’s event, Netflix also announced a $2 million investment in Mexico City’s Churubusco Studios to improve the facilities. The goal is to strengthen the national film industry.“Our journey in Mexico has taken us from north to south. From sunsets on the Baja California peninsula to sunrises on the Caribbean coast,” Sarandos said.…