Replika launched in 2017 and by 2025 has over 35 million users worldwide, including about 250,000 paying subscribers. Replika Pro costs about $5.83–$15.99 per month (varies by plan), roughly $70 per year, with a $299 lifetime option. Replika Pro unlocks a romantic partner mode with longer memory, more intimate roleplay, voice calls, and AR/VR features.…
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Study: Generative AI Like ChatGPT Reduces Critical Thinking in Student Writing A preliminary MIT study found students using ChatGPT for writing assignments showed lower critical thinking and reduced neural connectivity compared to those writing unaided. Educators noted AI-written texts lacked creativity and depth. Lead researcher Nataliya Kosmyna cautioned against claims that AI makes people ‘dumber,’…
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Russia and Belarus Plan AI Based on ‘Traditional Values’ Amid Global AI Concerns Russia and Belarus aim to develop an AI system grounded in traditional values, citing risks of bias and manipulation in Western chatbots. Sergey Glazyev warned, “one of the famous chats fell into racism, Nazism, and glorification of fascism.” The initiative seeks trustworthy,…
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As of early 2024, about 8.74 million people in Switzerland were internet users, roughly 99% of the population. More than 96% of people aged 15–88 use the internet, and 51% of those aged 75+ report online daily. By the end of 2022, fixed broadband subscriptions reached 48.2 per 100 inhabitants, the highest rate in the…
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Apple Delays MacBook Pro M5 Release to Spring 2026, Breaking Annual Update Cycle Apple will delay the MacBook Pro M5 launch to spring 2026, breaking its usual annual update cycle. The new model will mainly feature the updated M5 chip, with major design changes expected for the M6 version. Other Apple releases in 2025–2026 include…
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Amazon’s Alexa+ entered broad early access by mid-2025 and surpassed 1 million users by June 2025. Alexa+ is free for Amazon Prime members and costs $19.99/month for others, and it orchestrates “experts” across services like OpenTable, Spotify, and Uber Eats. Alexa+ can remember personal details and even has its own email for user-provided information, enabling…
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Amazon and AWS Unveil Next-Gen AI Servers with Advanced Cooling for Nvidia Blackwell GPUs Amazon and AWS introduced P6e-GB200 UltraServers to meet rising AI compute demands, supporting trillion-parameter models and advanced AI applications. AWS developed a custom In-Row Heat Exchanger (IRHX) cooling solution for new Nvidia Blackwell GPUs. VP Dave Brown stated, “off-the-shelf cooling options…
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Intesi Group of Italy and iGrant of Sweden launched the EUDI Wallet Business Wallet, a cross-border platform that combines qualified electronic signatures with Qualified Electronic Attribute Attestations for legally binding transactions. Google and Germany’s Sparkasse announced a first-of-its-kind online age-verification service that uses Google Wallet’s Credential Manager API with zero-knowledge cryptography to enable one-click age…
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NASA deployed the WB-57 and UAVSAR-equipped Gulfstream III to support Texas flood recovery, delivering high-resolution real-time data despite persistent cloud cover, with over 110 fatalities and more than 170 missing. The European Launcher Challenge finalists are Isar Aerospace, Rocket Factory Augsburg, MaiaSpace, PLD Space, and Orbex, each eligible for contracts up to €169 million. Airbus…
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Nvidia becomes the world’s first publicly traded company to reach a $4 trillion market capitalization in July 2025, reflecting AI hardware leadership and accounting for over 7% of the S&P 500. Samsung unveils Galaxy Z Fold7, Z Flip7, and Z Flip7 FE at Galaxy Unpacked 2025, with Fold7 at 4.4 mm unfolded, an 8-inch Dynamic…
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