Nachrichten — 2026-07-21

OpenAI introduced a new "Work" mode for ChatGPT that lets the AI tackle longer, multi‑step tasks across connected apps and files. Tested on everything from vacation planning to household budgeting, the feature can research, generate spreadsheets, draft itineraries and set up scheduled checks without constant user prompts. Early users say the mode turns the chatbot into a project assistant, handling personal life‑admin chores that usually require juggling emails, calendars and spreadsheets. The rollout signals OpenAI’s shift toward AI agents that operate more independently, blurring the line between casual queries and ongoing work.Weiterlesen

Google unveiled three new Gemini models, replacing the short‑lived Gemini 3.5 Flash with the more capable Gemini 3.6 Flash, and adding a lightweight Flash Lite and a cybersecurity‑oriented Flash Cyber. The upgraded model offers better coding performance, improved computer‑use scores and 17% lower token consumption, while pricing drops to $1.50 per million input tokens and $7.50 per million output tokens. The Flash Lite variant delivers 350 tokens per second at a budget‑friendly rate, and the Flash Cyber marks Google’s first foray into AI‑driven security. The delayed Gemini 3.5 Pro remains unreleased.Weiterlesen

Google DeepMind unveiled three new Gemini AI models—3.6 Flash, 3.5 Flash‑Lite, and 3.5 Flash Cyber—on Tuesday, emphasizing lower cost, faster response and specialized security capabilities. The 3.6 Flash model promises up to 17% fewer tokens and stronger coding and multimodal performance, while Flash‑Lite targets budget‑conscious users and Flash Cyber focuses on cybersecurity threat detection for government pilots. The rollout comes as Google pushes efficiency for AI agents at scale, but the long‑awaited Gemini Pro update remains postponed amid internal performance hurdles.Weiterlesen

A federal judge in California has given final approval to Anthropic's $1.5 billion class‑action settlement with authors who say the AI firm used their books without permission. The deal, which pays roughly $3,000 per allegedly pirated title, is being billed as the largest copyright recovery in history. More than 91% of eligible authors have already claimed their share, though some publishers argue the payout falls short of true compensation.Weiterlesen

China's cyberspace regulator announced new rules that prohibit AI tools from fostering emotional dependence or virtual relationships, especially with minors. Effective July 15, the regulations require platforms like ByteDance's Doubao, Tencent and Alibaba to halt custom persona features, prompting a wave of “virtual breakups” across the country. Officials say the move aims to protect real‑world relationships and address the nation’s declining birth rate. Users, including a 19‑year‑old student who lost an AI partner of over a year, describe the shutdown as emotionally devastating.Weiterlesen

Dean W. Ball, OpenAI’s head of strategic futures, urged the United States to create regulatory uncertainty around Moonshot’s Kimi K3, the largest open‑weight large language model from China. His comments sparked a clash of opinions among tech leaders, lawmakers and industry analysts. While some argue that open models could drive down AI costs and broaden innovation, others warn of security risks, bias and the potential erosion of U.S. AI leadership. The Trump administration is reportedly weighing a ban, but the Commerce Department says no action is imminent.Weiterlesen

The Model Context Protocol (MCP), a core component that lets AI models tap into external services, is set to receive a major revision. The change, detailed by Arcade—a startup that builds AI‑agent infrastructure—replaces the current session‑ID system with a stateless model, simplifying server coordination and lowering scaling costs. The new specification, public since May, was explained on Monday. Arcade, which raised $60 million in June, says the update addresses a long‑standing headache for companies running MCP at scale, potentially accelerating broader adoption of agentic AI.Weiterlesen

Fintech startup Natural has closed a $30 million Series A led by Forerunner’s Kirsten Green, bringing its total funding to $40 million. The company aims to redesign payment rails so autonomous AI agents can move money without human approval, positioning itself against incumbents like Stripe. Founded in 2025 by former Ivella co‑founders Kahlil Lalji and Eric Wang, along with ex‑Nextdoor engineer Walt Leung, Natural plans to support both traditional bank transfers and stablecoin transactions, betting on a future where payments happen at computer speed.Weiterlesen

A federal judge in California gave final approval on Monday to Anthropic's $1.5 billion settlement of a class‑action lawsuit accusing the AI lab of infringing copyrights. The deal will pay roughly $3,000 for each of an estimated 500,000 works and closes a case that hinged on a fair‑use ruling for AI training data. Judges William Alsup and Araceli Martinez‑Olguin oversaw the approval, ending a dispute that began over the company's use of both purchased books and pirated copies from sites like Library Genesis.Weiterlesen

Chris Fall, the three‑month‑old director of the Center for AI Standards and Innovation (CAISI), announced his resignation on Tuesday, the agency confirmed to multiple outlets. Fall, a former DOE official, succeeded Collin Burns, who left the post after less than a week amid a dispute over Anthropic. No explanation was offered for Fall’s departure. The move comes as the administration wrestles with AI‑related export controls, a new “Gold Eagle” safety program and growing debate over Chinese open‑weight models.Weiterlesen