Social media feeds are awash with an unprecedented flood of AI -driven disinformation ahead of November's US midterm elections, according to experts, who warn many posts are probably "slipping through the cracks". As tens of millions of Americans prepare to cast their vote, social media companies have scaled back their efforts to protect voters from lies meant to manipulate elections. While the backlash against Facebook after the Cambridge Analytica scandal prompted social media giants to bolster their trust and safety operations, a counter-backlash from the right over fears of speech restrictions - which intensified after Elon Musk's takeover of X, formerly Twitter, and the election of Donald Trump in 2024 - has led to significant layoffs from relevant teams. Artificial intelligence has made it easier than ever to launch a disinformation campaign. And platforms are increasingly relying on AI, rather than human intervention, to respond.

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I ranked six AI agents--from Meta's Muse to Anthropic's Claude Duet--on how well they completed basic tasks. Last year, I remember sitting in WIRED's office, complaining to my colleagues nonstop about how much AI agents suck. They were just bad at everything. As a software reporter, I sat through meeting after meeting where tech bros --mostly men--demonstrated how their new agent would revolutionize my everyday life and automate away the tedium. The catch was that none of these so-called "agents" actually worked. Fast-forward to today, and always-on AI agents are booming, with major players racing to release their own versions to attract early adopters.

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Transformers are a crucial but nearly invisible part of our grid. The devices help efficiently move power across long distances, but they're complicated and in short supply. And given that their basic design hasn't changed much for about a century, they could use an upgrade. As the world races to meet rising electricity demand from EVs, data centers, and more, researchers and companies are looking to modernize transformers. New, solid-state versions could help relieve some of the supply concerns and make sure the grid can handle the growing pressure. Conventional transformers generally rely on huge amounts of specialized steel alloys and miles of copper wire to do their work of transferring electricity between circuits. Solid-state models, in comparison, combine magnetic components with high-power semiconductors, making them more compact and allowing for more control over the flow of electricity. These devices are still in development, and can't replace all traditional transformers today, especially the largest ones that work at the high voltages necessary for long-distance transmission. But a new generation of transformer technology could be a crucial part of our future grid.

Drone strike kills at least 21 and injures 40 in Sudan's Nyala Share Drone strike kills at least 21 and injures 40 in Sudan's Nyala on social media At least 21 people have been killed and 40 others were wounded in a drone strike in Nyala, Darfur, the AFP news agency reported, citing a medical source and witnesses. A Nyala resident said that the attack took place at around 8pm (18:00 GMT) on Monday at a market in the north of the city - which serves as the de facto capital of Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. Another Nyala resident told AFP that the market was frequented by armed men, particularly RSF fighters. The Sudanese military, which has been at war with the RSF since April 2023, regularly strikes Nyala, where the RSF has declared an administration rivalling the military-backed, internationally recognised government in Khartoum.

The Dell Laptop Buying Guide UK: Which Dell Laptop Should You Buy? When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. Get a Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 lifetime license for $29.97 (reg. Visual Studio Professional is one of the most widely used IDEs for .NET and C++ development, and Microsoft typically sells it through a subscription. A Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 lifetime license replaces that recurring cost with one payment, and it's on sale for $29.97 (reg.

Developments in the Gulf since the beginning of this year have raised fundamental questions about the security of the region in general and Qatar in particular. How can Qatar and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states become effective, independent military powers that do not rely on external security guarantees to ensure their safety? The question for Qatar is how it can build, over the next five years, a national defence capability that would enable it to protect the state and its vital interests even in the absence of Gulf or regional support, or if the United States provides only limited assistance. The aim is to explore whether Qatar can achieve what might be described as defence autonomy, rather than isolation. In other words, Qatar should remain open to alliances and partnerships without making its security dependent on the decisions of another state.

Safety Net Look Up Versus Trending Now Say More Mashable's Best: E-readers, robovacs, laptops, earbuds, smart home and more Creator Playbook Mashable Selects Getting Technical with Mashable Gift Ideas For Everyone On Your List In My Bag Mashable @Home All Series Today's will be easier for people who live in Chicago. As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans. Like the original, the game is all about finding the common threads between words. And just like, resets after midnight, and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier -- so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle. If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest solution.