All articles tagged with #automation
Economists, AI specialists, and superforecasters increasingly model AI progress as disruptive, predicting a modest dip in labor-force participation toward about 60% by 2030 under rapid AI progress, but with no consensus on a doomsday scenario and acknowledging that policy and adaptation will shape how work changes.
AI-powered cloud laboratories can autonomously design and run thousands of biological experiments, slashing costs and speeding protein design, but governance and safety measures have not kept pace. The technology raises dual-use concerns and potential misuse, prompting calls for stronger DNA screening, model evaluations, and coordinated international frameworks to manage AI-driven biology while preserving innovation.
A Gallup poll of ages 14–29 finds Gen Z’s daily AI use has plateaued, with rising anxiety and fading hope about AI’s benefits. While curiosity remains, concerns about mental health, the job market, and other risks accompany a skepticism toward productivity gains from AI, and most Gen Z respondents prefer human-made work. The trend suggests this tech-native generation could shape AI adoption in the workforce and potentially influence hiring, even as major firms invest heavily in AI; experts say firms must address broader social impacts beyond just productivity boosts.
New research using official labour statistics corroborates private payroll data, showing about half a million fewer coders today than pre-LLM-era trends. The 'bundles of tasks' framework explains why junior and contractor coding jobs are more exposed to AI displacement, while senior developers and domain experts resist as AI automates lower-value tasks and multiplies the rest, implying a widening divide in white-collar work as AI capabilities grow.
An Ipsos/Epoch AI survey of about 2,000 American adults shows AI use is common, with 50% having used AI in the past week and 20% of full-time workers reporting AI has taken over parts of their job; about 15% have started new AI-enabled tasks. Most usage involves only 1–2 quick tasks per day, while autonomous AI agents remain rare (around 8%). Popular tools include ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot, highlighting evolving impacts on the labor market.
MLB's Automated Ball-Strike system (ABS) is delivering entertainment and sparking debate, as overturned calls energize crowds and players adjust on the field while managers weigh risks with a limited number of challenges; with a rough 2.4% challenge rate through 35 games, early moments like Eugenio Suárez's overturned calls and Bucknor’s decisions showcase ABS adding strategic dialogue and fan engagement, even as catchers such as Patrick Bailey learn to leverage the tech; many still value the human element and debate whether full ABS is desirable, but the system appears to be delivering fun and driving innovation in the sport.
A SlashGear feature outlines a 10-item smart-gadget lineup to upgrade a home office, from smart speakers and displays to smart lights, plugs, thermostats, remotes, locks, cameras, and a robot vacuum, detailing how each device can boost productivity, streamline control, enhance security, save energy, and keep the workspace tidy, with practical notes on compatibility and setup.
Google is piloting an internal AI tool named Agent Smith that autonomously handles coding and other tasks within Google’s tools and chat platform, reflecting a company-wide push to adopt AI agents; Brin highlighted agents as a major focus this year, with adoption sometimes tied to performance, and Smith builds on Google's Antigravity framework.
MLB will roll out the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System in 2026, letting teams challenge a pitch’s strike call via a Hawk-Eye–style system with 12 cameras; each team gets two challenges per game (one extra in extra innings), and the strike zone definition differs from the traditional rulebook. While supporters say it corrects egregious pitches and reflects growing tech in baseball, critics — including former umpire Richie Garcia — worry about humbling human umpires and loss of trust. Umpire accuracy has been high in recent seasons, though social media scrutiny persists. Spring training data show mixed challenge success across teams, with the Yankees leading in overall challenges and players like Willson Contreras and Christian Cairo notable for their success.
Anthropic’s Claude now includes agentic AI that can remotely operate a user’s macOS computer to perform repetitive tasks—like batch-resizing photos in Photoshop and adding logos—via the Claude Dispatch app, with previews limited to Claude Pro/Max; it prioritizes connectors to services but can execute tasks directly if needed, raising security concerns about accessing sensitive files.
MLB is introducing the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system, a batter-height–based, computer-defined strike zone with a two-second window to challenge each pitch; each team gets two challenges per game, and reviews will show the ruling on the stadium scoreboard. The strike zone is defined as a pane 27%–53.5% of a batter’s height over home plate. Debuting in the Giants–Yankees opener, the move aims to standardize calls and reduce controversial moments, though reactions from players and fans are mixed.
Anthropic has added remote-control capabilities to Claude Code and Claude Cowork, allowing Claude to operate a Mac and complete tasks by navigating the screen when direct app connectors aren’t available. Paired with Dispatch for iPhone-to-desktop task handoffs, a demo shows Claude exporting a pitch deck to PDF and attaching it to a meeting invite while the user is away. The feature is early, uses a permission-first model for app access, is Mac-only for now, and is in research preview for Claude Pro and Max; safeguards advise starting with trusted apps and avoiding sensitive data.
Anthropic is adding autonomous on-device task execution to Claude via Code and Cowork for macOS, letting the AI open files, browse, and control apps with explicit user permission. Access is a research preview for Claude Pro/Max, requiring the Claude desktop app (paired with the mobile app) and depending on service connectors, though it can operate by directly controlling the browser, input devices, and display when necessary; complex tasks may need retries and aren’t guaranteed to be perfect.
Anthrop ic has added a research-preview feature that lets Claude autonomously perform tasks on macOS by connecting to apps and tools, with user permission and a manual fallback via keyboard and mouse. The capability, integrated with Dispatch for mobile task orchestration, is available to Claude Pro/Max subscribers on Macs and is designed with safeguards, but carries security risks like prompt injections and potential vulnerabilities; some apps are disabled by default and not all tasks work perfectly yet.
A PBS NewsHour report shows that despite President Trump’s promises of a manufacturing revival, U.S. factory jobs have fallen since he took office, with some production moving overseas and concerns about quality from imported parts. Experts say job gains from reshoring and investment would be modest and slow, and automation may cap growth, suggesting the promised boom is not imminent and the sector’s recovery will be gradual.