Tech Updates

GPT-5: It Just Does Stuff

https://www.oneusefulthing.org/p/gpt-5-it-just-does-stuff

Microsoft is making OpenAI's new open model available on Windows, though its separate AI web initiative has encountered a security flaw. Meanwhile, OpenAI is reportedly planning a share sale at a potential $500 billion valuation.

Google is defending its AI-powered search overviews, stating they are not negatively affecting web traffic.

There is significant activity in the Israeli tech sector: fintech company RiseUp is expanding into mortgage consulting, while fellow fintech firm Capitolis raised $56 million. Additionally, AI search agent company Tavily secured $20 million, and an all-Israeli acquisition took place in the AI security field to defend against cyberattacks.

In other news, two Chinese nationals were arrested in the US for allegedly illegally exporting Nvidia AI chips to China, and the high energy demand from AI data centers is raising the possibility of an increased reliance on nuclear power.

• https://www.calcalist.co.il/calcalistech/article/rk9dufrvel
• https://www.calcalist.co.il/calcalistech/article/hkhnm00eolg
• https://www.calcalist.co.il/calcalistech/article/hjbmqdxolg
• https://www.theverge.com/news/719617/microsoft-nlweb-security-flaw-agentic-web
• https://www.theverge.com/news/719640/microsoft-openai-gpt-oss-open-model-windows-ai-foundry-release
• https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/719409/nuclear-energy-uranium-enrichment-ai-data-center-electricity
• https://www.calcalist.co.il/calcalistech/article/bk0ao2ldel
• https://www.theverge.com/news/720069/google-ai-overviews-search-web-traffic-stable
• https://www.calcalist.co.il/calcalistech/article/sjdje6l00xx
• https://www.calcalist.co.il/calcalistech/article/hy4lzygoeg

OpenAI has released a free, partially open-source GPT model that can run on a laptop, reportedly in response to competition. Google introduced Genie 3, an AI model that generates video game worlds in real time, while xAI launched a new image and video generator for Grok featuring a 'spicy' mode. In the hardware sector, Intel is reportedly struggling with its new 18A manufacturing process, resulting in layoffs and project cancellations. On the business side, SentinelOne is acquiring the Israeli startup Prompt Security, and Israeli company EverC is merging with G2 Risk Solutions from the U.S.

https://www.theverge.com/news/718795/xai-grok-imagine-video-generator-spicy-mode

https://www.calcalist.co.il/calcalistech/article/bkz6wdk00ll

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/08/report-intel-struggles-to-ramp-up-production-on-new-18a-manufacturing-process

https://www.calcalist.co.il/calcalistech/article/rk001b6j00xe

https://www.theverge.com/openai/718785/openai-gpt-oss-open-model-release

https://www.theverge.com/news/718723/google-ai-genie-3-model-video-game-worlds-real-time

https://www.calcalist.co.il/calcalistech/article/byfpw8joeg

The Author as Designer: Distant Writing and Literary Creation in the Age of AI

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/rm42i8bccfthwn9gopt82/content_to_share-2.txt?rlkey=fq2ysp4q0bmnvigmw3nd9lxg7&dl=1

The market shows a strong appetite for AI, evidenced by OpenAI's fundraising and major infrastructure investments from tech giants like Google and Amazon. In acquisitions, SentinelOne is buying an Israeli AI startup for $250 million. This industry shift is also affecting employment, with e-commerce company Yotpo laying off 200 employees to focus more on AI. Google's subsidiary DeepMind has revealed Genie 3, a "world model" for creating real-time interactive simulations, but the company also faces scrutiny over its Waze deal and criticism for the declining quality of its search engine. Elsewhere, Amazon has shut down the Alexa skill for Sengled's smart lighting, PayPal is enabling merchants to accept cryptocurrency, and Valve's founder Gabe Newell has purchased a superyacht company.

https://www.calcalist.co.il/calcalistech/article/r1jytcivee
https://www.calcalist.co.il/calcalistech/article/bjd5q9idxe
https://www.calcalist.co.il/calcalistech/article/syn7mmavee
https://www.theverge.com/analysis/718436/amazon-alexa-skill-ended-for-sengled-smart-lighting
https://www.theverge.com/news/718639/gabe-newell-valve-superyacht-oceanco
https://www.calcalist.co.il/calcalistech/article/hjk8rurdgl
https://www.calcalist.co.il/calcalistech/article/skp3corpel
https://www.calcalist.co.il/calcalistech/article/b1wcnukdxx
https://arstechnica.com/ai/2025/08/deepmind-reveals-genie-3-world-model-that-creates-real-time-interactive-simulations
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/08/enough-is-enough-i-dumped-googles-worsening-search-for-kagi

How LLMs See the World - ByteByteGo Newsletter

https://blog.bytebytego.com/p/how-llms-see-the-world

Agentic Web: Weaving the Next Web with AI Agents

https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.21206

Good Management is Invisible. – Emanuele.https://emanuele.cc/good-management-in-invisible

Anthropic co-founder: AGI predictions, leaving OpenAI, what keeps him up at night | Ben Mann

https://youtu.be/WWoyWNhx2XU

A Synthesis of In-Context Learning: Mechanisms, Scope, and Dynamics in LLMs

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/3ey598409e6qwqb44bc80/icl2.txt?rlkey=kkszey981idgt9s75ken65rk4&dl=1