Silicon Valley’s long-held belief that software dominates innovation is shifting. As AI systems mature and demand physical embodiments to act in the real world, hardware is experiencing a major resurgence. Robotics, autonomous machines, and AI-native devices are rapidly rising, driven by changes in global supply chains, manufacturing economics, and evolving venture investment priorities.

When OpenAI’s Sam Altman announced that ChatGPT will soon allow erotica for verified adults, it wasn’t just a policy update — it was a cultural tremor. The adult industry, long intertwined with technological innovation, now faces a revolution driven by generative AI. For creators like Zara Dar, who famously left her PhD in bioengineering for OnlyFans stardom, this shift raises a deeper question: what happens when machines learn to perform desire better than humans?

In a world where truth and fiction collide at the speed of a swipe, one story from Japan captured global attention. A glamorous young “biker goddess” built a loyal following on social media, posting photos that combined style, speed, and charisma. The twist? She wasn’t a goddess at all. Behind the account was a 50-year-old man using FaceApp, an AI-powered photo manipulation tool, to transform his appearance into that of a youthful woman.

China recently completed a 158-kilometer resurfacing of the Beijing–Hong Kong–Macao Expressway, and it looked nothing like traditional roadwork. Instead of crews in hard hats and reflective vests, the site was managed entirely by AI-driven drones, self-driving pavers, and robotic rollers. No manual laborers were present. No one stood in harm’s way.

Taco Bell’s ambitious rollout of AI-powered drive-thru ordering—now installed in more than 500 locations through a collaboration between Yum! Brands and NVIDIA—was intended to revolutionize efficiency and customer experience. Instead, it rapidly became a case study in the challenges of real-world AI deployment. Customers found humor in flaws, such as the infamous “18,000 cups of water” prank, and staff noted frustrating glitches during peak times. AI Failing.

For nearly three decades, banner ads have been the wallpaper of the internet. From the garish, blinking rectangles of the 1990s to the slick, programmatically placed units of today, banners have served as the default monetization layer for online publishers. Entire industries were built around their buying, selling, and optimization.

For investors searching for the next major shift in digital advertising, the breakthrough is already here—and it’s unfolding in a way that most consumers haven’t even realized yet. Global advertising spend is expected to exceed $1.1 trillion in 2025, with nearly three-quarters of that already flowing into digital channels. Within that enormous pool, a brand-new layer is emerging: ads that no longer sit on web pages or in social feeds

When Sam Altman, CEO and cofounder of OpenAI, was asked about the future his children will inherit, his answer was both provocative and revealing. “My kids will never be smarter than AI,” he said. Yet, he added, they will grow up “vastly more capable” precisely because of their fluency with AI tools. “They will just never know any other world,” Altman noted. “It will seem totally natural… unthinkable that we used to use computers or phones or any kind of technology that wa

The college admissions process has never been simple. Essays, standardized tests, extracurriculars, recommendation letters—each piece is a puzzle that high school students and their families work tirelessly to solve. But today, a new force is reshaping the rules of the game: artificial intelligence.

In the rapidly evolving world of Industry 4.0, digital twin technology has emerged as a transformative force—creating real-time, virtual replicas of physical environments to enable smarter, faster, and more adaptive operations. But while digital twins have become a buzzword, truly intelligent, AI-powered twins that can simulate, learn, and control physical systems in both directions—real-to-sim and sim-to-real—are still rare. That’s where MetAI stands out.

Imagine running, cycling, or swimming while real-time GPS navigation, immersive video, and music appear seamlessly before your eyes—super lightweight, super bright, and with extended battery life. That’s the future that Lipro Vision, a Taiwanese startup, is building with its innovative Mobile Smart Windows (MSW) platform. Designed specifically for near-eye wearable devices, Lipro Vision’s solution enhances sports performance and outdoor activity with effortless connectivity a

We’ve reached a defining moment in the arc of artificial intelligence. AI is no longer a futuristic concept or a niche capability.

In an era where global food systems are under increasing pressure—from climate volatility to changing consumer demands—efficiency, transparency, and resilience in sourcing have never been more important. Amid this evolving landscape, one platform is quietly transforming how food businesses connect across borders: iFoodMap, Taiwan’s premier B2B digital procurement platform for food products and ingredients.

The next wave of artificial intelligence isn’t confined to massive server farms or locked behind complicated cloud platforms. It’s happening at the edge — directly inside factories, hospitals, financial institutions, and even on portable devices. Thanks to a breakthrough from Taiwanese startup Avalanche Computing, this future is no longer theoretical — it’s here.

From prescription mishaps to surgical mistakes and billing inconsistencies, medical errors pose a serious threat to patient well-being and healthcare efficiency. AESOP Technology, spun out of Taipei Medical University and now headquartered in San Francisco, is tackling these challenges using AI-driven clinical decision support systems (CDSS) that enhance diagnostic accuracy, flag medication errors, prevent wrong-site surgeries, and even optimize billing.