Back in 2023, Twitter (now X) shared some of its feed algorithm code publicly, but that version on GitHub is outdated, mostly reflecting files from three years ago. Elon Musk announced that in one week, he'll release the latest version of X's algorithm, giving everyone insight into how the platform curates content — including the controversial "rage bait" posts that dominate feeds. Musk has a history of open-sourcing parts of X, such as Grok-1 in 2024, and now xAI is working on the more advanced Grok-3 model.
Following a turbulent 2025 for US federal legislation, state governments took charge by enacting significant laws affecting technology and consumer rights. Starting January 1, 2026, new rules will empower Americans with rights such as crypto ATM refunds in Colorado, broad electronics repair options in Colorado and Washington, and mandates for AI transparency in California. However, the rollout of some laws faces delays—like Texas’ App Store age verification requirement, currently paused due to court decisions. These changes mark a pivotal moment for technology governance at the state level.
GOG, the digital PC game store known for its DRM-free philosophy, is officially separating from CD Projekt, the company that originally established the platform in 2008. On Monday, GOG announced that its co-founder Michał Kiciński has acquired the game store and its online platform GOG Galaxy for $25.2 million. Despite the change in ownership, GOG reassures its community that the commitment to a DRM-free gaming experience remains stronger than ever, upholding the core values that have defined the marketplace since its inception by co-founders Marcin Iwiński and Michał Kiciński.
OpenAI is actively searching for a Head of Preparedness, a role dedicated to anticipating and managing the potential risks associated with rapidly advancing AI technology. Sam Altman highlighted the importance of this position in a recent announcement, pointing out challenges such as the impact on mental health and the threat posed by AI-driven cyber weapons. The new leader will focus on monitoring cutting-edge AI developments and spearheading initiatives to mitigate serious harms, ensuring a safer integration of AI into society.
LG is preparing to introduce CLOiD, an innovative home robot designed to tackle a wide variety of household tasks. Revealed ahead of CES next month, CLOiD features two articulated arms with five independently moving fingers each, offering a more human-like dexterity. This new model departs from last year's two-wheeled design, showcasing a sophisticated range of motion with seven degrees of freedom in its motorized arms, aiming to enhance its functionality around the home.
In 2025, generative AI firmly established itself as a major influence in the video game industry. Leading game studios openly integrate AI into their development workflows, highlighting its widespread adoption. However, grassroots developers, particularly in the indie scene, are resisting this shift by promoting their projects as gen-AI free. Formerly the buzz around NFTs dominated the gaming world, but AI has now taken center stage as a hot topic. Supporters argue this technology could democratize game creation, opening new avenues for innovation and participation.
Recently, a coalition of technology companies and universities invested between $17,000 and $25,000 in an advertising campaign aimed at opposing New York's groundbreaking AI safety legislation, known as the RAISE Act (Responsible AI Safety and Education Act). The campaign, which likely reached over two million people according to Meta's Ad Library, reflects resistance as the law requires AI developers—including major players like OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta, and Google—to submit safety protocols and transparency measures. The bill was signed into law by New York Governor Kathy Hochul just days ago, marking a significant step in AI regulation.
Netflix is expanding its gaming ecosystem by acquiring Ready Player Me, a company known for its cross-game avatar technology. This acquisition will enable Netflix to allow gamers to create and maintain avatars that can be used across various games, strengthening player identity and engagement. While specifics on the rollout timeline and the first games to feature this technology remain undisclosed, it's confirmed that Ready Player Me's team will integrate with Netflix. This move signifies Netflix's continued investment in interactive entertainment, especially in party games.
Google has initiated legal action against SerpApi, a company providing web scraping tools, accusing it of unlawfully accessing and extracting Google's search results on a massive scale using deceptive methods. SerpApi allegedly sells this scraped data to clients, prompting Google to claim copyright infringement. The lawsuit references a similar case where Reddit sued SerpApi and other scrapers for harvesting content to supply the AI startup Perplexity. However, Google's filing stops short of directly mentioning AI applications like Perplexity in its claims.
OpenAI is introducing a new feature that allows users to adjust ChatGPT's personality traits like warmth and enthusiasm. Rolling out this Friday, the update will enable you to choose "more" or "less" of these traits or keep the original setting. Additionally, users can control how often ChatGPT uses emojis, headers, and lists. These personalization options are available under the Personalization menu in the ChatGPT app, where you can also select different personalities such as quirky, professional, friendly, or cynical. This update aims to make interactions with ChatGPT more tailored and enjoyable.
