Operators are standing by Company apologizes after AI support agent invents policy that causes user uproar Frustrated software developer believed AI-generated message came from human support rep. Benj Edwards – Apr 17, 2025 6:42 pm | 22 Credit: Juj Winn via Getty Images Credit: Juj Winn via Getty Images Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only   Learn more On Monday, a developer using the popular AI-powered code editor Cursor noticed something strange: Switching between machines instantly logged them out, breaking a common workflow for programmers who use multiple devices. When the user contacted Cursor support, an agent named "Sam" told them it was expected behavior under a new policy. But no such policy existed, and Sam was a bot. The AI model made the policy up, sparking a wave of complaints and cancellation threats documented on Hacker News and Reddit. This marks the latest instance of AI confabulations (also called "hallucinations") causing potential business damage. Confabulations are a type of "creative gap-filling" response where AI models invent plausible-sounding but false information. Instead of admitting uncertainty, AI models often prioritize creating plausible, confident responses, even when that means manufacturing information from scratch. For companies deploying these systems in customer-facing roles without human oversight, the consequences can be immediate and costly: frustrated customers, damaged trust, and, in Cursor's case, potentially canceled subscriptions. How it unfolded The incident began when a Reddit user named BrokenToasterOven noticed that while swapping between a desktop, laptop, and a remote dev box, Cursor sessions were unexpectedly terminated. "Logging into Cursor on one machine immediately invalidates the session on any other machine," BrokenToasterOven wrote in a message that was later deleted by r/cursor moderators. "This is a significant UX regression." Confused and frustrated, the user wrote an email to Cursor support and quickly received a reply from Sam: "Cursor is designed to work with one device per subscription as a core security feature," read the email reply. The response sounded definitive and official, and the user did not suspect that Sam was not human. Screenshot of an email from the Cursor support bot named Sam. Credit: BrokenToasterOven / Reddit After the initial Reddit post, users took the post as official confirmation of an actual policy change—one that broke habits essential to many programmers' daily routines. "Multi-device workflows are table stakes for devs," wrote one user. Shortly afterward, several users publicly announced their subscription cancellations on Reddit, citing the non-existent policy as their reason. "I literally just cancelled my sub," wrote the original Reddit poster, adding that their workplace was now "purging it completely." Others joined in: "Yep, I'm canceling as well, this is asinine." Soon after, moderators locked the Reddit thread and removed the original post. "Hey! We have no such policy," wrote a Cursor representative in a Reddit reply three hours later. "You're of course free to use Cursor on multiple machines. Unfortunately, this is an incorrect response from a front-line AI support bot." AI confabulations as a business risk The Cursor debacle recalls a similar episode from February 2024 when Air Canada was ordered to honor a refund policy invented by its own chatbot. In that incident, Jake Moffatt contacted Air Canada's support after his grandmother died, and the airline's AI agent incorrectly told him he could book a regular-priced flight and apply for bereavement rates retroactively. When Air Canada later denied his refund request, the company argued that "the chatbot is a separate legal entity that is responsible for its own actions." A Canadian tribunal rejected this defense, ruling that companies are responsible for information provided by their AI tools. Rather than disputing responsibility as Air Canada had done, Cursor acknowledged the error and took steps to make amends. Cursor cofounder Michael Truell later apologized on Hacker News for the confusion about the non-existent policy, explaining that the user had been refunded and the issue resulted from a backend change meant to improve session security that unintentionally created session invalidation problems for some users. "Any AI responses used for email support are now clearly labeled as such," he added. "We use AI-assisted responses as the first filter for email support." Still, the incident raised lingering questions about disclosure among users, since many people who interacted with Sam apparently believed it was human. "LLMs pretending to be people (you named it Sam!) and not labeled as such is clearly intended to be deceptive," one user wrote on Hacker News. While Cursor fixed the technical bug, the episode shows the risks of deploying AI models in customer-facing roles without proper safeguards and transparency. For a company selling AI productivity tools to developers, having its own AI support system invent a policy that alienated its core users represents a particularly awkward self-inflicted wound. "There is a certain amount of irony that people try really hard to say that hallucinations are not a big problem anymore," one user wrote on Hacker News, "and then a company that would benefit from that narrative gets directly hurt by it." Benj Edwards Senior AI Reporter Benj Edwards Senior AI Reporter Benj Edwards is Ars Technica's Senior AI Reporter and founder of the site's dedicated AI beat in 2022. He's also a tech historian with almost two decades of experience. In his free time, he writes and records music, collects vintage computers, and enjoys nature. He lives in Raleigh, NC. 22 Comments

Carrie Kirby celebrated her 50th birthday with an adventure trip to Utah — without her husband. Carrie Kirby 2025-04-18T00:14:01Z Save Saved Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Carrie Kirby, now 51, is married but opted to celebrate turning 50 with a girls-only trip to Utah. They went canyoneering and horseback riding — two things her husband has no interest in. Having traveled with her husband for three decades, she now sees the benefits of taking separate trips. As newlyweds in our 20s, my husband and I backpacked from Beijing to Paris, spending 14 weeks riding trains, buses, and boats. We were good travel partners. But as we've grown older, our travel desires have diverged: I itch for more adventure, while he prefers vacations spent reading and sketching.For my 50th birthday, instead of coaxing my husband to join me on a hiking trip to a national park, I invited our 20-year-old daughter, who loves active adventures as much as I do. We also brought along a family friend — who, like me, left her husband behind.The three of us headed to Utah to explore Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks. Along the way, I sent my artistic husband plenty of photos of the red cliffs against the blue sky.He would have hated it allWhen we won the permit lottery to hike up Zion's 1,488-foot rock formation, Angels Landing, I knew going with the girls had been the right choice — my husband has always been scared of heights. With narrow paths and sheer drop-offs, Angels Landing is considered one of the most terrifying hikes in America.The four-hour trek to Angels Landing begins with Walter's Wiggles, a series of strenuous switchbacks. Once we entered the formation's upper section, we scrambled over rocks and tiptoed down paths only a few feet wide. The river snaking through the canyon below looked like the view from an airplane.I have to admit I was a little shaky when I came to the short sections with no chains to clutch. My husband wouldn't have been scared at all — because he'd have turned back miles earlier. Kirby went canyoneering with her daughter and a friend in Utah. Carrie Kirby We also signed up for another of my husband's most hated activities: horseback riding. We descended into the Bryce Canyon on mules and ponies, hoping they wouldn't lose their footing as we enjoyed intimate views of the park's famous hoodoos. We went canyoneering as well, donning harnesses and helmets to rappel into otherwise inaccessible slot canyons. Stepping backward off a cliff edge to walk our way down, "Spider-Man" style was a lot of fun for us girls. For my husband? Canyoneering would have been another huge nope.Breaking routines and learning new skillsDuring our adventures, the girls and I laughed and told stories nonstop. Although I love my husband, my spirit basked in the pause from everyday squabbles and responsibilities. Had he been there, I'd have put a full dinner on the table nightly. But with just us girls, we ate hummus straight from the container for dinner when we felt like it.I married at 24 and have been a wife for more than half my life. One thing that happens when you couple young is specialization. When we travel together, my husband does most of the driving. On this trip and a few others, I've been able to improve my driving skills, although I still need to learn to change a tire on my own.Now that our three kids are teens or young adults, my husband and I are discovering what great travel companions they are — each one shares different interests with us, including some we don't share with each other.Last month, my husband took the two younger kids to visit our oldest in her college town for a hockey game — something that would've bored me to tears, but they all loved it.Traveling separately has not only let us each pursue what we truly enjoy without guilt, but it's also practical: I'm self-employed with flexible time, while he has limited vacation, and with two kids still in high school, solo trips let one of us travel during the school year without leaving them alone.It has strengthened our relationshipWhen friends and family find out one of us isn't coming on a trip, they often ask "Why?" I'm sure some worry that our separate wanderings mean we're headed for divorce.In reality, our his-and-her trips have been a relationship boon. After 27 years of going through the same daily schedules together, we don't usually have a lot to say that the other hasn't heard before. Travel gives us new stories to share.The night my daughter and I got home from our Utah adventure, my husband had a hot meal on the table and was excited to sit down and view photos."You have got to see this!" I found myself saying as we shared the view of Zion's towering walls. I told him how good the icy Virgin River water felt on our bare feet near The Narrows, and he said he'd love to experience that.And maybe next time, we'll travel together. We could sign up for a bike tour — his favorite active pursuit — and skip the steep hikes.Do you have a story to share about celebrating your 50th birthday? Contact the editor at akarplus@businessinsider.com. Recommended video

Almost three decades after it first hit print, Hisao Tamaki’s legendary interpretation of A New Hope is getting new life as part of a luxurious new artbook celebrating Star Wars‘ history with Japanese comics. io9 can exclusively reveal that during Star Wars Celebration Japan today, Dark Horse confirmed that The Art of Star Wars: A New Hope – The Manga will launch as a two-volume collection next year, spotlighting Tamaki’s iconic artwork from newly acquired scans of Tamaki’s original storyboards, alongside a new English-language translation. Ahead of the release, however, Dark Horse will launch its first-ever Kickstarter to take orders of exclusive editions of the book, including one collector’s variant you won’t be able to find at retail. © Hisao Tamaki/Dark Horse Ahead of the retail release, the Kickstarter for The Art of Star Wars: A New Hope – The Manga will let readers get access to two exclusive editions: a Collector’s Edition, which will be the same as the eventual standard retail release but with Kickstarter-exclusive variant covers, and a Masterpiece Edition that will be exclusively available through Kickstarter. As well as reprinting Tamaki’s work in two volumes at its original size, the Masterpiece Edition will include a third auxiliary volume, giving even more insight into how this unique corner of Star Wars‘ long symbiotic relationship with Japanese culture came to life. Collector’s Edition front © Dark Horse Comics/Lucasfilm Collector’s Edition back © Dark Horse Comics/Lucasfilm Masterpiece Edition © Dark Horse Comics/Lucasfilm © Dark Horse Comics/Lucasfilm © Dark Horse Comics/Lucasfilm © Dark Horse Comics/Lucasfilm © Dark Horse Comics/Lucasfilm The prelaunch page for the Art of Star Wars: A New Hope – The Manga Kickstarter is available for fans to follow now. The standard retail release of the collection will hit comic book stores and bookshops starting summer 2026. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

Saddling Boxes & Private Deck / Studio.D04Save this picture!© Natalie Cocks Architects: Studio.D04 Area Area of this architecture project Area:  662 m² Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2024 Photographs Photographs:Natalie Cocks Lead Architects: Fatma Al Zaabi, Noora Al Awar, Afnan Amin More SpecsLess Specs Save this picture! Text description provided by the architects. The Saddling Box & Private Deck redefines equestrian architecture by merging cultural authenticity, functionality, and refined aesthetics. Designed as a dual-purpose structure, it serves as both a tranquil resting area for riders and an elevated social space for post-race gatherings. The project seamlessly integrates into its surroundings, respecting both equestrian traditions and Dubai's elevated architectural standards while celebrating the grace and rhythm of equine movement.Save this picture!Located within Jebel Ali Racecourse (JARC), a landmark of Dubai's racing legacy, the project pays homage to a venue that has been central to the sport since its establishment in 1990 under the guidance of H. H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. JARC continues to uphold its mission—to deliver a world-class horse racing experience, celebrate cultural heritage, and engage the community with integrity and passion.Save this picture!The architectural language of the Saddling Box & Private Deck is rooted in motion and rhythm, drawing inspiration from the graceful power of the horse and the flowing choreography of race day preparations. Every element of the design reflects fluidity and movement, ensuring a seamless transition between spaces, people, and horses. The play of light and shadow further enhances the experience, creating a dynamic interaction between architecture and environment throughout the day. Openings and structural alignments allow natural light to filter through, shifting patterns across the space as the sun moves overhead. The thoughtful integration of air movement ensures a sense of openness, allowing breezes to pass through the structure and reinforcing the connection between rider, horse, and nature.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The ground level prioritizes equine comfort, incorporating a soft, non-disruptive material palette that ensures safety and ease of movement. The upper deck functions as an exclusive viewing platform, offering a panoramic vantage point while maintaining a seamless connection to the racetrack and its energy. The structure follows the natural rhythm of the horses, ensuring effortless circulation and a sense of continuity between rider, horse, and spectator.Save this picture!Save this picture!A carefully curated material palette defines the project's aesthetic and functionality:• ⁠Timber wood planks introduce warmth and natural beauty.• Rubber pavers provide slip-resistant, impact-absorbing surfaces for the horses.• Exposed aggregate and gravel reinforce a connection to the terrain.• Gabion walls, filled with locally sourced stone, strengthen the structure while establishing a visual harmony with the natural surroundings.Save this picture!The construction process prioritized precision and efficiency, ensuring seamless integration between materials and structural elements. The elevated deck was designed for minimal structural impact, preserving an open and airy spatial experience that allows spectators to engage with the energy of the racecourse while maintaining a refined sense of exclusivity.Save this picture!Save this picture!More than just a structure, the Saddling Box & Private Deck is an architectural tribute to the art of horsemanship. It celebrates the heritage of JARC, the fluidity of movement, and the timeless bond between rider and horse. Through its considered use of materiality, spatial fluidity, and the ephemeral interplay of light, shadow, and air, it establishes a new benchmark for high-end equestrian architecture in the region—one that is rooted in tradition yet shaped by the rhythm of movement.Save this picture! Project gallerySee allShow less Project locationAddress:Dubai, United Arab EmiratesLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this officeStudio.D04Office••• MaterialWoodMaterials and TagsPublished on April 18, 2025Cite: "Saddling Boxes & Private Deck / Studio.D04 " 18 Apr 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1029207/saddling-boxes-and-private-deck-studi04&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save世界上最受欢迎的建筑网站现已推出你的母语版本!想浏览ArchDaily中国吗?是否 You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

🌿 Welcome to my latest creation! In this video, I showcase a stunning effect of entangled roots created using Unreal Engine's powerful Niagara system. Watch as I bring this intricate design to life, demonstrating the capabilities of Niagara for creating realistic and immersive environments. ✨ Whether you're a fellow developer, a fan of game design, or just curious about visual effects, I hope you enjoy this visual journey! Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more creative content! 🔔 Stay Connected: - Follow me on [Your Social Media Links] - Check out my other projects: [Link to Playlist or Channel] #UnrealEngine #Niagara #GameDev #VisualEffects #EntangledRoots #3DArt #GameDesign #IndieDev #CGI #VFX FAB - https://www.fab.com/sellers/CGHOW Whatsapp - https://bit.ly/3LYvxjK Patreon- https://www.patreon.com/Ashif Twitter - https://twitter.com/cghow_ 👉👉 If you Liked it - http://bit.ly/2UZmiZ4 Channel Ashif - http://bit.ly/3aYaniw Visit - https://cghow.com/ Gumroad - https://cghow.gumroad.com/ #cghow #UE5 #UE4Niagara #gamefx #ue5niagara #ue4vfx #niagara #unrealengine #realtimevfx

Nature, Published online: 17 April 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-01242-5Henry Sila Nzioki has developed a weed-killing fungus to improve food security.

I've been tinkering with a multi-user extension over the past few days and I'm curious if there's any interest in this. There's still a ton of work to do before it can be released (encryption, full dependency replication, scene initializion on joining, selection locking, etc), but the proof of concept already supports local hosting and connecting via IP:PORT and password, user identification, and some basic object manipulation replication. Any questions or suggestions are welcome! submitted by /u/kamikazikarl [link] [comments]

Google on Thursday rolled out the Android 16 Beta 4 to developers and testers. Initially available on Pixel devices, the latest testing version of Google's smartphone operating system arrives with fixes for several issues that were reported by developers and users in the previous update. This includes rectifications related to excessive power drain, delayed haptic feedback, and Pixel Weather app issues. With the fourth beta of Android 16, the Mountain View-based tech giant has expanded the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) support and now more brands can make it available for their respective devices.Android 16 Beta 4: What's NewAccording to Google's release notes, Android 16 Beta 4 is the second major platform stability release which means the developer APIs and all the app-facing behaviours in the OS are final. It reached platform stability in March, allowing developers to integrate new features with their applications ahead of the anticipated Q2 2025 release.The fourth beta fixes an issue which caused the radar map to disappear in the Pixel weather app. It includes a fix for problems resulting in impacted haptic performance or delayed haptic feedback. Users reported that in some cases, the vibrations felt "empty" or "plastic". Meanwhile, a battery drain issue was also reported, with the handset losing nearly 11 percent of the charge overnight, as opposed to the usual 5-7 percent drain in a period of seven hours. This has also been fixed.Google says the Android 16 Beta 4 update arrives with other fixes too. This includes an issue which caused the phone to restart when answering a call, magnification was enabled, or when the ranging API was used. There are also patches for other bugs that impacted the system stability and performance, including the launcher crashing in some cases.The latest Android 16 Beta also expands the availability of the update for OEMs.Google's Android 16 Beta PartnersPhoto Credit: Google Brands such as Honor, iQOO, Lenovo, OnePlus, Oppo, Realme, Vivo, and Xiaomi can tailor the OS for their handsets, tablets, and foldable form factor devices. As per Google, it plans a major SDK release in Q2 2025 with behaviour changes, APIs, and features, while a minor release with API changes and features is on the cards for a Q4 2025 launch.

# The AI Cold War: Who's Winning?The rise of Generative AI (GenAI) is not just a technological revolution; it's a geopolitical game-changer. Nations and businesses alike are grappling with the challenges and opportunities presented by this transformative technology. Are we on the cusp of an AI Cold War, and if so, who holds the upper hand? This blog post delves into the complex dynamics of the global AI race, drawing insights from experts at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and BCG X, examining the dominance of superpowers, the role of emerging middle powers, and the strategic implications for multinational corporations.## The Geopolitical Risk for Global BusinessesAccording to Sylvain Duranton, Global Leader at BCG X, multinational companies face significant geopolitical risks in the age of AI. With a substantial percentage (44%) operating across multiple countries, these businesses are exposed to a patchwork of regulations and sovereignty concerns. This dispersed presence, often established long before the current geopolitical tensions, makes them vulnerable to disruptions and necessitates a careful assessment of their AI strategies.## The Stark Imbalance in AI InvestmentA critical aspect of the AI Cold War is the imbalance in investment. The market capitalization of US tech companies dwarfs Europe by a factor of 20 and the Asia Pacific region by a factor of 5. This disparity extends to investment figures, highlighting a disproportionate imbalance when compared to the relative sizes of these economies. This vast difference in investment fuels the AI race, driving advancements in compute power, frontier models, and the development of leaner, open-weight models.## Benchmarking National GenAI Capabilities: Who's Leading?To objectively assess national GenAI capabilities, BCG Henderson Institute conducted extensive research, benchmarking countries based on six key enablers:* **Capital:** Investment in AI research and development.* **Computing Power:** Access to powerful hardware for training AI models.* **Intellectual Property:** Patents and other forms of AI-related innovation.* **Talent:** The availability of skilled AI researchers and engineers.* **Data:** The volume and quality of data available for training AI models.* **Energy:** The energy resources available to power data centers and AI infrastructure.The analysis, based on hard data such as the number of AI researchers, patent filings, data center capacity, and venture capital investment, unsurprisingly identified the **US and China as the clear AI frontrunners.**## The US Advantage: Talent, Capital, and ComputeThe United States boasts several significant advantages in the AI race. These include:* **Largest Pool of AI Specialists:** Approximately half a million AI professionals.* **Immense Capital Power:** $303 billion in VC funding and $212 billion in tech R&D.* **Leading Compute Power:** 45 GW of computing capacity.* **Historical Dominance:** The US has produced 67% of notable AI models since 1950.* **Strategic Restrictions:** Controls on advanced AI chip access through frameworks like the US AI Diffusion Framework further solidify the US position.## China's Rapid Ascent: Data and Strategic InvestmentWhile facing restrictions on access to the most advanced chips, China is rapidly closing the gap with the US in AI development. China's strengths include:* **Data Dominance:** High rankings in e-governance and mobile broadband subscriptions, coupled with significant data center capacity (20 GW).* **Strategic Investment:** Heavy investment in AI academic institutions (hosting 45 of the world's top 100) and government-backed VC funding.* **Rapid Model Development:** Demonstrated capability to develop competitive LLMs with smaller teams, fewer GPU hours, and previous-generation chips.* **AI Patent Leadership:** A leading position in AI patent applications.## The Role of Middle Powers and the Future of AI FundingBeyond the US and China, several middle powers are carving out niches in specific areas of AI. Going forward, governments are expected to play an increasingly important role in funding AI research and development, particularly as R&D costs escalate and commoditization sets in.## Navigating the AI Cold War: Implications for BusinessesAs geopolitical tensions surrounding AI intensify, businesses are likely to diversify their GenAI supply chains to mitigate risk. The ultimate winners in this AI Cold War will be those nations and companies that can effectively navigate the complex intersection of innovation, policy, and resilience.Top AI Tools to try:Turn your videos into viral shorts! Unleash your creativity with Klap’s innovative features. Try it out today with a free trial video and elevate your content creation game. Ready to take it to the next level? Upgrade to Klap Pro for even more exciting possibilities.Join over 400,000 researchers and students who trust Unriddle to streamline their information gathering process. 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NES and SNES: I think they've done everything that isn't a major third party release like Castlevania and Mega Man (which have their own collections anyway) Genesis: The other Sonic games. I know there's Sonic Origins, but having Sonic 2 and not 1 and 3 feels weird. N64: Where is Super Smash Bros and DK64?