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05.20.26
SEARCH ENGINES
Google Search Goes Agentic—and Doesn’t Need You Anymore
BY REECE ROGERS | 3-MINUTE READ
Vibe-coded results! Super widgets! Bots that never sleep! Google’s vision for the future of Search is hyper-personalized, automated, and extremely AI.
✚ Also in the news: Google makes it easy to deepfake yourself
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Google’s Response to OpenClaw’s 24/7 AI Agent
BY REECE ROGERS | 2-MINUTE READ
Google’s always-running, data-hungry AI agent is designed to spend your money and send your emails.
More from Google I/O: ● Hands-on with Google’s new upcoming Android XR smart glasses● Everything announced at Google I/O 2026
BUSINESS
Demis Hassabis Thinks AI Job Cuts Are Dumb
BY WILL KNIGHT | 2-MINUTE READ
The CEO of Google DeepMind tells WIRED that companies should use the productivity gains of AI to do more, not lay people off.
Meta Employees Are Scrambling to Use Up Benefits Ahead of Layoffs
BY PARESH DAVE, LAUREN GOODE, AND ZOË SCHIFFER | 2-MINUTE READ
On the eve of about 8,000 jobs being cut, employees are cashing in on headphone stipends and other perks while they still can.
✚ In other news: The Zuckerbergs are hiring a lifeguard but calling it a ‘beach water person’
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SECURITY
Data Brokers’ and AI Firms’ Opt-Out Forms Are Built to Fail, Report Finds
BY DELL CAMERON | 4-MINUTE READ
A new study finds AI companies, defense firms, and dating apps are among 38 data collectors allegedly using manipulative design to confuse users while collecting their data.
Former OpenAI Staffers Warn That xAI’s Poor Safety Record Could Complicate SpaceX’s IPO
BY MAXWELL ZEFF | 3-MINUTE READ
The ex-employees, who cofounded a new AI watchdog group, say investors deserve more information about xAI’s safety practices before SpaceX goes public.
CULTURE
Literary Prizewinners Are Facing AI Allegations. It Feels Like the New Normal
BY MILES KLEE | 5-MINUTE READ
Three of five regional winners of the prestigious Commonwealth Short Story Prize are suspected of relying on chatbots. They’re certainly not alone.
POLITICS
Election Officials Are Getting Ready for ICE to Show Up at the Polls
BY DAVID GILBERT | 5-MINUTE READ
The Trump administration keeps threatening to send federal agents to oversee elections. State and local officials are preparing, and even gaming out what happens if they're arrested.
