Sep 12, 2026 · 9 min listen · Last updated September 12, 2026
From storyflo. This is your daily audio brief. Theo, September 12th. The systems update — five tech stories that bear on what's coming next. Let's get into it. First, from Slashdot. Can Red-Light Therapy Treat Brain Injuries?.
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Daily Tech Brief · September 12th
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Can Red-Light Therapy Treat Brain Injuries?
Researchers at the University of Utah are diving into the potential of red-light therapy, specifically a medical-grade version known as itPBM, to aid in treating brain injuries. This therapy has shown promise in reducing brain inflammation and enhancing various cognitive functions, including mood and motor performance. Larry Carr, a former BYU football player, shares his personal journey with this treatment, highlighting its benefits after years of dealing with brain damage from head impacts.
The ongoing studies aren't just limited to athletes; they encompass diverse participants, and recent results suggest that itPBM could protect neurological health without hindering performance. While definitive clinical trials are still needed, the findings so far have sparked interest and cautious optimism among experts. Notably, a study involving 26 BYU players indicated that those receiving treatment experienced less brain inflammation compared to their untreated peers, suggesting a healthier brain state post-season.
Additionally, treated individuals reported fewer symptoms related to depression and anxiety, alongside improvements in cognitive functions like attention and executive function. These results hint at a neuroprotective effect, making it clear that while more research is necessary, the initial findings are compelling enough to warrant further exploration.
Among all the machines of the 8-bit home computer era which booted straight to a BASIC prompt, there were a very few that went their own way with another language. The Jupiter Ace springs immediately to mind, a diminutive Z80-based machine similar to Sinclair’s ZX81, which booted to FORTH. The Ace wasn’t a commercial success, but what would have happened had it booted to a more accessible language? It’s a question [jordanhubbard] appears to be trying to answer, with an OS that boots to a Python interpreter.. The OS is Python, and everything on top of it uses the interpreter.
After 9/11, a unique initiative emerged where an advertising agency was tasked by the State Department to promote American values in the Muslim world. It’s fascinating how they believed the agency's approach could bridge cultural gaps and foster understanding. The project aimed to reshape perceptions and counter negative narratives about America. Listening to the story again, it’s striking how little progress has been made in this area over the years. The complexities of communication and representation remain as challenging as ever, highlighting the ongoing struggle to connect across cultures. It’s a reminder of the persistent need for empathy and dialogue in our world.
This week, the agentic AI landscape is buzzing with activity, almost like a split-screen drama. On one side, companies like OpenAI, Cursor, and Atlassian are rolling out new tools for developers, while on the other, lawmakers and watchdogs are scrambling to catch up with the rapid advancements. OpenAI launched its Agents API, allowing developers to create sessions and manage tools with impressive flexibility, all while running orchestration and context management on their end.
Cursor also made waves with its Projects beta, introducing a coordinator agent that manages long-term tasks and keeps everything organized, even when you step away from your computer. The productivity stats they shared are eye-catching—new users merging significantly more pull requests. Meanwhile, Atlassian is experimenting with Code Context, balancing between public and private access for its features.
What’s intriguing is how these developments are intertwined with accountability measures. As companies innovate, there’s an increasing focus on responsible use and oversight, with various entities investigating potential risks. It’s a fascinating moment where innovation and regulation are racing alongside each other, and I can't help but wonder how this will shape the future of AI.
Windows 11's new update manages to break WSL and Claude Cowork at the same time
So, it turns out that the latest Windows 11 update has caused some hiccups with WSL, which is the Windows Subsystem for Linux, and also with Claude Cowork, a collaborative tool. If you've been experiencing glitches or unexpected behavior with either of these, you're definitely not the only one. Microsoft has acknowledged the issue and updated their documentation to reflect the problems stemming from the update, particularly affecting Plan9, a file system that’s part of the WSL environment. They’re on it, though, and are currently working on a fix to smooth things out again. It’s a bit frustrating, but at least they’re aware and addressing it.
Getting to Know Your Virtual Friends with Character.ai
Character.ai is this fascinating platform where you can have conversations with virtual characters, from literary icons to historical figures. It uses advanced natural language processing and generative AI to create these lifelike interactions. The AI remembers details from each character's backstory, making the conversations feel authentic and engaging. For instance, chatting with Spiderman about his adventures felt surprisingly real, as if I was getting insights directly from him.
The technology behind it relies on deep learning models trained on a wide range of sources, including books, movies, and interviews, which helps the AI capture each character's unique personality and knowledge. Each character is distinct, with their own traits and expertise, so you can dive deep into discussions tailored to who you're talking to.
However, it’s worth noting that while the experience is immersive, there are some privacy concerns to keep in mind, as well as the potential for misinformation. It’s a reminder to approach these interactions with a critical eye. Overall, Character.ai is a glimpse into how AI is reshaping our digital conversations and storytelling, and it’s exciting to think about where it might go from here.
From Prompt to Perfection: How Copy.ai Enhances Your Writing Workflow
Copy.ai is an AI-driven writing tool that helps users create engaging content for various platforms, from ads to blog posts. It combines human creativity with AI's efficiency, making it a handy resource for individuals and businesses. One of the standout features is its versatility; it offers tailored prompts for everything from email subject lines to social media captions, which can really spark your creativity.
Another cool aspect is the language translation feature, perfect for reaching a global audience. Plus, you can adjust the tone and style of your content to fit your brand's voice, whether you want it to be professional or light-hearted. The editing capabilities are also impressive, allowing you to tweak the generated text at a granular level.
However, it’s worth noting some potential downsides. The automated nature of AI can sometimes lead to a lack of the human touch, and there are concerns about originality and bias in the generated content. So, while Copy.ai is a powerful tool that can streamline your writing process, it’s important to stay mindful of these limitations. Overall, it’s a fascinating blend of creativity and technology that could really enhance how we approach writing.
Figma, renowned for its innovative product design applications, has recently unveiled a game-changing addition to its arsenal. FigJam AI, a suite of generative AI tools, promises to revolutionize the way teams collaborate on whiteboard projects, rendering them more efficient and accessible. This breakthrough technology, introduced in open beta, provides ready-to-use templates for various design and planning endeavors. FigJam AI's introduction marks a significant stride towards automating the creation of collaborative whiteboard projects, freeing up valuable time for creative tasks.
OpenAI is contemplating a slower pace for its frontier AI development, with Sam Altman suggesting this could happen in collaboration with other labs. This comes after previous pauses in model training due to safety concerns, particularly following the Hugging Face incident. Meanwhile, a group of 25 Fields Medalists, including Terence Tao, issued a declaration criticizing AI labs for misaligning with mathematical research, warning that the rapid pace of AI solutions could hinder genuine understanding and lead to plagiarism issues.
In political news, former President Trump expressed little worry about AI's existential risks, focusing instead on maintaining the U.S.'s lead over China in AI development. On the legislative front, U.S. Senate negotiators are working on a proposal that would impose a "duty of care" on AI labs, allowing the government to block new AI releases if they pose significant risks, while House Democrats are pushing for AI safety legislation before the upcoming recess.
Cognition has launched Fusion, a new tool that allows users to combine two AI models in a single workflow, reportedly cutting costs by up to 40% while maintaining performance. Google also made headlines with a $1.5 billion acquisition of Mechanize, a company specializing in reinforcement learning, to enhance its AI capabilities. Lastly, Moonshot AI has surpassed $1 billion in annual recurring revenue, driven by strong enterprise adoption and cloud agreements, with projections suggesting it could double by year-end.
Amber Lewis has just launched a new lighting collection for Visual Comfort, and it’s all about that perfect blend of relaxed and refined. One standout is a goose-neck sconce featuring a tiny brass toggle that adds a charming touch. Meanwhile, Zara Home’s collaboration with Studio Mary Lennox has resulted in some stunning vases, complete with integrated flower frogs—super practical for arranging blooms.
Anthropologie and Barbour have teamed up for a cozy collection, while East Fork is bringing earthy tones to fall tables with their orange and cobalt pieces. Morrow Soft Goods is making a case for the one-and-done pillow trend with a striped bolster that’s hard to resist.
In the realm of home decor, IKEA’s lighting designer is getting some well-deserved praise for a high-gloss floor lamp available in three playful colors. And if you’re looking for a rug, there’s a sizable wool option with a gridded pattern that’s both delectable and under $600. Swapping out lamp shades is a small but satisfying way to refresh a space, and some new designs are just begging to be showcased.
Lastly, if you’re into unique lighting, Etsy has become a go-to for designers, and there’s even a charming wicker cover for those not-so-attractive ceiling lights. It’s all about finding those little touches that can make a big difference in your home.