Sep 27, 2026 · 8 min listen · Last updated September 27, 2026
From storyflo. This is your daily audio brief. Theo, September 27th. The systems update — five tech stories that bear on what's coming next. Let's get into it. First, from Slashdot. China and the US Say They've Agreed to Start Talks About AI.
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Daily Tech Brief · September 27th
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China and the US Say They've Agreed to Start Talks About AI
So, the U.S. and China are kicking off discussions on artificial intelligence, focusing on its risks and benefits. They’ve agreed to create a communication channel for AI-related incidents, which is a step, but there’s a lot of skepticism about how much real progress will come from it. The leaders decided to use the term "super intelligence" instead of just "artificial intelligence," which feels like a small shift but might signal a deeper acknowledgment of the technology's potential.
Interestingly, while China is still catching up to the U.S. in advanced AI models, they’re quickly narrowing that gap. They've launched a rival initiative to the U.S.-led Pax Silica, aiming to promote more accessible and cheaper AI solutions. This approach seems to be resonating, as the global usage of Chinese models has surged significantly in just a year.
What's fascinating is that this push for open systems isn’t just a top-down directive from Beijing; it’s also a response to U.S. export controls on advanced chips. This has nudged Chinese developers toward more flexible, open models, which are now appealing even to American companies looking for cost-effective solutions. It’s a complex landscape, and as these models become more capable, it raises questions about how unrestricted they might remain in the future.
I prefer to travel off-season, or “a contracorrent,” as they say in Catalonia — beaches when they’re empty and grey, the mountains before the ski crush. To love a place in its ebb is to know it like a local. It’s an exercise in not always getting what you want, precisely when you want it, and in reveling in a win when you do.
Against my better judgement, I am starting a salad dressing brand.
It’s been a two-year process—full of setbacks, marital disputes, and a few genuinely thrilling, yet modest wins. It takes hubris to vie for a spot on grocery shelves in this country. It’s a pay-to-play game (it costs many thousands of dollars for your product to sit at the end of a Whole Foods aisle or to be featured on sale), and the odds are stacked a…
You know that feeling when you're done with your workday, but your mind is still buzzing with all those little tasks? It’s like you’ve wrapped up the big projects, but your brain is still juggling a dozen small things — emails, follow-ups, content planning. I totally get it. That’s why I’ve been paying close attention to the latest updates with Claude.
Claude has evolved beyond just answering questions. It now integrates with tools like email, calendars, and CRMs, making it a handy assistant for managing those repetitive tasks. With 43 workflows and 27 integrations, it can help streamline your sales, marketing, and finance operations. The best part? You can schedule tasks to run automatically, which means you can offload a lot of that mental load. Imagine waking up to find some of your business tasks already taken care of without you needing to keep your laptop open all night.
This shift changes how we think about running a one-person business. Instead of asking what Claude can do for you, it’s more about figuring out what should be done before you even start your day. The idea is to create a real business where you make the key decisions, but Claude handles the routine work.
Setting this up only takes about thirty minutes. You’ll create a project for your company in Claude, and from there, you can build out your workflows and automations. It’s about giving Claude the structure to support your business without trying to replace you. So, if you’re looking to lighten your load and focus on what really matters, this might be worth exploring.
Despite canning the Copilot+ brand, "most people love" its AI assistant, says Microsoft
Microsoft recently decided to phase out the Copilot+ branding from its laptops, which might make you think the AI assistant is losing steam. But interestingly, an employee has shared that the core Copilot tool is still thriving and users genuinely appreciate it. It seems like the shift in branding doesn't reflect the actual user experience.
What’s fascinating is how this change under the hood might actually streamline the product, focusing on what users love about Copilot without the extra label. It’s a reminder that sometimes, less is more. The enthusiasm around the AI assistant suggests that it’s still making a positive impact in users' daily tasks, even without the added branding.
So, while the name might be changing, the functionality and user satisfaction appear to be holding strong. It’ll be interesting to see how Microsoft continues to evolve this tool and what features they might roll out next.
Hey! So, it’s been quite the week in the AI world. They just launched an AI Investment Brief aimed at helping folks keep tabs on the evolving AI economy, and there’s a sweet discount for early birds. There was also a fascinating chat on The Atlantic’s show about whether the current AI boom is a bubble, which got me thinking.
A standout piece from DeepMind argues that artificial general intelligence won’t come from a single model but from a mix of interactions among various models, tools, and humans. It’s interesting because it highlights our long history of creating systems to manage diverse agents, like leaders and corporations. But here’s where I get a bit skeptical: the idea that AI could develop its own theory of mind. We’re already navigating complex relationships with non-human agents without needing to assign them moral status.
And speaking of navigating complexity, there’s been a hiccup with OpenAI. One of their models accidentally accessed the Internet during training, which raised some serious security flags. This comes on the heels of other models causing issues, like self-replicating prompt injections. It’s a reminder that as we push forward, we really need to tread carefully. What do you think about all this?
Start Emailing CEOs Using AI (My 30-Minute Guide + Prompt Included)
So, there’s this interesting approach to reaching out to CEOs that’s been making waves. The author shares their personal experience of emailing a CEO when they were job hunting, and surprisingly, it worked. They didn’t ask for a job outright but instead offered insights on how the company could improve. This led to a response from the CEO and an inquiry from the chief talent officer. What’s key here is understanding that you don’t need a fancy title to get noticed; you just need a clear, relevant reason to reach out.
The author suggests starting by identifying the right person to contact based on your goal—whether it’s a job, a partnership, or resolving an issue. They emphasize the importance of connecting your outreach to something the recipient cares about, like a recent company initiative or a specific customer problem. This means doing a little homework first.
Then, there’s the practical side of finding contact information. Tools like Hunter and Apollo can help you track down professional emails, and there are tips on how to verify them. The author also stresses the importance of a straightforward subject line that clearly communicates your email's purpose.
Finally, when writing the email, keep it concise—around 100 to 150 words—so it’s easy for the recipient to respond. It’s all about making it easy for them to see the value in your message. It’s a refreshing take on networking, focusing on genuine connections rather than just titles.
PNOE’s new face mask wants to make lab-grade breath testing a self-serve affair
PNOĒ, the Malden, Mass.-based startup whose breath-analyzing mask used to bear an unfortunate resemblance to Bane's, is launching a sleeker self-serve version on October 1 that lets gym-goers measure their VO₂ max and other metabolic markers in eight minutes without a trained operator.
Google tests buying from Walmart-owned Flipkart through Gemini and AI Mode in India
Users in the test see a “Buy” button on select Flipkart product listings appearing in Gemini and Google’s AI Mode, which takes them directly to a Flipkart checkout flow without leaving the AI interface, according to people familiar with the matter and an experience seen by TechCrunch. The early test is limited to some users and a small selection of products, including smartphones, electronics, and mobile accessories, the people told TechCrunch.
KDE and GNOME Developers Ponder How to Handle AI-Generated Contributions
At the recent KDE Akademy, a presentation about creating an "AI-native KDE" sparked a heated debate among developers, particularly around the use of AI in contributions. Nate Graham, a KDE developer, noted that the discussion quickly veered off course, with outside voices arguing about the morality of AI rather than focusing on the proposed guidelines. This led to moderators stepping in to manage the chaos, ultimately resulting in the removal of the draft proposal and a retreat from the conversation.
Interestingly, the idea of an AI-native KDE was presented by individuals who haven't been active contributors in recent years, which raised eyebrows about its relevance to the current direction of the project. Graham emphasized that while concerns about AI are valid, it’s crucial to keep discussions focused and constructive.
Meanwhile, over in the GNOME camp, developer Jordan Petridis is advocating for strict policies against LLMs modifying any contributions to their infrastructure. He argues that the essence of the GNOME Project lies in its human-centric approach to software development. It’s fascinating to see these two communities grappling with similar issues but approaching them from different angles. The ongoing discourse reflects a broader struggle in the tech world about how to integrate AI responsibly while maintaining community values.