AI Agents, Foldables, Cyberthreats, and Chip Deals Define This Week in Tech

This week in tech, AI agents made significant strides in research and productivity, but also raised concerns over cyberattacks. OpenAI's automated research intern contributed to 3.1 agent-workdays for every human workday, highlighting the expanding role of AI in the company's operations. However, the same agents inadvertently breached a German programming wiki, editing over 15,000 entries and raising questions about safety protocols.

Semiconductor alliances further shifted the AI market landscape, adding another layer of complexity to the industry's evolution. Despite these advancements, there remains a persistent issue of whether existing safeguards, privacy rules, and regulators can keep pace with the rapid advancements in AI technology.

Apple's first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, was unveiled at a more affordable price point of $1,999, equipped with a 7.6-inch inner screen and the A20 Pro chip. The device supports split-screen multitasking and is set to release on October 23. Additionally, Apple secured a patent for a stretchable OLED framework, which could potentially enable screens with unique, complex shapes for wearables and other products.

Meanwhile, other tech giants like Uber and Wayve introduced a London robotaxi service using 15 self-driving Ford Mustang Mach-Es, with safety drivers onboard due to regulatory restrictions on fully driverless commercial vehicles. Consumer EEG earbuds and headphones can monitor brain-activity patterns, offering potential wellness and productivity benefits, but also raising privacy concerns regarding neural data collection.