Approximately 30% of respiratory infections stem from coronaviruses, posing risks of epidemics, as seen in the COVID-19 pandemic. While vaccine development has advanced, global access remains unequal, particularly in low-resource countries, compounded by hesitancy and the emergence of vaccine-resistant variants. Fast-acting antiviral drugs are urgently needed. In 2020, a multidisciplinary team at Harvard’s Wyss Institute, led by Donald Ingber, aimed to repurpose FDA-approved drugs to tackle COVID-19. Utilizing computational modeling, they identified bemcentinib as a potential antiviral, targeting a critical site in the Spike protein of coronaviruses. This led to the development of a series of compounds, including WYS-633 and the more potent WYS-694, which demonstrated superior efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses. This integrated approach not only shows promise for a new antiviral treatment but also opens avenues for drug discovery against other viral families.
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Essential ChatGPT and Claude Prompts for Students in 2025: Top 7 Must-Try Suggestions
In 2025, AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini are revolutionizing education by becoming essential aids for students. These technologies enhance learning by providing tailored support, from crafting study plans and generating flashcards to simplifying complex concepts and outlining essays. Key applications include:
- Study Planning: ChatGPT and Claude create structured weekly plans.
- Flashcard Creation: Claude excels in organizing notes for active recall.
- Concept Explanation: ChatGPT makes tough topics relatable through analogies.
- Essay Outlining: Claude and Gemini work together to provide logical flow and data support.
- Quiz Generation: ChatGPT offers engaging formats, while Claude enhances logical depth.
- Editing: ChatGPT maintains the author’s voice while improving clarity.
- Group Projects: Claude organizes roles and timelines, reducing chaos.
Unified platforms like Chatronix streamline these processes, enabling students to focus on meaningful learning. In this new academic landscape, effective prompting becomes key to success.
Hollywood vs. Midjourney: What the Lawsuit Means for Your Small Business – Times Square Chronicles
The ongoing legal battle between Hollywood and Midjourney raises important questions about copyright and the safety of small businesses using AI-generated content. As Midjourney, an AI art generator, is accused of infringing on copyrights by using existing artwork to train its algorithms, concerns arise over the potential implications for small businesses that utilize such tools for marketing and creative projects. The lawsuit underscores the need for clarity in copyright law as it pertains to AI technology. Small businesses worry that they could inadvertently become entangled in these legal conflicts, putting them at risk. Experts suggest that businesses should stay informed about the legal landscape and consider the provenance of AI-generated works they use. The outcome of this case could set significant precedents, determining the future of AI in creative industries and shaping the legal responsibilities of users who leverage this technology in their operations.
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Midjourney Sued by Disney and Universal Over Copyright Infringement Claims
Disney and Universal have filed a joint lawsuit against Midjourney, claiming copyright infringement related to its AI image generation platform. Since its open beta launch in 2022, Midjourney’s ability to create images from text prompts has attracted scrutiny for generating copyrighted characters like Shrek and Darth Vader. In a lawsuit filed in California, the studios accuse Midjourney of being a “copyright free-rider,” stating it has integrated their characters into images without compensating the creators. Although Midjourney attempts to filter trademarked prompts, users can circumvent these restrictions by describing characters in detail. NBCUniversal’s executive, Kim Harris, emphasized the need to protect artists’ work and their investments. Both studios allege that Midjourney ignored previous requests to cease creating such images. Disney’s chief legal officer noted the potential of AI but firmly stated that piracy, regardless of the medium, remains infringement. The case underscores ongoing concerns regarding copyright in generative AI technology.
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OpenAI Employees Reap $3 Billion from Share Sales – The Information
OpenAI employees have reportedly sold shares worth $3 billion, a significant cash-out amid the organization’s growth. This surge in share sales comes as OpenAI’s valuation has skyrocketed, fueled by the rapid adoption of its AI technologies, particularly ChatGPT. The transactions reflect employee confidence in the company’s future while also highlighting the financial benefits accrued from their contributions to its success. Amidst the growing interest in AI, these sales underscore the lucrative potential of working within the tech sector. OpenAI’s impressive financial trajectory has attracted attention from major investors, further boosting its market position. This cash-out raises questions about the long-term impact on employee morale and company dynamics as workers capitalize on their equity stake. The situation illustrates a pivotal moment for OpenAI as it navigates its expanding influence in the AI landscape while balancing employee expectations and the company’s strategic goals.
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Anysphere Secures $900M in Third Funding Round, Achieving $9.9B Valuation for AI-Driven Coding Tool – Crunchbase News
Anysphere, an AI-powered coding tool, has successfully raised $900 million in its latest funding round, achieving a valuation of $9.9 billion. This marks the company’s third funding round within a year, highlighting its rapid growth and increasing investor interest. Anysphere’s innovative approach to software development leverages AI to streamline coding processes, making it attractive to developers and organizations looking to enhance efficiency. The latest investment reflects confidence in Anysphere’s potential to disrupt the tech landscape by simplifying and accelerating coding tasks. With this significant financial backing, Anysphere aims to expand its capabilities and market reach, further solidifying its position in the competitive AI tools sector. This funding round underscores a broader trend of increasing investment in AI technologies, as businesses strive to integrate advanced solutions into their operations.
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I Explored 5 New AI Tools This Week: Here Are the Ones I Now Use Everyday
Despite the abundance of AI tools available, the author primarily relies on a small selection. They recently explored less mainstream AI tools, discovering several that were new to them, though not entirely new to the market. Among these, Magic Trips generates personalized travel itineraries based on user preferences but feels somewhat generic compared to major chatbots. Komo, while effective as a search engine, closely mirrors another tool, Perplexity, offering minimal differentiation. Vizcom stands out for its generative 3D model capabilities, impressing the author with its performance in refining user drawings. Any.do, an older task management app, has enhanced its utility by integrating with ChatGPT, becoming the author’s preferred reminders tool. Lastly, Hailuoai offers an AI video generation service with innovative features and a free plan, appealing to those testing such technologies. Overall, the exploration yielded some promising tools, though the author remains selective.
“Major Google Cloud Outage Impacts Leading Online Platforms: OpenAI, Spotify, Shopify, and Discord Affected” – The Hindu
A significant Google Cloud outage affected numerous popular internet platforms, including OpenAI, Spotify, Shopify, and Discord. The disruption caused widespread issues, impacting users’ ability to access services and affecting businesses reliant on these platforms. Many users reported difficulties connecting, with the outage being particularly noticeable in the U.S. and some regions globally. Google acknowledged the problem, attributing it to a “network congestion” that led to service interruptions. As the company worked to resolve the issues, platforms like Spotify and Discord communicated with their users about the situation. This incident serves as a reminder of the reliance on cloud services for daily internet activities and the potential vulnerabilities that can emerge in such centralized systems. Overall, the outage highlighted the challenges tech companies face in maintaining stability and reliability for their users amidst complex infrastructure.
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Datadog (DDOG) Unveils Advanced Tools to Safeguard AI Workloads – MSN
Datadog (DDOG) has introduced advanced tools aimed at enhancing the security of AI workloads. As businesses increasingly integrate Artificial Intelligence into their operations, ensuring the security and performance of these applications becomes critical. The new tools are designed to provide comprehensive visibility, enabling organizations to monitor their AI systems effectively. Features include enhanced threat detection capabilities, improved monitoring, and compliance validation, ensuring that users can safeguard their AI environments against potential vulnerabilities. Datadog’s initiative reflects a growing trend among tech companies focused on the intersection of AI and cybersecurity, addressing the unique challenges associated with securing AI applications. By offering these robust solutions, Datadog aims to bolster customer confidence and support the safe deployment of AI technologies in various sectors. This strategic move positions Datadog as a key player in the security landscape, catering to the evolving needs of organizations leveraging AI.
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Disney’s Major AI Lawsuit Features Compelling Evidence with Alarming Images
Disney and Universal have initiated a lawsuit against the AI image generator Midjourney, claiming copyright infringement and branding it a “bottomless pit of plagiarism.” This legal action arises years after artists raised concerns about AI image creators reproducing copyrighted content. The companies provide evidence, showcasing Midjourney images closely resembling screenshots from Disney’s properties, especially the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Reid Southen, a veteran games artist, and Gary Marcus, an AI critic, previously documented this infringement. Midjourney had banned Southen multiple times for his exposés on how the AI could eerily recreate copyrighted material, often requiring only simple prompts. While Southen appreciates Disney’s legal tactics, he remains skeptical of the company’s past copyright issues with artists. He emphasizes ongoing job displacement concerns in the creative sector, urging continued dialogue about the implications of AI in entertainment and hopes that the lawsuit could lead to more ethical engagement with AI.
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