artificial intelligence

How Shivon Zilis Functioned as Elon Musk’s OpenAI Insider

May 1, 2026sparta

As the first week of the Musk v. Altman trial wraps up, one individual has emerged as vital in managing communications and personalities during OpenAI’s early days: Shivon Zilis. A long-time associate of Musk and mother of four of his kids, Zilis became an adviser to OpenAI in 2016, later sitting on its nonprofit board from 2020 to 2023, and has also held executive roles at Musk’s other companies, Neuralink and Tesla.

In court, Musk referred to Zilis as a “chief of staff,” “close adviser,” and noted that “we live together, and she’s the mother of four of my children,” although Zilis mentioned in a deposition that Musk is more like a regular guest. Last September, she told OpenAI’s attorneys that she and Musk started their romantic relationship around 2016 after she began advising OpenAI. They welcomed their first two children in 2021.

OpenAI’s lawyers claim that Zilis has acted as a clandestine link between OpenAI and Musk, even after he departed the board in February 2018. In a text message to Musk on February 16, 2018, Zilis inquired whether she should “stay close and friendly to OpenAI to keep info flowing,” to which Musk responded, “Close and friendly, but we are going to actively try to move three or four people from OpenAI to Tesla.”

On the witness stand, Musk expressed his desire to stay informed of developments. During the same conversation, Musk voiced skepticism about OpenAI’s future if he concentrated on Tesla AI. Zilis concurred, citing concerns regarding Demis Hassabis of Google DeepMind. She emphasized the necessity of exerting influence over Hassabis due to the potential dangers of AI advancement.

Two months later, in an April 23, 2018 email, Zilis updated Musk on OpenAI’s fundraising and a new AI initiative. She indicated a shift of her focus more towards Neuralink and Tesla but was willing to reallocate her attention based on Musk’s desires.

Previously, in the summer of 2017, Musk attempted to assert control during discussions about OpenAI’s corporate framework. In an August 28, 2017 email, Zilis communicated about her meeting with OpenAI’s leadership concerning equity distribution. Musk replied, “This is very annoying. Please encourage them to go start a company. I’ve had enough.”

Humanoid Robot Sets New Half-Marathon Record in China

April 21, 2026sparta

Over the weekend in China, a humanoid robot broke the world half-marathon record—the human record—by seven minutes.

The standout was a robot created by the Chinese firm Honor (the smartphone manufacturer), which completed the 13.1-mile race in 50 minutes, 26 seconds. The human benchmark, established by Ugandan Olympic medalist Jacob Kiplimo, is 57 minutes, 20 seconds. This result signifies a remarkable achievement especially considering that, merely a year prior, the fastest robot at the same half-marathon event took two and a half hours to finish the distance.

However, Honor’s robot was not the sole contender. The competition featured over 100 humanoid robots from 76 organizations throughout China. The robots lined up alongside 12,000 human runners in Beijing’s E-Town, albeit on separate routes to prevent mishaps. The disparity in performance between humans and robots was clearly evident.

Run, Robot, Run

A humanoid robot is crafted to replicate the structure and movement of the human body, equipped with legs, arms, and sensors that enable it to interact with its surroundings. In this instance, the victorious robot integrated features inspired by elite athletes: long legs (nearly a meter), sophisticated balance systems, and a liquid cooling system, akin to that of smartphones, to avert overheating during the race.

Furthermore, many participating robots operated autonomously, functioning without direct human intervention. Utilizing artificial intelligence algorithms, they could modify their speed, maintain equilibrium, and adapt to the terrain fluidly. Notably, the Honor robot that reached the 50-minute mark functioned autonomously. The Chinese manufacturer also showcased another robot, controlled remotely, that covered the same distance in even less time: 48 minutes, 19 seconds.

As anticipated, there were some mishaps during the race. Some robots toppled over, others strayed off course, and several required technical support along the route. While the physical capabilities of humanoid robots have progressed swiftly, their reliability is still under development. Naturally, the laughter and mockery are no longer as prevalent as they once were, replaced by applause and expressions of astonishment.

Robot Superiority

Similar to the robots that gained attention for their impressive martial arts performance a few weeks ago, this long-distance race forms part of China’s broader strategy to showcase its leadership in advanced robot development.

One doesn’t need to be a robotics specialist to recognize that this achievement illustrates that machines can surpass humans in specific physical tasks under controlled circumstances. (It’s difficult to envision the winning robot achieving the same outcome, for instance, if it started to rain during the race.) Yet humans still possess advantages: Running straight is fundamentally different from executing intricate real-world tasks, such as manipulating fragile items or engaging socially.

Nevertheless, it’s understandable that the image of a robot crossing the finish line in record time, outpacing human athletes, prompts several questions. Is this the dawn of a new era where machines redefine physical boundaries?

One might contend that a car is a machine, and those have always outpaced humans. Yet a humanoid robot is specifically designed to imitate humans. It’s more concerning to witness one best humanity at its own game—even if many of them are still stumbling along the way.

This story originally appeared in WIRED en Español and has been translated from Spanish.

Hackers Distribute Claude Code Breach with Additional Malware

April 5, 2026sparta

An investigation by WIRED utilizing records from the Department of Homeland Security this week uncovered the identities of paramilitary Border Patrol agents who often employed force against civilians during Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago last autumn. Several of the agents, according to WIRED, also participated in similar operations in various states across the US.

Customs and Border Protection might want to consider safeguarding its sensitive facility information. Through simple Google searches, WIRED found flashcards created by users on the online learning site Quizlet that included gate codes for CBP facilities and more.

In an unusual decision, Apple this week issued “backported” patches for iOS 18 to safeguard millions of users still utilizing the older operating system from the DarkSword hacking method that was discovered being used in the wild. Found in March, DarkSword enables attackers to compromise iPhones that simply visit a website containing the takeover tools. Apple first encouraged users to upgrade to the latest version of its OS, iOS 26, but eventually released the iOS 18 patches as DarkSword continued to proliferate.

The US-Israel conflict with Iran entered its second month this week, with Iran issuing threats to initiate attacks on over a dozen US companies, including major tech firms like Apple, Google, and Microsoft, which operate offices and data centers in the Gulf region. The perilous conflict, with no clear resolution in sight, continues to devastate the global economy as shipping crews remain stuck in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital trade passage. Meanwhile, some are starting to ponder what might occur if US strikes inflict significant damage on Iran’s nuclear sites.

And that’s not everything! Each week, we compile the security and privacy updates we didn’t delve into more comprehensively. Click on the headlines to read the complete stories. And stay safe out there.

Earlier this week, a security expert pointed out that Anthropic inadvertently made the source code for its well-known vibe-coding tool, Claude Code, public. Instantly, individuals began sharing the code on the developer platform GitHub. But be cautious if you wish to download some of those repositories: BleepingComputer warns that some of the individuals posting are actually hackers who have embedded a piece of infostealer malware within the lines of code.

Anthropic, for its part, has been actively working to eliminate copies of the leak (malware-laden or otherwise) by sending out copyright takedown requests. The Wall Street Journal <a href="https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/anthropic-races-to-contain-leak-of-code-behind-claude-ai-agent-4bc5acc7?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=AWEtsqe0YqHxbezGhAXCQMkTM704xLIzPtDKH78qcGbyQlXZjxZuAmm8TxwV4QxfOvM%3D&gaa_ts=69

‘Eerie Chasm’: Iran’s Menaces Against US Technology, Trump’s Midterm Strategies, and Polymarket’s Temporary Failure

April 2, 2026sparta

Kate Knibbs: So, you went there twice?

Makena Kelly: Yes, Kate. I went there twice.

Kate Knibbs: I missed that detail.

Zoë Schiffer: Hold on, is the Pentagon Pizza thing a joke about the pizza foretelling the war?

Makena Kelly: Yep.

Zoë Schiffer: Oh, my gosh.

Makena Kelly: Because they had these Pentagon pizza trackers set up. When I returned the second night, most things were running. Some displays were still off, and I didn’t spot any real Bloomberg terminals. There were a few self-made monitors that looked like Bloomberg terminals, but there was no authentic $50,000 Bloomberg terminal around. The second night was again crowded with people eager to witness the event, though I did run into a couple of individuals who wagered on sites like Polymarket and Kalshi. One of them, William, claimed he was in the military but didn’t provide his full name. He began betting last year with all his tax refund on Oklahoma City sports wagering.

Makena Kelly, archival audio: So, you’ve used Kalshi?

William, archival audio: Yes.

Makena Kelly, archival audio: When did you first start using that service?

William, archival audio: Probably when I got my tax refund back.

Makena Kelly, archival audio: Got it.

William, archival audio: So, I filed my taxes early and thought, “Awesome, I got my tax refund. What should I do with it?” So, I chose to put it on Kalshi.

Makena Kelly: He noted he’s fluctuating by $100 but hasn’t scored any big wins. Unlike some tales of people making enormous insider bets and winning millions, he’s just in it for the enjoyment.

Brian Barrett: Kate, what’s your take on a pop-up like this and Polymarket’s intentions—is it a move to legitimize or just a promotional strategy? And how does it align with these companies’ rapid growth and their effort to attract a wide audience?

Kate Knibbs: This event clearly appears to be a strategic effort to appeal to journalists based in DC. One observation Makena made encapsulates the current situation—the individuals in the Palantir hoodies. The week this bar launched, Polymarket announced a collaboration with Palantir, who will assist them in ensuring the integrity of their sports market by identifying insider traders and market manipulators. I inquired with Polymarket last week if they had additional agreements with Palantir while investigating the Iran bets that are stirring up a lot of attention. They stated Palantir is only involved with sports, which seemed peculiar. It indicates how rapidly they’re growing, but in a chaotic, rushed manner that doesn’t seem coherent. If you’re engaging Palantir, why not use them for geopolitical issues instead of March Madness? Truly wild times.

AI Research Is Becoming More and More Interwoven With Geopolitics

March 28, 2026sparta

The prominent AI research event, NeurIPS, recently encountered a controversy intertwining geopolitics with worldwide scientific cooperation. The conference initially set forth but quickly revoked new limitations on international participation after Chinese AI researchers indicated a possible boycott. Paul Triolo from DGA-Albright Stonebridge emphasized the necessity of drawing in Chinese researchers to serve US interests, amidst American demands to sever AI collaborations. These strains pose a risk of discouraging Chinese researchers from interacting with US academic institutions and technology firms. NeurIPS first delineated restrictions in its handbook, associating with US-sanctioned organizations, impacting researchers at companies such as Tencent and Huawei. The listing also encompassed Russian, Iranian, and other foreign entities. In light of the outcry, NeurIPS narrowed the restrictions to a list aimed at terrorist and criminal groups. The organizers acknowledged a mistake, attributing it to a lapse in communication with their legal team. The revised rule elicited a prompt reaction, especially from China, a key hub for AI expertise. Chinese academic organizations condemned the action, dissuading participation and advocating for national conferences. The China Association of Science and Technology (CAST), a notable body, revealed it would shift funding from NeurIPS attendance to endorse other conferences valuing Chinese scholars, also indicating that NeurIPS 2026 publications would not be counted towards research funding assessments, unless any policy change occurs.

Wall Street Struggles with AI Hysteria

February 27, 2026sparta

Before the prior week, very few were familiar with the name Alap Shah. The 45-year-old financial analyst and technology entrepreneur had been laboring quietly for two decades. Then, over the weekend, he co-authored a blog with the research company Citrini titled “The 2028 Global Intelligence Crisis.” It was a speculative article discussing the repercussions of artificial intelligence, predicting that by June in that year, AI would elevate unemployment beyond 10 percent and result in considerable market downturns. With a self-assured, prophetic style reminiscent of a Michael Lewis narrative, the authors depicted a negative feedback loop: AI agents displace jobs, consumer spending declines, and firms resort to perpetual layoffs.

Much of the content was familiar territory. Tech figures like Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei have already stated that half of the entry-level white-collar positions will disappear shortly, and Anthropic’s launch of new AI tools earlier this year brought about a sell-off on Wall Street. Nevertheless, the report made a substantial impact, coinciding with a significant drop in the Dow. Alap Shah’s name received unexpected notoriety.

Upon closer inspection, however, the reaction is not as remarkable. Similar to the general public, Wall Street is extremely worried about AI, with minor provocations causing considerable market fluctuations. Financial markets don’t always mirror reality, but these reactions highlight a broader anxiety. The AI future, reminiscent of a William Gibson concept, is unevenly distributed, leading to thrilling yet disconcerting developments.

No one completely grasps AI’s economic influence, but it is destined to be significant. Currently, stock values are elevated, encouraging market hopefulness. However, ominous reports or studies suggesting potential AI-induced disruptions remind investors of the unresolved and urgent issues at play. For example, earlier this month, a small company shifted from selling karaoke machines to AI logistics and released a report on enhancing truck loading efficiency, resulting in major losses in key logistics stocks, none of which had any prior connections to karaoke.

Following its effect on Wall Street, the Citrini report faced considerable backlash. Critics quickly pointed out its flaws. Some contended that AI has not yet had a meaningful effect on the economy. Others referenced historical resilience after technological advancements. A satirical response from Citadel Securities dismissed the report’s conclusions by outlining improbable conditions under which AI could instigate a lasting economic shock.

The most intense criticisms targeted the report’s claim that much of the economy is composed of unproductive middlemen and market makers exploiting public complacency. Shah argued that AI agents will enable consumers to effortlessly find the best deals, rendering apps unnecessary. He pointed out that DoorDash represents this transformation; consumers could circumvent apps, employing AI agents to directly arrange meals from restaurants and delivery services, resulting in a seamless experience. The implication is that companies like DoorDash are essentially comparable to outdated trends.

Who’s Your Parent? A Chatbot

February 26, 2026sparta

Alesandra Madison encountered her husband employing AI in their partnership in late 2024. She had longed for her “nightly kneeling ritual,” which led him to seek advice from ChatGPT on how to administer discipline. The AI recommended a dual punishment of composing 100 lines while maintaining the kneeling position. Despite having explored kink with her husband for 15 years, this AI-driven method was unprecedented for them.

Madison, 44, hailing from Los Angeles, now perceives AI as a vital enhancement tool for kink practices, providing new insights into their relationship. AI is increasingly recognized as a dynamic influence in BDSM, offering a distinctive space for trust and dialogue free from judgment.

A user on the r/SubSanctuary subreddit remarked on the benefits of utilizing AI for better self-understanding as a submissive, emphasizing AI’s adaptability and constant accessibility. While some find it appealing, others critique AI dominants as “shallow entertainment” or “hazardous.”

As discussions surrounding AI intensify, platforms such as Joi AI, Character.AI, Replika, and Soulmaite present AI-enabled BDSM chatbots. These services enable users to investigate diverse dynamics, with certain sex workers like Alix Lynx and Jenna Starr permitting their images for these platforms. Developers strive to produce apps for immersive and intelligent role-play dialogues. Oxy shop, a retailer of BDSM gear, now features an AI-powered “BDSM chat” for individuals seeking dominatrix encounters.

Carolina Bandinelli from the University of Warwick observes that AI chatbots create a venue for expressing sexual fantasies, empowering users to design and shape their ideal dynamic, illustrating the fantasy intrinsic to human-AI interactions.