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Anthropic says it blocked misuse of its AI that could have supported biological weapons

Anthropic said Thursday it has blocked efforts by bad actors to use its artificial intelligence models for malicious activity such as cyberattacks, surveillance, and research that could have led to biological weapons. As AI models grow more powerful, elaborate cyberattacks no longer require sophisticated skills and even lone individuals can create threats that would not have been possible even a year ago, Anthropic said. The company said it has added stronger safeguards in its latest models to restrict biological research that could also be used to make weapons. “The cases we share ...

US unemployment claims dip to 206,000 as layoffs remain rare

WASHINGTON (AP) — Slightly fewer Americans filed for unemployment claims last week as jobless claims remain at historically low levels and layoffs are still relatively rare. Filings for benefits dipped to 206,000 last week from a revised 207,000 the week before, the Labor Department reported Thursday. The four-week average of claims, which smooths out week-to-week volatility, also fell modestly to 206,000. Claims for jobless benefits are a proxy for layoffs, and economists watch them because they can be a sign of where the job market is headed. For the past year, claims have mostly ...

Oil surges above $100 a barrel as US and Iran launch new attacks

NEW YORK (AP) — Oil prices shot past $100 a barrel Wednesday as fighting between the U.S. and Iran escalated, threatening to increase costs for consumers and businesses worldwide. Brent crude, the international standard, climbed into triple digits for the first time since July and settled at $101.21 a barrel by the end of the day’s trading, after attacks on oil facilities and ships in the Middle East that could further debilitate an already weakened supply chain. U.S. benchmark crude was close behind, settling at $96.05 a barrel. The latest developments in the war, both prospects ...

New Apple CEO unveils latest iPhone lineup

CUPERTINO, California (AP) — Apple on Wednesday unveiled its latest generation of iPhones, including a widely anticipated foldable version called Duo. The company’s new CEO, John Ternus, who took over from Tim Cook on Sept. 1, introduced the latest lineup at the company’s Cupertino, California headquarters. After cycling through other updates to the iPhone, the Apple Watch and AirPods, Ternus told the audience inside the Steve Jobs Theater that “actually there is one more thing,” in a nod to the trademark phrase from Jobs that the company’s legendary late founder himself ...

America Makes selects $13.2M project leader

Staff report EWI, an advanced manufacturing and engineering solutions company in Columbus, has been selected by America Makes and the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining to lead a $13.2 million national program. The effort is aimed at solving one of the biggest barriers to using additive manufacturing for critical defense parts: the cost and complexity of verifying part quality. The program, known as INSITE (INtegrated System for In-situ Testing and Evaluation), will run for three years. “As additive manufacturing advances toward larger, more complex ...

Public session planned for skilled trades expo

Staff report Public hours are returning to the seventh annual Mahoning Valley Skilled Trades Expo this year, giving anyone curious about a hands-on career the chance to pick up a tool, meet the pros and explore what’s possible. The community may attend from 2 to 4 p.m. Sept. 22 at the Michael Kusalaba Event Center, Building 36, Canfield Fairgrounds. Enter through Gate 9, off state Route 46. No registration is required, and admission and parking are free. More than a dozen building construction trades will be on display through hands-on exhibits and live demonstrations. ...