Chaos & Amazement #2518 Eye Scanning Orb, Meta AI, and One Million Chessboards
This week’s edition takes you from 👁️ iris-scanning Orbs and ultra-safe robotaxis to rogue chessboards, glitchcore toilet nightmares, and a sweater that fooled Belgian surveillance cameras.
Tech news
Sam Altman's Tools for Humanity launched its iris-scanning tech in 6 U.S. cities. The "Orb" scans your eye to create a digital World ID. 12 million people have been scanned so far. Critics raise privacy concerns, but it's being pitched as a way to tell humans from bots. https://www.wired.com/story/sam-altman-orb-eyeball-scan-launch-us/
Waymo says its robotaxis are safer than humans, cutting crash injuries by up to 96%. Based on 56M+ miles in cities like San Francisco and LA, data shows fewer accidents with pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists. Still, public trust in driverless cars remains divided. https://waymo.com/blog/2025/05/waymo-making-streets-safer-for-vru
Fresh AI
Meta has launched its ChatGPT competitor, Meta AI. It has a "Discover feed" to see how connections use it. Users can control what's shared, but opting out of data scraping for training seems tricky. It's designed to work with their Ray-Ban smart glasses. https://about.fb.com/news/2025/04/introducing-meta-ai-app-new-way-access-ai-assistant/
Meanwhile OpenAI updated ChatGPT with new shopping search feature that allows users to compare prices, read reviews, and purchase products directly through the chat interface. The results display images, pricing, and purchase links without ads or paid placements. https://www.theverge.com/news/656729/openai-chatgpt-search-shopping
From my blog elsewhere
Inti De Ceukelaire is a renowned ethical hacker and Chief Hacker Officer who uses bold experiments to expose security flaws and raise awareness about AI and cybersecurity risks. His latest stunt? Walking through a city wearing a sweater printed with fake license plates that fooled Belgian ANPR cameras, showing how these systems can be tricked-and sparking an expected police response that found the stunt amusing but thought-provoking. https://x.com/intidc/status/1917132130636730436
Five ways to stay calm. Because you deserve to be relaxed, focused and in control of your day.
Weird and Wonderful
Nolen Royalty launched a site called One Million Chessboards — it hosts a million chessboards, where anyone can move pieces anytime, no turns needed. Moves are instant and you can jump between boards.
Skibidi toilet episode 78 just dropped and has over 22 million views So no, this cultural icon is not going anywhere.
Here’s a deep dive on the man behind the channel, a 27 year old from Georgia (the country)
If a neurotic chicken had a nightmare about the internet, it might look like IGORRR’s new video for “ADHD.” A chaotic, glitchy, AI-fueled fever dream by The Meat Department — bizarre, brilliant, and unforgettable. Watch at your own risk.
Haters will say it’s AI.
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