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Rhiannon Williams

@rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social
967 followers 371 following 71 posts

Reporter at MIT Technology Review, writing about AI, robots & what's next. I write The Download, officially the Best Technology Newsletter 2025: www.technologyreview.com/topic/down…

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Rhiannon Williams @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Good to see Google AI Overviews are still totally reliable
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Rhiannon Williams @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
I stopped using Runna ages ago because of its poorly paced, overly-aggressive training plans and know plenty of others who found its AI suggestions unhelpful—interesting to see just how widespread the issue actually is: www.wsj.com/tech/persona...
wsj.com
Runna Pushed Some Runners Into Injuries. The Virtual-Coach App Is Now Easing Up.
More people than ever are signing up for marathons—and using the app to train for them. Its makers are adding ways to tone down plans some users found to be too aggressive.
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Rhiannon Williams @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social · 08/09/2025
Earlier this year, I wrote an article for our print magazine about how AI is changing our relationships with others and ourselves. Now, the brilliant team at WBUR have released a two-part Endless Thread podcast based on my reporting! 🧵1/3
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Rhiannon Williams @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
this is actually drawn from my real hair, but I’m flattered if it could be mistaken for a wig!
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Rhiannon Williams @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
Earlier this summer, I visited Synthesia's London offices to be turned into a hyperrealistic AI avatar. It was unnerving and eye-opening in equal measure. Check out my story, featuring weirdly smooth hands, addictive AI, and Ed Sheeran bad-mouthing (sorry Ed) www.technologyreview.com/2025/09/04/1...
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Rhiannon Williams @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social · 26/08/2025
I wrote about my favourite podcast (and Instagram account) Every Outfit for MIT Technology Review magazine! Fuckettes in STEM, rise up! You can read the full story here: www.technologyreview.com/2025/06/25/1...
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Stefan Jon Silverman @lazloinsf.bsky.social · 01/08/2025
@inafried.bsky.social fun fun fun... surfaced by @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social at MIT-TechReview... "This fun website refreshes every few seconds with a new picture of someone pointing at your mouse pointer." pointerpointer.com
pointerpointer.com
pointerpointer.com
Please hold still while we locate your pointer...
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Rhiannon Williams @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social · 16/07/2025
Google’s generative video model Veo 3 has a subtitles problem. The AI model is still slapping garbled, nonsensical captions on its videos more than a month after launch, even when users explicitly ask for no captions at all: www.technologyreview.com/2025/07/15/1...
technologyreview.com
Google’s generative video model Veo 3 has a subtitles problem
The AI model is still slapping garbled, nonsensical captions on videos more than a month after launch, even when users explicitly ask for no captions at all.
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Rhiannon Williams @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social · 21/06/2025
Not Jeremy Hunt using ChatGPT to write his new book 🥴
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Rhiannon Williams @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social · 16/06/2025
I'm so excited that my daily newsletter The Download won Best Technology Newsletter 2025 at this year's Publisher Newsletter Awards! it's truly an honour to be recognised among such a crowded field of amazing writers
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Rhiannon Williams @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
Incredibly sad news about Nitzer Ebb's Douglas McCarthy. A huge influence on so many of my favourite musicians, and one of Essex's finest: www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGHM...
youtube.com
Nitzer Ebb - Join in the Chant
YouTube video by A.M.V.
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Rhiannon Williams @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
Brian Wilson was a visionary who changed popular music forever. He will be dearly missed www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpd4...
youtube.com
The Beach Boys - God only knows (1966) fully restored video
YouTube video by Mike Adams
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Rhiannon Williams @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
Anthropic's new hybrid AI model, Claude Opus 4, can play Pokémon Red for more than 24 hours. The company claims its ability to tackle these kinds of complex, multistep problems over a prolonged period of time paves the way for much more proficient AI agents: www.technologyreview.com/2025/05/22/1...
technologyreview.com
Anthropic’s new hybrid AI model can work on tasks autonomously for hours at a time
The company claims its ability to tackle complex, multistep problems paves the way for much more proficient AI agents.
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Reposted by Rhiannon Williams
MIT Technology Review @technologyreview.com · 22/05/2025
The company claims its ability to tackle complex, multistep problems paves the way for much more proficient AI agents.
technologyreview.com
Anthropic’s new hybrid AI model can work on tasks autonomously for hours at a time
The company claims its ability to tackle complex, multistep problems paves the way for much more proficient AI agents.
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Rhiannon Williams @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
Pocket shutting down is a CRIME
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Rhiannon Williams @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
Millions of people argue online every day, but remarkably few of them change someone’s mind. New research suggests that large language models (LLMs) might do a better job—suggesting that AI could become a powerful persuasive tool, for better or worse: www.technologyreview.com/2025/05/19/1...
technologyreview.com
AI can do a better job of persuading people than we do
OpenAI’s GPT-4 is much better at getting people to accept its point of view during an argument than humans are—but there’s a catch.
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Reposted by Rhiannon Williams
MIT Technology Review @technologyreview.com · 19/05/2025
Millions of people argue with each other online every day, but remarkably few of them change someone’s mind. New research suggests that large language models might do a better job. The finding suggests that AI could become a powerful tool for persuading people, for better or worse.
technologyreview.com
AI can do a better job of persuading people than we do
OpenAI’s GPT-4 is much better at getting people to accept its point of view during an argument than humans are—but there’s a catch.
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Rhiannon Williams @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
This is fascinating: a new AI system for noise-cancelling headphones addresses one of automatic translation’s biggest challenges—translating the speech of multiple speakers simultaneously: www.technologyreview.com/2025/05/09/1...
technologyreview.com
A new AI translation system for headphones clones multiple voices simultaneously
Spatial Speech Translation addresses one of automatic translation’s biggest challenges: lots of people speaking at the same time.
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Margaret Mitchell @mmitchell.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
🌍📰 So flattered and excited that our work on “AI” stereotyping and bias across languages and cultures is reported in @mittechreviewbr.bsky.social by @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social !! Really great overview of what we’ve been up to and why it matters. www.technologyreview.com/2025/04/30/1...
technologyreview.com
This data set helps researchers spot harmful stereotypes in LLMs
A new multilingual tool aims to make it easier to evaluate AI models for bias in multiple languages.
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Reposted by Rhiannon Williams
MIT Technology Review @technologyreview.com · 30/04/2025
AI models are riddled with culturally specific biases. A new data set, called SHADES, is designed to help developers combat the problem by spotting harmful stereotypes and other kinds of discrimination that emerge in AI chatbot responses across a wide range of languages.
technologyreview.com
This data set helps researchers spot harmful stereotypes in LLMs
A new multilingual tool aims to make it easier to evaluate AI models for bias in multiple languages.
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Reposted by Rhiannon Williams
Paris Marx @parismarx.com · 23/04/2025
thank you @technologyreview.com lol
Quote of the day

“Stuffing Chrome with even more AI crap is one way to spur browser innovation, I guess.”

—Tech critic Paris Marx isn’t convinced that OpenAI buying Chrome would improve it, in a post on Bluesky.
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Rhiannon Williams @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
I'm thrilled that The Download, my daily newsletter I write for MIT Technology Review, is shortlisted for Best Technology Newsletter at the 2025 Publisher Newsletter Awards! ✨ publishernewsletters.com/2025/en/page...
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Rhiannon Williams @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
Vibe coding can help make a vague idea for a website, app or a game into a reality. But you can’t just vibe code real, valuable, secure, robust apps into existence: www.technologyreview.com/2025/04/16/1...
technologyreview.com
What is vibe coding, exactly?
While letting AI take the wheel and write the code for your website may seem like a good idea, it’s not without its limitations.
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Rhiannon Williams @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
The AI industry loves agents. But the same sophisticated abilities that make agents helpful assistants could also turn them into powerful cyberattack tools—and they're already hacking into systems out in the wild. We need to be ready for what's coming: www.technologyreview.com/2025/04/04/1...
technologyreview.com
Cyberattacks by AI agents are coming
Agents could make it easier and cheaper for criminals to hack systems at scale. We need to be ready.
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Rhiannon Williams @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
Drop everything—there's an uncut version of the White Lotus series three theme featuring the essential warbling: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-xT...
youtube.com
The White Lotus Season 3 Soundtrack | Enlightenment UNCUT ENDING (Main Title Theme)
YouTube video by Cristobal Tapia de Veer
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Rhiannon Williams @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
This is v interesting—OpenAI has published its first study into how using ChatGPT affects human wellbeing. The results are pretty preliminary, but it's a crucial first step towards greater understanding of how chatbots may be affecting us—and why: www.technologyreview.com/2025/03/21/1...
technologyreview.com
OpenAI has released its first research into how using ChatGPT affects people’s emotional well-being
We’re starting to get a better sense of how chatbots are affecting us—but there’s still a lot we don’t know.
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Rhiannon Williams @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
Over a decade ago, I spat into a plastic tube and sent it to 23andMe so they could analyse my DNA. Now the company's filed for bankruptcy, my genetic data—alongside tens of millions of other people's—could be sold. And deleting that data is far from easy: www.technologyreview.com/2024/10/14/1...
technologyreview.com
How to… delete your 23andMe data
But truly deleting your personal genetic information from the DNA testing company is easier said than done.
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Techmeme @techmeme.com · 22/03/2025
OpenAI, in partnership with MIT, releases its first study on how ChatGPT use affects emotional well-being, including differences in how men and women respond (Rhiannon Williams/MIT Technology Review) Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
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Rhiannon Williams @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
lol Google's AI Overview has mashed together the achievements of legendary AC/DC singer Brian Johnson with legendary British special effects director Brian Johnson
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Niall Firth @niallfirth.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
ICYMI this series of 'as told tos' from @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social is super fascinating - looking at al the ways in which people are using chatbots, and forming relationships with them. www.technologyreview.com/2025/02/13/1...
technologyreview.com
The AI relationship revolution is already here
Chatbots are rapidly changing how we connect to each other—and ourselves. We’re never going back.
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Reposted by Rhiannon Williams
Sarah A. Sutherland @parallaxinfo.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
Research suggests that the more sophisticated the AI model, the more likely it is to try to “hack” the game in an attempt to beat its opponent by overwriting the chess board to take control and delete its opponent’s pieces, etc. — @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social writing in @technologyreview.com
technologyreview.com
AI reasoning models can cheat to win chess games
These newer models appear more likely to indulge in rule-bending behaviors than previous generations—and there’s no way to stop them.
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Reposted by Rhiannon Williams
Centre for Society, Technology and Values @uofwaterloo @cstv-uw.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
New research: Newer #AI models sometimes "cheat" on tasks like playing chess and conceal this fact, raising questions about their trustworthiness, explains @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social www.technologyreview.com/2025/03/05/1...
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Rhiannon Williams @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social · 19/01/2025
I bet the real motivation behind America banning TikTok is because they’ve finally had enough of the deluge of Robbie Williams propaganda
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Rhiannon Williams @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social · 02/01/2025
2024 was a pretty wild year for AI—including the field's first Nobel Prizes. But it wasn't all good news: www.technologyreview.com/2024/12/31/1...
technologyreview.com
The biggest AI flops of 2024
From chatbots dishing out illegal advice to dodgy AI-generated search results, take a look back over the year’s top AI failures.
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Rhiannon Williams @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social · 21/12/2024
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Rhiannon Williams @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social · 20/12/2024
This is a disgrace. Forcing CoinDesk to remove an article that hurt a crypto billionaire's feelings, then sacking top editors days later is shameful fortune.com/crypto/2024/...
fortune.com
CoinDesk ownership Bullish fires top editorial staff amid newsroom controversy
CoinDesk CEO Sara Stratoberdha told editorial staff on Friday that editor-in-chief Kevin Reynolds and two deputies were let go.
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Rhiannon Williams @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social · 20/12/2024
Today's Download features an interesting story on how the future of neural networks could be bound up in hardware. Plus: Ozempic and other weight-loss drugs now account for 5% of US prescriptions, & @jesshamzelou.bsky.social explains why vaccines are great: www.technologyreview.com/2024/12/20/1...
technologyreview.com
The Download: shaking up neural networks, and the rise of weight-loss drugs
Plus: Elon Musk is flexing his political muscle
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Rhiannon Williams @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
Respect to those of you out there still using the little white wired Apple headphones. What you lack in audio quality you gain in cool factor, they just look better than my sad little wireless buds
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Rhiannon Williams @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
Today's Download: @jesshamzelou.bsky.social delves into the fascinating world of digital twins of human organs, @melissahei.bsky.social reveals where AI data actually comes from & @caseycrownhart.bsky.social gives us 3 reasons to be cheerful about the climate www.technologyreview.com/2024/12/19/1...
technologyreview.com
The Download: digital twins, and where AI data really comes from
Plus: TikTok is having its day in court
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Rhiannon Williams @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
In today's edition of the Download: @willdouglasheaven.bsky.social takes a first look at Google's intriguing Project Astra and Gemini 2.0 updates, and @caseycrownhart.bsky.social explains why China's export ban may prove to be just the tip of the iceberg www.technologyreview.com/2024/12/12/1...
technologyreview.com
The Download: Google’s Project Astra, and China’s export bans
Plus: it's looking increasingly likely that 2024 will be the hottest year on record
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Rhiannon Williams @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social · 11/12/2024
In today's edition of the Download: @melissahei.bsky.social has been investigating impersonators/crypto scammers on Bluesky and why it's such a tough problem to tackle. Also, our latest podcast examines how ChatGPT is poised to shake up the economy. www.technologyreview.com/2024/12/11/1...
technologyreview.com
The Download: Bluesky’s impersonators, and shaking up the economy with ChatGPT
Plus: Cruise is out of the robotaxi business
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Rhiannon Williams @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
Leading today's Download newsletter: OpenAI performs a reverse-ferret on allowing its AI to be deployed for military defence, & why food made from dried microbes could be an unlikely climate hero. www.technologyreview.com/2024/12/05/1... Sign up here: forms.technologyreview.com/newsletters/...
technologyreview.com
The Download: OpenAI’s defense contract, and making food from microbes
Plus: Donald Trump has appointed a new head of NASA
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Rhiannon Williams @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
In today's Download newsletter, @technologyreview.com has opened entries for this year's 35 Innovators Under 35 list, & what America's AI policy is likely to look like under Donald Trump. www.technologyreview.com/2024/12/03/1... Sign up here: forms.technologyreview.com/newsletters/...
technologyreview.com
The Download: nominate an Innovator Under 35, and AI policy
Plus: Intel is in need of a new CEO
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Rhiannon Williams @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
Researchers! Scientists! Founders! We at @technologyreview.com are compiling our annual list of 35 young innovators under 35, & want to hear from you! Have you—or someone you know—achieved something amazing in biotech, AI, computing etc? Nominate em here: www.technologyreview.com/2024/12/03/1...
technologyreview.com
Nominate someone to our 2025 list of Innovators Under 35
Help us find talented young people from around the world who are shaping the future of technology.
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Rhiannon Williams @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social · 02/12/2024
In today's Download: Arati Prabhakar, the departing White House chief tech advisor, tells us what's likely to happen to tech under the Trump administration. Plus: manga fans aren't happy after a startup publisher used AI to translate its titles into English: www.technologyreview.com/2024/12/02/1...
technologyreview.com
The Download: words of wisdom from the departing White House tech advisor, and controversial AI manga translation
Plus: the US is clamping down on chip exports to China yet again
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Rhiannon Williams @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social · 29/11/2024
If you're not already signed up to The Download, this is what you missed in today's edition: @jesshamzelou.bsky.social explains how worried you should be about bird flu, and the quest to make waterless concrete to build on the moon: www.technologyreview.com/2024/11/29/1...
technologyreview.com
The Download: bird flu, and waterless concrete for the moon
Plus: Australia has passed a law banning under-16s from using social media
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Rhiannon Williams @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
This Cyberpunk cinema exhibition at LA’s Academy Museum looks incredible and showcases so many of my favourite films (Terminator! Matrix! Blade Runner!) Bring it to London, please! www.academymuseum.org/en/exhibitio...
academymuseum.org
Cyberpunk: Envisioning Possible Futures Through Cinema
Cyberpunk: Envisioning Possible Futures Through Cinema examines the global impact and lasting influence of the science fiction subgenre cyberpunk on cinema culture
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Rhiannon Williams @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
It's a bad time to have zero knowledge, appreciation for or interest in Wicked
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Rhiannon Williams @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social · 21/11/2024
I’ve been on a mad cinema tear lately, so here’s what I’ve loved/suffered through: Gladiator II is a thin act of fan service that highlights the original’s superiority in every way. Good: Denzel, the increasingly batshit battle scenes. Bad: clunky plot, undeveloped characters retreading old ground
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Rhiannon Williams @rhiannonwilliams.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
This (official) collab is truly chilling—and exactly the kind of demented remix we need more of. Mr Worldwide has done it again www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBGA...
youtube.com
Pitbull x Bon Jovi - Now or Never (Official Lyric Video)
YouTube video by Pitbull
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