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The must-reads

I’ve combed the internet to find you today’s most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.

1 OpenAI has launched Astra, its most capable model yet
The firm says boosted capabilities are being paired with stronger safeguards. (Verge)
+ OpenAI’s president claims that AI is now as capable as humans. (WP $)
+ But the company is also warning that Astra can evade human monitoring. (Reuters $)
+ It’s OpenAI’s first model to hit its “critical” risk level. (Quartz)
+ Bill Gates says we’ve lost control of AI. (MIT Technology Review)

2 Automakers have urged Congress to ban Chinese cars permanently
On the basis of unfair trade, market dumping, and surveillance. (The Hill)
+ The group wants legislation barring them from the US this year. (Reuters $)
+ It includes GM, Ford, Toyota, VW, Hyundai, Honda, and Stellantis. (CNBC)
+ China’s EV boom has a recycling problem. (MIT Technology Review)

3 Tesla has launched the Cybercab, starting with rides in Austin
The company has 45 of the robotaxis registered in Texas. (AP)
+ It was an unusually muted launch. (Verge)
+ Regulators are already evaluating the steering-wheel-free service. (Reuters $)

4 Republicans are increasingly breaking from Trump’s pro-AI agenda
The most striking shift is a data center backlash in Texas. (Reuters $)
+ Should we move data centers to space? (MIT Technology Review)

5 Bernie Sanders wants a permanent ban on “superintelligent” AI
He also renewed his call to pause advanced AI development. (Politico)
+ Rep. Greg Casar is cosponsoring the bill. (Axios)