New research papers propose methods to optimize visual token pruning in VLMs

Emily M. Bender and Nanna Inie propose replacing anthropomorphizing terms like "cognizer" and "artificial intelligence" with functionality-based descriptions, drawing on their paper Inie et al 2026. They outline three steps: noticing anthropomorphizing word choices, finding alternatives, and building the habit of using them.

Angi Inc. appointed Michael Steib as chief executive officer to steer the digital home-improvement platform's push toward artificial intelligence.

SpeakON's hardware button attaches via MagSafe and captures voice through its own microphone, aiming to turn raw speech into polished text and actions across apps. The company frames the problem as output quality, not input: dictation tools return fillers and false starts that users must clean up and move elsewhere.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker created an AI cabinet to assess risks and protect Illinoisans, per WGN-TV. The move drew criticism in r/LocalLLaMA, where a poster urged residents to contact the governor over what they called an attack on open weights.