Welcome to Station Weekly, our Sunday wrap-up. If you only read one thing from Media Station this week, make it this. The big theme: AI stopped chatting and started doing.
1. AI agents are here
OpenAI launched Dots, ChatGPT agents that keep working in their own cloud computer after you log off. Meta’s Muse agent, launched in September, can book trips and cancel subscriptions, but wants your email and card. Robinhood also launched agents that can analyze markets and place trades, with optional manual approval. Our advice: 6 rules for using AI agents safely.
2. Google starts paying for AI answers
About 100 publishers are now paid based on how much their content feeds Google’s AI Overviews. Here’s what it means for the web.
3. Your voice is now protected (in Japan)
A Tokyo court ruled a person’s voice is protected like their face, in a case about AI clones of a famous voice actor. Read the story.
4. Canada: the under-16 social media bill
With Parliament back, Bill C-34 is one of the big tech files this fall. It would block kids under 16 from social media and create a new Digital Safety Commission. Plain-English explainer.
5. Quick hits
- Samsung released the Galaxy Tab S12 Plus and S12 Ultra with OLED screens and seven years of Android updates.
- Amazon refreshed the Fire TV Stick 4K with Wi-Fi 6 and deeper Alexa+ features.
- Apple Pay officially launched in India.
- DoorDash added AI ordering through Apple Messages and showed off an in-house delivery drone.
This week’s best tips
- Find every subscription you forgot about
- Spot a fake CRA or Canada Post text
- Free up phone storage in 5 minutes
- 5 AI prompts for better business emails
In the GTA
Nuit Blanche takes over Toronto on Saturday night, October 3, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., with 70+ free art projects.
Sources: linked in each story, plus Tech Startups daily roundup (Sept 30) for quick hits. Prepared with AI assistance and reviewed by Media Station. Disclosure.