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What does AI progress look like beyond the headlines? Eileen connects three stories: Meta’s new tools for building Muse gadgets, a major commitment to biological data for AI research, and Senator Maria Cantwell’s framework for testing advanced AI. Together, they raise practical questions about who gets to build, what these systems might help us discover, and how we can tell whether they work.
Show notes
This week, we look at three developments through Pillar One of America’s AI Action Plan:
- October 2: Meta introduced Muse Gadgets, open source software for building devices that connect to its Muse AI agent. Muse itself launched earlier, on September 8.
- October 7: The Department of Energy joined the expanded Virtual Biology Initiative, committing more than $500 million over five years toward biological research and data. This is a research commitment, not a new treatment. Reuters reports that commercial funders will have early access to some data before public release.
- October 7: Senator Maria Cantwell released a six-point framework for advanced AI oversight. It is a framework, not yet a bill.
The policy backdrop: America’s AI Action Plan, especially Pillar One, “Accelerate AI Innovation.”
Free places to learn: AI.gov’s education page · Anthropic’s AI Fluency course · Code.org’s AI for Oceans