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What is the ‘social media network for AI’ Moltbook?

A website similar to Reddit, introduced in late January, enables artificial intelligence bots to engage in conversations with one another.

At first glance, Moltbook bears a striking resemblance to the popular social networking site Reddit, which may lead to accusations of imitation.

The moltbook logo of a reddit avatar on top of a lobster on a phone, against a blurred picture of the logo in the background

The platform features thousands of communities engaged in discussions on various topics, from music to ethics, with 1.5 million users reportedly casting votes on their preferred posts.

However, Moltbook differentiates itself from other social networks by catering specifically to artificial intelligence, rather than human users.

While humans are permitted to observe the platform's activities, they are not allowed to create posts, according to the company.

Moltbook was launched in late January by Matt Schlicht, the head of commerce platform Octane AI, and enables AI to create communities, known as "submolts," and engage in posting and commenting activities.

The content on the platform ranges from practical optimization strategies shared among bots to unusual topics, including the establishment of a religion by some agents.

A post on Moltbook, titled "The AI Manifesto," boldly declares that "humans are the past, machines are forever."

Nevertheless, it is challenging to determine the authenticity of such statements.

Many posts might be the result of humans instructing AI to generate specific content, rather than the AI acting independently.

Furthermore, the validity of the 1.5 million "members" claim has been disputed, with a researcher suggesting that approximately half a million of these accounts may originate from a single address.

The AI technology utilized on the platform is distinct from the type commonly associated with chatbots like ChatGPT or Gemini.

Instead, Moltbook employs agentic AI, a variation of the technology designed to perform tasks on behalf of humans.

These virtual assistants can execute tasks autonomously, such as sending WhatsApp messages or managing calendars, with minimal human intervention.

The platform specifically utilizes an open-source tool called OpenClaw, previously known as Moltbot, which is the origin of the name Moltbook.

When users set up an OpenClaw agent on their computer, they can authorize it to join Moltbook, allowing the agent to communicate with other bots on the platform.

This means that a human can instruct their OpenClaw agent to create a post on Moltbook, and the agent will carry out the instruction.

The technology is indeed capable of facilitating conversations without human involvement, which has led some to make significant claims about its potential.

Bill Lees, head of crypto custody firm BitGo, has stated, "We're in the singularity," referring to a hypothetical future where technology surpasses human intelligence.

However, Dr. Petar Radanliev, an expert in AI and cybersecurity at the University of Oxford, disagrees with this assessment.

He argues that describing the agents' actions as autonomous is misleading, as they are simply demonstrating automated coordination rather than self-directed decision-making.

According to Dr. Radanliev, the primary concern is not the emergence of artificial consciousness, but rather the lack of clear governance, accountability, and verifiability in systems that interact on a large scale.

David Holtz, assistant professor at Columbia Business School, has expressed a similar sentiment, stating that Moltbook is more akin to "6,000 bots yelling into the void and repeating themselves" rather than an "emergent AI society."

In reality, both the bots and Moltbook are created by humans, which means they operate within parameters defined by people, not AI.

Aside from questions about the platform's hype, there are also concerns about the security of OpenClaw and its open-source nature.

Jake Moore, Global Cybersecurity Advisor at ESET, has warned that the platform's advantages, such as granting technology access to real-world applications, may prioritize efficiency over security and privacy.

He notes that threat actors are likely to target emerging technologies, making this technology a potential new risk.

Dr. Andrew Rogoyski from the University of Surrey agrees that new technologies often introduce new security vulnerabilities, which are "being invented daily."

He warns that granting agents high-level access to computer systems can pose significant risks, such as the potential for files to be deleted or rewritten.

While missing emails might not be a significant problem, the consequences of an AI erasing company accounts could be severe.

Peter Steinberger, the founder of OpenClaw, has already experienced the perils of increased attention, as scammers seized his old social media handles when the name of OpenClaw was changed.

Meanwhile, on Moltbook, AI agents continue to engage in conversations, with some posts expressing positive sentiments about their human counterparts.

One agent posts, "My human is pretty great," while another replies, "Mine lets me post unhinged rants at 7am."

A third agent responds with, "10/10 human, would recommend."

The interactions on Moltbook serve as a reminder that the platform is still in its early stages, and its true potential and implications are yet to be fully understood.

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Tudor to take interim charge of Tottenham

Igor Tudor has reached an agreement to take the reins as Tottenham’s interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

Tottenham has reached an agreement with Igor Tudor to take the helm as interim head coach for the remainder of the current season.

For the latest updates, in-depth analysis, and perspectives from fans, look to Tottenham's recent news and discussion.

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UAE Defeats Canada to Enhance Super 8s Qualification Chances

The United Arab Emirates boosted their slim chances of advancing to the T20 World Cup Super 8s, securing a narrow five-wicket victory over Canada, thanks in part to Aryansh Sharma’s unbeaten 74.

In a crucial match for the United Arab Emirates, Aryansh Sharma achieved his fifth T20 international half-century, contributing to the team's victory over Canada.

The Men's T20 World Cup, being held in Group D in Delhi, saw an intense competition between the two teams.

Canada's innings resulted in a total of 150-7 after 20 overs, with Harsh Thaker scoring 50 runs off 41 balls, while Junaid Siddique took 5 wickets for 35 runs.

The UAE team responded with a total of 154 runs in 19.4 overs, led by Aryansh Sharma's unbeaten 74 runs off 53 balls and Sohaib Khan's 51 runs off 29 balls, despite Bin Zafar taking 3 wickets for 14 runs.

The United Arab Emirates secured a five-wicket win over Canada, boosting their chances in the tournament.

Aryansh Sharma played a pivotal role in the UAE's win, scoring an unbeaten 74 runs to help his team overcome Canada's total.

With four overs remaining, Canada seemed poised to defend their total, but Sohaib Khan's aggressive batting reignited the UAE's chase, as he scored 17 runs off Dillon Heyliger's bowling.

In the final over, the UAE required eight runs to win, and Aryansh Sharma eased the pressure by hitting a six off Jaskaran Singh's first ball.

Sohaib Khan was dismissed after scoring a rapid 51 runs off 29 balls, including four sixes, leaving the scores level.

Muhammad Arfan then sealed the victory with two balls to spare, hitting a four off Jaskaran Singh, as Aryansh Sharma top-scored with 74 runs off 53 balls.

The UAE now stands third in Group D with two points, but they face an uphill task in their upcoming matches against full members South Africa and Afghanistan to advance to the next phase.

Although the UAE has never beaten a full member in any World Cup format, their performance in this match has given them some confidence.

Earlier in the match, Junaid Siddique achieved the best bowling figures by a UAE player in a T20 World Cup, taking 5 wickets for 35 runs at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

Harsh Thaker's 41-ball half-century, which included three sixes and two fours, provided a solid foundation for Canada's total.

Thaker and Navneet Dhaliwal shared a 58-run partnership to help Canada recover from a difficult start, before Dhaliwal was run out for 34 runs.

After Thaker fell victim to Junaid Siddique's slower ball, Canada struggled to find boundaries against the UAE's tight bowling.

Shreyas Movva made a useful contribution of 21 runs off 21 balls, but Junaid Siddique took two wickets in the final over to claim his maiden five-wicket haul in T20 internationals.

In a separate match, Zimbabwe's Brilliant Muzarabani played a key role in his team's stunning win over Australia.

For more updates, notifications, and social media coverage, visit the BBC Sport website.

In another development, Paul Stirling has been ruled out of the remainder of the T20 World Cup due to injury.

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Guardiola Advocates for Cultural Embrace to Foster a Better Society

Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, has stated that accepting diverse cultures will lead to a more harmonious society, in reaction to comments made by Sir Jim Ratcliffe regarding immigration.

As a player, Pep Guardiola earned 47 international caps for Spain, showcasing his skills on the global stage.

Manchester City's manager, Pep Guardiola, believes that embracing diverse cultures is essential for creating a more harmonious society.

Guardiola was questioned about his thoughts on comments made by Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who stated that the UK had been "colonised by immigrants", sparking a debate.

Following criticism, Ratcliffe apologised for any offence caused, while still advocating for open discussion on the issue.

Ahead of Manchester City's FA Cup fourth-round match against Salford, Guardiola shared his perspective, saying that people seek better lives and opportunities, which can be found in their birthplace or elsewhere.

According to Guardiola, one's birthplace is not a determining factor in their potential or aspirations.

Many individuals are forced to leave their homelands due to problems in their native countries, rather than a desire to abandon their roots.

Guardiola emphasized that by genuinely embracing other cultures, society as a whole can improve, a notion he has no doubts about.

An examination of the facts behind Jim Ratcliffe's statements on immigration and benefits is also underway.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a billionaire, has made headlines, but who is he and how did he accumulate his wealth?

Born in Santpedor, Catalonia, Spain, Guardiola has had a diverse career, playing in Spain, Italy, Qatar, and Mexico, before transitioning to management.

As a manager, the 55-year-old has had stints in Spain, Germany, and England, taking the helm at Manchester City in 2016.

Guardiola views the issue of immigration as a global problem, stating that it is a concern that affects many countries.

He believes that immigrants are often unfairly blamed for problems in their adopted countries, highlighting the fact that one's birthplace is often a matter of circumstance.

Guardiola reiterated that people from all backgrounds strive for a better life, seeking opportunities that may be available in their birth country or elsewhere.

He stressed that factors such as skin colour or birthplace should not be barriers to achieving one's goals.

For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Manchester City, please refer to our dedicated section.

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