AI labs buy data from dead startups

Tuesday, October 13, 2026 · AI news, briefed · View online

Good morning. AI labs are buying data from dead startups to train their models, a sign that the race for training material is reaching further back into the market. Today’s other notes include OpenAI’s Decisions API, Gemini task automation, and Microsoft’s warning that AI still gets less safety scrutiny than milk.

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Today in AI

1. AI labs are buying data from dead startups to train their models

Why it matters: The emergence of a market for data from defunct startups indicates significant shifts in AI training practices, posing legal and ethical questions for data usage and privacy.

technologyreview.com · Read →

2. Accelya Debuts FLX Recover Agentic AI for Airline Passenger Recovery

Why it matters: The introduction of FLX Recover could significantly enhance how airlines manage disruptions, leading to quicker resolutions and improved passenger experiences during travel interruptions.

unite.ai · Read →

3. OpenAI Decisions API: What it is and how to use it?

Why it matters: The introduction of the OpenAI Decisions API offers developers a faster, structured method for evaluating various AI tasks, potentially improving decision-making efficiency in applications like customer support.

analyticsvidhya.com · Read →

4. Milk Gets More Safety Checks Than AI, Says Microsoft President

Why it matters: The disparity in safety checks between AI and everyday products like milk raises concerns about AI governance and public safety, prompting calls for stricter regulations.

autogpt.net · Read →

5. How to use Google Gemini to automate tasks

Why it matters: Google's Gemini Spark represents a step forward in AI automation tools, allowing users to streamline daily tasks within the Google ecosystem, which can enhance productivity.

engadget.com · Read →

Robotics

6. Amazon has over 1 million robot workers. What’s next for human employees?

Why it matters: The growth of Amazon's robotic workforce raises questions about the future roles and safety of human employees in the company's fulfillment centers.

arstechnica.com · Read →

7. Learning to Play Like a Pro: Adaptive Motion Planning and Tracking for Humanoid Robots

Why it matters: Advancements in adaptive motion planning and tracking for humanoid robots will help enhance their performance in sports and other applications, thereby bridging the gap between simulation and real-world execution.

content.knowledgehub.wiley.com · Read →

Agent uses to steal today

Shopping & Errands · Claude Cowork

Turn a photo and receipt into a refund email

An agent can match a receipt in Gmail, extract purchase details, and write a refund request for you to review. The agent produced a refund request that included the purchase details and the clothing defect, ready for approval. No time savings were reported, and the outcome of the refund request was not given.

I want to request a refund for [item] because [short description of the issue]. Look through my Gmail for the receipt from [store or approximate date], pull out the order reference and buy date, and write a polite email to [support email if known]. Keep it as a draft and wait for my approval before sending or submitting anything.

Full write-up and sources →

Work & Operations · Zapier Agents

Brief Slack on tomorrow’s calendar guests

A Zapier agent scans the day’s meetings, looks up outside attendees, and posts a short briefing in Slack each morning. In testing, the agent found background details on the author’s CEO and CTO and delivered them to Slack. The article did not report any live-run results. The free plan also limits test runs to 10 actions.

Each morning at [time], check my Google Calendar for today’s meetings. For every meeting that includes someone outside my company, use web search to gather a brief background on that person and their organization. Write a short Slack update with one paragraph per guest, then pause and show me the draft for approval before sending anything to [channel or DM]. After I approve, send the Slack message. If a meeting has no external guests, say that clearly.

Full write-up and sources →

Money & Bills · ChatGPT

Use ChatGPT to recover unclaimed money through the state

A person used ChatGPT to identify Florida’s official claim page and skip a company asking for a 10% cut. They said the money reached their fiancé by deposit after only a few weeks. The process apparently went smoothly, and no amount was given for that claim.

I received a notice or letter about money that may be waiting for me in [state]. Here’s the text or a photo: [paste/attach]. Help me locate the state’s legitimate unclaimed-property page, tell me what evidence or forms I need, and draft the claim steps for me. Do not submit anything or enter private details; stop and show me the exact information you’d use before we go further.

Full write-up and sources →

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AI labs buy data from dead startups

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