Meta Open Sources Muse for AI Gadgets as Chinese Fabs Stockpile 343 DUVi Tools

Chinese fabs had acquired approximately 343 DUVi tools by early 2026, with around 270 sourced from ASML, according to the Center for Technology and Statecraft via the South China Morning Post. The report notes that while DUV tools are less advanced than EUV systems, they can be adapted to manufacture 7-nanometer logic chips and high-bandwidth memory critical for AI processors, underscoring Beijing's continued progress in semiconductor self-sufficiency despite US export controls.

Meta open sourced the code for its new Muse AI agent, inviting developers to build custom Muse-infused gadgets, according to TechCrunch. The company suggests projects like loading Muse onto color E Ink displays for reminders or adding it to HDMI sticks for big-screen interactions, effectively expanding its AI footprint beyond traditional software platforms.

Meta envisions Muse powering everything from televisions to toasters, and is giving the code away for free to accelerate adoption, reports The Verge. The aggressive push into consumer hardware comes as Meta bets that embedding its AI agent into 1,000-plus everyday devices could rival the reach of Apple's Siri and Amazon's Alexa ecosystems.

Apple changed its full-disk access permissions to curb abuse from third-party AI agents, per MacRumors. The move follows concerns that AI tools were scraping sensitive user data without adequate consent, with Apple tightening access for developers building agent-based applications on macOS and iOS starting with version 18.2.

Former Napster co-founder Sean Parker is rebuilding Stability AI around music, backed by major record labels, according to Bloomberg. Parker, who once clashed with the music industry over piracy, now has both the labels' blessing and financial support as Stability pivots from image generation toward audio AI products targeting the $28 billion global music market.

Amazon unveiled a $1 billion plan to combat data center backlash, ending nondisclosure agreements for community stakeholders but drawing fresh criticism for downplaying data center pollution, reports The Verge. Environmental advocates praised the NDA reversal but noted that Amazon's 1,000-plus data centers worldwide still contribute significantly to local air and water quality concerns.

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