AI news5
Microsoft releases a 4B computer-use model with a reported 66% task score
Microsoft’s Mage-VL-Cowork repository was created on 30 October. Its model card describes a four-billion-parameter agent that switches between screen interactions and terminal commands, and reports 66% on 361 OSWorld-Verified tasks excluding Google Drive. The weights use the Apache 2.0 licence.
huggingface.co ↗Why it matters
This is a new compact computer-use research release, distinct from Microsoft’s earlier image-model and diagnostic announcements; the score remains a developer-run benchmark.
Figma reports 20% faster agent tasks and 60% fewer undos
Figma’s 29 October engineering report says typical agent tasks became about 20% faster between beta and general availability. It also reports 33% higher user ratings and 60% fewer undos. The company attributes the gains to changes across its models, tools and agent system.
figma.com ↗Why it matters
New workflow results show where specialised design models may earn their place alongside general models, rather than treating a benchmark win as proof of better everyday work.
DeepSeek’s Search and Fetch billing starts at US$0.75 per 1,000 calls
DeepSeek’s temporary fee exemption for server-side Search and Fetch calls through DeepSeek Harness, Claude Code and Codex ended on 1 November at midnight Beijing time. Each API now costs US$0.75 per 1,000 successful requests, separately from model-token charges. Failed requests, empty results and timeouts are not billed under its published rules.
api-docs.deepseek.com ↗Why it matters
The change is the fee taking effect, rather than another announcement of the APIs covered in October; retrieval-heavy agent budgets now need to include successful tool calls.
Agility expects US$465 million in capital ahead of its proposed listing
Agility Robotics and Churchill Capital XI’s 30 October release estimates US$465 million in gross capital before transaction expenses. The total includes about US$164 million from the trust account, US$201 million in committed private investment and US$100 million already received. The merger is expected to close on 4 November, subject to shareholder approval.
agilityrobotics.com ↗Why it matters
The new post-redemption financing estimate advances Agility’s funding story; the expected close is still a condition, not a completed public listing.
Federal Reserve changes its AI programme references to “Super Intelligence”
The Federal Reserve Board says it changed appropriate AI references to “Super Intelligence” on 30 October under Executive Order 14434. Its staff programme page lists responsible use, risk management and federal compliance, and names Anderson Monken as Chief Super Intelligence Officer.
federalreserve.gov ↗Why it matters
This is a newly documented Federal Reserve implementation of the earlier order, separate from the NIH wording change already covered; the renamed programme does not establish a new level of model capability.
AI in the nonprofit sector2
IEEE and UNDP’s city AI challenge opens 5 November, with up to US$40,000
IEEE and UNDP’s GenAI for Good Cities Edition offers US$10,000 for a prototype and up to US$30,000 more for selected city pilots. Applications open on 5 November and close on 13 December at 11:59pm EST, or 14 December at 3:59pm AEDT. Eligible applicants are informal teams of at least two adults; organisations are ineligible, and teams must use GENIE.AI and release their work under a permissive open-source licence.
ieeeht.org ↗Why it matters
A forthcoming public-benefit AI call now has concrete city use cases and funding terms, but nonprofit staff would need to enter as eligible individuals rather than through their organisation.
AI4HR seeks five youth-focused organisations by 4 November
The Global Campus of Human Rights’ 27 October call will pair five youth-focused human rights organisations with NGOs experienced in AI. The programme runs from January to early July 2027 and covers flights and accommodation for a 25–26 February Venice workshop; no cash award amount is stated. Applications close on 4 November, with no closing time or timezone specified.
gchumanrights.org ↗Why it matters
The Global Campus and Right Livelihood partnership offers practical support shaped by each organisation’s priorities, particularly welcoming applicants from Global Majority countries.