1. Google Unveils Antigravity: An ‘Agent-First’ IDE Built on Gemini 3 Pro
Google’s new Antigravity IDE reframes software development around autonomous AI agents that plan, execute, test, and verify code with minimal human prompting—generating “Artifacts” (task lists, screenshots, recordings) to document every step and make agent workflows transparent. “Antigravity isn’t just an editor—it's a development platform that combines a familiar, AI-powered coding experience with a new agent-first interface.” (theverge.com)
2. Holes in the Web: Huge Swathes of Human Knowledge Are Missing from the Internet
Deepak Varuvel Dennison examines how generative AI, trained on a narrow, English-centric web corpus, amplifies existing epistemic hierarchies—erasing oral traditions, under-resourced languages, and localized wisdom. “By amplifying these hierarchies, GenAI risks contributing to the erasure of systems of understanding that have evolved over centuries” (aeon.co)
3. Innovation Is Overvalued. Maintenance Often Matters More
Andrew Russell and Lee Vinsel argue that while capitalism lionizes breakthrough design, the quiet labor of upkeep—of infrastructure, tools, and systems—delivers the real, everyday impact on human lives. “Hail the maintainers: maintenance and repair, the mundane labor that goes into sustaining functioning and efficient infrastructures, simply has more impact on people’s daily lives than the vast majority of technological innovations.” (aeon.co)
4. How Empathy and Creativity Can Re-Humanise Videoconferencing
Robert O’Toole calls for a design research–led reimagining of videoconference tools to restore the subtle entanglements—gestures, shared artifacts, ritual—through which we forge emotional bonds and collective understanding. “Calm matters in technology. It should be one of the main design goals.” (aeon.co)
5. An Environment Designed to Suit Every Body Is Better for All
Anna Leahy traces the evolution of universal design—from Henry Dreyfuss’s “Joe and Josephine” anthropometric charts to today’s inclusive way-showing systems—showing how environments that anticipate human variation foster participation and dignity for everyone. “‘There is no design-free world,’ writes Iris Bohnet; and by designing for common human differences, we open doors rather than erect barriers.” (aeon.co)