Instagram has introduced a new feature called “Your Algorithm”, a control panel for Reels that uses AI to display the topics it believes interest each user the most and allows those interests to be adjusted in real time. These interests are inferred from in-app behavior and then clearly presented so users can better understand what directly influences the content shown in their feed.
While watching Reels, users can boost or reduce specific topics with a single tap, effectively steering the algorithm themselves. Unlike TikTok, which offers a limited set of broad categories, Instagram relies on a personalized list of interests and even allows users to add their own topics, providing greater flexibility and a stronger sense of control.
This move is also a strategic response to growing pressure for more transparent and user-controlled algorithms. Still, questions remain about how faithfully the algorithm will respect these preferences over time, given that engagement metrics remain central to Meta’s business model.
In Brief: Tech World Highlights
- Flexion Robotics released a demo of its modular humanoid “brain,” capable of navigating uneven terrain, detecting trash, and cleaning it autonomously.
- A 16-year-old from Bristol, UK, spent two years designing and building a fully functional robotic arm made entirely from LEGO bricks.
- UBTech Robotics signed a multi-million-dollar deal to pilot its Walker humanoid robots at Chinese border crossings, where they will manage crowds and guide travelers.
- Chinese company Deep Robotics conducted a rescue exercise showcasing how its X30 robot dogs can operate in hazardous environments and assist in disaster response.
- Australia’s national marine science agency is testing AI-driven robotic vessels that scan the seafloor and deploy baby corals onto ceramic substrates to help restore the Great Barrier Reef.
AI Trending Tools:
- Kling O1 – A video model with multimodal understanding and editing capabilities.
- DeepSeek V3.2 Speciale – An open-source model designed for deep reasoning.
- DeepSeek V3.2 – The latest powerful open-source release from DeepSeek.
