Cheap, accessible models now produce weaponized deepfakes—from sexually explicit images to political propaganda—that look startlingly real. They’re already inciting violence, changing minds, and sowing mistrust, with women and marginalized groups disproportionately affected. Experts fear that they’re cratering trust and critical thinking. Here’s why they’re alarmed. —Eileen Guo Weaponized deepfakes are on our list of the 10 Things That Matter in AI Right Now, MIT Technology Review’s guide to what’s really worth your attention in the busy, buzzy world of AI.  The must-reads I’ve combed the internet to find you today’s most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology. 1 OpenAI has ended its exclusive partnership with MicrosoftThe new deal allows OpenAI to court rivals such as Amazon. (Reuters $)+ Microsoft will still license OpenAI’s tech, but no longer exclusively. (NYT $)+ OpenAI is missing key growth targets ahead of its IPO. (WSJ $) 2 Google has signed a classified AI deal with the PentagonIt permits AI use for “any lawful government purpose.” (The Information $)+ Over 600 Google workers had called for a block on the deal. (QZ)+ …