Meta Enters Wholesale Power Trading

2025-09-20
Meta Enters Wholesale Power Trading

Meta Platforms Inc. is venturing into wholesale power trading to better manage its data centers' massive electricity needs. This move is a strategic response to rising energy costs and demand, aligning with Meta's clean energy goals. Data center power demand for AI is projected to quadruple in ten years, driving up prices and forcing some tech companies to reconsider their energy sources, even turning to natural gas. Meta's entry into the market allows it to buy and sell electricity, profiting from price spikes and optimizing energy management.

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SpaceX Starship Flight 10: A Bold Experiment in Fault Tolerance

2025-08-28
SpaceX Starship Flight 10: A Bold Experiment in Fault Tolerance

SpaceX's Starship flight 10 wasn't just another milestone; it was a rigorous test of the rocket's fault tolerance. SpaceX intentionally introduced multiple failures to test the heat shield, propulsion redundancy, and Raptor engine reignition. The test focused on assessing Starship's resilience under extreme conditions, laying the groundwork for future Starlink satellite launches, commercial payload transportation, and crewed missions. Engineers deliberately removed heat shield tiles and experimented with a new actively cooled tile type to gather real-world data and refine designs. Propulsion redundancy was tested by simulating engine failure and successfully using a backup engine. Additionally, Starship achieved in-space Raptor engine reignition. This testing is crucial for NASA's Artemis program, which relies on SpaceX developing a heat shield that survives reentry and a ship that can reliably reignite in orbit to safely deliver astronauts to the lunar surface.

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Tech

Desperate Biotech Firms Turn to Crypto: A Hail Mary Pass?

2025-08-26
Desperate Biotech Firms Turn to Crypto: A Hail Mary Pass?

Facing a sluggish stock market and funding difficulties, several small biotech companies are adopting a desperate strategy: investing heavily in cryptocurrencies. Companies like 180 Life Sciences Corp. (now ETHZilla) saw their stock prices skyrocket after accumulating significant Ethereum holdings, only to see those gains evaporate shortly after. While this tactic can provide a short-term stock price boost, it carries substantial long-term risks, potentially harming core operations and alienating investors. Analysts view this as a last-ditch effort for companies struggling with slow R&D progress and dwindling funds, but the odds of success remain questionable.

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Tech

The Limits of Remote Work: Why Companies Are Pushing for a Return to the Office

2025-08-25
The Limits of Remote Work: Why Companies Are Pushing for a Return to the Office

Four years after the pandemic sent workers home, companies are increasingly demanding a return to the office. However, many employees value flexible work arrangements. A new book, "In Praise of the Office," argues the business case for in-office work. The authors highlight the low attendance rates and high management overhead associated with hybrid work models. Shifts in the labor market and changing CEO expectations are also driving this push. In-person work fosters collaboration, knowledge transfer, and social connections, while remote work can lead to unproductive meetings and social isolation. The authors advise new employees to prioritize in-office roles and remind employers that remote work requires significantly more management effort.

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Startup

Amazon Cloud Chief: Replacing Junior Workers with AI is 'One of the Dumbest Things'

2025-08-20
Amazon Cloud Chief: Replacing Junior Workers with AI is 'One of the Dumbest Things'

Amazon's cloud chief, Matt Garman, warns against replacing junior employees with AI, calling it "one of the dumbest things I've ever heard." He argues that junior employees are the most adept at utilizing AI tools and that cutting them would harm future talent pipelines. Garman advocates for continued hiring of graduates and training them in software development, problem-solving, and best practices. He emphasizes that critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability are more valuable than specialized skills in an AI-driven economy. This contrasts with some who believe AI can replace junior workers; data shows rising unemployment among 20-30 year olds in tech. However, others argue that young engineers offer fresh perspectives and quicker AI adoption.

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Tech

Duolingo's Wild Ride: AI's Double-Edged Sword

2025-08-18
Duolingo's Wild Ride: AI's Double-Edged Sword

Language learning platform Duolingo saw its stock surge 30% after a strong quarter, only to plummet after OpenAI's GPT-5 demonstrated the ability to create a language-learning app with a simple prompt. This highlights AI's double-edged sword: it can fuel growth, but also bring disruptive competition. While Duolingo embraces AI, its advantages proved fragile against GPT-5, serving as a warning to software companies about the rapid disruptive potential of AI.

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Tech

US EV Market Plateaus: High Prices and Hybrid Competition Stall Growth

2025-08-18
US EV Market Plateaus: High Prices and Hybrid Competition Stall Growth

US electric vehicle registrations rose 4.6% year-over-year in June 2025, but market share remained flat at 7.5%, with Tesla declining and General Motors surging. Data reveals a slowing EV market, primarily due to high prices; the average transaction price was $56,910. Consumers anticipate more affordable EVs (around $30,000) in the coming years, like Nissan's upcoming 2026 Leaf. The rise of hybrid vehicles is also diverting some demand. While a short-term sales surge is expected in Q3 due to the expiring $7,500 federal tax credit, the market is poised for increased volatility afterward.

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Tech

Altman's New Brain-Computer Interface Venture: Gene Editing and Ultrasound

2025-08-16
Altman's New Brain-Computer Interface Venture: Gene Editing and Ultrasound

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is involved in a brain-computer interface company, Merge Labs, exploring a novel approach combining gene therapy and ultrasound. The method involves genetically modifying brain cells and using an implanted ultrasound device to detect and modulate activity in these cells. This differs from Elon Musk's Neuralink, which uses electrical signals. Altman aims to use this technology to control ChatGPT with his thoughts. The project is in early stages, seeking $250 million in funding at an $850 million valuation.

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Tech

Beijing Quietly Discourages Use of Nvidia's H20 Chips Despite US Approval

2025-08-13
Beijing Quietly Discourages Use of Nvidia's H20 Chips Despite US Approval

Despite the Trump administration lifting the ban on Nvidia's H20 AI chips to China, Beijing is quietly urging companies, especially government entities, to avoid using them, complicating Nvidia's return to the Chinese market. While not an outright ban, Chinese authorities have sent notices discouraging the use of H20s in government or national security-related work. Although Chinese companies still desire these chips for their AI capabilities, Beijing's move aims to boost domestic chip development and addresses security concerns. This also impacts AMD's AI accelerators, with Chinese chipmaker Cambricon Technologies' stock surging. The situation highlights the complexities of the US-China tech war and the contradictions surrounding the US government's decision to allow H20 exports.

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Tech chip war

AOHell: The Teen Hacker Who Inadvertently Pioneered Phishing

2025-07-27
AOHell: The Teen Hacker Who Inadvertently Pioneered Phishing

In the mid-90s, 17-year-old Koceilah Rekouche (aka Da Chronic) created AOHell, a program that unleashed a massive attack on AOL. Driven by outrage at AOL's inaction against child predators and the inability to afford online access, AOHell's impact transcended its initial purpose. It inadvertently pioneered automated phishing, becoming a foundational technique in modern cybercrime. While Da Chronic gained notoriety as AOL's most famous hacker, AOHell also served as a free and creative outlet for countless young programmers, shaping a generation of technologists. Years later, Rekouche reflects on the complex legacy of his creation, acknowledging both its damaging consequences and surprising influence on the digital world.

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Tech

American Airlines CEO: No AI-powered Price Gouging

2025-07-25
American Airlines CEO: No AI-powered Price Gouging

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom stated that the company will not use AI to manipulate ticket prices in a way that would deceive customers. This contrasts sharply with Delta Air Lines' approach of using AI to optimize pricing. Isom emphasized the importance of consumer trust and stated that American Airlines will not employ bait-and-switch tactics. While AI will be used to improve operational efficiency, it will not be used for price manipulation. Currently, American Airlines shares are down 8%, and have lost about one-third of their value this year.

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Tech

AI's Power Hungry Colossus: Texas Data Center Expansion Strains Grid

2025-07-15
AI's Power Hungry Colossus: Texas Data Center Expansion Strains Grid

CoreWeave's acquisition of Core Scientific and subsequent expansion of its Denton, Texas data center is projected to double the city's electricity demand. Initially used for cryptocurrency mining, the facility's pivot to AI workloads has resulted in unrelenting power consumption, straining the local grid. Denton is covering added infrastructure costs and passing some expenses to the data center operator. While the project promises significant tax revenue and job creation, concerns remain about its impact on the already stressed Texas power grid, highlighting the challenges of AI's burgeoning energy needs.

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Tech

Apple's AI Stumble: Is a Mega-Acquisition the Answer?

2025-07-15
Apple's AI Stumble: Is a Mega-Acquisition the Answer?

Apple Inc.'s stock has plummeted this year, losing over $640 billion in market value, fueled by concerns over its slow-moving AI strategy. Analysts suggest Apple needs to break with tradition, pursuing large acquisitions and aggressively recruiting AI talent. Acquiring the $14 billion AI startup Perplexity AI is mentioned as a potential game-changer. Despite its massive cash reserves, Apple's long-standing aversion to large mergers and acquisitions might need to shift to compete with rivals like Meta. Recent executive changes at Apple hint at a potential broad management shake-up to address its AI shortcomings.

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Tech

Meta's Superintelligence Lab Considers Ditching Open-Source AI

2025-07-15
Meta's Superintelligence Lab Considers Ditching Open-Source AI

Meta's newly formed superintelligence lab is debating a potential overhaul of its AI strategy, possibly abandoning its powerful open-source model, Behemoth. According to the New York Times, internal discussions suggest a shift towards a closed-source model, a significant departure from Meta's traditional open-source approach. Behemoth, a 'frontier' model, was completed but delayed release due to performance issues and testing has since halted. Any decision requires CEO Mark Zuckerberg's approval.

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AI

Bitcoin Hits All-Time High Above $118,000, Fueled by Tech Rally

2025-07-12
Bitcoin Hits All-Time High Above $118,000, Fueled by Tech Rally

Bitcoin surged to a new all-time high above $118,000, mirroring the strong performance of tech stocks like Nvidia. Analysts attribute the rally to sustained institutional investment, increased corporate bitcoin holdings (e.g., MicroStrategy, GameStop, Trump Media), and anticipation surrounding upcoming crypto regulation discussions during "Crypto Week." The correlation between Bitcoin and tech stocks, along with shifting regulatory expectations, are key factors driving the price increase.

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Tech

Microsoft: AI Saves $500M, But Layoffs Continue

2025-07-10
Microsoft: AI Saves $500M, But Layoffs Continue

Microsoft CCO Judson Althoff revealed that AI has saved the company over $500 million in call center costs and improved employee and customer satisfaction. AI is also used to handle interactions with smaller customers and generates 35% of the code for new products, accelerating product launches. Despite this, Microsoft has laid off approximately 15,000 employees this year, including customer-facing roles like sales. Microsoft emphasizes that AI will improve employee efficiency, but denies a direct correlation between layoffs and AI-driven productivity gains.

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Tech

Intel Cuts Over 500 Oregon Jobs in Restructuring

2025-07-09
Intel Cuts Over 500 Oregon Jobs in Restructuring

Intel Corp. is cutting more than 500 jobs in Oregon as part of a broader restructuring plan expected to impact roughly 20% of its workforce. Layoffs, beginning July 15th, will affect facilities in Aloha and Hillsboro. This follows earlier cuts in California. New CEO Lip-Bu Tan is aiming to revitalize the company after years of declining performance, hoping to streamline operations and compete more effectively. The move, while impacting employees, is intended to make Intel a leaner, more efficient organization better positioned for future challenges in the semiconductor industry and AI computing.

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Tech

Trump Admin to Restrict AI Chip Exports to Malaysia, Thailand

2025-07-05
Trump Admin to Restrict AI Chip Exports to Malaysia, Thailand

The Trump administration plans to restrict shipments of AI chips from companies like Nvidia to Malaysia and Thailand, aiming to curb suspected semiconductor smuggling into China. This move seeks to prevent China from obtaining advanced AI processors, already banned by the US, through intermediaries in these Southeast Asian nations. While the rule isn't finalized, it marks the first formal step in Trump's promised overhaul of his predecessor's AI diffusion approach. Though impacting some businesses, the regulation includes mitigating measures, such as allowing some companies to continue shipping for months without licenses after publication.

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Oracle Lands $30 Billion Cloud Deal, Sends Shares Soaring

2025-07-01
Oracle Lands $30 Billion Cloud Deal, Sends Shares Soaring

Oracle Corp. announced a massive cloud computing deal worth $30 billion in annual revenue, more than double the size of its current cloud infrastructure business. The deal, expected to begin generating revenue in fiscal year 2028, is one of the largest cloud contracts ever recorded and hasn't yet named the client. This significant win positions Oracle for substantial growth in the cloud market, driving a surge in its stock price. The deal highlights the booming demand for cloud services and AI, with Oracle strategically expanding its market share.

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Tech

Salesforce CEO: AI Now Handles 30-50% of Our Work

2025-06-26
Salesforce CEO: AI Now Handles 30-50% of Our Work

Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff revealed that AI is currently handling 30% to 50% of the company's workload, encompassing roles like software engineering and customer service. This aligns with statements from Microsoft and Alphabet, who also reported AI's contribution to software code generation. Salesforce's internal AI usage has reduced hiring needs, and they've developed an AI-powered customer service tool boasting 93% accuracy, serving clients such as Walt Disney. Benioff anticipates AI taking on more routine tasks, freeing humans for higher-value work. Salesforce aims to maintain its industry leadership by integrating AI throughout its platform.

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Tech

China's AI Boom: 100+ DeepSeek-Level Breakthroughs Expected in 18 Months

2025-06-24
China's AI Boom: 100+ DeepSeek-Level Breakthroughs Expected in 18 Months

Zhu Min, a former deputy governor of the People's Bank of China, predicts a wave of AI innovation in China, with over 100 DeepSeek-like breakthroughs expected in the next 18 months. This is fueled by China's vast pool of engineers, massive consumer base, and supportive government policies. Despite intensifying US-China tech rivalry and US restrictions on Chinese access to advanced technology, China is relying on domestic giants like Huawei for advanced chipmaking. DeepSeek's emergence boosted Chinese tech stocks, but challenges remain, including trade tensions with the US and insufficient consumption. Experts suggest prioritizing domestic circulation and decisive policy action to stimulate growth.

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Amazon's Return-to-Office Policy for Disabled Employees Sparks Backlash

2025-06-16
Amazon's Return-to-Office Policy for Disabled Employees Sparks Backlash

Amazon's strict return-to-office policy for disabled employees has ignited a significant backlash, with workers alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and collective bargaining rights. At least two employees have filed complaints with the EEOC and NLRB, citing Amazon's use of AI in processing disability accommodation requests. The AI system is accused of bias and overlooking crucial nuances. Employees report Amazon deleting internal posts advocating for their rights and even terminating those who spoke out. Amazon maintains it respects employee rights and is committed to providing accommodations, but a survey reveals over 71% of disabled employees felt their requests were unmet. The incident highlights the legal and ethical risks of using AI to handle sensitive personnel matters in tech companies.

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Shopify's Stablecoin Gamble: A Big Tech Domino Effect?

2025-06-12
Shopify's Stablecoin Gamble: A Big Tech Domino Effect?

Shopify is diving headfirst into stablecoin payments, announcing plans to roll out USDC payments platform-wide later this year. This significant move reflects Big Tech's growing embrace of stablecoins, aiming to offer faster, cheaper cross-border transactions. Partnering with Coinbase and Stripe, Shopify leverages Coinbase's Base blockchain for secure processing and integrates the functionality seamlessly into its existing system. This opt-out system, offering cashback incentives to both merchants and customers, is expected to trigger a wave of similar adoption among other payment processors, significantly impacting the future of e-commerce payments and potentially influencing upcoming cryptocurrency regulation.

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Microsoft Cuts Hundreds More Jobs Amidst AI Boom

2025-06-03
Microsoft Cuts Hundreds More Jobs Amidst AI Boom

Weeks after its largest layoff in years, Microsoft has cut hundreds more jobs, highlighting the tech industry's cost-cutting measures despite massive AI investments. Over 300 employees across various roles, including software engineers, marketers, and researchers, were affected. This follows a previous layoff of 6,000 employees. Microsoft stated these cuts are part of ongoing organizational changes. The AI boom is reshaping the tech job market, with companies prioritizing AI-related roles and using AI to boost efficiency and reduce headcount.

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Tech

SEC Drops Lawsuit Against Binance: A Shift in Crypto Regulation?

2025-05-29
SEC Drops Lawsuit Against Binance: A Shift in Crypto Regulation?

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) voluntarily dismissed its civil lawsuit against Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange. This move is seen as a shift in the SEC's approach to crypto regulation since the Trump administration's return. The SEC had previously accused Binance of artificially inflating trading volumes, misappropriating customer funds, and misleading investors. The dismissal means the SEC cannot pursue this case again. Binance welcomed the decision, viewing it as a landmark moment for innovation to thrive under sensible regulation. It's important to note that this isn't Binance's only legal challenge; it previously paid over $4.3 billion for violating anti-money laundering and sanctions laws.

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Tech Binance

Qualcomm's 5G Modem Outperforms Apple's In-House Chip in New Tests

2025-05-27
Qualcomm's 5G Modem Outperforms Apple's In-House Chip in New Tests

A Qualcomm-funded study reveals that Android smartphones using its Snapdragon X75 and X80 modems significantly outperform Apple's first in-house 5G modem, the C1, in download and upload speeds, especially in challenging urban environments. Qualcomm-powered phones showed up to 35% faster downloads and 91% faster uploads. While Apple's modem performed adequately in ideal conditions, the gap widened in low-signal areas. This highlights the technological hurdles Apple faces in bringing this critical component in-house, compared to Qualcomm's two-decade head start and extensive licensing. Qualcomm's stock rose following the report, while Apple's remained relatively unchanged, raising questions about future improvements to its modem.

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Tech

Nvidia CEO: Don't Fear AI, Embrace It or Get Left Behind

2025-05-09
Nvidia CEO: Don't Fear AI, Embrace It or Get Left Behind

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang stated at the Milken Institute Conference that AI won't directly cause job losses, but those who fail to utilize it will be displaced. He urged attendees to proactively learn AI tools like Perplexity and ChatGPT. Despite Nvidia's stock being down 15% year-to-date due to US restrictions on AI chip exports to China and concerns over US capacity overbuild, positive sentiment from tech giants Microsoft, Alphabet, and Meta regarding AI service demand and continued capital expenditure are bolstering the AI sector. Prominent investor Robert Smith echoed this optimism, believing many tech companies' AI opportunities are too good to pass up, with some valuations currently undervalued due to unrealized potential and investor apprehension about adopting AI.

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Tech

Meta's AI Gamble: Reshaping Global GDP?

2025-05-05
Meta's AI Gamble: Reshaping Global GDP?

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg envisions AI as the key to boosting Meta's core advertising business and significantly increasing advertising's share of global GDP. Meta's massive AI investment isn't just about better ad targeting; it encompasses business messaging, Meta AI, AI devices, and enhanced user experiences. This ambitious strategy positions Meta to challenge Google Search, Apple's iPhone, and ChatGPT. While some investors remain skeptical about the ROI, early results are promising, with a new Reels ad model boosting conversion rates by 5% and nearly a third of advertisers using AI creative tools.

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Tech

Trump Family Crypto Venture Sparks Controversy: $2B Binance Investment Raises Eyebrows

2025-05-01
Trump Family Crypto Venture Sparks Controversy: $2B Binance Investment Raises Eyebrows

A stablecoin launched by Donald Trump's World Liberty Financial is being used for a $2 billion investment in Binance by an Abu Dhabi firm. This latest Trump family crypto venture, following a January 'meme coin' launch, has drawn criticism for potential conflicts of interest. The stablecoin, USD1, is issued on Binance's blockchain and has been integrated with Tron. While USD1's value has rapidly grown, the identity of its major holders remains unclear, raising concerns. Senator Elizabeth Warren strongly criticized the deal, calling it corruption. The White House and World Liberty Financial have not yet commented.

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Amazon CEO: AI Optimist, but Education Concerns Remain

2025-05-01
Amazon CEO: AI Optimist, but Education Concerns Remain

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, while an AI optimist, voiced concerns about the rapid pace of AI adoption and the potential lag in the education system. He believes AI will revolutionize nearly every experience but worries whether the education system is adequately preparing people for the future AI-driven economy. Amazon is heavily invested in AI, with a new "reasoning" AI model slated for a June launch. Jassy emphasizes the need for improved education to ensure people thrive in this new economic landscape.

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Tech
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