Apple is reportedly considering using AI technology from Anthropic or OpenAI to power a new version of Siri, potentially sidelining its own in-house models. This move aims to revitalize Apple's lagging AI efforts. Discussions have included integrating the companies' large language models onto Apple's cloud infrastructure for testing.
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Microsoft is reportedly planning to lay off thousands of employees, primarily in sales, in a cost-cutting measure following heavy investment in artificial intelligence. The cuts are expected early next month, after the close of Microsoft's fiscal year, though the exact timing and departments affected may still change. This move highlights the potential for industry-wide adjustments after the recent AI boom.
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Microsoft's annual work trends report reveals a disturbing trend: the workday is extending far beyond traditional hours. Meetings scheduled after 8 PM are up 16%, and nearly a third of workers are still checking emails at 10 PM. The blurring of work-life boundaries is further highlighted by the fact that almost 20% of employees working weekends check email before noon on Saturdays and Sundays, with over 5% actively engaging with emails again on Sunday evenings.
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Corporate investigators uncovered evidence that Chinese hackers infiltrated an American telecommunications company in the summer of 2023, suggesting a breach of the US communications system earlier than publicly reported. Investigators discovered malware linked to Chinese state-sponsored hacking groups residing on the company's systems for seven months, starting in summer 2023. An unclassified report, shared with Western intelligence agencies, confirms the intrusion but omits the name of the affected company.
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For two decades, YouTube has pitched advertisers on its future as the entertainment powerhouse, simply stating: "Young people don't watch cable; they watch YouTube." However, two key issues persist: the overwhelmingly low quality of much of its content, and the fact that its most popular channels aren't always advertiser-friendly. While viewers primarily watch top-performing videos, the existence of low-quality content still impacts ad appeal, exacerbated by issues with top channels.
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A recent surge in high-profile cyberattacks is creating a lucrative opportunity for insurers like Munich Re and Chubb. The market is booming, driven by AI-powered attacks that are becoming more frequent and devastating. Munich Re projects the global cyber insurance market to reach $16.3 billion in 2025, up from $15.3 billion in 2024. Global premiums are expected to more than double to roughly $30 billion by 2030, growing at over 10% annually.
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Laura Dominé, a Stanford physics PhD, used machine learning to identify neutrino reactions in detectors. Neutrinos are elusive subatomic particles, nearly massless and capable of passing through matter. To detect these 'ghost particles', scientists built massive underground detectors filled with heavy water or liquid argon and equipped with sensitive photosensors. Dominé's algorithm helps physicists identify the faint interactions of neutrinos with the detector's material, leading to a better understanding of neutrinos and the universe's mysteries.
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Apple is aiming for a late 2026 release of its smart glasses, a key part of its push into AI-enhanced gadgets. The glasses, set to rival Meta's Ray-Bans, are in active development, with mass prototype production beginning late this year with overseas suppliers. However, the company has reportedly abandoned plans for a smartwatch featuring a built-in camera for environmental analysis.
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Liang Wenfeng, founder of the groundbreaking AI startup DeepSeek, might appear shy, but his quiet demeanor masks a sharp mind. He empowers young researchers, engaging deeply in technical discussions and pushing for innovation. His meticulous approach and deep understanding of AI systems have propelled DeepSeek to significant achievements in the field.
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Apple is actively exploring a major revamp of its Safari web browser, shifting its focus to AI-powered search engines. This move could signal the end of Apple's long-standing partnership with Google, creating seismic shifts in the industry. Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of services, revealed this during testimony in the US Department of Justice's lawsuit against Alphabet Inc. The lawsuit centers on a roughly $20 billion annual deal making Google the default search engine in Safari. The case could force the tech giants to sever ties, dramatically altering the functionality of iPhones and other Apple devices.
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Rockstar Games announced a delay for Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA VI), pushing its release from Fall 2025 to May 2026 to ensure the game meets quality expectations. The news sent Take-Two Interactive's stock down 10%, though industry insiders weren't surprised. The delay isn't attributed to any unforeseen issues, but rather to the sheer amount of work remaining; completing the game by fall 2025 would have required significant content cuts or excessive overtime, both of which Rockstar has sought to avoid.
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Apple is collaborating with AI startup Anthropic on a new 'vibe-coding' platform that leverages AI to write, edit, and test code for programmers. This new version of Xcode integrates Anthropic's Claude Sonnet model. Currently, Apple is internally testing the software and hasn't decided on a public release. This partnership signals a significant step forward in AI-assisted software development, potentially revolutionizing how programmers work.
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Caden Yucha, an 18-year-old from Madison, Ohio, opted out of college after high school, securing a full-time job at an auto collision and restyling shop for $15/hour. He deemed college too expensive, preferring the free vocational training and immediate income. His plan is to save for a 2013 Scion FR-S, with his bi-weekly earnings projected at over $1000. He notes that neither his father nor uncle attended college, yet both are employed. Similarly, none of his friends plan on enrolling in a four-year program.
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Apple is restructuring its secretive robotics unit, moving it from the AI division headed by John Giannandrea to the hardware engineering group under Senior Vice President John Ternus. This shift, confirmed by sources familiar with the matter, reflects Apple's ongoing adjustments in its AI strategy and suggests a potential recalibration of its approach to robotics.
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China has accused three US National Security Agency (NSA) employees of hacking the Asian Winter Games in Harbin, alleging they stole vast amounts of personal data. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian stated the hacks severely endangered China's critical infrastructure, national defense, finance, and citizens' personal information, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing cyber conflict between the US and China.
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High-speed rail development in the US has been slow, with new projects proving expensive and politically challenging. However, the article suggests that upgrading existing rail infrastructure offers an alternative path to faster passenger rail service, particularly in the Northeast and Midwest, where abundant older rail lines remain underutilized.
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In response to new tariffs imposed by President Trump, China announced retaliatory tariffs on US goods, escalating the trade war between the world's two largest economies. Starting April 10th, China will impose an 84% tariff on all US imports. This follows the implementation of the steepest US tariffs in a century, bringing the total US tariffs on Chinese goods to 104% this year. The move significantly intensifies the ongoing trade conflict.
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The Texas Lotto example shows that buying every possible lottery ticket isn't always a negative expected value play. With 25.8 million possible number combinations and often only a million tickets sold, weeks regularly go by with no jackpot winners. In 2024, only two jackpot winners emerged from 157 drawings, winning $17.5 million and $29 million respectively, leaving a $59.5 million jackpot by year's end. Someone finally won in February 2025, after the prize swelled to $83.5 million. While the odds remain extremely long, the accumulating jackpot can, theoretically, create a positive expected value – albeit a highly unlikely one.
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Microsoft Corp. has canceled several US data center leases, according to TD Cowen, sparking concerns about potential overinvestment in AI computing capacity. The canceled leases represent “a couple of hundred megawatts” — roughly two data centers — and involved agreements with multiple private operators. This, along with a reduction in converting statements of qualifications to formal leases, suggests a potential recalibration of Microsoft's AI infrastructure strategy or an overestimation of long-term demand.
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In a move to mitigate the impact of US tariffs on goods from China, Apple announced a $500 billion investment in the US over the next four years, creating 20,000 new jobs. This includes a new server manufacturing facility in Houston and a supplier academy in Michigan. The announcement follows a recent meeting between Apple CEO Tim Cook and President Trump, suggesting a potential effort to appease the administration and boost domestic production.
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Bloomberg's Tech In Depth newsletter reports on a new book by Palantir CEO Alex Karp. More significantly, a new AI startup, Thinking Machines Lab, has launched, led by former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati and featuring OpenAI co-founder John Schulman as chief scientist. This marks a significant new player in the AI landscape.
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In August 2021, Joseph Firmage, flanked by a bodyguard, entered a Salt Lake City video studio to film a promotional reel for his inventions: limitless clean energy devices, self-powered homes, and anti-gravity propulsion systems. He declared his ambition to make a 'structural difference' in the world, envisioning a brighter future for the third millennium. The story evokes the audacious dreams – and perhaps delusions – of a visionary billionaire.
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Vanguard Group has slashed fees for 168 share classes across 87 mutual funds and ETFs, a record move that's likely to disrupt the asset management industry. The cuts, effective immediately, lower Vanguard's average asset-weighted fee to just 0.07% on its $10 trillion under management—a stark contrast to the industry average of 0.44%.
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Apple Inc. has canceled a project to develop advanced augmented reality glasses designed to pair with its devices. This marks another setback in Apple's efforts to create a consumer-friendly AR headset. The project, shut down this week, involved glasses resembling regular eyewear but incorporating built-in displays and requiring a connection to a Mac. An Apple spokesperson declined to comment, highlighting the ongoing challenges in bringing mass-market AR glasses to fruition.
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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has expressed concerns about Microsoft's $13 billion investment in OpenAI, fearing it could extend Microsoft's cloud computing dominance into the burgeoning AI market and potentially lead to the full acquisition of AI companies by tech giants in the future. The FTC is also investigating Amazon and Google's partnerships with other AI companies, citing potential antitrust risks.
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The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned the artificial food coloring Red No. 3, linked to cancer, from being used in food and drugs. The ban takes effect January 15, 2027, for food products, with drug manufacturers given an extended deadline to reformulate. This impacts numerous products containing the dye, from candy to cold medicine, prompting concerns within the food industry.
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Morgan Stanley has followed Citigroup and Bank of America in withdrawing from the Net-Zero Banking Alliance, a global initiative aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This decision raises questions about Wall Street's commitment to climate action. While Morgan Stanley claims continued support for client transition efforts, its departure casts doubt on the future of financial institutions' involvement in climate initiatives and raises concerns about the alliance's effectiveness.
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A Delaware jury ruled in favor of Qualcomm Inc. in its legal battle with Arm Holdings Plc, finding that Qualcomm did not breach a license agreement for chip technology acquired through its $1.4 billion purchase of Nuvia Inc. in 2021. Arm claimed Qualcomm used the technology without paying higher licensing fees. While the jury found Qualcomm didn't violate the agreement, they couldn't reach a verdict on whether Nuvia itself breached the license, leaving that question open for a later retrial. The ruling is significant for Qualcomm's position in the mobile chip market.
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Japan is investing $33 billion in building semiconductor factories in remote areas like Hokkaido, aiming to reclaim its dominance in the chip industry. This has created a construction boom and attracted a large workforce, a stark contrast to the region's relatively sluggish job market. The ambitious project is a high-stakes gamble, but reflects Japan's determination to return to the forefront of technological innovation.
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