ChatGPT users are about to be exposed to targeted ads
An ongoing debate within and outside the technology community is when and how OpenAI, currently valued at $500 billion, will turn a profit. There’s one surefire way to do that. That is by using advertising. In the short term, that appears to be the plan for the AI giant, which announced this week that limited […]
Trump administration is asking technology companies to buy power plants they may not use for $15 billion
The Trump administration wants to add $15 billion worth of new power generation to the largest power grids and wants tech companies to pay for it, even if they don’t need that capacity. The White House and the governors of several states in the region are calling on grid operator PJM to hold an auction […]
A hacking campaign targeting prominent Gmail and WhatsApp users across the Middle East
On Tuesday, UK-based Iranian activist Nariman Gharib tweeted an edited screenshot of a phishing link sent to him via a WhatsApp message. “Don’t click on suspicious links,” Ghalib warned. The activist, who follows the digital aspects of Iran’s protests from afar, said the campaign targets people like himself who are involved in Iran-related activities. The […]
With Canada’s tariff cuts, China’s EVs gradually move closer to the US
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Friday that the country will reduce its 100% import tax on Chinese-made EVs to just 6.1%, paving the way for companies such as Geely, BYD and Xiaomi to establish a second foothold in the North American auto market. However, Canada will not fully participate in China’s EV market. Initially, […]
YouTube eases monetization guidelines for some controversial topics
YouTube is updating its advertiser-friendly content guidelines to allow more videos about controversial issues to earn full ad revenue as long as they are discussed in a way that isn’t dramatic or graphic. These controversial topics include self-harm, abortion, suicide, domestic and sexual abuse, and more. YouTube says content related to child abuse and eating […]
The rise of “micro” apps: Non-developers are creating apps instead of buying them.
It took Rebecca Yu seven days to code the dining app Vibe. She was tired of the decision fatigue that comes from group chat participants not being able to decide where to eat. Armed with Claude and ChatGPT’s determination, Yu decided to build a dining app from scratch. This app recommends restaurants to her and […]
Taiwan to invest $250 billion in US semiconductor manufacturing
The Trump administration signed a high-profile multibillion-dollar trade deal with Taiwan aimed at helping the United States boost domestic semiconductor manufacturing. Taiwanese semiconductor and high-tech companies have agreed to make $250 billion in direct investments in the U.S. semiconductor industry under a deal announced Thursday by the U.S. Department of Commerce. These investments span “production […]
Higgsfield, the AI video startup founded by former Snap executives, is valued at $1.3 billion
In an extension to its previous $50 million Series A round that closed in September, AI video generation startup Higgsfield sold an additional $80 million worth of stock, bringing its total Series A to $130 million. The company announced that it is now valued at $1.3 billion. Higgsfield provides tools for consumers, creators, and social […]
Iran’s internet shutdown becomes longest in history as protests continue
As of Thursday, 92 million Iranians had been completely cut off from internet access for more than a week, making this nationwide internet shutdown one of the longest in history, according to experts. Last Thursday, Iranian leaders shut down internet and phone access across the country in response to massive anti-government protests that began late […]
US imposes 25% tariff on Nvidia’s H200 AI chip destined for China
Tariffs on some chips were announced after months of rumors that the Trump administration intended to impose tariffs on semiconductors. The tariffs only apply to certain semiconductors, such as the Nvidia H200 advanced AI chip scheduled to be shipped to China. President Donald Trump signed a proclamation Wednesday imposing a 25% tariff on advanced AI […]