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A new US government body would force companies to seek a license before working on powerful AI models like OpenAI's GPT-4, under a bipartisan proposal by senators Richard Blumenthal and Josh Hawley. Read this story here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
European politicians are nervous about where TikTok’s data goes. The company is spending big on local data centers, but analysts say it’s not enough. Read this story here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thousands of Airbnbs and other short-term rentals are expected to disappear from rental platforms as New York City begins enforcing tight restrictions. Read this story here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Biden administration has changed its mind about a Massachusetts state law giving mechanics and car owners access to more diagnostic data. Read this story here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The European Union is desperate for its own artificial intelligence giant. German startup Aleph Alpha might be its best hope. Read this story here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A developer used widely available AI tools to generate anti-Russian tweets and articles. The project is intended to highlight how cheap and easy it has become to create propaganda at scale. Read this story here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The first booking photo of a US president stands out among a sea of photoshops and AI-generated images online. Read this story here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Code Llama may spur a new wave of experimentation around AI and programming—but it will also help Meta. Read this story here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Artificial intelligence may streamline a form of business communication that’s already super fake. Read this story here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Teachers are caught between cracking down on cheating with generative AI and using it to help empower students. It’s going to be a challenging year. Read this story here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The curvy translucent plastic design of the iMac was the test case for Steve Jobs' “whole-widget” strategy that led to the creation of the iPhone. Read this story here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A botnet apparently connected to ChatGPT shows how easily, and effectively, artificial intelligence can be harnessed for disinformation. Read this story here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thousands of security experts, hackers, and college students competed to trick powerful text-generation systems into revealing their dark sides at the Defcon hacker conference in Las Vegas. Read this story here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In March a viral letter called for a pause on AI development, warning that algorithms could outsmart humanity—but many experts who signed on did not believe the technology poses an existential risk. Read this story here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Gregor Dodson, a director of product management, shares why Samples is the music streaming app's newest video feature. Read this story here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Controlled exposure to misinformation can help protect people from falling for it in the future, according to new research. Read this story here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
San Francisco ride-hail drivers are about to share the roads with robot competitors. They say that the self-driving cabs need to work on their traffic skills—and watch out for bodily fluids. Read this story here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In simulated environments, smell is often the neglected sense. Scentient’s wearable device aims to bring a whiff of authenticity to virtual reality. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The outcry over Zoom's tweak to its data policy shows how the race to build more powerful AI models creates new pressure to source training data—including by juicing it from users. Read this story here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
UK unicorn Synthesia offers clients a menu of digital avatars, from suited execs to Santa Claus. But it has struggled to stop them being used to spread misinformation. Read this story here.
The US Congress is trying to tame the rapid rise of artificial intelligence. But senators’ failure to tackle privacy reform is making the task a nightmare. Read this story here.
Since 2018, a dedicated team within Microsoft has attacked machine learning systems to make them safer. But with the public release of new generative AI tools, the field is already evolving.
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The artificial intelligence gold rush has thrust services like ChatGPT into every aspect of our digital lives. That still won’t solve your email problems.
We get it, relationships are hard. But asking ChatGPT how to do emotions is not going to work. Here are some better ideas.
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As the UK pushes for a law that threatens end-to-end encryption, WhatsApp has given itself a starring role in a doc about a girls’ soccer team fleeing the Taliban.
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Generative AI won't just flood the internet with more lies—it may also create convincing disinformation that’s targeted at groups or even individuals.
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The bird may be dead, but Twitter—er, X—is still alive for communities, news, and memes.
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Researchers were given unprecedented access to Meta’s data during the 2020 elections. Meta says their results show its platforms don’t cause political polarization. That’s not entirely true.
Some social media users and lawmakers say chronological feeds are healthier. A new study found that Facebook and Instagram users who were forced to see time-ranked posts turned to TikTok instead.
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Meta is giving its answer to OpenAI’s GPT-4 away for free. The move could intensify the generative AI boom by making it easier for entrepreneurs to build powerful new AI systems.
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Generate your own text—but get help from the AI bot to make it stand out.
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Twitter’s rebrand to X is both a bad joke and an attempt by Elon Musk to realize his decades-long ambition for an all-conquering super app.
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Leading AI developers including Google and OpenAI promised the Biden administration to check for problems such as biased output. The agreement is not legally binding.
Helsing AI is building an operating system for warfare and says it’ll only ever sell to democracies.
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With big names like Wendy’s and Netflix, brand-on-brand chatter is shaping Meta’s new social media app. That could leave little room for people.
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Meta promised to make Threads compatible with the decentralized protocol underlying Mastodon. Proponents of interoperable social media can’t agree whether to welcome or fear it.
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An auto industry pact claims to end the controversy over car data that has embroiled repair shops, parts manufacturers, and car owners. But many doubts remain.
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Assistive technology services are integrating OpenAI's GPT-4, using artificial intelligence to help describe objects and people.
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When the war came to Kherson, a small group of scientists ventured into the ruined city to rescue a unique herbarium.
People are still using short-term rentals to throw unruly parties—some of them deadly. Local communities are trying to fight back.
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On Wednesday, US senators Cynthia Lummis and Kirsten Gillibrand will unveil proposed legislation to decide once and for all how digital assets should be regulated.
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Want to reconnect with people and grow your clout on Threads? Here are a few tips to help you get started.
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Although some workers shun chatbot help, platforms are adopting policies or technology to deter use of AI—potentially making crowd work more difficult.
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Berlin-based Open Funk is tackling throwaway culture with a blender that's as easy to fix as to replace.
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Chatbots are great for lots of things, but these ones may be unexpected.
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Created in 2000 to halt urban decay in the Brazilian city of Recife, the initiative has brought thousands of tech jobs to the region.
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Telegram “war correspondents” have promoted the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine, but many have also supported mercenaries who launched a failed coup.
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Despite mass protests by users and moderators, Reddit's unique communities look likely to survive the rebellion over the company's new business strategy.
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A Swedish platform promises to help fund your favorite artists while making you rich and saving the music industry.
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As artificial intelligence explodes, the field is expanding beyond the usual suspects—and the usual motivations.
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Demis Hassabis says the company is working on a system called Gemini that will tap techniques that helped AlphaGo defeat a Go champion in 2016.
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Environment-focused politicians are winning elections across Europe. Their idealism is crashing into reality, but pragmatism risks alienating supporters.
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ChatGPT is stoking fears of mass layoffs, but a study of several EU countries found the deep-learning boom of the 2010s actually created job opportunities.
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A landmark right-to-repair law in Massachusetts is great for car owners. The US government argues it’s also great for hackers.
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Apple, the company, wants rights to the image of apples, the fruit, in Switzerland—one of dozens of countries where it’s flexing its legal muscles.
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WIRED cofounder Kevin Kelly believes tech ultimately bends towards good—you just might have to wait a while. For now, he's got a book of life advice.
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The iconic Alibaba founder disappeared from view after criticizing China's government. He returned to the country in March—as a teacher, not a businessman.
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The search giant took $10 million in ads from, and gave grants to, “crisis pregnancy centers” that work to prevent women from accessing abortions.
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The ecommerce giant’s “delivery service partners” are under constant pressure to perform, but say they have little freedom to manage their own businesses.
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Fresh claims from a former US intelligence officer about an “intact” alien craft may get traction on Capitol Hill, where some lawmakers want to believe.
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Deals to let GM and Ford EV owners use Tesla charging points show the EV maker turning its giant Supercharger network into a competitive advantage.
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AlphaDev has made small but significant improvements to decades-old C++ algorithms. Its builders say that’s just the start.
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A widely shared story highlights the need for greater transparency in the development and engineering of AI systems.
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The SEC has launched two lawsuits in 24 hours, putting a huge question mark over the future of retail crypto trading in the US.
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Apple unveiled the Vision Pro headset and a number of AI-powered features yesterday, but largely ignored generative AI applications embraced by Google and Microsoft.
Criminals may use artificial intelligence to scam you. Companies, like Google, are looking for ways AI and machine learning can help prevent phishing.
A young player hoping to be spotted by a Premier League club typically relies on luck as much as talent, but artificial intelligence could change all that.
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A nonprofit that helps people with body image problems closed its human-run helpline. The chatbot that remained suggested things like losing weight.
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A new statement from industry leaders cautions that artificial intelligence poses a threat to humanity on par with nuclear war or a pandemic.
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While other networks sputter, LinkedIn is growing. Here’s how to use the professional social network to highlight your accomplishments and skills.
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The EV giant is under pressure to launch new products, but a huge dump of confidential files in Germany details a litany of technical failings.
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Researchers say Armenian government workers, journalists, and at least one United Nations official were targeted by the NSO tool.
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Artificial intelligence continues to be fed racist and sexist training materials and then distributed around the world.
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On a stop in London, the OpenAI CEO called for balanced regulation and warned of the risks of deepfake disinformation.
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Advertisers can save money and perhaps make ads more clickable using ChatGPT-style tools to generate text and images. Meta is testing similar technology.
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The record-breaking GDPR penalty for data transfers to the US could upend Meta's business and spur regulators to finalize a new data-sharing agreement.
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With iPhones getting harder and more expensive to repair, French prosecutors have launched an investigation into the scourge of planned obsolescence.
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Tech regulation has often disappointed. Automation expert Missy Cummings hopes a course to teach policymakers about artificial intelligence can help.
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At a congressional hearing senators from both parties and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said a new federal agency was needed to protect people from AI gone bad.
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Multiplayer titles like Minecraft encourage creativity, but prototype games built on the blockchain claim to give players more meaningful independence.
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Google’s generative AI chatbot Bard took center stage at the company’s I/O conference. The company’s answer to Siri was left backstage.
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To compete with American rivals, Eutelsat’s Eva Berneke first has to navigate Russia’s war in Ukraine, Brexit politics, and jamming attacks by Iran.
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Growing fleets, fancier sensors, and tighter budgets are forcing autonomous vehicle developers to get pickier about what stays on their servers.
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Challenged by ChatGPT, the king of search launches a feature that can answer queries with text summarizing information found online.
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OpenAI competitor Anthropic says its Claude chatbot has a built-in “constitution” that can instill ethical principles and keep systems from going rogue.
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Europe’s parliament is struggling to agree on new rules to govern AI—showing how policymakers everywhere have a lot to learn about the technology.
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Startups building chatbots tuned for emotionally engaged conversation say they can offer support, companionship—and even romance. Read the story here.
The government says it’ll fact-check the internet. Kunal Kamra is challenging the IT amendments in court. Read the story here.
Under Elon Musk, hate speech has surged and propaganda accounts have thrived.
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The collapse of the exchange has pushed users back to “self-custody” products like Ledger. But those can be risky too.
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Something old, something new, something borrowed—and something spouted by ChatGPT.
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UK antitrust authorities have blocked its $69 billion deal to acquire Call of Duty publisher Activision Blizzard.
A programmer is building chatbots with opposing political views to make a point about biased AI. He’s also planning a centrist bot to bridge the divide.
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The first phase of the automaker's redevelopment of the historic Michigan Central station is aimed at bringing more tech workers to the city—and to Ford.
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The chatbot is tempting physicians with its ability to spout medical information, but researchers warn against trusting AI with tough ethical decisions.
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The programmer Q&A site joins Reddit in demanding compensation when its data is used to train algorithms and ChatGPT-style bots
A survey by the Pew Research Center found that most employees expect hiring, firing, and workplace assessment to be transformed by algorithms.
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Meta is finally allowing people to add more links to their Instagram profiles. It’s an existential threat to link-in-bio companies.
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Boost your knowledge and your skills with this transformational tech.
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Sam Altman says the research strategy that birthed ChatGPT is played out and future strides in artificial intelligence will require new ideas.
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If passed, the proposed law would also require internet service providers to block websites that discuss access to abortion.
The ecommerce giant doesn’t have a ChatGPT rival, but it wants to sell you the tools you need to build one.
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The US Environmental Protection Agency proposed new tailpipe standards that would require electric vehicles to make up two-thirds of new car sales by 2032.
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Scientific advances have renewed hopes of “unlimited energy,” while economic studies suggest that fusion power will be more costly than wind or solar.
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Ether is finally untethering itself from mining—and driving renewed debate about bitcoin’s environmental impact.
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Mandatory face-recognition tools have repeatedly failed to identify people with darker skin tones. One Dutch student is fighting to end their use.
Macro Oceans turns seaweed into a replacement for petrochemicals used in everything from cosmetics to packaging.
BMW and others have been criticized for charging monthly fees for features in new cars like heated seats. Now the tactic is coming to used cars.
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The company’s policy bars use of the AI chatbot to “misinform.” A study found that it readily spouted untruths on topics from Covid-19 to the war in Ukraine.
The tech giant’s project in Atlanta is on an “indefinite pause,” leaving locals with the inflated prices but none of the jobs and investment.
Playing video games to deal with reality is nothing new, but this game about being an intern in Silicon Valley is perfect if you just need a laugh.
Tech giants want to build massive, “hyperscale” data centers in the Netherlands. A popular political movement wants them stopped.
The way artificial intelligence can rewrite software will have huge implications for the tech industry—and everyone else, too.
Tech luminaries, renowned scientists, and Elon Musk warn of an “out-of-control race” to develop and deploy ever-more-powerful AI systems.
A new security tool aims to actually deliver the network insights and coordination that “AI” security tools have long promised.
Sure, anyone can use OpenAI’s chatbot. But with smart engineering, you can get way more interesting results.
Officials working on Login.gov, used to access dozens of government sites, worried about algorithmic bias. Their decision breached federal security rules.
Doctored images of the former US president went viral on Twitter. These are the telltale signs that they aren’t what they seem.
Moderators who handled Facebook and Instagram content allege they’ve been blacklisted after raising concerns about working conditions.
Lawmakers call for an investigation into the SVB collapse, fearing hostile foreign governments will use social media to manipulate markets.
The collapse of crypto-friendly Silvergate and Signature Bank has left the industry scrambling to find anyone willing to work with them.
The UN’s refugee agency has partnered with blockchain and money transfer companies to get vital aid to people displaced by conflict.
Digital traces including social posts and search queries like “How many tank squadrons?” capture a population’s struggle to survive war.
The collapse of SVB isn’t just a tech industry problem—and the rest of the world is about to find out why.
White-collar workers may soon face the AI disruption everyone’s been panicking about. But the news may be better than you think.
The head of the messaging app says a new law will undermine privacy. The government says it’s about protecting children.
Businesses can now get paid for services built on the large language model, meaning chatbots are going to start appearing everywhere.
A surprising number of industries, from embroidery to aviation, still use floppy disks. But the supply is finally running out.
Employee monitoring increased with Covid-19’s remote work—and stuck around for back-to-the-office.
Privacy Pool founder says he can preserve users’ privacy while keeping money launderers and regulators at bay.
Monu Manesar built a huge audience with violent content, but he’s far from the only sectarian streamer in Modi’s India.
The state sponsors titles that cast it in a favorable light and punish indies for depicting a more complex vision of Iranian identity.
The company's anti-union tactics at retail outlets have drawn government scrutiny and are fueling a drive to get a new labor bill through Congress.
Since Russia’s full-scale assault began, Ukraine’s railways evacuated 4 million people and brought 300 foreign delegations to Kyiv.
Drones that can find their own targets already exist, making machine-versus-machine conflict just a software update away.
The online retailer sells products meant for human consumption that contain donkey meat. A new lawsuit claims that’s illegal in California.
The company recently laid off thousands of human workers and is also shutting down a unit working on robots that learned to open doors and clean tables.
Large law firms are using a tool made by OpenAI to research and write legal documents. What could go wrong?
Lelapa is building a research lab to serve African businesses and nonprofits, with the hope that locally grown algorithms can better serve communities.
A court has issued strict limits on how police can pull innocent bystanders into big data investigations.
Fearing the company’s new management, researchers frantically completed studies on misinformation and algorithmic bias, then published them online.
After a backlash, Spotify has removed a clause that allowed Apple to train machine learning models on some audiobook files.
Integrating large language models into search engines could mean a fivefold increase in computing power and huge carbon emissions.
Active users have fallen by more than 1 million since the exodus from Elon Musk’s Twitter, suggesting the decentralized platform is not a direct replacement.
A Kenyan moderator sued the company for work-related PTSD. A new ruling on his case could signal a global reckoning for Big Tech outsourcing.
Cofounder Gabor Cselle says his upstart social network can offer a “2007 Twitter” community vibe that Elon Musk’s platform no longer supplies.
A search bot you converse with could make finding answers easier—if it doesn’t tell fibs. Microsoft, Google, Baidu, and others are working on it.
City agencies say the incidents and other disruptions show the need for more transparency about the vehicles and a pause on expanding service.
Students from top schools used to waltz from Silicon Valley internships into lucrative jobs. Now, some are reconsidering their options.
Former president Trump tried and failed to ban the app. Now US lawmakers from both parties are preparing legislation they say can finish the job.
Madison Square Garden is under fire for using the technology. Other venues are exploring their own uses of face algorithms, raising privacy concerns.
Electric vehicles are selling fast. But unless people change how they get around, the demand for battery materials threatens its own environmental disaster.
The company’s founders pioneered putting employees first and said they’d never bow down to Wall Street. How things have changed.
The EV giant is alienating its customers, bringing in less revenue, and falling behind legacy carmakers.
A device called Mill from veterans of Nest, the smart-thermostat creator, transforms your would-be kitchen waste into chicken feed.
The digital currency exchange’s stupendous fallout has put local Web3 companies in the Bahamas on the back foot.
Virtual landowners have found a way to put their investments to work, but with unintended consequences.
Britishvolt promised investors it would be the cornerstone of the country’s battery industry. Now it faces bankruptcy.
By reinstating banned accounts and selling blue checks, Musk has supercharged “the most dangerous” Covid disinformation.
The chair of the Federal Trade Commission explains why she wants to ban companies from locking up employees with noncompete clauses.
A London-based startup is networking seamsters with the goal of personalizing fit and making garments last longer.
The tractor maker is accused of blocking farmers from fixing their own equipment. A new agreement offers concessions—but campaigners say it’s not enough.
A glitch in the so-called NOTAM system caused the agency to ground flights across the US. But its problems go back years.
Iranian women are baring their heads to protest government controls. A top official said algorithms can identify anyone flouting dress codes.
Rapid grocery delivery apps are leaving the continent, putting the Turkish startup on top. But, its reign is anything but stable.
The loquacious bot has Microsoft ready to sink a reported $10 billion into OpenAI. It’s unclear what products can be built on the technology.
Staff laid off by Elon Musk were assured they would be compensated following mass cuts. As the deadline passes, the silence has been deafening.
Try as they might, crypto companies pressured by the trading platform’s collapse are failing to bail themselves out.
It’s not too late to move toward your ideal social media existence. You could opt for Mastodon or Post, or stay and hope things turn around.
A network of trading platforms is restructuring the seafood industry and tackling waste.
Supply chain issues, drought, and war are conspiring to make it way more expensive to produce the drink around the world.
As the niche, decentralized social networking platform rises in popularity, it faces rising costs, culture shifts—and potential legal risks.
Author and labor lawyer Orly Lobel says AI can help mitigate human biases in hiring and compensation.
Governments, nonprofits, and small startups hope to scoop up people let go by the likes of Meta and Amazon. It’s their big chance to lure top-tier talent.
Companies are exploring how to adapt powerful new chatbot technology to negotiate with customer service—and to persuade humans to buy stuff.
The entrepreneur says he’s cracking down on doxing. Many see his account-blocking spree as self-serving.
The retailer’s warehouses are flooded with packages. Workers say that means mandatory extra shifts and faster-paced work.
At the company’s next annual meeting, shareholders will be asked to pressure the company over contracts with US immigration and the Israeli government.
The US government says replacing staff with automation and remote monitoring saves taxpayers money. Some workers fear accidents and cyberattacks.
An upgraded power plant in Slovakia has angered neighboring Austria and fueled the debate over nuclear power and independence from Russian gas.
AI trained on reams of geological data can indicate where to dig in search of metals crucial to electric cars and other green technology.
The articulate new chatbot has won over the internet and shown how engaging conversational AI can be—even when it makes stuff up.
Emergency responders rely on the platform to share and collect lifesaving information. Looser moderation puts that in peril.
Bitcoin miners say they can help stabilize a shaky power grid and prevent blackouts. Experts say it will make the problem worse.
The company sent cities scrambling to clamp down on short-term rentals. Now resort towns are feeling the pinch.
The city’s board of supervisors has rolled back a controversial decision to let robots use lethal force without human intervention. But the fight is far from over.
Messages show Twitter’s past leaders struggling with a tough moderation call with political overtones. Musk is now on the hook for such decisions himself.
The government regained control of streets and social networks, but citizens protesting zero-Covid policies proved smartphones can help fuel mass action.
Law enforcement says that in some scenarios a lethal robot is the only way to protect public safety. Experts say the policy will harm communities of color.
The collapse of FTX has set off a chain reaction that threatens to topple one of crypto’s oldest and most well-respected institutions.
From IVF treatments to parental leave, Twitter staff laid off without notice have had their lives upended.
The company’s past failings place its security under scrutiny by the Federal Trade Commission until 2042. Any new mishaps could lead to heavy penalties.
Amid Twitter chaos and Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential bid, the conservative social network is having a moment of its own.
Researchers monitoring a "firehose" of public tweets found signs of increasing toxicity—before Elon Musk reversed bans on Trump and other divisive figures.
Following the collapse of FTX, a group of volunteers has gathered to try and salvage Serum. But the work is far from straightforward.
Algorithms that create art, text, and code are spreading fast—but legal challenges could throw a wrench in the works.
Disinformation researchers have spent years asking Twitter to remove toxic and fake posts. After Elon Musk’s staff cuts, there’s hardly anyone to talk to.
Covid lockdowns prompted a surge of new cyclists. But the trend has faltered in places that didn't build bike-friendly infrastructure.
The company once claimed that ride-hail services and robotaxis would make personal cars obsolete. Mounting losses have prompted a rethink.
Unlike the old days of replying to someone’s tweet, brands now poke back at their consumers on social media.
Authoritarian countries around the world want to suppress criticism and public opinion. Can this new Twitter fight back?
Twitter’s new CEO also leads Tesla, SpaceX, and startups working on tunnel digging and brain implants. His social media project will make it harder to juggle them all.
The chaos engulfing the platform provides an opportunity to reclaim control of your online life, without logging off for good.
The social media company's failed projects required thousands of staffers who swelled the ranks and never left.
The US and Europe can learn a lot from startups that are nimbler, more digitized, and potentially better at serving underserved people.
A new report finds that municipal agencies in Washington deploy dozens of automated decision systems, often without residents’ knowledge.
China’s Muslim minority used to have its own budding cluster of websites, forums, and social media. Now that’s been erased.
In dispensaries, cash is king—and it's a nuisance for business owners and buyers. Fintech players are entering the fray.
The ride-sharing giant is trying to end a yearslong battle by offering EU cabbies aggressive financial incentives.
Ford and Volkswagen sank nearly $4 billion into developer Argo. Now, amid wider signs of slow progress in autonomous tech, they're shutting it down.
The Digital Markets Act will force big tech platforms to break open their walled gardens in 2023, says the EU's new ambassador to Silicon Valley.
Investors have got the hots for "generative AI" that can make text and images. But so far, the hype runs ahead of the business results.
When Aptos rose from the ashes of Meta’s Diem digital currency project, it aimed to be the fastest crypto network. Instead, it just angered its fans.
The new ecommerce platform can beat Amazon on price by shipping direct from China. It’s already racing up the charts.
After bad press about its App Store rules, Apple added a way to challenge app rejections. Creators say projects still get blocked for no good reason.
A former congressman who helped the House select committee investigate the Capitol attack says the US is losing sight of the big picture.
Many independent auto shops can’t afford the equipment needed to fix today’s complex vehicles. Prepare to wait longer for repairs.
Pushing more ads at users would compensate for slowing smartphone sales but risks annoying Apple fans—and antitrust regulators.
Dancers say a law to protect people working at ride-hailing and food delivery apps has been used to undercut their livelihoods.
Three warehouses have voted on joining the Amazon Labor Union, but organizers prevailed in only one—and the retail giant’s heavily funded opposition continues.
Ahead of US midterms, activists are fighting falsehoods circulating in Chinese-language communities that they fear will distort the vote or suppress turnout.
Cameras inside the device that track eye and face movements can make an avatar’s expressions more realistic, but they raise new privacy questions.
The Infowars host now knows the cost of “free speech”—but does the landmark judgment signal a crackdown on disinformation?
Colleges and K-12 campuses increasingly monitor student emails, social media, and more. Here’s how to secure your (or your child’s) privacy.
Working from home makes it easier to take on several full-time posts. The extra cash is nice—but simultaneous Zoom meetings can be tricky.
An inquest found content on Pinterest and Instagram contributed to the 2017 death of Molly Russell. The sites say they’ve changed—with opposing strategies.
The company is losing huge sums of money on cookie-cutter homes—suggesting a fundamental weakness in the US housing market.
Tesla’s Optimus robot did not dazzle robotics experts and can't yet walk. But if the project delivers, it could give the company an edge in manufacturing.
The Journalism Competition and Protection Act would allow publishers to finally bargain with Meta and Google.
Younger people seek answers on TikTok and Instagram—Google hopes to lure them back with more visual, infinite scrolling search results.
The company’s new smart gadget uses radar to track your breathing while you sleep. It’s part of Amazon’s plan to weave its products invisibly into your life.
The cutesy robot doesn’t do much now, but the company says it’s a step toward machines that understand your habits.
In the battle over Twitter’s future, the number of bots on the platform is a key issue. Problem is, nobody knows how to count them.
Extreme content is spreading rapidly on the country's social networks, sparking fears of a violent uprising.
The company is going after cryptocurrency gambling—but will that be enough to satisfy concerned streamers?
Uber and Lyft spent millions promoting a controversial ballot measure. A new study suggests it has lowered driver wages.
Open source project Stable Diffusion allows anyone to conjure images with algorithms, but some fear it will be used to create unethical horrors.
By 2035, the batteries in California’s zero-emission cars could power every home in the state for three days.
A new study shows that cycling packages the final few miles to their recipients isn’t just greener than using a van, but often quicker too.
Users try to control the video platform’s algorithm by giving content a thumbs-down, but Mozilla researchers say it’s not so simple.
People must both drive less and switch to electric vehicles to reduce carbon emissions enough to avoid the worst effects of climate change.
A preliminary agreement prevented a total shutdown, but many supply chains still face delays and disruption caused by staff shortages.
The Russian blockade and bombardments are cutting off thousands of tons of grain, threatening the food supply in countries that rely on wheat exports.
Peiter "Mudge" Zatko's allegations about the social media platform renewed a sense of urgency for lawmakers to rein in Big Tech.
In France, the gig economy platform welcomed thousands of immigrants during the pandemic, unions say. Now it’s deactivating them en masse.
The tech giants' corporate offices across the US drew demonstrations over an Israeli government cloud contract that opponents say could have military uses.
The US regulator is eager to end unfair use of artificial intelligence and commercial surveillance, but experts remain skeptical.
Blistering temperatures and the invasion of Ukraine have fed fears of global shortages—but some regions are suffering much more than others.
Startup incubator Y Combinator birthed big names like Airbnb and Stripe. Incoming CEO Garry Tan says he’ll tap the program’s alumni network to generate new tech giants.
The academic search engine’s policy on name changes is out of step with other search tools and publishers.
After two people were injured in the incident, Cruise blocked its robot vehicles from making left turns for several weeks before issuing a software update.
The region’s unified approach to energy predates Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but countries suffering from shortages may now have to watch gas flow past.
Tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act could transform how goods get to stores and consumers by incentivizing US business owners to buy zero-emission electric vehicles.
WeWork’s controversial cofounder Adam Neumann is not the only entrepreneur to see opportunity in the generation of Americans unable to buy homes.
In recent years investors greeted founders with generous checks and warm smiles, but now CEOs seeking cash encounter cold shoulders.
The AI-powered online doctor app is ditching its controversial NHS contracts as it focuses on the US market.
Algorithms can amplify patterns of discrimination. Robotics researchers are calling for new ways to prevent mechanical bodies acting out those biases.
One of the most influential cryptocurrency projects is set to finally ditch proof-of-work mining.
A new generation of AI image tools can reproduce an artist’s signature style. Some creatives fear for their livelihoods.
The latest crisis that rocked the Greek government shows the bloc’s surveillance problem goes beyond the notorious NSO Group.
The financial aid model more closely associated with coding boot camps has made its way to traditional universities. Now it's coming under scrutiny.
AI hype has researchers in fields from medicine to sociology rushing to use techniques that they don’t always understand—causing a wave of spurious results.
The company said it would prevent Russia-based users from uploading fresh content—but some new videos are still showing up on FYPs.
After a local politician and two others were gunned down in the Philippines, posts supporting the suspect continue to gain traction on social media.
Companies that once battled to hire employees close to home are now turning to Latin America and other markets for talent.
After news of a “pointless” pay increase spread, workers at three warehouses stopped work to demand higher wages as inflation and interest rates surge.
Nurses, retail workers, and other employees can owe thousands of dollars just for quitting their job—or getting laid off.
Companies are cutting costs by embracing remote setups, but what happens to the hubs they leave behind?
Compass Mining grew quickly during crypto’s halcyon days. Now, its customers and their thousands of mining machines are stuck.
An experiment shows that overworked judges turn to the crowdsourced encyclopedia for guidance when making legal decisions.
Meta has allowed ads that include hate speech and calls for violence ahead of the country’s elections. But experts warn that a shutdown isn’t the answer.
Companies are racing to cool down their servers as energy prices and temperatures soar. And the worst is yet to come.
Earnings season was dominated by two companies—both existential threats to their competition.
To secure the land for its multibillion-dollar Downtown West development, the company has had to track down dozens of distant relatives of 19th-century landowners.
Workers are calling on management to stop inflicting “traumatic” pressure on other workers trying to unionize.
Men are more likely to buy electric vehicles, and carmakers are eager to diversify their base. But what will it take to close the gender gap?
Certain chips have caught up with demand, thanks to stockpiling and reduced consumer spending, but the semiconductor supply chain is still snarled up.
Post within the two-minute window to share off-the-cuff photos with your friends—and the world.
Desperate people in the US and beyond are turning to an unregulated, cross-continental supply chain.
An electric hydrofoil ferry could be the future of public transportation in Stockholm—and beyond.
The startup used regulatory loopholes and marketing to make nicotine cool. Now the FDA threatens to shut the company down, but new rivals are taking over.
The company’s warehouses demand a fast pace of workers, and have higher injury rates than at competing firms.
In a series of incidents, the GM subsidiary lost contact with its autonomous vehicles, leaving them frozen in traffic and trapping human drivers.
Dubious design and inefficient operations are just some of the reasons why shared scooters’ ecocredentials are thin.
More services are going online-only—catching more people on the wrong side of a widening gulf.
Lawmakers in the US and Europe are considering ways to regulate crypto and crack down on money-laundering and other illicit activities.
Google, Amazon, and others will help permanent staff seek out-of-state care. But their many contractors remain shut out.
No one will agree on what the metaverse is. But that's not stopping a coalition of big names in tech from designing the tools needed to build it.
Abortion access groups and activists say they were dealing with algorithmic suppression long before the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
A new European Union law will set rules for what the technology can and can’t do to people, like whether it’s OK to deploy lie detectors at borders.
China dominates the global supply chain for lithium-ion batteries. Now rival countries are scrambling for more control over “white oil.”
The country wants electric vehicles to make up 40 percent of new cars sold by 2030—but first it has to figure out how to keep them charged.
Machines that understand what their human teammates are doing could boost productivity without taking jobs.
A platform called Coworker has helped effect change for nearly a decade. As the coffee chain’s workers organize, its role has evolved in kind.
The social media giant banned networks of fake accounts for promoting disinformation, spam, or propaganda—and kept the money it made from ads.
While suburban drivers can comfortably charge at home, those in low-income areas face higher prices—if they can find a station that works.
Tesla’s Autopilot and other automotive safety features are involved in plenty of car crashes. But thanks to spotty data, it’s still not clear how many, or what to do about it.
Cryptocurrencies are behaving exactly like the rest of the stock market, but the faithful say that's no reason to jump ship.
Democrats are pumping the brakes on an ambitious Senate bill over long-shot concerns about content moderation.
Arguments over whether Google’s large language model has a soul distract from the real-world problems that plague artificial intelligence.
As the Russian siege drags on, Ukraine's media campaign has shifted from glorified myths to accounts of everyday bravery.
From Avis-Budget to Hertz, traditional rental companies are struggling to restock their fleets. Now peer-to-peer upstarts are scrambling to fill the gap.
Scientists are using genomics to create high-protein soybeans and peas. Their aim? To make meat and milk substitutes that can rival the real thing.
Hundreds of prospective employees have been left adrift, including some who were counting on the position for their visas.
The company has backed down on its proposal to address school shootings, but the damage was already done.
At least one employee borrowed $100,000 from the company—and now has just 30 days to pay it back.
After filing for bankruptcy, Google could withdraw from Russia or antagonize the country's regulators from overseas.
Traditional hurdles stand in the way of ambitious plans to use imagery to help feed people, reduce poverty, and protect the planet.
It might be years before flying cars take to the skies, but designers and engineers are already testing the infrastructure they’ll need to operate.
The supply chain issues have no end in sight, so manufacturers are being forced to improvise.
The platform has a history of standing up to governments. Its billionaire suitor wants to follow their rules to the letter.
The incident, which cost first responders valuable time, underscores the challenges that Cruise and other companies face on the road to driverless taxis.
Increased demand and staffing shortages are already contributing to huge delays and airport logjams across the country. Here’s what you can do.
The way people buy automobiles is changing—so Honda and other manufacturers are adapting in kind.
As AI invades the interview process, the DOJ and EOCC have provided guidance to protect people with disabilities from bias.
The future of computing is AI-powered chatbots that have read the entire internet—if Google can figure out how to tame them.
For years, the tech industry has relied on an six-shade scale to classify skin tones. The search giant’s open source alternative could change that.
It’s probably not a good idea for important platforms to be in the business of frequently banning users for life.
Elon Musk’s intervention demonstrates how satellite internet could route around war or censorship far beyond Ukraine.
Philippine researcher Fatima Gaw says the platform has become a hub for pro-Marcos historical revisionism.
For some women, inappropriate conduct from other conference-goers continued to haunt them online.
OpenAI’s new system is adept at turning text into images. But researchers say it also reinforces stereotypes against women and people of color.
Alphabet, Meta, and others collect heaps of user data that could be exploited by law enforcement—and create legal hazards.
After pandemic safety measures ended in the US, ride-hailing companies lifted their requirements for riders—leaving those behind the wheel on their own.
After pandemic safety measures ended in the US, ride-hailing companies lifted their requirements for riders—leaving those behind the wheel on their own.
Censors are cracking down on free speech online, but people are finding new ways to get around them.
The Digital Services Act will extract more new information from the young app than from older platforms like Facebook.
Data scientists, coders, and other techies could prove decisive in future conflicts—if Uncle Sam can recruit them.
Elon Musk's “free speech” promise is igniting an extremist revival, but the "replatforming" has only just begun.
The landmark Digital Services Act has a glaring omission: It ditches plans to tighten rules that could have protected survivors of revenge porn and other forms of sexual abuse.
Range anxiety is bad enough. But even when they find a station, drivers often have to deal with broken equipment.
The Digital Services Act has granted the European Commission unprecedented power over tech companies in times of war.
The government wants to restart production and shipping to meet global demand, but some people may trade a lockdown at home to being locked inside factories.
Online activists Gen-Z for Change targeted Starbucks and Kroger for anti-union firings. Now they plan to take aim at Amazon.
Moxi and other delivery-focused assistants have become even more critical as the Covid-19 pandemic has pushed health care workers to their limits.
The global chip shortage has triggered a surge in demand for prized, pricey used electric vehicles. It's only just beginning.
A majority of editors voiced support to end such donations, arguing that the Bitcoin and Ethereum networks consume too much energy.
Machine learning can help count people to deliver government funding and decide political representation, but the technology still makes mistakes.
By combining two processors into one, the company has squeezed a surprising amount of performance out of silicon.
Painstaking new techniques for archiving social media posts could provide crucial evidence in future prosecutions.
The ability to edit tweets is coming—but it’s full of risks. This is how to do it right.
A world of services has appeared to help act as digital death doulas for the bereaved. They show software's potential—and its limits.
With future price rises baked in and some countries on the verge of rationing gas, things are going to get a whole lot worse before they get any better.
Europe wants to source EV materials within its own borders. But fierce opposition ahead of the elections in Serbia shows locals don’t trust mining companies.
Uber and Lyft have legally cemented the independent contractor status of ride-hail drivers. Now other states are on the horizon.
The demand for tech to save the planet is driving a new boom in companies trying to cash in.
VPNs are divided between trying to help Russians stay connected to the global web and steering clear of Putin’s messy politics.
Outside researchers can’t easily monitor how truth or lies circulate on the social media platform—raising concerns about its role in spreading misinformation.
A seemingly endless supply chain crunch has fueled interest in tech that promises to track problems or predict where new ones might occur.
The EU targets tech giants' walled gardens with aggressive new rules, but the smaller companies the DMA is meant to help are skeptical it will work.
Companies are offering interest-free advances to people with poor credit in exchange for detailed personal data.
A 2030 target for electric vehicles to dominate ride-hailing is a lofty goal. But it’s the drivers, not the companies, who may have to foot the bill.
Russia has branded Meta an “extremist organization” and banned Facebook and Instagram. WhatsApp is a different story.
Europe's efforts to avoid Russian energy imports will likely trigger a short-term spike in coal, and environmentalists are concerned.
Food delivery drivers are using platforms’ data-powered systems, mass WeChat groups, and unofficial unions to fight unfair conditions.
The Foundations of Humane Technology is an eight-hour class for Silicon Valley’s disillusioned workers.
The popular ecommerce site is riddled with half-used packets of diet pills and harmful health supplements, highlighting the need for tougher regulation.
Apps like Tinder, Google Maps, and Telegram give activists a way to share what's really going on in Ukraine—for now.
The Biden administration is looking into a government-issued digital currency. The implications would be profound.
Two years into the pandemic, US tech jobs remain concentrated in a handful of coastal hubs. But a new set of cities is gaining ground.
Plus: Silicon Valley’s response to Snowden, stories that shift reality, and a culmination of catastrophes.
The country is a large supplier of contract labor through platforms such as Upwork and Fiverr. The ongoing crisis with Russia exposes weaknesses in that system.
While the Russian invasion rages on the ground, companies that operate data-collecting satellites find themselves in an awkward position.
Investors have poured money into startups the past few years. Now, founders worry about a changing market and the rising cost of retaining employees.
The pandemic prompted entrepreneurs to move their brick-and-mortars into the digital sphere. Here's what worked for me and other small business owners.
Over 50 years ago, they trialed “part-time telecommuting.” The pandemic-driven model has problems, but early adopters think they can be fixed.
A year after Australia forced tech giants to pay news outlets for the content they display, other countries want to follow suit.
The AI that transcribes spoken dialog on the platform's standard version can render “corn” as “porn,” “beach” as “bitch,” and “brave” as “rape.”
In the EU, phasing out emissions often means paying someone to take over polluting plants—and keep them running.
Two-thirds of freelancers on Fiverr say they’re servicing the NFT industry. But is it sustainable?
A growing number of US cities are adopting “deconstruction” policies that involve taking structures apart by hand in the name of sustainability.
Sweeping rules will cover algorithms that set prices, control search results, recommend videos, and filter content.
The company knows that clips over 60 seconds in length stress users out. That won't stop it from chasing the lucrative long-video market.
The "dark stores" that popped up in Dutch cities have triggered turf wars with residents and citywide crackdowns.
It's a tricky, delicate task that combines machine vision and robotics. Progress has been slow, but entrepreneurs and farmers continue to invest.
Just seeing a map of charging stations in rural areas can help alleviate “range anxiety”—and help get more EVs on the streets.
When species have babies with conspicuous fur, it can attract good attention—or bad. A new theory could explain why.
Faced with a shortage of qualified workers and fierce competition, companies are offering candidates money to interview and plush perks if they stay.
Fighting fraud is important. But so is respecting privacy and guarding against bias. It's a “no-win situation,” one former official says.
The WikiLeaks founder raised $50 million for legal fees, making him the latest public figure to benefit from decentralized autonomous organizations.
The company built GT Sophy to master the game Gran Turismo, but it may help the development of real self-driving cars.
Privacy advocates and lawmakers from both major parties objected to the agency's use of a third-party system to confirm taxpayers' identities.
Electric locomotives could cut emissions of greenhouse gases and toxic pollutants that harm people living near rail yards.
In the wake of a voter-approved law, Subaru and Kia dealers in Massachusetts have disabled systems that allow remote starts and send maintenance alerts.
A pre-pandemic policy on airport usage is pressuring airlines to keep "ghost flights" in the air. The climate impact is massive.
From Microsoft to Meta, the race is on to sell an amorphous concept that no one really wants them to build.
The ruling by the UK’s High Court could also lead to Lynch’s extradition to the United States, where he faces further charges.
A controversial new program that uses facial recognition is part of a national effort to verify identities and reduce fraud.
Advances in artificial intelligence and other technology allow machines to be operated from far away. The trend could spell trouble for workers.
Publishers hope computer-generated voices can help them tap surging demand, but some fans—and Amazon—are resisting the robots.
Despite diversity pledges, funding to Latino-founded startups in the US still lags—accounting for only 2 percent of venture investments last year.
Applications for new businesses rose 20 percent last year, after languishing for a decade. Many newly minted founders attribute it to the pandemic.
A new plan to lure social media users to the metaverse could legitimize NFTs, but it could also ruin them.
Plus: Microsoft’s bid for Yahoo, Silicon Valley’s approach to history, and Tonga’s disastrous eruption.
No garlic on the oysters? Soup stained a blanket? Panels of users hear the complaints and can order refunds or removal of critical reviews.
Medical information is more complex and less available than the web data that many algorithms were trained on, so results can be misleading.
From New York to Moab, Utah, bicyclists and municipal officials are divided over whether ebikes should be permitted on bicycle trails.
Steve Jobs is dead, Mark Zuckerberg is tarnished. For the next generation of startup founders, the contributions of Bill Gates feel like ancient history.
The central Asian country became No. 2 in the world for Bitcoin mining. But political turmoil and power cuts have hit hard, and the future looks bleak.
Car buyers looking for specific mobility features have limited options, but customizers and manufacturers are trying to change that.
For years, automakers focused on using autonomous technology for “robotaxis,” akin to a shared Uber. A GM announcement this week shows that’s changing.
The country has become a magnet for Big Tech facilities, but locals say they will syphon away all their green energy.
Glossy visions of an autonomous future always seem just out of reach. But two insiders say the technology is available on farms, and on clear, dry streets.
In the wake of the pandemic, officials are shifting bus and rail service toward lower-income neighborhoods, while some agencies are eliminating fares.
Researchers are encouraging those who work in AI to explicitly consider racism, gender, and other structural inequalities.
The automation, and control of the resulting data, raise questions about the role of human farmers.
The administration has toned down the anti-China rhetoric, but it has maintained and expanded economic sanctions—and plans a “diplomatic boycott” of the Olympics.
Natural Fiber Welding uses an innovative process to treat cotton and make it behave more like synthetic fibers.
“Obituary pirates” scrape websites and publish their own versions of death notices, reaping commissions on flowers and gifts.
Two dozen cities and states prohibit use of the tech. But it’s on phones and is increasingly used in airports and in banks.
As if launching Airbnb, Stripe, and Dropbox weren’t enough, the famous accelerator has had an outsize—and mixed—impact on all of us.