President Donald Trump pardoned Changpeng Zhao, the founder of the cryptocurrency exchange Binance, who was earlier sentenced for breaking US money laundering laws. The pardon was confirmed by the White House and follows an investigation that fined Binance $4.3 billion for helping users dodge sanctions. President Trump aims to position the US as a leader in cryptocurrency, aligning with recent efforts to expand the sector domestically.
Key Facts
President Trump pardoned Changpeng Zhao, the founder of Binance, the largest cryptocurrency exchange.
Zhao was sentenced to four months in prison in April 2024 for money laundering violations.
Binance was fined $4.3 billion by the US for allowing sanction evasion.
Zhao completed his prison sentence in September 2024.
President Trump wants the US to become the "crypto capital" of the world.
Trump has released his own digital coin and is encouraging investment in cryptocurrencies.
The White House confirmed the pardon, initially reported by the Wall Street Journal.
Binance is registered in the Cayman Islands and remains a top platform for cryptocurrency trading.
The HLTH conference in Las Vegas showcased advancements in health technology, with a focus on AI. AI agents were a hot topic, creating a divide among industry professionals. While some praised AI agents' capabilities, others raised concerns about their security and reliability.
Key Facts
Over 12,000 people attended the HLTH conference in Las Vegas, focusing on health policy and technology.
AI was a central topic, with discussions on its potential and actual applications in healthcare.
Suki expanded its AI tools for revenue and coding in healthcare.
GE HealthCare announced AI software partnerships with health systems.
Microsoft introduced Dragon Copilot for nurses, a tool to assist in care.
KLAS Research found 17 real-world uses for AI agents in healthcare, compared to over 3,000 for generative AI.
Scott Arnold from Tampa General Hospital reported success with an AI agent named "Aimee" for handling call center requests.
Some experts expressed concerns about the security risks of AI agents in healthcare systems.
Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro expressed that he does not want to use generative AI in filmmaking. He strongly prefers traditional filmmaking methods and has been inspired by classic films like Frankenstein. Del Toro recently discussed themes from his work, including life, death, and misunderstood creatures.
Key Facts
Guillermo del Toro is an Oscar-winning filmmaker known for movies like Pan's Labyrinth and The Shape of Water.
Del Toro was deeply influenced by the 1931 movie Frankenstein, which he saw as a child.
He has reimagined the Frankenstein story for his latest film, from the creature's viewpoint.
Del Toro has stated he would rather not use generative AI in his filmmaking.
His films often explore themes of misunderstood creatures and the concept of death.
Del Toro overcame a childhood fear of death that was influenced by his grandmother.
Microsoft updated its AI tool, Copilot, to improve how it provides health-related information. The update includes using trusted sources like Harvard Health and renowned medical institutions to ensure accurate answers. New features also make it easier for users to find local health care providers and collaborate on health-related tasks.
Key Facts
Microsoft released new features for Copilot as part of its Fall update.
The updates focus on providing accurate health-related responses using trusted sources such as Harvard Health.
Copilot now uses information from credible organizations like Mayo Clinic and Kaiser Permanente.
The AI tool helps users find local physicians by giving details like clinic hours and insurance plans.
A new "Groups" feature allows users to collaborate in real-time on health care tasks.
Approximately 50 million health sessions are logged daily using Microsoft services like Copilot and Bing.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) experienced a major outage on October 20, affecting many websites and services worldwide. The problem arose from technical issues in their US data centers, which led to disruptions for platforms like Snapchat, Reddit, and Lloyds Bank. Amazon apologized and expressed commitment to improve their systems to avoid future incidents.
Key Facts
AWS is a part of Amazon that provides cloud computing services.
On October 20, AWS had a significant outage that affected over 1,000 sites.
The outage was primarily due to errors in their US-EAST-1 data center.
Major platforms like Snapchat, Reddit, and Lloyds Bank experienced downtime.
Some services, like the sleep tech company Eight Sleep, were affected unexpectedly.
The problem was linked to a technical term called a "latent race condition," which involves a hidden software bug.
Experts suggest greater diversity in cloud service providers to avoid similar issues.
AWS aims to learn from this event to enhance its future service reliability.
Three major European aerospace companies, Airbus, Leonardo, and Thales, have joined forces to create a new company to compete in the space industry. This new company aims to challenge SpaceX and will be headquartered in Toulouse, employing 25,000 people and generating €6.5 billion in annual revenue.
Key Facts
Airbus, Leonardo, and Thales are the three European companies involved in this venture.
The new company is called the 'European Space Champion'.
It will focus on space exploration, earth observation, space threats, and satellite navigation.
The company will be based in Toulouse and have about 25,000 employees.
The new business aims for long-term growth in the space industry, responding to developments like those at SpaceX.
It will create five national companies in the UK, France, Italy, Germany, and Spain to protect national interests.
No job cuts in the UK are planned; Airbus currently employs 3,100 people in its UK's space operations.
SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk, is known for creating advanced rockets and has partnered with NASA for the Artemis moon mission.
Montana officials are investigating a data breach involving Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana (BCBSMT) that possibly affected over 400,000 customers. The breach occurred due to unauthorized access at Conduent, a company providing services to BCBSMT, and exposed sensitive information like personal and medical data.
Key Facts
The data breach may have impacted up to 462,000 people in Montana.
The breach happened between November 8, 2024, and March 5, 2025.
Personal details such as names, addresses, birth dates, and medical data were exposed.
Conduent, a service provider, experienced a cyber incident affecting BCBSMT data.
BCBSMT's own systems were not breached; it was a third-party service issue.
The Montana State Auditor is investigating the incident for potential violations.
BCBSMT is notifying affected customers and offering credit monitoring services.
New cybersecurity initiatives and public awareness campaigns are being introduced in Montana.
Amazon Luna, a gaming service, has introduced 30 new multiplayer games as part of its GameNight feature. These games are designed to be fun and easy to play with friends or family on devices like Fire TV or tablets. One standout game is "Courtroom Chaos With Snoop Dogg," which uses AI for an interactive experience.
Key Facts
Amazon Luna has added 30 new party games to its lineup under the GameNight banner.
The service is available to Amazon Prime members and can be accessed on devices like Fire TV and tablets.
Players can use their phone as a controller by scanning a QR code on the screen.
One of the new games, "Courtroom Chaos With Snoop Dogg," features AI and has the rapper’s approval.
The new releases include both original titles and previously launched games.
GameNight aims to attract casual gamers who enjoy local multiplayer experiences.
Luna also offers access to 33 bigger budget games, though these are not its primary focus.
A study from University College London and Loughborough University found that fitness apps can sometimes cause negative feelings like shame and disappointment, leading some users to abandon their fitness goals. Researchers reviewed over 58,000 Twitter posts about popular fitness apps and discovered that features meant to motivate, like calorie tracking, can have the opposite effect for some people. Fitness app companies, such as WeightWatchers, responded by highlighting their programs' benefits.
Key Facts
Researchers analyzed 58,881 Twitter posts about fitness apps.
The study focused on MyFitnessPal, Strava, WW, Workouts by Muscle Booster, Fitness Coach & Diet, and FitCoach.
Of these posts, 13,799 expressed negative feelings.
Common negative emotions included shame, guilt, and frustration.
Users often felt pressured by reminders to track calories and steps.
Some users abandoned their goals due to these negative emotions.
WeightWatchers highlighted the positive outcomes of its programs in response to the study.
Researchers found some users confused by app-provided calorie recommendations.
A new book explores how Alex Karp, the CEO of Palantir, transitioned from being a Trump critic to supporting President Trump's agenda. The book reveals Karp’s changing political views and the influence of tech leaders like Peter Thiel on Trump's policies.
Key Facts
Alex Karp is the CEO of Palantir, a data software company.
Karp was initially critical of President Trump but now supports his agenda.
The book about Karp is called "The Philosopher in the Valley."
Peter Thiel, a co-founder of Palantir, once offered to leave Palantir's board during Trump’s first presidency due to being seen as a public relations issue.
Karp expressed dissatisfaction with the Democrats on immigration and foreign policy issues.
The Oct. 7 attacks in Israel and subsequent protests influenced Karp's political shift.
Sudan Archives' new album, "The BPM," explores themes of technology and music by blending different styles like house, techno, trap, and R&B. The album focuses on syncing digital and real-life experiences through the character of a woman and her digital avatar, "gadget girl." The artist, Brittney Parks, highlights how technology can enhance human abilities and creativity.
Key Facts
"The BPM" is an album by Sudan Archives, the music project of Brittney Parks.
The album mixes various music styles, including house, techno, trap, and R&B.
A central theme is the synchronization between digital and real-world identities.
The album's main character is a woman connecting with her digital avatar called "gadget girl."
Brittney Parks uses a variety of instruments, including violin, mandolin, synthesizer, and electronic devices.
The album emphasizes how technology can augment human creativity, not just simulate experiences.
Parks' inspiration includes the sounds of Detroit and her experiences at Los Angeles' club night, Low End Theory.
The album portrays a vision of technology as a tool for personal growth and self-expression.
Airlines and hotels are heavily investing in artificial intelligence (AI) to modernize their operations. Despite this, many have not yet made AI tools available to enhance the traveler’s experience. Only a small percentage of companies feel ready to use AI on a large scale for customer interactions.
Key Facts
Airlines and hotels are spending more on AI to improve efficiency and operations.
96% of companies in the travel sector plan to maintain or increase AI spending.
Only 12% of these companies feel prepared to deploy AI on a large scale.
Just 35% use AI for guest-facing experiences; most are still experimenting internally.
A major challenge is poor integration of systems, making data hard to use.
Travel executives are optimistic about AI improving customer loyalty.
American Airlines is integrating AI into the customer experience to make travel planning more personalized.
The main opportunity for AI lies in enhancing customer interactions like booking and check-in.
General Motors is using social media and artificial intelligence (AI) to help design Cadillac's paint colors. The company analyzes trends from these platforms to create new and innovative color options that appeal to customers.
Key Facts
General Motors is using social media and AI to inspire new paint colors for Cadillac vehicles.
Brittany Moss leads the color, material, and finish team at the company.
Moss uses AI to create mood boards, which are collections of images or ideas, to help design colors.
Current trends include earth tones, green, and metallic shades.
AI helps create a new type of metallic look in paint colors.
These efforts result in a variety of color options for new Cadillac models, aiming to fit customer preferences and vehicle design.
An app called ICEBlock, which could track U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, has been removed from Apple's App Store. The app's creator, Joshua Aaron, explained that government pressure influenced this decision.
Key Facts
ICEBlock was an app designed to track operations by ICE.
The app is no longer available on Apple's App Store.
Joshua Aaron created the app.
Aaron discussed the app's removal with NPR.
Government pressure was a factor in the app's removal.
This incident connects to discussions about the First Amendment, which protects free speech.
Michelle Kennedy created Peanut, a social networking app, to help mothers find support and connect with each other. The app, launched in 2017, allows moms to join groups, seek advice, and share experiences based on their children’s ages or common interests. Peanut addresses loneliness, especially for new mothers who feel isolated, and has grown to have 5 million users.
Key Facts
Peanut is a social networking app designed for mothers to connect and support each other.
Michelle Kennedy, who previously worked with dating apps like Bumble, founded Peanut in 2017.
The app groups mothers based on their children's ages or due dates and covers various interests.
Peanut has grown to include 5 million users worldwide.
Research indicates that 80 to 90 percent of new mothers feel lonely.
A study by Peanut and The Motherless Mothers charity shows that 1 in 3 U.S. moms starts motherhood without their own mother due to different circumstances.
These "motherless" moms are significantly more likely to experience mental health issues like postnatal depression.
Amazon has introduced prototype smart glasses called "Amelia" for its delivery drivers. These AI-powered glasses include a camera and display and are currently being tested with drivers in North America to improve delivery efficiency.
Key Facts
Amazon's new smart glasses, called "Amelia," use artificial intelligence technology.
The glasses have a built-in camera and display and pair with a special waistcoat.
Delivery drivers can use a button on the waistcoat to take photos of deliveries.
The glasses are currently being tested in multiple locations across the U.S.
The design is meant to improve delivery efficiency by helping drivers find packages faster.
A safety feature turns off the glasses in moving vehicles to prevent distractions.
Each driver can manually turn off the glasses and all sensors if they choose.
Although currently for drivers, Amazon has not ruled out a future consumer version of these glasses.
People are using "analog bags," filled with non-digital activities like coloring books and cameras, to spend less time on their phones. These bags are popular among millennials and Gen Z as they aim to engage more in offline pastimes. The trend has grown on social media, showcasing a return to hobbies from before the digital age.
Key Facts
"Analog bags" contain activities like knitting, scrapbooks, and Polaroid cameras.
The trend encourages people to use their phones less by providing alternative activities.
The idea is popular with younger generations like millennials and Gen Z.
Over 1,600 TikTok posts featured the hashtag #AnalogLife in the first nine months of 2025.
Custom "Analog Bags" are notably shared on social media platforms like TikTok.
Science shows habits like frequent phone use are triggered by cues such as boredom.
The Global Wellness Institute named "analog wellness" a top trend for 2025.
The trend reflects a larger movement towards enjoying non-digital hobbies.
Conservative activist Robby Starbuck has sued Google, claiming that its AI systems produced false and damaging statements about him. The lawsuit, filed in Delaware, alleges that Google's AI labeled him with serious accusations such as being a "child rapist" and "serial sexual abuser." Google has acknowledged issues with AI inaccuracies, known as "hallucinations," which they are working to correct.
Key Facts
Robby Starbuck filed a lawsuit against Google for alleged false information generated by its AI.
The lawsuit claims Google's AI made serious accusations against Starbuck, affecting millions of users.
Google stated the issues relate to AI "hallucinations" and are being addressed.
Starbuck is known for opposing diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Starbuck previously sued Meta Platforms for similar reasons and settled in August.
Starbuck alleges these false claims increased risks to his safety.
He is seeking at least $15 million in damages from Google.
Alphabet's stock price showed little change after the news of the lawsuit.
Reddit has filed a lawsuit against Perplexity AI and three other entities, accusing them of illegally collecting user comments for profit. The lawsuit claims these companies bypass Reddit's protections to gather data and allegedly violates copyright laws. Perplexity AI and others involved deny the allegations and plan to defend themselves in court.
Key Facts
Reddit sued Perplexity AI and three other entities, including Oxylabs, AWMProxy, and SerpApi.
The lawsuit was filed in New York federal court and involves claims of unlawful data scraping.
Reddit alleges the companies engaged in unfair competition and unjust enrichment.
The companies are accused of evading Reddit’s anti-scraping measures and violating U.S. copyright laws.
Perplexity AI, SerpApi, and Oxylabs all deny the allegations and plan to contest the lawsuit.
Scraping is the practice of automatically collecting data from websites for various purposes, but Reddit compares it to theft.
The lawsuit represents Reddit's second legal action against an AI company for similar issues.
Reddit has existing licensing agreements with companies like Google and OpenAI for the use of its data.
