Category: technology
Tech companies are investing heavily in AI infrastructure, focusing on building data centers and acquiring computing hardware. Even if AI doesn't meet expectations, these investments in physical assets like data centers remain valuable. The companies view these projects as a strategic advantage in technological and geopolitical competition.
Key Facts
Tech companies are spending a lot on data centers and computing power, not just on AI itself.
This spending serves as a safe investment, as the infrastructure holds value even if AI technology doesn't succeed.
Microsoft, Google, and other tech firms see AI as the next big industry platform and are preparing for its growth.
Data centers built for AI can be repurposed for other computing tasks if AI ambitions aren't realized.
Nvidia's GPUs, initially for graphics and gaming, are now crucial for AI and cryptocurrency computations.
Investments in AI infrastructure are also seen as a key part of the U.S. strategy against Chinese technological competition.
Tech companies have substantial cash reserves, but limited productive ways to utilize them, leading to large infrastructure projects.
President Trump aims for the U.S. to lead in artificial intelligence (AI) development. However, his immigration policies might make it harder to achieve this.
Key Facts
President Trump wants the U.S. to be at the forefront of AI development.
AI development is a key focus for global technology leadership.
Trump's immigration policies could affect the AI sector's progress.
Immigration rules can influence the availability of skilled workers in tech.
The article discusses the potential impact on AI progress due to policy.
The article discusses how publishers are worried that AI-generated summaries on Google are reducing the number of visitors to their websites. This decline in online traffic is significant because it affects the revenue publishers earn from their content. Some publishers claim that AI summaries have led to a decrease in clicks by up to 89%.
Key Facts
Publishers believe AI summaries on Google are reducing website traffic.
Reach, a publisher, noticed fewer people visiting their sites after stories appeared in AI summaries.
DMG Media reported an 89% drop in click-through rates due to AI summaries.
Publishers feel they aren't being fairly compensated for their content when users rely on AI summaries.
Google's new AI Mode feature presents information with fewer links, raising concerns for publishers.
Despite these concerns, Google claims the number of website clicks has remained stable.
Google says AI summaries help users by answering more complex questions.
Bauer Media has not yet seen a traffic drop due to AI summaries, but expects future challenges.
SpaceX has agreed to buy wireless spectrum licenses from EchoStar for $17 billion to expand its Starlink satellite network. This deal will allow SpaceX to improve its 5G services and extend satellite coverage to more areas. The transaction includes cash, stock, and addressing EchoStar's debt.
Key Facts
SpaceX is buying spectrum licenses from EchoStar for approximately $17 billion.
The deal aims to expand SpaceX's Starlink satellite network and improve 5G services.
EchoStar's Boost Mobile users will gain access to Starlink's satellite service.
SpaceX plans to deploy upgraded satellites, which could significantly increase network capacity.
SpaceX has launched over 8,000 Starlink satellites, with 600 dedicated to direct-to-cell services.
The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) had concerns about EchoStar meeting 5G deployment obligations.
SpaceX will pay EchoStar in cash and stock and cover about $2 billion in EchoStar's debt interest payments.
EchoStar will continue operating its existing services, such as Dish TV and Hughesnet.
A small town in Vermont is taking steps to protect its water system from hackers, who could potentially disrupt services or cause harm. An NPR report provides insight into the measures being implemented to safeguard this critical infrastructure.
Key Facts
The Vermont town is working to protect its water system against potential hacking threats.
Hackers could target the water system, potentially disrupting services or causing damage.
The town is implementing measures to enhance the security of its water infrastructure.
The report on these efforts was presented on NPR by Jenna McLaughlin.
Protecting water systems from cyber threats is important to ensure public safety and service continuity.
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has extended the closure of its factories in the UK and other countries due to a cyber attack. The attack led JLR to shut down its IT systems to prevent further damage, disrupting car production and affecting dealerships and suppliers.
Key Facts
Jaguar Land Rover's UK factories and other global sites are closed due to a cyber attack.
The cyber attack occurred on August 31, leading the company to shut down its IT systems.
Production at factories in places like Halewood, Solihull, and Wolverhampton is affected.
JLR normally makes about 1,000 cars a day; production is currently stopped.
The cyber attack also affected dealerships' ability to register new cars.
JLR is working with cybersecurity experts and law enforcement to resolve the issue.
The company has not confirmed how long the disruption will continue.
The attack impacted suppliers, causing some to tell their employees to stay home.
Hollow Knight: Silksong, a game created by the small Australian studio Team Cherry, has been released after six years. Originally announced in 2017 as a sequel to the popular game Hollow Knight, its launch was eagerly awaited by fans, sparking much online anticipation and community creativity.
Key Facts
Hollow Knight: Silksong is a sequel to the 2017 game Hollow Knight.
Team Cherry, an Australian studio, developed both games.
Hollow Knight sold over 15 million copies and was highly acclaimed.
Silksong's protagonist is Hornet, a character from the original game.
Fans waited six years for Silksong, creating memes and content to cope with the long wait.
The game features challenging gameplay, requiring players to be focused and skillful.
Silksong uses religious imagery and is set in a world with deep exploration elements.
A small town in Vermont is working to protect its water treatment plant from cyberattacks. NPR explores how the town is implementing security measures to prevent hackers from causing harm.
Key Facts
A Vermont town aims to secure its water treatment plant.
Hackers target critical infrastructure, like water plants, to disrupt services.
The town uses cybersecurity methods to stop potential threats.
Protecting such facilities is important for public safety.
This effort highlights the need for cybersecurity in critical public services.
Microsoft's Azure cloud services are facing delays due to undersea cable cuts in the Red Sea. These cable cuts have affected data traffic moving through the Middle East. Microsoft has rerouted traffic, but users in the region may still experience slower service.
Key Facts
Microsoft's Azure cloud services are disrupted due to cable cuts under the Red Sea.
The disruption affects internet traffic going through the Middle East.
Microsoft rerouted traffic to minimize the impact, but delays may still occur.
Undersea cables help transmit data across continents and are crucial for internet services.
NetBlocks, a group monitoring internet access, noted these cuts affected countries like India, Pakistan, and the UAE.
The cuts happened near the Saudi city of Jeddah.
The damage can happen from ship anchors or targeted attacks.
Similar incidents have happened in the Baltic Sea, linked to geopolitical conflicts.
Many workers in the U.S. are feeling anxious about how quickly AI is being used in jobs, especially as the job market weakens. This anxiety is growing because it is unclear how AI will affect jobs, and workers feel uncertain and powerless about future changes.
Key Facts
Workers at all stages of their careers are worried about AI being used more in their jobs.
The number of unemployed people in the U.S. is now higher than the number of job openings, a shift not seen in four years.
Hiring in the U.S. is slowing, with only 22,000 new jobs added in a recent month.
Some company leaders, like Salesforce's CEO, have reduced staff while using more AI but plan to hire more sales staff.
Behavioral scientists say this anxiety is due to the fast pace of AI adoption and the uncertainty it brings.
Some workers fear companies will use AI in ways that are not responsible.
Anxiety is affecting workers' views of their own value, linking it to the misconception that self-worth is defined by profession.
Experts suggest that AI anxiety can encourage workers to develop new skills or consider new job roles.
Undersea cables in the Red Sea were cut, leading to internet disruptions in the Middle East and South Asia. Microsoft reported that the cuts affected its Azure cloud services but did not impact general network traffic. The disruptions began on September 6, 2024, causing slow speeds and intermittent internet access in several countries.
Key Facts
Internet disruptions occurred in the Middle East and South Asia due to undersea cable cuts in the Red Sea.
The internet watchdog NetBlocks reported slow and intermittent access in countries like Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, the UAE, and India.
Microsoft confirmed these disruptions affected its Azure cloud services, the world's second largest after Amazon.
The disruptions began at 05:45 GMT on September 6, 2024.
Microsoft stated that general network traffic not passing through the Middle East was not affected.
Undersea cables carry global internet data and can be damaged by ships' anchors or targeted in attacks.
The cables affected include the SMW4 and IMEWE systems near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Microsoft has faced criticism for its ties to Israel amidst ongoing conflicts.
Pray.com is using AI to create videos about Bible stories, posting them on YouTube. These videos are popular, especially among younger viewers, although some theologians are skeptical about their spiritual value.
Key Facts
Pray.com produces AI-generated videos that depict Bible stories.
The videos are popular on YouTube, with one video gathering over 750,000 views.
The main audience for these videos is men under the age of 30.
Some theologians criticize the videos for making the Bible feel like an action movie.
Pray.com claims their content positively impacts viewers spiritually and mentally.
Historically, Christianity has used technology to spread religious messages.
Evangelicals are often early adopters of new tech for religious storytelling.
The AI videos are part of a growing trend of using technology in social media to create engaging content.
A test of the UK's emergency alert system for mobile phones is scheduled for Sunday, 7 September, at 15:00 BST. The test will send a siren sound and message to compatible smartphones connected to 4G and 5G networks. People can opt out if they wish.
Key Facts
The emergency alert test occurs on 7 September at 15:00 BST.
It will send a siren sound and message to compatible smartphones on 4G and 5G.
About 87 million mobile phones in the UK could receive the alert.
The alert will not reach phones that are off, in airplane mode, or without 4G/5G.
Users can opt out by changing settings on their phones.
The government's test in April 2023 had technical issues, affecting some users.
The alert system has been used in the past for real emergencies, like during storms.
Domestic abuse charities caution users with secret phones to turn them off during the test.
Scientists in the United States reported the largest-ever merger of two black holes, detected by gravitational wave observatories. This collision, recorded in November 2023, was shared at an international conference in the United Kingdom.
Key Facts
Scientists discovered the largest black hole merger using gravitational wave detectors.
The collision was observed on November 23, 2023, by LIGO detectors in Washington State and Louisiana.
The merger created gravitational waves detected briefly for 0.1 seconds and named GW231123.
The merging black holes were about 100 and 140 times the mass of the Sun, producing a new black hole over 265 times the Sun's mass.
This new black hole is larger than the previous biggest merger, GW190521.
Black holes are detected through gravitational waves because they absorb light and remain invisible.
Roughly 300 black holes have been found using gravitational waves.
The collision will not affect Earth or the Milky Way galaxy.
The BBC conducted an undercover investigation to uncover drug dealers using Snapchat to sell vape liquids that might contain the dangerous drug spice instead of THC, a chemical found in cannabis. The operation revealed how easy it is for teenagers to access these drug-laced vapes through social media platforms.
Key Facts
BBC reporters posed as a schoolgirl to buy vape liquids from a drug dealer on Snapchat.
The vape liquids were claimed to contain THC but were suspected to have spice, a stronger and addictive drug.
The investigation highlighted instances where teenagers unknowingly vaped products containing spice, leading to addiction and severe health concerns.
Despite reporting the issue to police, the drug dealers continued their operations.
The dealer communicated via Snapchat, showing a menu with prices and offering delivery in Birmingham and Warwickshire.
Snapchat claimed to actively shut down accounts involved in drug dealings.
The BBC team conducted the operation with safety precautions, including constant communication among team members.
The TV episode "Fighting Wildfires: Can Tech Help?" focuses on how new technology is helping to detect and prevent wildfires more quickly. Alasdair Keane visits Vancouver to explore these technological advancements.
Key Facts
The TV episode is titled "Fighting Wildfires: Can Tech Help?"
Alasdair Keane travels to Vancouver for this episode.
The episode looks at new technology for early detection and prevention of wildfires.
The episode first aired on September 6, 2025.
This episode is available for 11 months from its first showing.
Anthropic AI has agreed to pay $1.5 billion to settle a copyright lawsuit filed by authors over the use of their books to train AI models. This settlement is pending court approval and is significant in the ongoing debate over fair use in AI technology. The case involves large language models and marks a unique point in the legal landscape between AI and creative industries.
Key Facts
Anthropic AI settled a copyright lawsuit with a group of authors for $1.5 billion.
The lawsuit involves the use of 500,000 books to train AI models.
Authors will receive about $3,000 for each book if the settlement is approved.
This case includes the first major legal decision on fair use related to generative AI.
Judge William Alsup will review the settlement in San Francisco.
Plaintiffs accused Anthropic of using books without permission or payment.
The case touches on how AI models use copyrighted works without direct consent.
The settlement may influence future licensing and compensation in AI training.
Electricity bills are going up across the country. The growing use of AI and the large data centers that support it are increasing electricity demand. Geoff Bennett discussed these issues with Ari Peskoe from Harvard Law School.
Key Facts
Electricity bills are increasing nationwide.
The growth of AI technology is a significant factor in this rise.
Large data centers, which AI relies on, use a lot of electricity.
This increased use is putting pressure on the power grid.
Inflation is not the only reason for higher electricity costs.
Geoff Bennett interviewed Ari Peskoe to understand more about these issues.
The European Union has fined Google $3.45 billion for unfairly promoting its own advertising services over competitors'. The EU claims Google has abused its dominant market position in ad technology, affecting fair competition since 2014. Google disagrees with the ruling and plans to contest it in court.
Key Facts
The European Union fined Google 2.95 billion euros ($3.45 billion).
The EU accuses Google of using its power to favor its own ad services.
This is the fourth time Google has been fined by the EU over competition issues.
Google allegedly abused its market position since 2014 according to the EU.
Google's actions were found to harm publishers, advertisers, and consumers.
The EU has been investigating Google's ad technology practices since 2021.
Google plans to challenge the EU's decision in court.
This decision is part of ongoing international scrutiny and fines against Google.
The European Union fined Google €2.95 billion for allegedly favoring its own advertising technology over competitors. The European Commission stated that Google's actions violated competition laws, leading to higher costs and decreased earnings for competitors and publishers. Google plans to appeal the decision.
Key Facts
The EU fined Google €2.95 billion for its advertising practices.
The European Commission accused Google of using its own technology to gain an unfair advantage.
This is the third time the EU has penalized Google for competition law breaches.
Google argues the decision is wrong and plans to appeal.
The fine is one of the largest issued by the EU to a tech company.
Competitors faced higher costs, possibly resulting in more expensive services for consumers.
Google has 60 days to propose changes to its practices or face further EU action.
