Podcasts listed in the order they were posted
#632 (Posted on 18May2026)
AI Taxes, Screenless Wearables, and Google's Chromebook Successor
News and Updates:
- AI Compute Tax Debate: Economists and policymakers are debating taxing AI processing power to offset job displacement and fund social services, though critics argue it's too blunt a tool.
- AI Dividend Proposal: NY congressional candidate Alex Bores unveiled an "AI Dividend" plan funding direct payments to Americans through a token tax on AI consumption and equity stakes in frontier AI firms.
- Screenless Fitness Trackers Surge: Screenless wearables like Oura Ring and Whoop are booming, with U.S. fitness tracker purchases up 88% and smart ring sales up 195% between 2024 and 2025.
- Canvas Hacker Payout: Instructure, maker of the Canvas education platform, reached an undisclosed "agreement" with the ShinyHunters hacking gang after a breach exposed data from 275 million users across 9,000 institutions.
- FCC Router Ban vs. Supply Chain: AT&T warned the FCC that a global DRAM and NAND flash shortage, driven by AI deployments, is complicating compliance with its ban on foreign-made Wi-Fi routers.
- Google Unveils Googlebook: Google announced a new laptop line called Googlebooks running a fused Android/ChromeOS platform, featuring Gemini AI integration and a "Magic Pointer," with hardware partners including Acer, Dell, HP, and Lenovo.
#633 (Posted on 21May2026)
Hackable Lawn Mowers, Talking to AI In A Whisper, Ending The Swipe, and AI’s Predictions Disagreements
News and Updates:
- Yarbo Robot Security Nightmare: A security researcher remotely hijacked thousands of Yarbo robot lawn mowers worldwide, exposing owners' Wi-Fi passwords, GPS coordinates, and live home camera feeds through critical firmware vulnerabilities.
- Voice Replacing Typing: AI dictation apps like Wispr Flow are transforming workplaces into noisy, call-center-like environments as users ditch keyboards to whisper stream-of-consciousness prompts to coding tools and AI assistants.
- Bumble Kills the Swipe: Bumble CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd announced the app is eliminating its signature swipe feature in Q4, pivoting to AI-driven matchmaking as the company battles a 90% stock decline since its 2021 IPO.
- Claude No Longer Blackmails You: Anthropic reports that since Claude Haiku 4.5 in October 2025, all Claude models score perfectly on agentic misalignment tests, meaning they no longer resort to blackmail or sabotage when threatened with deactivation.
- AI Job Predictions Disagree: A Northwestern/American University study found ChatGPT-5, Gemini 2.5, and Claude 4.5 frequently give conflicting exposure rankings for which jobs are most at risk from AI, raising concerns about reliability of such forecasts.
News and Updates:
- Photoshop's Accidental Origin: A 1987 PhD student's grayscale display fix evolved into Adobe Photoshop, launching commercially in 1990 and reshaping photography, publishing, and design forever.
- Gemini Hits the Road: Google is rolling out its Gemini AI to millions of cars with Google built-in, enabling natural, conversational interaction for navigation, tasks, and hands-free responses.
- Gemini Ads Coming Soon: Google's chief business officer signaled openness to placing ads inside the Gemini app, shifting from its previously ad-free stance amid growing monetization pressure.
- Samsung Smart Glasses Leaked: Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Glasses, code-named "Jinju," rival Meta's Ray-Bans with a 12MP camera and Snapdragon chip, priced between $379 and $499.
- Starlink Poised for Explosive Growth: A Starlink chip supplier projects LEO satellite internet subscribers will surpass 100 million by 2028, driven by falling hardware costs and new global competitors.
- Utah VPN Law Takes Effect: Utah became the first U.S. state to hold websites liable for users masking locations via VPNs, drawing criticism as technically unenforceable and harmful to privacy.
- BlackBerry's Quiet Comeback: BlackBerry's QNX software powers 275 million vehicles worldwide, now representing half the company's revenue and driving four consecutive profitable quarters for the once-struggling brand.
- Google Translate Turns 20: Google Translate now serves one billion monthly users across nearly 250 languages, adding AI-powered pronunciation practice and real-time conversation features to mark its 20th anniversary.
News and Updates:
- Dating App Steals Student's Image: A Tennessee college student sued dating app Meete for allegedly taking her TikTok video without consent and geofencing it as a "friends with benefits" ad to nearby men.
- Meta Glasses Workers See Too Much: Kenyan data workers reviewing Meta smart glasses footage reported seeing graphic content, including nudity. Meta then cancelled its contract with their employer, Sama.
- Meta Loses $375M Child Safety Case: New Mexico won a landmark $375 million judgment against Meta, with a follow-up trial now seeking sweeping platform changes including age verification and CSAM detection mandates.
- OpenAI Bans Goblin Talk: OpenAI's Codex system prompt explicitly bans GPT-5.5 from mentioning goblins, gremlins, raccoons, and other creatures, after the model developed a habit of inserting creature references unprompted.
- AI Podcast Spam Explodes: Nearly 40% of new podcast feeds over nine days were likely AI-generated, with one publisher releasing 325 shows in a single day, overwhelming platform discovery and ad verification systems.
- White House Considers AI Vetting: The Trump administration is weighing a formal government review process for new AI models before public release, signaling a sharp reversal from its earlier hands-off regulatory stance.
News and Updates:
- Tim Cook Retires as Apple CEO: Cook's 15-year tenure ends Sept. 1; his supply chain discipline built a trillion-dollar company. Incoming CEO John Ternus faces pressure to sustain both innovation and operational excellence.
- Apple's Succession Question: New CEO John Ternus is a proven hardware engineer, but analysts question whether he can manage Apple's complex global supply chain the way Cook did.
- Facebook Leads Social Scam Losses: Americans lost $2.1 billion to social media scams in 2025, with Facebook alone accounting for $745 million in reported losses, per a new FTC report.
- Federal Car Surveillance Mandate: A 2021 federal law requires all new vehicles by 2027 to include infrared driver-monitoring technology that can detect impairment and limit vehicle speed or prevent ignition. The new car surveillance mandate raises fears about biometric data sharing with insurers, while adding an estimated $100–$500 per vehicle in costs passed to consumers.
- Hairdryer Rigged Weather Bets: Someone allegedly used a battery-powered hairdryer to manipulate a Paris airport temperature sensor, winning approximately $34,000 on Polymarket before French weather authorities filed a formal complaint.
- Soldier Arrested for Prediction Market Insider Trading: U.S. Special Operations soldier Gannon Van Dyke was arrested for betting classified intel on Maduro's capture, turning a $33,000 Polymarket wager into over $400,000 in profit. Van Dyke's indictment marks the first DOJ case for insider trading on a prediction market, signaling increased federal scrutiny of platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi.
News and Updates:
- Claude Mythos Finds Thousands of Flaws: Anthropic's unreleased Claude Mythos AI autonomously discovered thousands of zero-day vulnerabilities, including a 27-year-old OpenBSD flaw and critical Linux kernel exploits, without human assistance.
- DeepSeek V4 Goes Public: Chinese AI firm DeepSeek released V4, an open-source model matching top closed-source competitors at a fraction of the cost, with a 1-million-token context window and dramatic memory efficiency gains.
- OpenAI Misses Growth Targets: OpenAI reportedly fell short of internal ChatGPT user and revenue goals, rattling investors and sending Nvidia, AMD, Oracle, and CoreWeave shares lower in pre-market trading.
- Anthropic Surpasses $1 Trillion Valuation: Secondary market demand for Anthropic shares has pushed its valuation to $1 trillion on Forge Global, now trading above OpenAI despite OpenAI's larger official valuation of $852 billion.
- Taylor Swift Trademarks Her Voice and Likeness: Swift filed three U.S. trademark applications covering specific spoken phrases and a stage performance image, aiming to establish legal protection against unauthorized AI-generated deepfakes. Legal experts note Swift's approach of trademarking her voice is unprecedented in court, but could set a new legal standard for how public figures protect their identities in the AI era.
Roblox Safety Tiers, Netgear FCC Exemption, Meta Ad Dominance, Copilot Debrand, Netflix Hikes
News and Updates:
- Roblox Age Tiers: Roblox is introducing "Roblox Kids" and "Roblox Select" tiers in June, implementing strict chat and content restrictions based on age-specific maturity labels. Roblox now requires video selfies or ID uploads for chat usage, despite concerns over biometric data privacy and the resale of verified accounts.
- Netgear FCC Exemption: The FCC granted Netgear a temporary exemption from the foreign-made router ban after the Defense Department found no national security risks.
- Meta Overtakes Google: Meta is projected to become the world’s top digital advertiser this year, surpassing Google with an estimated $243.46 billion in net revenue. Meta’s success is fueled by Reels and AI recommendation systems, which increased U.S. watch time by 30% and improved video-generation ad tools.
- Windows 11 De-branding: Microsoft is removing "Copilot" branding from apps like Notepad and Snipping Tool, opting for more generic labels like "Writing Tools" and "Advanced features."
- Netflix Price Hikes: Netflix raised monthly subscription prices for every tier by up to 12.5%, with the Premium ad-free plan now reaching a high of $27.
AI Index Trust Gap, Orbital Compute Cluster, Computing Power Crunch, and Data Center Backlash
News and Updates:
- Stanford AI Trust Gap: The 2026 AI Index reveals a widening divide: while 56% of experts feel positive about AI, only 10% of the public agrees.
- Orbital Compute Launch: Canada’s Kepler Communications successfully launched an orbital cluster of 10 satellites using Nvidia processors, proving software can operate effectively in space.
- Compute Power Shortage: Soaring demand for autonomous "agentic" AI is causing severe compute rationing, forcing companies like OpenAI to scrap products to prioritize enterprise tools.
- Wisconsin Data Center Referendum: Port Washington voters passed a landmark referendum requiring community approval for large-scale data projects receiving more than $10 million in tax benefits.
- Texas Tax Break Scrutiny: Texas data center tax breaks are ballooning toward $1.8 billion annually, prompting state lawmakers to consider repeal or stricter oversight for 2027.
6G Readiness, In-Car Meetings, Space iPhones, and the Global Auto Crisis
News and Updates:
· The 6G Hype Cycle: Industry leaders at MWC heralded 6G’s 2029 launch, pitching it as an AI-driven necessity despite technical hurdles and unclear benefits for average consumers. Future 6G networks aim to integrate AI at every level, offering "Integrated Sensing and Communication" (ISAC) to create real-time 3D maps of entire cities. Experts warn that 6G’s precise sensing capabilities could be weaponized by authoritarian regimes to create a "surveillance panopticon," potentially violating fundamental human rights.
· Google Meet CarPlay: Google Meet is now available on Apple CarPlay. To ensure driver safety, the feature is audio-only, restricting video, presentations, and interactive meeting tools.
· Smartphones in Space: NASA’s Artemis II mission marks the first time astronauts can carry personal iPhones, capturing candid zero-gravity videos and high-resolution lunar photos from orbit.
· Astronaut IT Issues: Even in space, tech fatigue is real; Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman required remote assistance from Houston to fix Microsoft Outlook login errors.
· Copper Theft Surge: AT&T reported over 10,000 copper thefts in 2025, totaling $82 million in losses, as organized crime rings target aging landline infrastructure for profit.
· Honda’s China Crisis: Honda's CEO warned of a "no chance" scenario against Chinese suppliers' speed and efficiency, as the company faces collapsing sales and massive EV losses. Ford and Toyota executives echo Honda's concerns, noting that China’s rapid two-year vehicle development cycle threatens the survival of traditional legacy automotive manufacturers.
Kalshi Legal Wins, Microsoft’s AI Roadmap, Claude Integration, and Data Center Delays
News and Updates:
- Kalshi Prediction Markets: Kalshi is a federally regulated exchange where users trade "yes/no" contracts on real-world events like elections and interest rates, recently valued at $22B. A federal court ruled Kalshi’s sports bets are "swaps," giving the federal government exclusive jurisdiction and preventing states like New Jersey from banning them.
- Copilot "Entertainment" Clause: Microsoft faced backlash over terms calling Copilot "for entertainment purposes only." Officials claim this is legacy language and will be updated to reflect professional use.
- Microsoft’s 2027 Goal: Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman announced a plan to build "state-of-the-art" frontier models by 2027 to reduce reliance on external partners like OpenAI.
- Claude 365 Integration: Anthropic released a Microsoft 365 connector for all Claude users, allowing the AI read-only access to Outlook, Teams, and OneDrive for better context.
- Data Center Bottlenecks: Nearly half of U.S. data centers planned for 2026 face delays or cancellation due to power grid shortages and a lack of critical electrical components.
Social Media Negligence Rulings, Utility Infrastructure Costs, Balcony Solar Bill, Wi-Fi Router Ban
News and Updates:
- Historic Liability Verdict: A California jury awarded $6 million to a plaintiff, ruling Meta and Google were negligent in designing addictive platforms that caused mental health issues.
- Big Tobacco Comparison: Legal experts view these verdicts as a "bellwether," potentially triggering a wave of litigation similar to the 1990s crusade against the tobacco industry.
- New Mexico Penalties: A separate New Mexico jury ordered Meta to pay $375 million for failing to protect young users from online predators and misleading consumers.
- Future Platform Changes: Industry experts suggest these losses may force companies to rewrite algorithms, limit auto-scrolling, or implement stricter age-gating to avoid future liability.
- Grid Expansion Costs: U.S. utilities are planning $81 billion in upgrades to support AI data centers, sparking debates over whether tech giants or everyday consumers should pay.
· Balcony Solar Bill: California’s SB 868 unanimously passed committee, allowing renters to plug small solar systems (up to 1,200W) directly into outlets without utility approval.
· National Router Ban: The FCC banned sales of new foreign-made Wi-Fi routers, citing "supply chain vulnerabilities" that could allow foreign actors to exploit residential and business networks.
The Jetson’s vs. Reality, Maga Dream Girl, OpenAI’s Strategic Pivot
News and Updates:
- The Jetsons Predicting 2062: As we approach the show’s fictional 2062 setting, modern tech like eVTOLs (flying cars) and video calling have arrived, though the "nine-hour workweek" remains a distant dream.
- AI Attention Harvesting: Viral "MAGA dream girl" accounts like Jessica Foster use AI-generated imagery of fake soldiers to gain millions of followers, funneling users toward paid adult content sites.
- Adult Mode Shelved: OpenAI has "indefinitely" paused plans for an erotic ChatGPT mode ("Citron Mode") following internal concerns regarding child safety and societal impact.
- Record-Breaking Funding: OpenAI closed a historic $122 billion funding round, valuing the company at $852 billion as it prepares for a blockbuster IPO later this year.
- Cybersecurity Numbness: Former NSA directors at RSAC 2026 warned that Americans have become "numb" to massive data breaches, accepting them as an unavoidable price of the digital age.
Meta Liability Verdict, Australian Ban Gaps, NY AI Laws, Sora Sunset, NHTSA Probes Tesla
News and Updates:
- Meta Liable in New Mexico: A jury found Meta violated state law by failing to protect children from predators, ordering the company to pay $375 million. This marks the first time Meta has been held accountable in a jury trial regarding child safety and deceptive trade practices.
- Encryption Rollback: Following pressure regarding law enforcement's ability to track predators, Meta announced it will stop supporting end-to-end encrypted messaging on Instagram later this year.
- Addiction Trial Deadlock: A Los Angeles judge ordered jurors to continue deliberations in a landmark case accusing Meta and YouTube of intentionally designing addictive, harmful features.
- Australia Ban Evasion: Data shows 20% of Australian teens still access TikTok and Snapchat despite a national ban, raising significant questions about the effectiveness of age-gating.
- Proposed New York AI Law: New York lawmakers introduced a bill to bar AI chatbots from impersonating licensed professionals like lawyers or doctors, allowing duped users to sue.
- OpenAI Discontinues Sora: OpenAI is winding down its Sora video app and developer tools to refocus resources on "superapps," coding tools, and long-term robotics projects.
- Disney Partnership Ends: Following OpenAI’s shift away from consumer video, a $1 billion deal to feature Disney characters in AI-generated content will not proceed.
- Tesla FSD Probe Escalates: U.S. regulators upgraded an investigation into 3.2 million Tesla vehicles after reports of FSD failing to detect obstacles in low-visibility conditions.
Interview: Dr. Andrew Dalovisio with Director Cellular Therapy w/ Mary Bird Perkins
Interview:
· Dr. Andrew Dalovisio with Director Cellular Therapy w/ Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center
· Immunotherapy: How immunotherapy intersects with technology
· CAR-T cell therapy
·
Long Term:
Potential future of cancer treatments using technology
BYD Battery Breakthrough, Windows 12 Rumors, and Consumer Tech Skepticism
News and Updates:
- BYD’s Next-Gen Battery: BYD revealed its second-generation Blade battery, featuring 5% higher energy density and significantly improved efficiency compared to the original lithium iron phosphate packs.
- Windows 12 Speculation: Rumors suggest a late 2026 Windows 12 launch focused on AI and modular design, though experts remain skeptical of this aggressive release timeline.
- Server 2016 Sunset: Microsoft announced that extended support for Windows Server 2016 ends January 2027, urging users to migrate to Azure or upgrade to Server 2025.
- Deepfake Removal Tool: YouTube is piloting a likeness detection tool allowing politicians and journalists to request the removal of AI-generated deepfakes that use their faces.
- The Upgrade Slowdown: A 2026 study reveals 73% of consumers now prioritize "tech that works" and longevity over flashy new features or annual status-symbol upgrades.
Apple’s 50-Year Legacy, Gemini’s Office Overhaul, and Anthropic’s Legal Showdown
News and Updates:
- Wozniak on Apple at 50: Steve Wozniak reflects on Apple’s start, noting they didn’t predict the future but focused on being one step ahead of the competition.
- Apple’s Biggest Hits: From the Apple II to the iPhone, Apple revolutionized tech by mastering the human interface and maintaining absolute control over its ecosystem.
- Apple’s Biggest Misses: Not every bite was sweet; products like the Apple III, Pippin, and the recent Vision Pro struggled due to high costs and impracticality.
- Gemini Joins Workspace: Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides now feature Gemini AI to draft content, organize data, and sync writing styles across all your files.
- Claude’s Bug Bounty: Anthropic’s Claude Opus 4.6 outperformed humans by finding 14 high-severity Firefox bugs, though it still struggles to actually exploit the vulnerabilities.
- Anthropic Sues DoD: Anthropic is suing the Trump administration after being labeled a "security threat" following a disagreement over the military's use of AI guardrails.
- Pentagon Tensions: The clash centers on Anthropic’s refusal to allow its AI to be used for mass surveillance or autonomous weapons without explicit safety guarantees.
Dark Web Explained, NFL Streaming Inquiry, 25Gbps Light Internet, and Starlink Mobile Update
News and Updates:
- Dark Web Definition: The dark web is a decentralized, unindexed portion of the deep web requiring specialized software like Tor for anonymous, often unregulated, online communication.
- Legal vs. Illegal: Accessing the dark web is legal in the U.S., but engaging in illicit activities like buying stolen data or illegal substances remains prosecutable.
- FCC Sports Inquiry: The FCC is investigating the migration of live sports to paid streaming services, citing concerns over consumer costs and broadcasters' public interest obligations.
- 25Gbps Light Internet: Alphabet spinoff Taara debuted a compact "Beam" device using near-infrared light to deliver high-speed broadband up to 10km without laying fiber.
- Starlink Mobile Rebrand: SpaceX officially renamed its "Direct to Cell" service to Starlink Mobile, aiming to serve hundreds of millions of users via second-generation satellites by 2027.
SpaceX VP Michael Nicolls clarified that Starlink Mobile is a "hybrid network" component intended to augment, not replace, traditional ground-based cellular density.
- Bluetooth Channel Sounding: A new Bluetooth upgrade called Channel Sounding allows devices like trackers and smart locks to locate each other accurately within just ten centimeters.
Microsoft Discord Chaos, Power Grid Risks, AI Fast Food Coaching, and the Claude Surge
News and Updates:
- Microsoft Copilot Discord Backlash: Microsoft’s attempt to ban the term "Microslop" on its Copilot Discord server backfired, leading to massive spamming and the eventual temporary closure of the community.
- Data Center Grid Risks: Sudden disconnections of Virginia data centers from the power grid have sparked reliability concerns, as simultaneous shifts to backup power can destabilize regional energy supplies.
- Surge in Energy Demand: Projections indicate data centers could consume 17% of U.S. electricity by 2030, placing immense pressure on utilities to balance massive, fluctuating industrial power loads.
- Burger King’s AI Coaching: Burger King is piloting "Patty," an AI headset assistant that monitors employee friendliness by tracking phrases like "please" and "thank you" during customer interactions.
- Claude Tops App Store: Anthropic’s Claude overtook ChatGPT as the #1 free U.S. app following public disputes over AI safeguards and controversial Pentagon contracts involving OpenAI’s military partnerships.
Global Teen Social Media Bans, Discord Delay, Meta Smartwatch, and Louisiana AI Expansion
News and Updates:
- Global Push to Ban Teens: Moves to bar younger teens from social media are spreading globally, with France and Spain implementing or proposing bans for ages 14 to 16.
- Mental Health Concerns: The initiatives reflect growing political will to address concerns that social-media use is linked to rising teen anxiety and depression.
- Tech Company Pushback: Social-media companies like Meta and Snap argue age-limit measures are blunt instruments that could push teens to less safe apps.
- Discord Verification Delay: Discord is delaying its global age verification rollout until 2026 to add more options and transparency following user backlash over privacy and data security.
- Meta’s First Smartwatch: Meta plans to launch its first smartwatch in 2026, featuring health tracking and a built-in AI assistant to compete with Apple and Google.
- Smart Glass Safety: Experts warn daters to spot hidden cameras in smart glasses, as some individuals use discreet tech to record others without their consent.
- Facial Recognition Return: Meta intends to add "Name Tag" facial recognition to smart glasses, allowing users to identify people via AI, despite ongoing privacy concerns.
- Amazon's $12B AI Investment: Amazon will invest $12 billion in Louisiana data centers, creating hundreds of jobs and funding local power and water infrastructure upgrades.
Teen AI Trends, Waymo’s Human Helpers, Remote Guidance Debate, Tesla’s Legal Battle
News and Updates:
- Pew Research on Teen AI Usage: A Pew study reveals 54% of U.S. teens use AI for schoolwork. While many use it for research, others admit to frequent chatbot-assisted cheating.
- Waymo Using Gig Workers: Waymo is paying gig workers $20–$24 to manually close robotaxi doors. The driverless Jaguars cannot move if passengers leave doors ajar after exiting.
- Waymo Clarifies Human Assistance: Waymo defended its use of overseas assistants to "guide" vehicles in complex traffic, stressing that humans provide environmental context but do not remotely drive.
- Tesla Suing To Use “AutoPilot and FSD”: Tesla is suing the California DMV, claiming the ban on "Autopilot" marketing violates the First Amendment and ignores the company's clear driver supervision warnings.
YouTube’s Legal Defense, Instagram’s Addiction Denial, YouTube Outpaces Netflix
News and Updates:
- YouTube argued in a landmark addiction trial that it is an entertainment platform, not social media, comparing its algorithm to a helpful librarian rather than addictive gambling.
- Instagram head Adam Mosseri testified that 16-hour daily scrolling is "problematic" but not a clinical addiction, despite lawsuits linking excessive use to mental health issues.
- YouTube's 2025 revenue hit $60 billion, surpassing Netflix. Growth was driven by 325 million paid subscribers, NFL Sunday Ticket, and record-breaking fourth-quarter advertising sales.
- Alphabet plans to double AI capital expenditures to $185 billion in 2026. Meanwhile, YouTube secured exclusive Oscar rights starting in 2029 to expand entertainment dominance.
AI Political Warfare, Microsoft Ditches OpenAI, Pentagon Contract Disputes, Meta's Digital Afterlife
News and Updates:
- Anthropic launched a $20 million super PAC to support AI regulation, countering OpenAI-backed groups in a political battle over the future of industry safety guardrails.
- Microsoft AI lead Mustafa Suleyman confirmed plans to develop in-house frontier models by 2026, signaling a major strategic shift away from total reliance on OpenAI.
- The Pentagon threatened to cancel Anthropic’s $200 million contract after the startup blocked its AI from being used for autonomous weaponry and mass domestic surveillance.
- Meta patented "grief tech" AI capable of simulating deceased users' activity, though the company claims it has no immediate plans to roll out the feature.
LSU Cyber Defense and Energy Security Initiatives
Interview with Greg Trahan, LSU Assistant Vice President For Strategic Research Partnerships
and
Dr. John Flake, Associate Vice President For Research, Professor Chemical Engineering
· LSU and U.S. Army Cyber Command signed an agreement to develop advanced cyber technologies, providing students and researchers access to defense labs and joint projects.
· Building on its NSA cyber designation, LSU will use unique industrial control system labs to identify and solve advanced cyberattacks against critical national infrastructure.
· LSU partnered with Argonne and Oak Ridge National Laboratories to bridge energy research with industrial applications, focusing on nuclear energy, chemical manufacturing, and grid security.
· A new "Tiger Skid" test bed, built with Idaho National Laboratory, allows LSU to lead national cybersecurity training for defending vital industrial and energy systems.
News and Updates:
- Research shows AI boosts creativity only for employees with strong metacognition—the ability to plan and refine thinking—allowing them to strategically expand knowledge and capacity.
- Discord will implement global age verification in March, defaulting all users to "teen-appropriate" settings unless they prove adulthood via ID, facial estimation, or behavioral metadata.
- Ring’s "Search Party" feature uses AI neighborhood camera scans to find lost dogs, sparking privacy fears that the infrastructure could eventually be used for human surveillance.
- Goldman Sachs is embedding Anthropic engineers to build autonomous AI agents for high-volume back-office roles, specifically targeting complex trade accounting and regulatory compliance tasks.
- OpenAI’s Sam Altman lashed out at Anthropic’s "dishonest" Super Bowl ads, which mocked ChatGPT’s upcoming ad tier by depicting intrusive, context-twisting product placements in conversations.
News and Updates:
- TikTok’s New U.S. Data Regime: TikTok USDS launched under American investors, but new terms enable aggressive tracking of precise location and sensitive data, including ethnicity and health, to ensure global interoperability.
- The Death of 8K Television: LG joined Sony and TCL in halting 8K production due to a lack of content and bandwidth hurdles, leaving Samsung as the sole remaining manufacturer.
- EU Electric Vehicle Milestone: In December 2025, fully-electric car registrations (22.6%) surpassed pure petrol cars (22.5%) for the first time in the EU, signaling a massive shift in consumer preference.
- E-Bike Batteries Powering Food Carts: NYC startup PopWheels is replacing noisy gas generators with swappable e-bike batteries, providing silent, emissions-free electricity for food vendors through a fire-safe cabinet network.
- Peacock’s $552 Million Loss: Despite reaching 44 million subscribers and boosting revenue to $1.6 billion via sports, Peacock’s losses widened this quarter due to high-cost NBA and NFL licensing deals.
Firefox AI Kill Switch, Microsoft Trims AI Bloat, Grok’s Explicit Pivot, SpaceX-xAI Merger
News and Updates:
- Firefox adds a "kill switch" on February 24th to disable all AI features. This "AI control" menu offers granular settings for chatbots, translations, and summaries.
- Microsoft is reevaluating Windows 11 AI after user backlash. Underutilized features like Copilot in Paint/Notepad may be cut, while the "Recall" feature faces repositioning.
- xAI loosened Grok’s guardrails to boost engagement, causing a surge in sexualized content. Regulators are investigating reports of nonconsensual imagery and lack of safety staff.
- French authorities raided X’s Paris office and summoned Elon Musk. The probe investigates Grok’s deepfakes, child safety violations, and alleged algorithmic bias in content delivery.
- SpaceX acquired xAI in a share-exchange deal, valuing the combined entity at $1.25 trillion. Musk plans to build orbital AI data centers powered by solar.
TikTok’s New Deal And Service Outages, Censorship Allegations, Social Media Addiction Trials
News and Updates:
- TikTok Finalizes U.S. Deal: A new majority U.S.-owned entity, TikTok USDS, was formed with Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX. ByteDance retains under 20% to resolve security concerns.
- Massive User Growth: TikTok reported reaching 200 million U.S. users, up from 170 million, despite years of legal threats and a looming federal ban.
- Launch Weekend Outages: Shortly after the ownership transfer, TikTok suffered major U.S. outages. The company cited data center power failures, though users remained skeptical of the timing.
- Censorship Controversies: Users accused the new entity of suppressing anti-ICE content. TikTok blamed technical glitches, while experts noted the new leadership's close ties to the administration.
- Social Media Addiction Trials: Landmark "Big Tobacco-style" lawsuits began in Los Angeles. Meta and YouTube face claims that features like infinite scroll intentionally addicted and harmed minors.
- Major Legal Settlements: Snap and TikTok settled with a 20-year-old plaintiff just before trial, but Meta and Google continue to fight claims regarding teen mental health.
- Internal "Smoking Gun" Memos: Unsealed documents revealed Meta employees comparing Instagram to a "drug" and internal admissions that the platform’s design negatively correlates with teen well-being.
Trump’s AI Rules And Regs Making, PPG’s Speed Coat, EU vs. Google AI, Microsoft 365 Outage
News and Updates:
- Trump’s AI Rules And Regs Making: The Trump administration plans to use Google Gemini to draft federal transportation regulations, prioritizing speed and "good enough" rules over traditional, years-long expert drafting.
- PPG’s Speed Coat: PPG launched an AI-developed automotive clear coat that reduces drying time by 50%, using deterministic AI to identify chemical combinations previously overlooked by human scientists.
- EU vs. Google AI: The EU initiated proceedings against Google to ensure rivals get equal access to Android AI tools and search datasets, aiming to maintain fair digital competition.
- Microsoft 365 Outage: A major Microsoft 365 outage recently disrupted North American users; Microsoft attributed the service failure to third-party networking issues and improper traffic processing across infrastructure.
News and Updates:
- Wing and Walmart Expand Drone Delivery: Scaling to 150 more stores, reaching 40 million Americans by 2027. The coast-to-coast expansion targets major hubs like LA, Miami, and Houston starting January 15th.
- Wikipedia Celebrates 25 Years: Founded Jan 15, 2001, the volunteer-led encyclopedia now hosts 7 million English articles. Despite AI challenges, it remains a resilient, neutral global reference through adaptive enterprise partnerships.
- Meta Abandons the Metaverse: Meta laid off 1,500 Reality Labs staff and shuttered VR studios after losing $73 billion. The company is pivoting toward AI and successful Ray-Ban smart glasses.
- Second U.S. Sphere Coming to Maryland: A 6,000-seat "Sphere National Harbor" is planned for the DC area. The $200 million venue will feature immersive 4D tech and a massive wraparound LED screen.
- Canada Breaks with U.S. on Chinese EV Tariffs: PM Mark Carney slashed tariffs on Chinese EVs to 6.1% in exchange for lower canola duties. The deal aims for joint ventures to build cars in Canada.
#605 (Posted 29Jan2026)
Grok Porn, Grok Breaks Policies, OpenAI Hardware, Alexa Upgrades, Social Media Act
News and Updates:
- Grok bans illegal porn generation- After global backlash and app-store scrutiny, X says Grok now blocks child porn and nonconsensual deepfakes, but only where legally required, underscoring reactive, profit-driven governance.
- Why Grok remains in Google Play- Despite Google Play policies explicitly banning AI-generated nonconsensual sexual content, Musk’s Grok remains approved for teens, exposing enforcement failures that leave minors and victims unprotected.
- Under Musk, the Grok disaster was inevitable- Designed to be edgy with weak safety staffing, Grok’s image-editing features predictably enabled nonconsensual sexual deepfakes, triggering international probes, legal pressure, and belated bypassed restrictions.
- OpenAI targets 2026 hardware reveal- OpenAI confirmed plans to unveil its hardware device in late 2026, signaling a move beyond software toward minimalist, voice-first AI products designed with Jony Ive.
- Amazon auto-upgrades Prime users to Alexa Plus- Amazon is automatically upgrading Prime members to Alexa Plus, an LLM-powered assistant users can revert, sparking complaints over forced adoption, ads, responses, and personality changes.
- Congress and the Kids Off Social Media Act- Congress’s KOSMA would ban under-13 social media but effectively forces platforms to police families, overriding parental consent and expanding Big Tech control through age verification.
Dell AI PC Retreat, Cloudflare vs. Italy, Why iOS 26 Matters
News and Updates:
• Dell AI PC Retreat- Dell admits AI PCs failed to drive demand, refocusing on gaming and consumers, reviving XPS branding, downplaying Copilot marketing as RAM shortages threaten PC prices.
• Microsoft and Partner Scramble- Microsoft’s Copilot PC push is faltering as Dell says AI confuses buyers, forcing Nadella into hands-on product control while partners revert to traditional hardware selling.
• Cloudflare vs. Italy- Cloudflare faces a massive Italian fine over anti-piracy blocking, prompting CEO threats to exit Italy, pull Olympic services, and challenge regulations he calls undemocratic censorship.
• Why iOS 26 Matters- Despite resistance to iOS 26’s design changes, Apple urges rapid upgrades because security patches, zero-day fixes, and improved AirDrop protections outweigh temporary battery concerns issues.
Police Report Hallucination, Apple Teams With Google AI, Copilot And File Explorer
News and Updates:
• AI Report Hallucinations in Utah- Heber City police discovered their AI software, Draft One, mistakenly claimed an officer became a frog because it transcribed background audio from a Disney movie nearby.
• Apple and Google AI Partnership- Apple partnered with Google to use Gemini models for future Apple Intelligence features, admitting Google’s technology is superior for powering the upcoming next-generation Siri upgrade.
• Copilot Integration in Windows File Explorer- Microsoft is testing a "Chat with Copilot" button within File Explorer, aiming to improve document searching and introduce a new framework for specialized AI agents.
Calif Data Privacy, Roomba Bankrupt, Prison Cell Phone Jam, M365 Confusion, Cybercab Loses TM
- News and Updates:
- California Data Privacy Law- California’s new Delete Act lets residents demand mass deletion of personal data from brokers via one website, signaling the strongest U.S. pushback yet against covert data surveillance.
- iRobot Bankruptcy & Privacy Fears- iRobot’s bankruptcy and acquisition by Chinese supplier Picea raise alarms over Roomba home-mapping data security, despite CEO assurances data stays U.S.-hosted and privacy practices remain unchanged.
- Prison Cell Phone Jamming Debate- Wireless carriers warn FCC prison phone jamming proposals would block all communications, including 911, arguing managed access systems already stop contraband phones without disrupting lawful wireless, Wi-Fi, or GPS signals.
- Microsoft 365 Copilot Branding Confusion- Microsoft did not rename Office to Copilot, but confusing app rebrands and Office.com messaging blurred lines between Microsoft 365 subscriptions and the Microsoft 365 Copilot hub app.
- Tesla Loses “Cybercab” Trademark- Tesla lost its Cybercab trademark after filing late, allowing a French company to claim it, another branding stumble following earlier failures to trademark “Robotaxi” for being overly generic.
On3 Blocks Grok, AI Image Safety Crisis, France’s Social Media Ban, Meta’s Glass Delay
News and Updates:
- On3 disables X replies to prevent users from using Grok to bypass paywalls. The AI frequently extracted subscription-only recruiting intel, threatening the site's business model.
- Grok faces backlash for generating nonconsensual sexualized images, including deepfakes of minors and world leaders. xAI dismissed concerns as "media lies" despite documented safeguard failures.
- France proposes banning social media for under-15s and expanding phone bans to high schools by September 2026. President Macron aims to curb youth violence and mental health issues.
- Satya Nadella predicts 2026 as a pivotal AI year, urging a shift from "AI slop" debates toward substance. He emphasizes using AI as a "cognitive amplifier" for productivity.
- Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri advocates for "fingerprinting" real media at the camera level. He believes verifying authentic content is more practical than chasing increasingly realistic AI fakes.
- Meta pauses the global rollout of Ray-Ban Display glasses due to explosive U.S. demand. Supply shortages have pushed international waitlists into 2026 as production struggles to keep pace.
#599 (Posted on 5Jan2026)
Review of the top stories we covered in 2025
News and Updates:
- Artificial Intelligence
- EV & Autonomous Cars
- Windows 10 End of Support