Big Tech post-Roe: As tech giants like Google respond to abortion rights loss, they face a quagmire of choices about strengthening digital privacy, censorship, and where to do business.
Walmart’s hybrid cloud: In building its hybrid cloud infrastructure, the retailer heads a movement to an era of cloud independence. It could also spark a new type of cloud business.
The more bots the better? Deploying more robots at Amazon warehouses could close the labor gap. Happier employees working alongside bots with the latest software could also help.
Gigafactories = ‘gigantic money furnaces’: Supply chain disruptions grind Tesla’s new factories to a near halt. Even when things come back online, the mineral shortage will still be a scourge.
5G and satellite internet at war: SpaceX, DISH, and RS Access fight over who can use the 12GHz spectrum. The FCC could arbitrate the issue.
Haptic suits beat bobble-headed avatars in VR: Technologies like MetaTouch could be the gateway to all sorts of sensory delights in VR and kick-start a trend for remote medical diagnostics.
Tech’s labor tug of war: Big Tech is raising pay and discouraging union efforts, but an increasing number of workers are banking on unions to give them a voice in negotiating working conditions and benefits.
Microsoft dials down facial-analysis AI: The technology can infer people’s emotional state, gender, and other attributes, but the algorithm’s inherent bias makes it prone to inaccuracies that could lead to misuse.
AVs have surveillance potential: Chinese officials’ recent restrictions on Teslas are just a fraction of more widespread concerns about vehicle digital privacy. Regulators and automakers should preemptively take action.
Earth gets a checkup from microsatellites: Startup Pixxel’s digital twin of Earth could yield unprecedented environmental intelligence. But the tech’s benefit will depend on who’s using it.
Cloudflare sneezes and takes down half the internet: A server policy change downed apps, websites, and crypto services for hours, exposing the fragility of relying on a centralized network infrastructure.
Tech is burning: After the tech industry’s long heyday, it’s undergoing a painful inflection point marked by economic uncertainty and friction between workers and bosses. Innovation is at risk.
An impossible way to mine: An ocean mining startup is proposing a more environmentally friendly way to mine for EV battery minerals. But more vetting is needed before deployment.
End of a web surfing era: Internet Explorer’s retirement triggered nostalgia but also panic. With half of Japanese organizations still using it, Microsoft has an opportunity to get them to Edge.
The outspoken business magnate outlined his visions for the Big Tech in a company all-hands.
Storm clouds for Big Tech: Following record-high cloud spending, the top cloud providers saw declines in April. Economic upheaval means a rocky road ahead, but cloud demand will endure.
LinkedIn fraud attracts FBI attention: Reports of investment scams represent brand risk as the platform seeks to lure more advertisers.
A new battery recipe: Startup Alsym Energy is developing a new EV battery formula to fix lithium-ion’s flaws. But it’ll take automakers deprioritizing luxury models to bring prices down.
Quantum readiness begins: A survey of UK executives indicates that companies are gearing up for forthcoming quantum disruption. But a dearth of quantum-skilled labor means everyone is already behind schedule.
$52B chip bill stuck in legislative limbo: The CHIPS for America Act would help offset some of the losses suffered by American chipmakers or allow them to pursue expansion plans.