The UK plans to ban social media access for under-16s without age verification, requiring ID uploads. Critics argue this will increase data collection by Big Tech, harm privacy, and stifle competition, while proponents seek tighter speech restrictions.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated he expects a "respectful but firm" dialogue with US President Donald Trump at the G7 summit regarding tariffs, emphasizing that duties between G7 countries are not beneficial and that France's digital tax is part of its legislation.
JPMorgan's Alex Yao states China's AI monetization is now about 'measurable business value' over technical prowess. The market is consolidating, with leading players transforming consumer AI into enterprise infrastructure. Yao believes models only need master's-level capability for practical work, and Chinese consumers will pay if value is clear.
The Financial Supervisory Service held a seminar in Seoul to help domestic fintech and financial companies expand into Europe, particularly Germany. The event aimed to diversify overseas markets beyond Southeast Asia and explored opportunities for Korean firms in the German fintech sector.
The White House opposes the UK's proposed social media ban for under-16s, citing disproportionate burdens on US tech firms and advocating for parental tools instead.
Keir Starmer contemplates his legacy amid discussions on tech regulation, social media bans, resetting UK-EU relations, and defence, with speculation on Andy Burnham's role.
Tech companies like Meta, Google, and TikTok cite the US-Australia free trade agreement and threaten retaliation to oppose Australia's proposal forcing them to pay news outlets for content, arguing it's discriminatory and violates trade rules.
Experts offer strategies to combat smartphone addiction, including tracking usage, scheduling screen-free time, changing lockscreens, cutting notifications, and making screens less engaging. Solutions range from software tools to physical deterrents and switching to feature phones.
The S&P 500's nearly 20% rally in nine weeks faces a test as tech giants Broadcom and Crowdstrike report earnings. Both companies are expected to see significant stock swings, potentially influencing the market's direction.
The GenerationS Innovation Award 2026 will emphasize small tech companies (STCs) and foster cooperation between large corporations and Russian startups. The award aims to integrate STC solutions into market leaders' production chains and support technological leadership in Russia.
President Trump signed an executive order establishing a voluntary framework for the federal government to vet powerful new AI models before public release, aiming to enhance national security and cybersecurity.
Brazilian teenager Leo Veiga, 18, secured a youth contract with Italian club Spezia after an AI app analyzed his skills. The app, from Swiss company Footbao, identified him as a top performer, leading to a training opportunity with Lecce and subsequent scouting.
UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) faces pressure to ensure its AI deal with Palantir doesn't grant the Trump administration backdoor access to sensitive data, amid concerns over US data laws like the Cloud Act.
A year after his death, Ozzy Osbourne is being recreated as a lifesized AI-powered avatar by his family, partnering with tech companies Hyperreal and Proto Hologram. While the family claims it will be tasteful and something Ozzy would have wanted, fans have criticized the move as disrespectful.
China's top economic planner, the NDRC, denied pressuring domestic tech firms to reject foreign investment, following concerns sparked by its blocking of Meta's proposed buyout of AI startup Manus. Spokesman Li Chao stated support for international collaboration but emphasized adherence to China's rules and national security.
Iran claims it will charge US tech companies fees for using undersea internet cables in the Strait of Hormuz. This threat, announced by an IRGC spokesperson, could accelerate efforts by Big Tech and Gulf countries to find alternative routes bypassing the contested shipping lanes.
Chinese tech firms are leveraging AI to transform the internet from a manual click-and-scroll experience to a more intuitive, conversational one, aiming to streamline online services like search and shopping.
Cerebras Systems' successful IPO, with shares popping nearly 70%, highlights the AI boom but also the difficulty for non-AI companies to attract Wall Street's attention amidst anticipation for massive IPOs from SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic.
Tech giants like Meta, Amazon, Block, and Coinbase are cutting middle management layers, citing AI-driven efficiency. This shift increases manager responsibilities, potentially complicating decision-making and reducing human interaction benefits.
China's tech giants Tencent and Alibaba are increasing investment in domestic chip production, anticipating a surge in availability of China-designed GPUs throughout the year, amid reports that Nvidia may regain approval to sell its H200 chips in China.
The Trump administration is downplaying AI's impact on job losses, despite tech companies citing AI-driven restructuring for recent layoffs. While White House officials claim no current data shows AI costing jobs, major firms like Amazon and Meta are openly linking AI advancements to reduced workforce needs and increased productivity.
Tech companies have continued to announce layoffs tied to AI, including recent cuts from Amazon, Meta and Oracle.
Apple and Meta are opposing Canada's Bill C-22, warning the proposed Lawful Access Act could force tech companies to break encryption and build government backdoors into their products. Meta's Will Cathcart called it a surveillance overreach. Public Safety Canada says the concerns are overblown. With France, Sweden, and the EU rejecting similar laws, Canada faces growing pressure to rethink the bill's controversial Part 2.
Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu echoed Meta engineer Arnav Gupta's views on AI-driven job cuts. Both highlight that escalating AI costs, coupled with rising server prices, are forcing tech companies to reduce headcount. This economic response aims to control expenses, rather than solely reflecting an 'AI productivity miracle' at present. Layoffs continue until companies effectively leverage AI for tangible outcomes.
