Artificial Intelligence
Hyperscale AI data centers: 10 Breakthrough Technologies 2026
Summary
In sprawling stretches of farmland and industrial parks, supersized buildings packed with racks of computers are springing up to fuel the AI race. These engineering marvels are a new species of infrastructure: supercomputers designed to train and run large language models at mind-bending scale, complete with their own specialized chips, cooling systems, and even energy supplies. Hyperscale AI data centers bundle hundreds of thousands of specialized computer chips called graphics processing units (GPUs), such as Nvidia’s H100s, into synchronized clusters that work like one giant supercomputer. These chips excel at processing massive amounts of data in parallel. Hundreds of thousands of miles of fiber-optic cables connect the chips like a nervous system, letting them communicate at lightning speed. Enormous storage systems continuously feed data to the chips as the facilities…
The ascent of the AI therapist
Summary
We’re in the midst of a global mental-health crisis. More than a billion people worldwide suffer from a mental-health condition, according to the World Health Organization. The prevalence of anxiety and depression is growing in many demographics, particularly young people, and suicide is claiming hundreds of thousands of lives globally each year. Given the clear demand for accessible and affordable mental-health services, it’s no wonder that people have looked to artificial intelligence for possible relief. Millions are already actively seeking therapy from popular chatbots like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude, or from specialized psychology apps like Wysa and Woebot. On a broader scale, researchers are exploring AI’s potential to monitor and collect behavioral and biometric observations using wearables and smart devices, analyze vast volumes of clinical data for new insights,…
Chatbots are surprisingly effective at debunking conspiracy theories
Summary
It’s become a truism that facts alone don’t change people’s minds. Perhaps nowhere is this more clear than when it comes to conspiracy theories: Many people believe that you can’t talk conspiracists out of their beliefs. But that’s not necessarily true. It turns out that many conspiracy believers do respond to evidence and arguments—information that is now easy to deliver in the form of a tailored conversation with an AI chatbot. In research we published in the journal Science this year, we had over 2,000 conspiracy believers engage in a roughly eight-minute conversation with DebunkBot, a model we built on top of OpenAI’s GPT-4 Turbo (the most up-to-date GPT model at that time). Participants began by writing out, in their own words, a conspiracy theory that they believed and the…
Transforming commercial pharma with agentic AI
Summary
Amid the turbulence of the wider global economy in recent years, the pharmaceuticals industry is weathering its own storms. The rising cost of raw materials and supply chain disruptions are squeezing margins as pharma companies face intense pressure—including from countries like the US—to control drug costs. At the same time, a wave of expiring patents threatens around $300 billion in potential lost sales by 2030. As companies lose the exclusive right to sell the drugs they have developed, competitors can enter the market with generic and biosimilar lower-cost alternatives, leading to a sharp decline in branded drug sales—a “patent cliff.” Simultaneously, the cost of bringing new drugs to market is climbing. McKinsey estimates cost per launch is growing 8% each year, reaching $4 billion in 2022. DOWNLOAD THE REPORT In clinics…
Business & Finance
Top Hollywood screenwriter warns TikTok’s new tool is at the gates: ‘I hate to say it. It’s likely over for us’
Summary
A new artificial intelligence video generator from Beijing-based ByteDance, the creator of TikTok, is drawing the ire of Hollywood organizations that say Seedance 2.0 “blatantly” violates copyright and uses the likeness of actors and others without permission. Seedance 2.0, which is only available in China for now, lets users generate high-quality AI videos using simple text prompts. The tool quickly gained condemnation from the movie and TV industry. The Motion Picture Association said Seedance 2.0 “has engaged in unauthorized use of U.S. copyrighted works on a massive scale.” “By launching a service that operates without meaningful safeguards against infringement, ByteDance is disregarding well-established copyright law that protects the rights of creators and underpins millions of American jobs. ByteDance should immediately cease its infringing activity,” Charles Rivkin, chairman and CEO of the…
FBI says DNA recovered from glove found near Guthrie home appears to match glove worn by suspect
Summary
A glove containing DNA found about two miles from the house of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie’s mother appears to match those worn by a masked person outside her front door in Tucson the night she vanished, the FBI said Sunday. The glove, discovered in a field beside a road, was sent for DNA testing. The FBI said in a statement that it received preliminary results Saturday and was awaiting official confirmation. The development comes as law enforcement gathers more potential evidence as the search for Guthrie’s mother heads into its third week. Authorities had previously said they had not identified a suspect. Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen at her Arizona home on Jan. 31 and was reported missing the following day. Authorities say her blood was found on the front…
Trump’s border czar says ‘small’ security force will remain in Minnesota after enforcement drawdown. ‘We’ll get back to the original footprint’
Summary
White House border czar Tom Homan said Sunday that more than 1,000 immigration agents have left Minnesota’s Twin Cities area and hundreds more will depart in the days ahead as part of the Trump administration’s drawdown of its immigration enforcement surge. A “small” security force will stay for a short period to protect remaining immigration agents and will respond “when our agents are out and they get surrounded by agitators and things got out of control,” Homan told CBS’s Face the Nation. He did not define “small.” He also said agents will keep investigating fraud allegations as well as the anti-immigration enforcement protest that disrupted a service at a church service. “We already removed well over 1,000 people, and as of Monday, Tuesday, we’ll remove several hundred more,” Homan said. “We’ll get back to the…
The U.S. and Iran will hold a new round of nuclear talks as Trump sends the world’s largest aircraft carrier to the Mideast
Summary
Iran and the United States will hold a second round of talks over Tehran’s nuclear program next week, the Swiss Foreign Ministry said Saturday. Oman, which welcomed the first round of indirect talks on Feb. 6, will host the talks in Geneva, the Swiss ministry said, without specifying which days. After the first discussions, U.S. President Donald Trump warned Tehran that failure to reach an agreement with his administration would be “very traumatic.” Similar talks last year broke down in June as Israel launched what became a 12-day war on Iran that included the U.S. bombing Iranian nuclear sites. Trump has repeatedly threatened to use force to compel Iran to agree to constrain its nuclear program. Iran has said it would respond with an attack of its own. Trump also has threatened Iran over its deadly…
Education
Education Department Takes a Preliminary Step Toward Revamping Its Research and Statistics Arm
Summary
In his first two months in office, President Donald Trump ordered the closing of the Education Department and fired half of its staff. The department’s research and statistics division, called the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), was particularly hard hit. About 90 percent of its staff lost their jobs and more than 100 federal contracts to conduct its primary activities were canceled. But now there are signs that the Trump administration is partially reversing course and wants the federal government to retain a role in generating education statistics and evidence for what works in classrooms — at least to some extent. On Sept. 25, the department posted a notice in the Federal Register asking the public to submit feedback by Oct. 15 on reforming IES to make research more relevant…
How the New Dietary Guidelines Could Impact School Meals
Summary
Putting together a school meal isn’t easy. “It is a puzzle essentially,” said Lori Nelson of the Chef Ann Foundation, a nonprofit that promotes scratch cooking in schools. “When you think about the guidelines, there’s so many different pieces that you have to meet. You have to meet calorie minimums and maximums for the day and for the week. You have to meet vegetable subgroup categories.” Districts that receive federal funding for school meals — through, for example, the National School Lunch Program — must follow rules set by the Department of Agriculture (USDA). And those rules may be changing soon. In early January, the Department of Health and Human Services and the USDA unveiled new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, along with a new food pyramid. The USDA sets school…
PEN America Warns of Rise in Books ‘Systematically Removed From School Libraries’
Summary
PEN America released its list of the most-banned books of the 2024-2025 school year on Wednesday – and warned that the number of books challenged or banned in public school districts across the country has risen exponentially in the past two years. The group dedicated to free expression counted 6,870 bans during the past academic year. While that’s down from a total of 10,046 bans imposed during the 2023-24 school year, it’s still a sharp rise from the period of 2021-2023, which averaged just under 3,000 incidents of book banning each year, in what it calls a “disturbing normalization of censorship” in public schools. PEN America defines a school book ban as “any action taken against a book based on its content and as a result of parent or community…
A New Nation’s Report Card Shows Drops in Science, Math and Reading Scores
Summary
New test scores from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as the Nation’s Report Card, show eighth-graders’ science scores have fallen 4 points since 2019 and 12th-graders’ math and reading scores have fallen 3 points in the same time period. The tests were administered between January and March 2024. This is the first NAEP score release since the Trump administration began making cuts to the U.S. Education Department. Those cuts, included laying off more than half the workers at the Institute of Education Sciences, IES, the arm of the department charged with measuring student achievement and overseeing and processing the data that comes from the tests students take. After those cuts, the department also canceled about a dozen national and state assessments of student progress through 2032…
Entertainment
‘Tehran’ producer Dana Eden found dead in Athens hotel room while filming new season: “A moment of great sorrow”
Summary
Dana Eden, a producer on the Apple TV hit spy thriller series Tehran, was found dead at the age of 52 on Sunday (February 15) in a hotel room in Athens, Greece. No cause of death has yet been confirmed, but Reuters quoted local police officials as saying that they’re currently treating it as a potential suicide, based on early evidence and testimonies. Eden was in the capital filming the fourth season of the Apple TV+ series, and the publication added that Greek investigators found pills at the scene, and a coroner found bruises on Eden’s neck. “This is a moment of great sorrow for the family, friends, and colleagues,” production company Donna and Shula Productions said in a statement, per The Hollywood Reporter. The address also appeared to address…
Casey Wasserman to sell namesake agency after Epstein files fallout
Summary
Casey Wasserman is planning to sell his namesake agency amid escalating fallout over his mentions in the newly released Epstein files. On Friday (February 13), the CEO and founder of the sports and music agency put the agency on the market, informing staff of the move in an internal memo that pointed to the ongoing controversy and recent client departures, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal. In the memo, Wasserman wrote: “At this moment, I believe that I have become a distraction to those efforts. That is why I have begun the process of selling the company, an effort that is already underway.” He added that Wasserman president Mike Watts would assume day-to-day control of the business, while he focuses on his role leading the Los Angeles…
Actor Bud Cort, star of cult film ‘Harold and Maude’ has died, aged 77
Summary
Actor Bud Cort, star of cult film Harold and Maude has died, aged 77. The actor had his breakout role in the cult classic in 1971, where he starred alongside Ruth Gordon. His death was confirmed by close friend Dorian Hannaway, a writer and producer who said Cort died following “a long illness” (as per the BBC). Reports suggest the actor died at his home in Connecticut, while a memorial service is reportedly set to be held in Los Angeles. Cort was a veteran actor of stage and screen and appeared in more than 80 films and TV shows during his career, including Wes Anderson’s The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, Coyote Ugly, Arrested Development and the series Ugly Betty. Yet it was his portrayal as a death-obsessed young man Harold who…
Bertlesmann Reportedly in Talks to Buy Concord
Summary
BMG Rights Management, a division of German media giant Bertelsmann, is in talks to acquire Concord, according to a new report from Bloomberg. While Bloomberg’s report notes that a sale could be valued as high as $7 billion, sources close to the matter tell Billboard that the current offer price is $4.8 billion — a figure close to the sale price that Concord investors had previously sought when they explored a sale back in 2022. Currently, sources tell Billboard that the two companies are in active talks but still negotiating the equity and stock components of the deal. Any deal of this magnitude would likely require approval by antitrust regulators in the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom, where Concord holds some of its rights. When reached…
Environment & Sustainability
JPL Planetary Cloud Workshop Registration 2026
Summary
PCARF Nav PCARF Home About PCARF 2026 Workshop Previous Workshops 2025 Workshop 2024 Workshop PCARF Education K-Grade 4 Grades 5-8 Grades 9-12 2026 Cloud Workshop Registration Δ Name This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Name(Required) First Last Email(Required) Affiliation(Required) Please indicate your current professional status for workshop registration purposes:(Required) Undergraduate or Graduate Student Postdoctoral Researcher Faculty / Professional Please indicate your participation: In Person Remote or Virtual Undecided Please indicate your preferred or anticipated presentation: Oral presentation Poster presentation No presentation The post JPL Planetary Cloud Workshop Registration 2026 appeared first on NASA Science. PCARF Nav PCARF Home About PCARF 2026 Workshop Previous Workshops 2025 Workshop 2024 Workshop PCARF Education K-Grade 4 Grades 5-8 Grades 9-12 2026 Cloud Workshop Registration Δ Name This field is…
2026 Cloud Workshop Abstract Submission
Summary
PCARF Nav PCARF Home About PCARF 2026 Workshop Previous Workshops 2025 Workshop 2024 Workshop PCARF Education K-Grade 4 Grades 5-8 Grades 9-12 2025 Cloud Workshop Abstract Submission Δ X/Twitter This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Name(Required) First Last Presentation Title(Required) Please indicate your preferred or anticipated presentation:(Required) Oral presentation (20-minute limit with 5 minutes for questions) Poster presentation (size: 24” wide x 36” tall) Choice of Oral presentation is not guaranteed, limited to 2 presentations per topic. Select your preferred Presentation Topic area in Planetary Cloud/Aerosol Focus Talks: Earth Venus Mars Titan Gas Giants Ice Giants Exoplanets Or Planetary Cloud/Aerosol Investigation Methods Talks: Remote Sensing In Situ Measurements Instruments Modeling Laboratory Investigations Interdisciplinary Attach file for Abstract(Required) Drop files here or Select files Max. file…
Expedition 74 Expands to Seven as Science Speeds Up
Summary
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the company’s Dragon spacecraft is launched on NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station with NASA astronauts Jessica Meir, Jack Hathaway, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev onboard, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. NASA/Aubrey Gemignani The seven-member Expedition 74 crew is in its first full week together aboard the International Space Station following Saturday’s arrival of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission. The orbital septet is resuming its full complement of advanced space science and lab maintenance as the Crew-12 quartet familiarizes itself with station operations. Crew-12 members Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway of NASA, Sophie Adenot of ESA (European Space Agency), and Andrey Fedyaev of Roscosmos began their mission with a launch aboard a SpaceX Dragon on Friday,…
Artemis II: The Ground Teams Powering NASA’s Moon Mission
Summary
Episode description: Behind NASA’s Artemis II mission and the astronauts who will fly around the Moon, teams on the ground are essential. Explore some of the epic equipment that makes Artemis II possible—the mobile launcher, crawler-transporter, and NASA’s barge Pegasus—and meet a few of the many specialists who act as the shoulders lifting astronauts into space. For Artemis II news and the latest launch information, visit nasa.gov/artemis-ii [MUSIC: “Supercluster” by Sergey Azbel] PADI BOYD: You’re listening to NASA’s Curious Universe. I’m Padi Boyd. JACOB PINTER: And I’m Jacob Pinter. NASA is leading a golden age of space exploration. The Artemis II mission will send humans around the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years. It sets the stage for future Artemis missions when astronauts return to the Moon’s surface.…
Food & Travel
Dodging the “King of Fruits”: Inside the Dangerous Durian Plantations of Raub, Malaysia
Summary
People in the United States usually only mention durian in the form of a punchline. It’s the spiky “King of Fruits” that’s banned on trains and in hotels thanks to a potent sulfur, sewage, rotting smell. The sweet-savory custard flavor that makes it so appealing despite the aroma is often forgotten in the viral videos and meme-ready headlines. So too is the multi-billion dollar (and growing) economy behind this fruit that sends massive shipments from Southeast Asia into China and around the world. The biggest oversight, however, is of the farmers and families who have built a life around durian. Ian Poh Jin Tze has spent years documenting the people and places behind Southeast Asia’s most iconic ingredients. In his book, “Behind The Scenes: Lives of These Unsung Heroes,” the…
Is Your Favorite National Park at Risk During the Shutdown? It Depends on the State.
Summary
The federal government’s shutdown had an immediate impact, that will be increasingly felt for however long the shutdown continues, on the National Park Service. According to the AP, parks remain “generally” open, but services are pared back, facilities may be closed, and most staff are furloughed. This follows what has already been a tumultuous year that has seen deep staffing cuts and high visitation. The agency is leaning on limited fee revenue and skeleton crews to keep access open while protecting life and property — a trade-off that will vary widely by site. Certain states working to keep parks open Utah officials said the state will support keeping its “Mighty 5” (Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion) accessible during the lapse, though visitors should expect minimal services. Colorado…
Hotel Prices Keep Climbing in New York City 2 Years After Airbnb Crackdown
Summary
Two years after New York City’s sweeping crackdown on Airbnb, visitors looking for affordable accommodations in the Big Apple face an even more expensive new reality in a city already known for being pricey. New data shows that short-term rentals are all but erased from the five boroughs, and hotel prices are continuing to go up. In July 2025, the average nightly rate for a hotel room in NYC hit $283, a 7 percent increase over two years prior, according to data from CoStar first published in the Wall Street Journal. Fall and into the holiday season sees much higher nightly rates — last year September had a record-setting month where average rates reached $417 per night. These spikes are not temporary: occupancy has outpaced 2023 levels in every month…
FAA Slashes Flights at 40 Major US Airports in Light of Government Shutdown
Summary
Everyone knows flying in the US can be a little bumpy, both literally and figuratively. But it’s about to get significantly more delayed in light of the current US federal government shutdown, as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) made a significant announcement on Wednesday, November 5. Citing the immense strain on staff from the record-long government shutdown, it announced it would cut flight traffic by 10 percent at 40 of the country’s busiest airports. The announcement was made at a press conference by US Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean Duffy, who oversees the FAA, following vague comments earlier in the week to completely close some portions of US air space if the shutdown continued. Unconfirmed sources tell media outlets the scale-back will happen gradually, beginning with a four percent…
Gaming
Nintendo Is Considering A Switch 2 Price Hike This Year, According To New Report
Summary
Thanks to AI and "RAMmageddon". The rising demand for RAM for AI data centres and the associated rising costs are having a massive effect across the tech world, and with Sony reportedly pushing back the launch of its as-yet-unannounced PS5 successor, Nintendo is considering raising the price of Switch 2 in 2026, too, according to a new Bloomberg report (paywall). Speaking to "people familiar with its plans", Bloomberg reports that Sony is now eyeing 2028/29 for its next console hardware, and that Nintendo is looking at how to approach what the article says is being coined "RAMmageddon": Read the full article on nintendolife.com Thanks to AI and "RAMmageddon". The rising demand for RAM for AI data centres and the associated rising costs are having a massive effect across the tech…
Warner Bros. Reportedly Considering Reopening Talks With Paramount Despite Having Agreed to Sell to Netflix
Summary
Warner Bros. is reportedly considering reopening talks with Paramount despite having already agreed to sell to Netflix. Bloomberg reported that members of Warner Bros.’ board are debating whether to talk to Paramount again after the company amended its offer, which would be a superior deal to that already set in stone by Netflix. However, Bloomberg made it clear that no decision has been made, and Warner Bros. may end up sticking with Netflix. Paramount’s latest offer would give shareholders extra cash for each quarter the deal fails to close after this year (about $650 million), and would agree to cover the $2.8 billion breakup fee Warner Bros. would owe Netflix if it walked away. However, it did not raise its $30-per-share offer, valuing the deal at $108.4 billion including debt.…
Hollywood Studios Slam AI Tool That Created Video of Tom Hanks and Brad Pitt Fighting, and Prompted Deadpool’s Writer to Declare ‘It’s Likely Over For Us’
Summary
Have you seen that AI-generated video of Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise beating the hell out of each other, which looks a tad too real? Well, major film studios in the United States have come out against the platform where those videos are made, Seedance 2.0, which is owned by TikTok’s Chinese owner ByteDance. "By launching a service that operates without meaningful safeguards against infringement, ByteDance is disregarding well-established copyright law that protects the rights of creators and underpins millions of American jobs,” Motion Pictures Association chairman Charles Rivkin said in a statement. "ByteDance should immediately cease its infringing activity." The MPA — which represents major studios Warner Bros. Discovery, Netflix, Paramount, Universal Studios, Sony Pictures, Walt Disney Studios, and Amazon MGM Studios — also told the BBC, "In a…
Microsoft Is Considering A Big Game Pass Change – Report
Summary
A report claims that Microsoft could merge Xbox Game Pass Premium and PC Game Pass together. Tom Warren of The Verge reported that Microsoft was considering such a move. Xbox Game Pass Premium is the $15/month version of Game Pass that comes with access to a library of 200+ games, but not day-one new releases. PC Game Pass, meanwhile, costs $16.50/month and includes access to "hundreds" of PC games, as well as new games on day one. The Verge's report didn't have any word on what the price of a hypothetically merged subscription would be, or any other features. The site also reported that other upcoming changes to Game Pass in the future could be more third-party services bundled in. Some of these today include EA Play, Fortnite Crew, and…
Health & Wellness
Review suggests inhaled microplastics can inflame lungs and damage tissue
Summary
Breathing in microplastics can cause inflammation and damage to the lungs, potentially increasing the risk of respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer, new research suggests. Breathing in microplastics can cause inflammation and damage to the lungs, potentially increasing the risk of respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer, new research suggests. Breathing in microplastics can cause inflammation and damage to the lungs, potentially increasing the risk of respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer, new research suggests. Breathing in microplastics can cause inflammation and damage to the lungs, potentially increasing the risk of respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis…
How your posture may be fueling neck pain and headaches
Summary
If you spend hours a day looking at a computer, tablet or phone, you're not alone. But that daily habit may be quietly contributing to neck pain, headaches and even dizziness—it is a pattern neurologists are seeing more often, sometimes nicknamed "tech neck." If you spend hours a day looking at a computer, tablet or phone, you're not alone. But that daily habit may be quietly contributing to neck pain, headaches and even dizziness—it is a pattern neurologists are seeing more often, sometimes nicknamed "tech neck." If you spend hours a day looking at a computer, tablet or phone, you're not alone. But that daily habit may be quietly contributing to neck pain, headaches and even dizziness—it is a pattern neurologists are seeing more often, sometimes nicknamed "tech neck."
Ending things on your own terms will soon be a little easier, but rural challenges remain
Summary
Victoria's Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) Act came into effect in 2019. Initially erring on the side of caution, the VAD Act has recently been revised to be more accessible. While death is a sensitive topic for many, these changes are an important move towards people with terminal illnesses gaining autonomy over their lives by removing the barriers and obstacles often involved in seeking relief of suffering on their own terms. Victoria's Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) Act came into effect in 2019. Initially erring on the side of caution, the VAD Act has recently been revised to be more accessible. While death is a sensitive topic for many, these changes are an important move towards people with terminal illnesses gaining autonomy over their lives by removing the barriers and obstacles often…
Q&A: Why are a child’s first 1,000 days so critical for brain building?
Summary
Year after year, government records show late summer is when most babies are born, with August as the most common birth month. That means—right now—tens of thousands of future parents are planning nursery colors, work leave, and childbirth classes. Year after year, government records show late summer is when most babies are born, with August as the most common birth month. That means—right now—tens of thousands of future parents are planning nursery colors, work leave, and childbirth classes. Year after year, government records show late summer is when most babies are born, with August as the most common birth month. That means—right now—tens of thousands of future parents are planning nursery colors, work leave, and childbirth classes.
Lifestyle
AI Chatbots Are Even Worse at Giving Medical Advice Than We Thought
Summary
It’s tempting to think that an LLM chatbot can answer any question you pose it, including those about your health. After all, chatbots have been trained on plenty of medical information, and can regurgitate it if given the right prompts. But that doesn’t mean they will give you accurate medical advice, and a new study shows how easily AI’s supposed expertise breaks down. In short, they are even worse at it than I thought. In the study, researchers first quizzed several chatbots about medical information. In these carefully conducted tests, ChatGPT-4o, Llama 3, and Command R+ correctly diagnosed medical scenarios an impressive 94% of the time—though they were able to recommend the right treatment a much less impressive 56% of the time. But that wasn’t a real-world test for the chatbots…
Apple’s ‘Lockdown Mode’ Could Stop the Government From Breaking Into Your iPhone
Summary
In January, the FBI made headlines after it raided the home of Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson. It was a shocking case of law enforcement not just overriding one journalist's privacy, but the integrity of the entire news organization. The devices the FBI seized—which included personal devices as well as a Washington Post-issued laptop—contained Natanson's personal contacts, correspondences, and the Slack channels of the Washington Post itself. But while the FBI was able to access some of the devices, it was not able to access Natanson's iPhone. That's because the device was in Lockdown Mode, which prevented the FBI's Computer Analysis Response Team (CART) from breaking into it. This isn't a setting that is exclusive to journalists: You have this option baked into your iPhone as well, and can choose…
Why You Shouldn’t Buy a MacBook Pro Right Now
Summary
We may earn a commission from links on this page. Speaking as someone who almost pulled the trigger on one this weekend, if you're planning on buying a new MacBook Pro right now, don't do it. According to inside information seen by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, new models are right around the corner. The news came in the latest edition of Gurman's Power On newsletter, a frequent and usually correct source on all things Apple. According to the reporter's sources at the company, new models of MacBook Pro are currently set to come out sometime during the macOS 26.3 release cycle, which will last from February through March. The new laptops will supposedly keep the same form factor, but will feature newer chips, likely the M5 Pro and M5 Max. That…
Who Can Get a Piece of Google’s $135 Million Android Settlement
Summary
To avoid a court proceeding, Google has agreed to a $135 million class-action settlement over its data collection practices with Android. News of the settlement was first reported by Reuters. Upon approval by a judge, the settlement could see Android users in the U.S. getting up to $100 each, provided they qualify. The settlement was filed in San Jose, California on Tuesday evening, and focused on claims that Google collected unnecessary cellular data from customers even when Google apps were closed, location-sharing was disabled, and screens were locked. The lawsuit alleges that Google collected the data with the intent of "conversion," a legal term that in this case would likely mean using the captured data for product development and targeted advertising. Google denied any wrongdoing, but as part of the…
Marketing & SEO
OpenAI begins testing ads inside ChatGPT
Summary
OpenAI is rolling out its first live test of ads in ChatGPT, placing sponsored messages directly inside the app for some users. The details. According to CNBC, the ads will appear in a clearly labeled section beneath the chat interface rather than inside responses. The format is designed to keep ads visually separate from ChatGPT’s answers. OpenAI will show ads to logged-in users on the free tier and its lower-cost Go subscription. The company says advertisers won’t see users’ conversations and won’t influence ChatGPT’s responses, though ads will be optimized based on what OpenAI considers helpful to the user. What else is coming. In an internal memo cited by CNBC, CEO Sam Altman told employees an updated chat model is expected this week. He also said ChatGPT is again exceeding…
Meta tests paid subscriptions
Summary
Meta tests paid subscriptions across Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp to unlock premium features and AI across its apps. What is happening. Meta is testing new subscriptions that unlock exclusive features across Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp, while keeping the core experiences free. Rather than a single bundle, Meta plans to experiment with different subscription models and feature sets tailored to each app, spanning productivity, creativity and expanded AI capabilities. Subscriptions will introduce premium controls and tools for everyday users, creators and businesses — separate from Meta Verified. On Instagram, early tests could include unlimited audience lists, insights into non-followers, and stealth story viewing. Meta also plans to roll out paid access to AI features, including expanded usage of its Vibes AI video generation tool under a freemium model. Why we care.…
The AI gold rush is over: Why AI’s next era belongs to orchestrators
Summary
For the past two years, we’ve been living in AI’s gold rush era. To borrow from Taylor Swift, think of it as the “Lover” phase where everything is shiny, new, and full of possibility. The behavior: Buy everything. The metric: Can it generate something cool? The vibe: Pure FOMO. But we’re entering a new era now. Call it the “Reputation” phase, which is darker, edgier, and entirely focused on receipts. A sign of this shift was in the headlines recently, blaring on about Microsoft lowering its AI sales targets. The hot takes rushed in to frame it as a disappointment, a slowdown, and even a sign that enterprise demand is cooling. They all misread the moment. This is really a sign of the market graduating. We’re maturing. The AI gold…
Google pulls EU antitrust complaint against Microsoft
Summary
Google withdrew its antitrust complaint against Microsoft after EU regulators opened a new probe into Azure under the bloc’s tough tech rules. Driving the news. Google pulled its 2024 complaint—centered on Microsoft’s allegedly anti-competitive cloud licensing practices—just as the European Commission launched fresh investigations into whether Azure and Amazon Web Services fall under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Google says the withdrawal doesn’t mean it’s backing down. What they’re saying. “We filed our antitrust complaint…to give voice to our customers and partners,” said Giorgia Abeltino, Google Cloud Europe’s head of public policy. She added that Google still stands behind the concerns raised. Why we care. The EU’s new probe into Microsoft’s cloud practices could reshape the infrastructure that underpins many ad-tech tools, measurement systems, and AI workflows. If regulators force…
Politics & Society
CDC Director Susan Monarez ousted just weeks after confirmation
Summary
Susan Monarez, the longtime government scientist recently confirmed as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has been let go from her position after less than a month in the role. A source familiar with the situation confirmed to The Hill that Monarez is ousted as CDC director. The Senate confirmed her on July 29. The Washington Post was first to report Monarez's firing. The Hill has reached out to the Department of Health and Human Services for comment. Prior to being nominated to lead the CDC, Monarez had served as acting CDC Director shortly after the start of the second Trump administration. She previously served as deputy director at the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). President Trump chose Monarez as his second choice after…
Suspected Minnesota shooter’s rifle magazine had ‘Kill Donald Trump’ inscription
Summary
The suspected shooter who killed two children at a Minnesota church on Wednesday wrote incendiary messages on gun magazines, including one that read “Kill Donald Trump.” The images appeared in a manifesto posted online around the same time as the shooting on Wednesday morning. The manifesto included a lengthy written note from the suspected shooter as well. The video had been taken down from YouTube as of late Wednesday afternoon. The video also showed messages written on rifle magazines that said "For the Children" and "Where is your God." "This level of violence is unthinkable," said Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, in a post on X where she discussed the messages. "Our deepest prayers are with the children, parents, families, educators, and Christians everywhere. We mourn with them,…
Trump ramps up DC power grab
Summary
President Trump is ramping up his power grab over Washington, D.C., on everything from the city’s law enforcement to a takeover of its transportation hub and key cultural center. He’s called for the death penalty in D.C. murder cases, cleared out homeless encampments, and is promising to fix everything from fences to light fixtures in what he calls a “beautification” of the city. On Wednesday, his Transportation secretary also announced a takeover of managing Union Station, where National Guard troops have been stationed for weeks. It marked the latest escalation by Trump to encroach on the city’s key institutions and landmarks, and that timing, according to a source close to Trump World, is no coincidence ahead of Congress coming back. “Trump is on very firm political footing on this issue.…
Nvidia revenue jumped 56 percent last year, beats Wall Street expectations
Summary
Nvidia reported a solid jump in second-quarter revenue Wednesday, beating Wall Street expectations for its highly anticipated earnings report. The chipmaker reported $46.7 billion in second-quarter revenue, up 6 percent from the previous quarter and 56 percent over the past year. Wall Street analysts had forecasted revenue of roughly $46 billion, according to consensus estimates. Nvidia has become one of the most powerful and richest U.S. technology companies amid the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, including generative AI chatbots and image generators, which use immense computing power. Nvidia has risen to prominence as the top U.S. manufacturer of the semiconductor chips widely used to run AI programs. The company has also found itself caught in the crossfire of the U.S-China battle over AI. Nvidia and AMD, another major U.S.…
Science
Sunlight Extracts Oxygen From Regolith Using Solar Chemistry
Summary
A solar concentrator is tested as part of the Carbothermal Reduction Demonstration (CaRD) project, which aims to produce oxygen from simulated lunar regolith for use at the Moon’s south pole. During this integrated test, the team combined the concentrator, mirrors, and control software and confirmed the production of carbon monoxide. NASA/Michael Rushing NASA’s Carbothermal Reduction Demonstration (CaRD) project completed an important step toward using local resources to support human exploration on the Moon. The CaRD team performed integrated prototype testing that used concentrated solar energy to extract oxygen from simulated lunar soil, while confirming the production of carbon monoxide through a solar-driven chemical reaction. If deployed on the Moon, this technology could enable the production of propellant using only lunar materials and sunlight, significantly reducing the cost and complexity of sustaining a long-term human presence on the lunar surface. The same…
NASA Completes First Flight of Laminar Flow Scaled Wing Design
Summary
3 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) NASA’s Crossflow Attenuated Natural Laminar Flow (CATNLF) scale-model wing flies for the first time on a NASA F-15 research jet during a test flight from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The 75-minute flight confirmed the aircraft could maneuver safely with the approximately 3-foot-tall test article mounted beneath it. NASA will continue flight tests to collect data that validates the CATNLF design and its potential to improve laminar flow, reducing drag and lowering fuel costs for future commercial aircraft. NASA/Carla Thomas NASA completed the first flight test of a scale-model wing designed to improve laminar flow, reducing drag and lowering fuel costs for future commercial aircraft. The flight took place Jan. 29 at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, using one of the agency’s F-15B research jets. The NASA-designed, 40-inch Crossflow Attenuated…
Station Nation: Erin Edwards, Deputy Branch Chief for Crew Operations and Capsule Communicator
Summary
As a member of the Crew Operations Office, Erin Edwards and her team manage astronaut candidate training schedules, including field medical exercises, land survival, and underwater operations at NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory in Houston. She also develops and tests new training programs to keep crews mission-ready. Along with her role as a crew operations officer, Edwards works in the International Space Station Mission Control Center as a capsule communicator, or capcom, and instructor. As a capcom, she must be fluent in the language of the spacecraft and its operations to clearly relay important information to the crew, especially during dynamic operations. Read on to learn about Edwards’ career with NASA and more! Erin Edwards serves as a capsule communicator, or capcom, in the International Space Station Mission Control Center in Houston. NASA/James Blair Where are you from? Port…
Full Moon over Artemis II
Summary
NASA/Sam Lott A full moon is seen shining over NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) and Orion spacecraft, atop the mobile launcher at Launch Pad 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida in the early hours of February 1, 2026. The agency concluded a wet dress rehearsal for the agency’s Artemis II test flight early Tuesday morning, successfully loading cryogenic propellant into the SLS (Space Launch System) tanks, sending a team out to the launch pad to closeout Orion, and safely draining the rocket. The wet dress rehearsal was a prelaunch test to fuel the rocket, designed to identify any issues and resolve them before attempting a launch. To allow teams to review data and conduct a second wet dress rehearsal, NASA now will target March as the earliest possible launch opportunity for the…
Sports
Report: Argentina-PR moved, Chicago unrest cited
Summary
A friendly between Argentina and Puerto Rico, originally scheduled for next week in Chicago, has been relocated to Florida amid the immigration crackdown in the city, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Wednesday. A friendly between Argentina and Puerto Rico, originally scheduled for next week in Chicago, has been relocated to Florida amid the immigration crackdown in the city, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Wednesday. A friendly between Argentina and Puerto Rico, originally scheduled for next week in Chicago, has been relocated to Florida amid the immigration crackdown in the city, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Wednesday. A friendly between Argentina and Puerto Rico, originally scheduled for next week in Chicago, has been…
Phillies’ Schwarber 1st in NL to reach 50 homers
Summary
Philadelphia slugger Kyle Schwarber hit his 50th home run of the season, a three-run shot off reliever Justin Hagenman in the seventh inning that gave the Phillies a 7-1 lead en route to a comfortable 9-3 victory over the New York Mets on Tuesday night. Philadelphia slugger Kyle Schwarber hit his 50th home run of the season, a three-run shot off reliever Justin Hagenman in the seventh inning that gave the Phillies a 7-1 lead en route to a comfortable 9-3 victory over the New York Mets on Tuesday night. Philadelphia slugger Kyle Schwarber hit his 50th home run of the season, a three-run shot off reliever Justin Hagenman in the seventh inning that gave the Phillies a 7-1 lead en route to a comfortable 9-3 victory over the New…
Kane among those thrilled to see return of Toews
Summary
Like so many around the NHL, Red Wings forward Patrick Kane, who won three Stanley Cup championships with the Blackhawks playing alongside Jonathan Toews, is eager to see the return of his former running mate, who signed with the Jets this offseason. Like so many around the NHL, Red Wings forward Patrick Kane, who won three Stanley Cup championships with the Blackhawks playing alongside Jonathan Toews, is eager to see the return of his former running mate, who signed with the Jets this offseason. Like so many around the NHL, Red Wings forward Patrick Kane, who won three Stanley Cup championships with the Blackhawks playing alongside Jonathan Toews, is eager to see the return of his former running mate, who signed with the Jets this offseason.
Source: Steelers sign Peppers with Elliott injured
Summary
The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed veteran safety Jabrill Peppers, a source confirmed to ESPN, after starting safety DeShon Elliott left Sunday's season opener against the Jets with a knee injury. The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed veteran safety Jabrill Peppers, a source confirmed to ESPN, after starting safety DeShon Elliott left Sunday's season opener against the Jets with a knee injury. The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed veteran safety Jabrill Peppers, a source confirmed to ESPN, after starting safety DeShon Elliott left Sunday's season opener against the Jets with a knee injury. The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed veteran safety Jabrill Peppers, a source confirmed to ESPN, after starting safety DeShon Elliott left Sunday's season opener against the Jets with a knee injury.
Technology
Now Pixel 9 phones can transfer files with AirDrop, too
Summary
Google is expanding the AirDrop compatibility it first offered in the Pixel 10 (above). | Photo: Allison Johnson / The Verge When Google announced it had engineered AirDrop compatibility for its Pixel 10 phones late last year, the pessimists among us figured it would be a matter of days before Apple shut it down. But not only is it still working, Google has expanded the capability to the Pixel 9 series (minus the budget-oriented Pixel 9A). As with Pixel 10 phones, owners of (almost all) Pixel 9 phones will be able to send and receive files a little more easily with Apple devices. Files sent from a Pixel to an iPhone, Mac, or iPad will appear as AirDrop transfers. On the Android side, files are handled through Quick Share. The…
Apple is reportedly planning to launch AI-powered glasses, a pendant, and AirPods
Summary
The second-gen Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. | Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge Apple is pushing ahead with plans to launch its first pair of smart glasses, along with an AI-powered pendant and camera-equipped AirPods, according to a report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The three devices come with built-in cameras and will connect to the iPhone, allowing Siri to use "visual context to carry out actions," Bloomberg reports. Apple is reportedly aiming to start production of its smart glasses in December, ahead of a 2027 launch. The new device will compete directly with Meta's lineup of smart glasses and is rumored to feature speakers, microphones, and a high-resolution camera for taking photos and videos, in addition to … Read the full story at The Verge.
Stephen Colbert says CBS forbid interview of Democrat because of FCC threat
Summary
Article URL: https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/02/stephen-colbert-says-cbs-forbid-interview-of-democrat-because-of-fcc-threat/ Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47051793 Points: 36 # Comments: 5 Article URL: https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/02/stephen-colbert-says-cbs-forbid-interview-of-democrat-because-of-fcc-threat/ Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47051793 Points: 36 # Comments: 5 Article URL: https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/02/stephen-colbert-says-cbs-forbid-interview-of-democrat-because-of-fcc-threat/ Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47051793 Points: 36 # Comments: 5 Article URL: https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/02/stephen-colbert-says-cbs-forbid-interview-of-democrat-because-of-fcc-threat/ Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47051793 Points: 36 # Comments: 5 Article URL: https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/02/stephen-colbert-says-cbs-forbid-interview-of-democrat-because-of-fcc-threat/ Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47051793 Points: 36 # Comments: 5 Article URL: https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/02/stephen-colbert-says-cbs-forbid-interview-of-democrat-because-of-fcc-threat/ Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47051793 Points: 36 # Comments: 5 Article URL: https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/02/stephen-colbert-says-cbs-forbid-interview-of-democrat-because-of-fcc-threat/ Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47051793 Points: 36 # Comments: 5 Article URL: https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/02/stephen-colbert-says-cbs-forbid-interview-of-democrat-because-of-fcc-threat/ Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47051793 Points: 36 # Comments: 5
What happens to a car when the company behind its software goes under?
Summary
Imagine turning the key or pressing the start button of your car—and nothing happens. Not because the battery is dead or the engine is broken but because a server no longer answers. For a growing number of cars, that scenario isn’t hypothetical. As vehicles become platforms for software and subscriptions, their longevity is increasingly tied to the survival of the companies behind their code. When those companies fail, the consequences ripple far beyond a bad app update and into the basic question of whether a car still functions as a car. Over the years, automotive software has expanded from performing rudimentary engine management and onboard diagnostics to powering today’s interconnected, software-defined vehicles. Smartphone apps can now handle tasks like unlocking doors, flashing headlights, and preconditioning cabins—and some models won’t unlock…