Biweekly American tech culture magazine from Condé Nast
GM has expanded its vehicle-to-grid plans, aiming to turn bidirectional EVs and new sodium‑ion battery cells into grid-scale energy storage. The company is partnering with Peak Energy and utilities to trial grid‑scale systems and drive down costs as data centers and AI growth push electricity demand higher.
The latest reporting shows Meta Technologies embedded a face-recognition system into its Meta AI app for smart glasses, which could identify faces using biometric signatures. The feature was not activated, and newer updates have removed most of the related code, while Meta says the feature is exploratory and no decision has been made.
The Justice Department has asked a federal court to dismiss an NAACP lawsuit that accuses xAI of running dozens of unpermitted natural gas turbines to power Colossus 2 near Memphis. The DOJ argues the suit threatens AI systems that support the military and that federal authorities—not private groups—control enforcement of the Clean Air Act.
Leaked records reveal the Dialog retreats’ invitation list, rankings, matchmaking, and topics from sessions on nuclear power, AI, and governance. The August Dublin gathering includes politicians, tech leaders, and cultural figures, with participants rated by wealth and influence and charged differently for events.
Meta has paused its Model Capability Initiative after a privacy backlash and a data-access leak. The program tracked employees’ keystrokes and mouse activity to improve AI models, prompting protests and internal scrutiny. The pause follows reports that data tables were exposed within the company. Meta says it will investigate and respect personal choices on participation.
Sony has announced it will stop producing physical PlayStation game discs from January 2028. New titles will be sold via the PlayStation Store or as retailer-issued download codes; games releasing before 2028 remain unaffected. The move follows years of rising digital sales and has provoked consumer backlash over ownership, preservation and the second‑hand market.
Google has released a stand-alone Google Finance app for Android, bringing the AI-powered web facelift to mobile. The app mirrors the updated Finance web experience, including AI-generated key moments, an AI research tool, and chat-based insights tied to users’ portfolios and watchlists. An iOS version is planned for later, with more features rolling out over time.
The FAA has moved to replace its 1973 ban on overland supersonic flights with new, noise-based standards. Initial proposals could allow faster cross-country travel and reduce flight times, while NASA tests aim to refine how sonic booms are perceived. Final rules are targeted for mid-2027.
Federal and local probes have produced new findings and warnings about autonomous vehicles. The NTSB has reported that a Tesla driver manually overrode Full Self-Driving before a June crash that killed a 76‑year‑old in Katy, Texas. NHTSA has issued a directive demanding AV developers fix cases where driverless cars enter or block emergency scenes; Waymo and California regulators are under pressure over several incidents.
Waymo has announced the expansion of its driverless robotaxi fleet to four new U.S. cities, starting with employee rides before opening to the public. The Ojai vehicle is introduced as a comfort-focused option, with expansion plans across San Diego, Las Vegas, Tampa, and Denver. The rollout faces regulatory approvals and past safety incidents.
Ofgem has proposed refundable upfront deposits between £237,500 and £712,500 per megawatt for projects seeking grid connections, to stop speculative data‑centre schemes clogging the queue. The regulator has opened a consultation to force applicants to hit hard milestones or lose their place as Britain faces connection requests vastly above peak demand.
OpenAI has said its unreleased model Astra may have reached a "Critical" capability for autonomous cyberattacks and has paused internal activities that do not meet heightened safeguards. The company has implemented isolated testing, universal monitoring for risky actions, and is working with government agencies and safety organisations to evaluate Astra's abilities.
Meta's AI-powered glasses face renewed scrutiny as platforms roll out rules against harassing content captured on camera. News outlets report on incidents involving covert filming, the response from regulators and civil groups, and the potential for new safeguards.
Measles cases in the U.S. have surged to 2,371 this year, the highest in years, prompting renewed calls for vaccination amid political and public health pressures. Outbreaks are intensifying in several states as officials warn that vaccination alone may not curb spread. Health Secretary Kennedy faces scrutiny over his vaccine stance while states push to bolster immunization programs.
A wave of reports shows enterprises are expanding AI deployment, triggering higher token costs and prompting new cost-control measures. Firms are adopting tokenomics and routers to manage usage, while leaders stress aligning AI with business value as adoption climbs.
Grab reports strong Q2 results and lifts full-year outlook as AI-driven efficiency boosts margins; Grab is accelerating in Southeast Asia while pursuing Taiwan expansion. Rolls-Royce posts higher semi-annual profit guidance on defense demand and data-centre power growth, with AI-influenced efficiency lifting margins.
Federal agencies and state officials have reported coordinated cyberattacks that have targeted internet-connected controllers at water and wastewater utilities in at least a dozen states since late July. Operators have had passwords changed and been locked out, forcing many plants to revert to manual control; officials say drinking water remains broadly safe while investigations continue.
OpenAI’s leaders discuss parenting with AI aids; responses show mixed public reaction. Reports highlight safety concerns, parental trust, and business interest in consumer AI tools.
U.S. agencies warn that hackers are targeting critical infrastructure, including Siemens S7 PLCs used in water, energy and manufacturing. The government is directing private firms to conduct cyber surveillance and, where approved, cyber effects operations against transnational criminal organizations under strict oversight. Details and timelines are still pending.
A wave of venues from cinemas to festivals is restricting camera-enabled smart glasses amid privacy concerns. UK cinema chains, pubs and theatres are introducing policies to prohibit or restrict these devices, with public venues citing privacy and piracy worries. Burning Man and other events emphasize consent in photography, while Meta faces pressure over potential future features.