WSJ Tech News Briefing

States Sue Meta Over Alleged Harm to Young Users

25 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Facebook and Instagram parent Meta, is facing lawsuits from a group of more than 40 attorneys general. The lawsuits claim the social giant built its p...

Does AI ‘Think’? We’re Still Figuring That Out

24 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Generative artificial intelligence technology is still in the early stages of development. Some researchers are debating whether the tools that exist ...

Tech’s New Rivalry: TikTok vs. Amazon

23 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A new rivalry is forming between TikTok and Amazon. Both companies want to dominate the burgeoning market for “social shopping” in the U.S. WSJ re...

Tech Live 2023: Is Crypto Dead?

20 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's been a rough year for the crypto industry. But supporters say the sector is down not out. Financier Anthony Scaramucci and crypto-compliance advo...

Tech Live 2023: How Meta Plans to Connect You to AI Friends

19 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Meta, known for its social-media platforms Facebook and Instagram, wants users to connect not just with friends but with artificial-intelligence chatb...

Tech Live 2023: What’s Next for OpenAI?

18 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The company at the center of the generative artificial intelligence revolution took the stage at the WSJ’s Tech Live event. OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altma...

Tech Live 2023: Roblox CEO Shares How the Gaming Platform Is Evolving

17 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The gaming platform Roblox is working to expand its base of older users and is turning to artificial intelligence and traditional gaming consoles to d...

AI Takes Center Stage at Tech Live 2023

16 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

WSJ’s Tech Live will feature some of the biggest names in artificial intelligence including the CEOs of OpenAI and Arm. WSJ Live Journalism news edi...

New AI Tools Offer Path to Early Alzheimer's Diagnosis

13 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Is the eye the window to Alzheimer’s? WSJ reporter Vipal Monga joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss some of the AI tools that are in the works to help d...

AI Struggles to Generate Money, Despite Hype

12 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The big tech companies behind new artificial intelligence tools are struggling to make money off them. WSJ reporter Tom Dotan joins host Zoe Thomas t...

How Adobe Plans to Stand Out From the AI Pack

11 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Adobe’s SVP of Digital Media joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss the company's new AI products and how it is handling issues of copyright and misinform...

How War in Israel and Tensions With China Threaten the Tech Sector

10 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As Israel goes on the offensive following deadly surprise attacks by Hamas militants over weekend, Israeli tech startups and their investors prepare f...

AI and Work: AI for Jobs, Startups and Everywhere Else

09 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Developments in artificial intelligence have some worried the technology could replace them in their jobs. But AI also offers the prospect of new jobs...

AI Matchmakers: Dating Apps for Hookups, Breakups and Date Planning

06 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Artificial intelligence is being used to power new dating tools, helping people find love and understand what happens when it falls apart. In this rom...

Rivian Is Burning Billions to Build the Ultimate EV Pickup

05 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rivian’s goal to sell the ultimate electric pickup truck attracted a lot of investors when the company went public. But it’s losing money on every...

The Secret Algorithm Amazon Used to Raise Prices

04 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Amazon used a secret algorithm code-named “Project Nessie” to test how much it could raise prices and get competitors to follow. The plan is outli...

What to Expect From Sam Bankman-Fried’s Fraud Trial

03 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The fraud trial of Sam Bankman-Fried starts today. The collapse of his exchange FTX was a massive blow to the crypto market and prosecutors allege it ...

AI Can Help Fight Climate Change, But It Also Adds to It

02 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Artificial intelligence could help reduce carbon emissions and water use. But AI itself uses a lot of energy to do that. Host Zoe Thomas speaks with N...

A New Effort to Rescue Men From Rage Rabbit Holes

29 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Social media and other online spaces can lead some men down rage rabbit holes. But, one group is trying to use the same tactics that pull them into th...

Meta Unveils New Quest 3, Smart Glasses & AI Chatbots

28 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Facebook parent Meta revealed its new Quest 3 headset and Ray-Ban smart glasses at its Meta Connect conference. WSJ reporter Salvador Rodriguez explai...

Amazon Faces Monopoly Suit, Google Turns 25 & OpenAI’s New Valuation

27 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Federal Trade Commission has sued Amazon claiming its online marketplace is a monopoly. WSJ reporter Dana Mattioli explains the claims. Plus, Goo...

Meta Plans to Launch AI Chatbots With Personalities

26 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Meta is adding chatbots with distinct personalities, as a way to get young people to spend more time on Facebook and Instagram. WSJ reporter Salvador ...

How Apple Failed to Build a Key Part for New iPhones

25 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Apple wants to cut its ties with chip designer Qualcomm but despite years of work and billions of dollars, the company hasn’t been able to build a w...

TikTok Faces More Bans, This Time in Africa

22 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

TikTok is facing bans in several African countries but the reasons are different from the concerns in the U.S. and Europe. WSJ reporter Alexandra Wexl...

How Google’s DeepMind Is Using AI to Uncover the Causes of Diseases

21 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A model from Google’s artificial intelligence unit has identified millions of genetic mutations that could cause illness. WSJ science bureau chief J...

Amazon’s Next Big Hit Remains Elusive

20 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

First came online shopping, then Prime, followed by AWS. But when it comes to Amazon’s next big hit, the tech giant continues to fumble. WSJ reporte...

Instacart IPO: Lessons and Losses for Investors

19 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Instacart is set to go public at a valuation less than one quarter of its peak a few years ago. WSJ reporter Berber Jin joins host Zoe Thomas to expla...

FDA Weighs How to Regulate Artificial Wombs

18 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Regulators this week will discuss how to conduct clinical trials of artificial wombs. This technology could save the lives of very premature babies, b...

How Arm Became the Biggest IPO of the Year

15 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Arm has the year’s biggest IPO. Though it’s not a household name, its semiconductor designs live inside nearly all of the world's smartphones. WSJ...

Can AI Help Make Fashion More Inclusive?

14 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The fashion industry is turning to artificial intelligence to help expand the body types and backgrounds of models in ads. Katharine Zarrella, the Fas...

Apple Event 2023: New Cord, Cost, and Camera Features

13 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Apple’s latest product updates offer a glimpse at some of the challenges the iPhone maker is facing. In this all Apple episode, members from WSJ’s...

Google Prepares to Defend Search Dominance in Landmark Case

12 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A landmark antitrust case between the Justice Department and Google is set to get underway today. The legal team defending the search giant was instru...

The Pentagon Plans to Build a Vast AI Fleet

11 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Pentagon plans to build a vast network of artificial-intelligence powered technology , drones, and autonomous systems. WSJ national security corre...

Elon Musk Is Running Twitter on His Impulses

08 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When Elon Musk bought Twitter he promised to run the platform with fairness and transparency. But, Wall Street Journal reporting shows that, nearly a ...

The High Cost of High-Speed Internet in Rural America

07 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Officials are doling out billions to install high-speed internet in rural parts of the country. However, the high costs of laying down fiber optic cab...

How Worried Should You Be About an AI Apocalypse?

06 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Leaders in artificial intelligence, including Sam Altman and Elon Musk, are debating what the biggest risks created by the technology are. Could it wi...

The EV Boom: How China, the South and Investors Are Cashing In

05 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this EV-focused episode, we look at how the electric-vehicle boom is playing out across industries and continents —sparking investment in the Ame...

Musk Makes Twitter X: The Deal, the Superfans & the 2024 Election

01 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this all-Twitter episode, Tech News Briefing discusses newly revealed details from Walter Isaacson’s biography of Elon Musk, examines the Twitter...

Tech Added to an Epidemic of Myopia. Can It Help Fix It Too?

31 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Screens and a lack of sunlight are harming children’s vision. Half the global population is expected to be nearsighted b y 2050, according to the Wo...

Streamflation: Netflix, Disney and More Bet You’ll Pay Up

30 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Have you noticed the cost of streaming services going up? Reporter Robbie Whelan explains what’s behind “streamflation.” Plus, scientists say na...

EV Road Test: Picking the Best ‘Computer on Wheels’

29 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Choosing an electric vehicle has become a lot like comparison shopping for the latest tech gadget. WSJ’s senior personal tech columnist Joanna Stern...

AI in Education Attracts Startups and Cash

28 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If generative artificial intelligence is going to upend learning, then startups and investors want to be part of it. Varun Gulati, CEO of LitLab, desc...

AI Jobs Are Paying Up to $900,000

25 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Companies are willing to pay eye-watering salaries to fill artificial-intelligence roles. WSJ reporter Chip Cutter explains why businesses outside of ...

AI’s Thorniest Issues Will Be Addressed in Court

24 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Congress is discussing ways to regulate artificial intelligence. But while they debate the best approaches, courts may be the ones to decide some of t...

Microsoft Offers Big Concession to Secure Activision Deal

23 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Microsoft has offered new concessions to win over U.K. regulators as it tries to close its $75 billion deal for games publisher Activision Blizzard. W...

Biden Administration Taps Wall Street to Help Revive Chips Industry

22 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

To bring semiconductors production back to the U.S. the Biden administration has tapped Wall Street insiders to help it allocate $39 billion in taxpay...

Teachers Adapt to New AI Era

21 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Teachers worry that generative AI programs may interfere with the way students learn. For the second installment of our special series Reading, Writin...

What It's Like Inside One of San Francisco’s Self-Driving Taxis?

18 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

More autonomous taxis are about to hit the roads of San Francisco. But will residents of the country’s tech capital be quick to hitch a ride in a dr...

How Pink Floyd Is Helping Scientists Hear People's Thoughts

17 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Scientists have gotten one step closer to reading people’s minds using a combination of advanced computer models and a Pink Floyd song. WSJ reporter...

Why AI Is Botching Headshots

16 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

More people are using artificial intelligence image generators to produce professional looking headshots. But for some people of color, the results ca...

Why Many 911 Centers Struggle to Locate Cellphone Callers

15 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Many 911 call centers throughout the country still rely on decades-old technology that uses landlines. That means dispatchers can have a hard time loc...

AI Joins the Classroom When Students Return

14 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Students across the country are preparing to head back to class and many of them will likely use generative artificial intelligence to help with their...

AI Makes Hacking Easier, Even for Non-Hackers

11 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Generative artificial intelligence tools, like ChatGPT, are opening up new avenues for cybercriminals, even ones without traditional hacking skills. W...

ChatGPT Is Getting Dumber at Math. What Does It Mean For AI’s Future?

10 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

An updated version of ChatGPT has gotten worse at basic math, according to new research. The finding underlines a bigger problem for the development o...

Your New Best Friend Is an AI Chatbot. What Are the Risks?

09 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

More people are forming relationships with generative artificial intelligence chatbots. A hospital security guard shares his story of developing an AI...

Why Meta’s Ray-Ban Smart Glasses Aren’t Catching On

08 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Facebook parent Meta has big plans for the metaverse. But it needs people to buy its hardware to help that become a reality. WSJ reporter Salvador Rod...

The Battle Over What Is Used to Teach AI Intensifies

07 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Authors, artists, and internet publishers are increasingly demanding compensation from companies that make generative AI programs. They claim their co...

How Much Is Too Much AI in Hollywood?

04 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The use of artificial intelligence is one of the major sticking points in the biggest Hollywood strike in 60 years. Studios and the unions representin...

How President Biden Views AI

03 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The White House is facing many challenges as it looks for ways to address the impacts of AI. WSJ White House reporter Sabrina Siddiqui joins host Zoe ...

Uber’s Green Goals Hit Roadblocks in London

02 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Uber set an ambitious target to have all its London drivers in electric vehicles by 2025. But the company is running up against some surprising obstac...

Apple Admits to Bug in Parental Controls

01 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A bug in Apple’s Screen Time controls has some parents scrambling for new ways to set limits for kids. WSJ family and tech columnist Julie Jargon jo...

Smart Guns Are Coming. Will People Buy Them?

31 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A gun that uses fingerprint and facial recognition to ensure it is only fired by an authorized user is set to hit the market. WSJ reporter Zusha Elin...

Netflix Wants More Ads and It Has a New Plan to Get Them

28 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Netflix is reworking its deal with Microsoft and changing its prices for advertisers in an effort to jump-start its ad-supported tier. WSJ deputy medi...

AI vs. the Drive-Through Customer

27 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

One of the best places to see how artificial intelligence is affecting our lives and jobs may be at a fast-food drive-through. WSJ senior personal tec...

Why More Electric Trucks Aren’t Hitting the Roads

26 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Commercial trucks are huge emitters of greenhouse gases. But battery-powered trucks face challenges that electric cars don’t. WSJ contributor Bart Z...

The Human Toll of Making ChatGPT Safe for Users

25 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Generative AI programs rely on human workers to train them to filter out harmful content, including violent and sexual material. WSJ reporter Karen Ha...

Google Co-Founder Returns to Help With AI Efforts

24 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Google co-founder Sergey Brin is back in the company’s office working directly with members of the artificial intelligence team. WSJ reporter Miles ...

How Apple Maps Found Its Way

21 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Changes to Apple Maps have made some users love the once hated product. WSJ personal tech reporter Ann-Marie Alcántara joins host Zoe Thomas to expla...

Why Some Tech Leaders Support Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for President

20 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Tech leaders are among those supporting Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in his bid to be the Democratic presidential nominee. But Kennedy has voiced support for...

Microsoft and Meta Team Up to Offer New AI Software

19 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Microsoft announced a new artificial intelligence partnership and pricing for its AI-powered workplace software. WSJ Microsoft reporter Tom Dotan join...

AI and Streaming Play Leading Roles in Hollywood Strike

18 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Actors and writers say artificial intelligence and streaming have upended the film and TV industry. WSJ media and entertainment reporter Joe Flint joi...

Could Twitter Become Irrelevant?

17 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Twitter is facing new challengers that threaten to take over the platform’s position as the global town square. WSJ tech columnist Christopher Mims ...

School Districts Are Experimenting With AI-Enabled Robots

14 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

ChatGPT is being investigated by federal regulators. Plus, more school districts are considering using robots to patrol campuses. WSJ reporter Megan T...

The FTC Keeps Taking on Big Tech, and Losing

13 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan is taking on the world’s biggest tech companies and losing. WSJ reporter Dave Michaels joins host Zoe T...

A Platform Popular With Gamers Adds Parental Oversight

12 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Discord, the chat app favored by teen gamers, is introducing parental oversight tools. WSJ family and tech columnist Julie Jargon joins host Zoe Thoma...

Why Lawmakers Might Ban the Sale of Cellphone Location Data

11 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Massachusetts lawmakersare weighing a near total ban on the selling of location data from mobile devices . The proposed law would go further than any ...

How Meta Fell Behind in AI and How It Plans to Catch Up

10 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Meta was a leader in artificial intelligence about a decade ago, but it’s lost its edge since then. WSJ social-media reporter Salvador Rodriguez exp...

Elon Musk and the $1 Billion ‘Bad Deal’ in Buffalo

07 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

New York spent nearly $1 billion on a new solar-panel factory in Buffalo, hoping Elon Musk and Tesla would use it to transform the local economy. But ...

Twitter’s Challenges Heat Up With Meta Copycat

06 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Meta has launched a new microblogging app called Threads. WSJ reporter Salvador Rodriguez joins host Zoe Thomas to explain why Meta could be Twitter’...

Why Twitter’s Limit of Post Views Is a Bigger Risk Than You Think

05 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Elon Musk is limiting how many posts Twitter users can read in a day, to stop artificial intelligence companies from scraping data off the platform. W...

Euclid Space Telescope Has Launched to Study the Dark Universe

03 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The European Space Agency has launched a new first-of-its-kind space telescope. The Euclid space telescope was designed to study dark matter and dark ...

How AI Is Being Used to Help Scout Upcoming Baseball Players

30 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The 2023 MLB Draft is around the corner, and scouts have a new artificial intelligence tool at their disposal. The tool is said to generate data that ...

Investors Warm-Up to Clean-Energy Stocks Again

29 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Shares of clean-energy companies are rising after an 18-month downturn. Companies and investors are now watching to see if the rally will help sustain...

Mushrooms. LSD. Ketamine. Psychedelics Are Powering Silicon Valley.

28 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Drug use has long been a part of Silicon Valley. But recently, routine drug use has moved from an after-hours activity into corporate culture, with so...

How TikTok Trends Are Disrupting American Companies

27 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

TikTok trends have been impacting businesses, from restaurant menu hacks to beauty product finds and fashion tips. But, going viral on the video-shari...

Google’s Latest AI Flex: An Anti-Money-Laundering Tool for Banks

26 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Google Cloud has a new artificial-intelligence tool that tackles money laundering for banks. But how does this product differ from those already on th...

AI Apps to Try for Work and Leisure

23 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There are so many new AI-powered programs out there. Deciding which ones to try can be overwhelming. But worry not! WSJ personal-tech reporting assist...

AI Could Improve Ads on Social Media, Snap CEO Says

22 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Snapchat launched an AI chatbot recently. And as users flooded to the feature, CEO Evan Spiegel says he discovered users’ embrace of AI could improv...

Is America Ready for the EV Takeover?

21 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

More people are driving electric vehicles. But is the U.S. ready for an EV takeover? WSJ tech columnist Christopher Mims says the answer is: No. He sh...

The EU’s AI Act: What It Is and Where It Stands

20 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The surge in artificial intelligence tools have led to increased calls for regulation. And one place where those rules are beginning to take shape is ...

Uber vs. Japan’s ‘Taxi Prince’

16 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Uber aims to have all taxis worldwide registered on its app by 2025. But a man known as the ‘Taxi Prince’ is throwing off those plans. WSJ Tokyo-b...

The Awkward Partnership Between Microsoft and OpenAI

15 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The partnership between Microsoft and OpenAI is helping to lead the boom in artificial intelligence. But the pair doesn’t always have an easy relati...

Startups Wonder Where All the VC Went

14 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

After years of venture capital flowing freely into early-stage tech companies, investors are getting pickier. That’s forcing founders to make tough ...

Microsoft Activision Deal Could Benefit From FTC's Move to Block It

13 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Federal Trade Commission has asked a judge for a temporary restraining order to stop Microsoft from clinching its $75 billion deal to buy Activisi...

What to Do if Dozens of Your Passwords Have Been Hacked

12 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Password managers can inform you if your login credentials have been stolen. But what if you've used the same password for multiple sites? WSJ reporte...

How the CEO of YouTube Plans to Win Over Anyone Watching TV

09 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

YouTube’s CEO Neal Mohan has a strategy to fill the platform with short videos and TV offerings, as the company faces a growing amount of competitio...

How Instagram’s Algorithm Connects and Promotes Pedophile Network

08 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Instagram, through its system of fostering communities with sets of narrow interests, has helped guide users to illegal child sex content. Instagram's...

Twitter Missed Dozens of Images of Child Sexual Abuse, Researchers Say

07 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Researchers at Stanford University found dozens of images of known child sexual abuse material on Twitter during a two-month period earlier this year....

What Makes Apple’s AR Headset Stand Out From Competitors

06 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Apple unveiled its first major new product in a decade, an augmented-reality headset. The device launches Apple into a new market but it’s taking so...

Why Call of Duty Could Stand in the Way of a $75 Billion Deal

05 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Global regulators are concerned that if Microsoft acquires games publisher Activision Blizzard it could have an unfair advantage in the videogame indu...