TECH
SpaceX IPO launches at $135, making Elon Musk first trillionaire
SpaceX shares rose as much as 19% during their first day of trading on the Nasdaq. The Verge highlights Musk's immense wealth and personal controversies, while TechCrunch focuses on the massive windfalls for venture capital firms and employees.
Google sues Chinese network using Gemini AI for phishing scams
Google has filed a lawsuit against Outsider Enterprise, a Chinese group allegedly using Gemini to automate phishing-as-a-service via Telegram. The company claims the network used AI-generated templates to target Android users with millions of fraudulent text messages. Google is also working with law enforcement and mobile carriers to disrupt the operation.
FISA surveillance law expires as Congress fails to pass extension
Section 702 of FISA expires at midnight following a failed congressional extension. While some lawmakers warn of risks to American lives, Ars Technica reports that existing certifications allow surveillance to continue until March 2027. The Cato Institute and the Brennan Center note that other authorities like Executive Order 12333 remain active.
Jeff Bezos' Prometheus startup secures $12 billion for physical AI
Jeff Bezos and Vik Bajaj have raised $12 billion for their startup Prometheus to develop artificial general engineers for the physical world. The company plans to use the funds for intensive compute requirements. Ars Technica reports the startup aims to accelerate technological invention through advanced tools for robotics and manufacturing.
ShinyHunters exploits critical PeopleSoft vulnerability to target hundreds of organizations
The ransomware group ShinyHunters exploited a critical server-side request forgery vulnerability in Oracle's PeopleSoft software to target approximately 100 organizations. Ars Technica reports that the group has stolen gigabytes of data, including student records from the University of Nottingham. Google's Mandiant notes that the group had been exploiting the flaw for over two weeks before it was identified.
Protests Block $130 Billion in Data Center Projects in Early 2026
Data Center Watch reports that at least 75 projects worth $130 billion were blocked or delayed in the first quarter of 2026. Ars Technica notes that expanding community opposition is reshaping regulation and elections through a shared political playbook. While some outlets highlight the economic benefits of data centers, others focus on growing concerns regarding water rights and environmental reviews.
Ukraine tested fully autonomous drones in battlefield experiment
A Ukrainian drone manufacturer revealed a past test where quadcopters used AI to attack targets without human intervention. While the experiment reportedly killed Russian soldiers, the Ukrainian government maintains a policy banning AI in the final stage of target interception.
Apple updates Siri with improved AI capabilities
The Verge reports that a new version of Siri has been released with functional AI improvements. While not described as bleeding edge, the updated assistant demonstrates much higher utility than previous versions.
Oracle warns of critical vulnerability exploited to breach 100+ companies
Oracle issued a security advisory regarding a critical zero-day vulnerability in its PeopleSoft software that allows unauthenticated access via the internet. The hacking group ShinyHunters claimed responsibility for breaching over 100 organizations, primarily in higher education, using this flaw. Mandiant confirmed that some targeted entities experienced data theft resulting in stolen information being published online.
Chinese Drivers Use Plastic Heads to Bypass Tesla Safety Monitors
Wired reports that Tesla owners in China are using miniature celebrity figurines and screens to trick in-cabin cameras into detecting attentive drivers. These DIY gadgets allow drivers to bypass safety guardrails meant to prevent distracted driving while using Autopilot. The practice emerged following a software update that activated driver monitoring via the vehicle's internal camera.