AI and technology briefing
Nvidia faces questions after Huang’s departure
Jensen Huang’s resignation as Nvidia CEO on Thursday unsettled investors, sending the company’s stock lower as markets weighed what comes next for the AI leader. The abrupt move followed reports of multiple extramarital affairs, and a longtime executive has been named interim CEO.
The departure also comes amid reports of a spying scandal involving Nvidia, prompting concerns about whether foreign agents may have gained access to influential American business leaders. One opinion writer argued that an accused Chinese spy had dealt a serious blow to the U.S. position in the AI race.
AI tool helps reroute flights
A new AI-supported air traffic management system introduced by the Trump administration has helped redirect nearly 180 flights, carrying about 24,000 passengers, around congestion, according to Department of Transportation data. The changes reduced flight times by an average of more than 10 minutes.
Data center counties shifted toward Democrats
An analysis by a conservative AI safety group found that deeply Republican counties with existing or proposed data centers moved further toward Democrats in last week’s midterm elections than similar counties without those projects.
New York launches AI research center
Binghamton University is opening the Center for AI Responsibility and Research, where researchers will examine registered AI models. Tom Secunda, the billionaire Bloomberg cofounder and a major Democratic donor, led a group that contributed $30 million toward the center’s launch.
Malware aims to assess victims’ value
A newly identified type of malware is designed not only to steal personal information but also to analyze a victim’s digital life and build a detailed profile using AI. Researchers say criminals could use that information to decide which people to target more aggressively and which stolen accounts may be most profitable.
Personalized scams draw on social media
Imagine posting concert photos on Instagram, then receiving an email the next day that appears to come from the venue and offers exclusive pictures. It refers to the performer and the night you attended, which could make it seem convincing. But scammers may use AI to study social media posts and tailor messages like these.
Anthropic reportedly seeks trillion-dollar valuation
Anthropic, the company behind the Claude chatbot, is seeking a valuation of as much as $1.02 trillion in a major initial public offering. That figure is below earlier expectations, as investors become more wary of the immense costs behind the AI boom.
Adobe and Google expand AI partnership
Adobe and Google are set to announce a strategic partnership focused on AI, broadening how their products work together across creative and workplace applications.
Meta expands age-checking technology
Meta is extending its AI tools to identify teenagers who misrepresent their age. Some young users have long found it easy to get around age limits on Facebook and Instagram, a familiar concern for many parents.
