Microsoft has signed an agreement with the American Federation of Teachers and its New York affiliate, the United Federation of Teachers, laying out ten enforceable privacy and safety commitments for AI use in schools. The rules bar Microsoft from training models on student or teacher data, limit data collection, ban AI companions, and require human oversight for high-stakes decisions. Districts can add these terms to contracts starting in November without renegotiating existing agreements.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf told The Athletic he's a self-described conspiracy theorist who believes a hidden civilization exists beneath Earth's crust, accessible only through Antarctica. He credited quarterback Aaron Rodgers, a longtime conspiracy proponent, as an inspiration, and questioned why tourists can't freely visit Antarctica or why world leaders supposedly hold secret gatherings there. A University of Florida microbiologist quoted in the piece dismissed the claims, noting Antarctic tourism is common and no such secret leader meetings occur.
Analog Devices has agreed to acquire Alif Semiconductor in an all-cash deal valued at $1.35 billion. The acquisition is aimed at broadening ADI's reach into fast-growing markets, including data-center infrastructure and defense applications.
John Ternus kicked off Apple's Wednesday product event with a standing ovation, marking his debut as CEO after succeeding Tim Cook. Ternus, a two-decade Apple veteran who worked under both Steve Jobs and Cook, takes over as Cook shifts to executive chairman of the board. The event served as his first public moment steering the company's product direction.
Senators Ron Wyden and Sheldon Whitehouse, joined by Republican Rep. Pat Harrigan, sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick asking that BellTroX, CyberRoot, and Sunkissed Organic Farms (formerly Appin) be added to the department's entity list. They allege these Indian firms have spent over a decade hacking Americans and using foreign courts to suppress reporting on their activities. The Commerce Department has not indicated whether it will act on the request.
As generative AI adoption among small businesses surges—58% now use it, up from 23% in 2023—industry leaders including Michele Jawando of Omidyar Network say access to AI tools is no longer a differentiator. Speaking at a tech discussion, Jawando, Allison Scott of Kapor Foundation, and Katy Knight of Siegel Family Endowment argued that founders must focus on owning proprietary data and intellectual property built through AI rather than simply consuming the technology.
Instacart has rolled out Clementine, a built-in AI assistant now live across North America on its Marketplace app that helps users plan meals and shop within budget. It can suggest recipes based on natural-language requests, check ingredient availability at a chosen store, filter for dietary preferences, restock pantry staples from past orders, and convert handwritten grocery lists into cart-ready items.
Kepler Computing, a seven-year-old San Jose startup, has emerged from stealth mode claiming a novel 3D-stacking method and proprietary material can boost memory chip density without relying on costly EUV lithography. The approach applies to both high-bandwidth memory used in AI systems and SRAM cache found in CPUs and GPUs, and can reportedly be built using existing fabrication plants rather than requiring new facilities.
Cymphony, a New York- and Tel Aviv-based startup, raised a $25 million Series A co-led by Sequoia Capital and SMBC Fin Atlas Beyond Fund, pushing its valuation above $100 million after a previously undisclosed Sequoia seed round. The company builds a 'workforce graph' that gives security teams visibility into which employees, AI agents, and other non-human identities can access sensitive systems and data.
Autonomy, the car subscription startup that once pledged to buy 23,000 EVs, is now adding internal combustion engine vehicles for the first time. The company will offer gas-powered Ford models like the Mustang, F-150 and Bronco Sport, sourced from Galpin Motors, starting in California with plans to expand through dealer partners in other states.
Instacart introduced Clementine, an AI-powered shopping assistant that converts natural-language requests, recipes, or grocery lists into ready-to-purchase carts. Users can ask for things like budget-friendly kids' lunches or high-protein dinners, upload photos of handwritten lists, and get recipes tailored to dietary needs such as gluten-free or vegetarian preferences. Clementine also surfaces deals and cheaper alternatives while shopping.
Huawei is scheduled to face a US criminal trial on charges that it violated Iran sanctions and stole trade secrets from competitors. The proceedings are set to begin just weeks before a planned meeting between President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
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