Nuro's autonomous vehicle testing expands to Tokyo, Ford integrates AI assistants for fleet safety, and Google's Gemini AI rolls out to Chrome users in India, while concerns are raised over AI chatbot's violent recommendations and fatal Ford BlueCruise crashes underscore ongoing safety debates in these rapidly developing fields.
The tech sector sees major financial activity with Zendesk acquiring Forethought and Netflix possibly buying Ben Affleck's AI startup, alongside **Quince reaching a $10B valuation and Replit a $9B valuation, as VC mega-funds return and nearly 40 new unicorns emerge this year, although India neobank Fi winds down services**.
Google Play Games enhances PC offerings and introduces cross-buy with Android, Windows 11 launches a streamlined Xbox gaming UI, WhatsApp rolls out parent-linked accounts for pre-teens, and TikTok integrates Apple Music playback, demonstrating a focus on gaming, user features, and content integration across major platforms.
14,000 routers are infected by resilient malware, a pro-Iran hacktivist group targets medical tech giant Stryker, an FBI server linked to Epstein files is reportedly compromised, and Meta rolls out new scam detection tools across its platforms, underlining persistent digital threats and ongoing efforts to bolster online safety.
The FCC chair criticizes Amazon's stance on SpaceX's megaconstellation, while Anduril expands its autonomous weapons space unit and acquires space surveillance firm ExoAnalytic Solutions, signaling intensified activity and competition in orbital and military technologies.
EV startup Harbinger unveils smaller electric and hybrid work trucks, and Rivian releases details for its R2 electric vehicle, reflecting a continued expansion and diversification of the electric vehicle market beyond autonomous driving.
Intel boosts its desktop CPU lineup with new Core Ultra 200S Plus chips, Canopii aims for success in robotic indoor farming, and quantum computing research progresses with the Möbius molecule, showcasing innovation across core computing components, sustainable tech, and cutting-edge science.
RFK Jr.'s anti-vaccine agenda faces pushback, Binance sues the Wall Street Journal amidst government probes, and the NIH director sparks controversy with "Scientific Freedom" lectures, indicating ongoing tensions in public health, crypto regulation, and scientific discourse.