GM’s Cruise takes first step to bring its self-driving cars to Seattle

The self driving subsidiary of General Motors began data collection in Seattle this week, the first step in the process to deploy driverless vehicles.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/gms-cruise-takes-first-step-to-bring-its-self-driving-cars-to-seattle/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Judge blocks Arkansas law requiring parental OK for minors to create social media accounts

A federal judge has blocked Arkansas from enforcing a new law that would have required parental consent for minors to create new social media accounts.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/judge-blocks-arkansas-law-requiring-parental-ok-for-minors-to-create-social-media-accounts/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Orsted delays 1st New Jersey wind farm until 2026; not ready to ‘walk away’ from project

Orsted, the global wind energy developer, says its first offshore wind farm in New Jersey will be delayed until 2026.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/orsted-delays-1st-new-jersey-wind-farm-until-2026-not-ready-to-walk-away-from-project/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

New York police will use drones to monitor backyard parties this weekend, spurring privacy concerns

Those attending outdoor parties or barbecues in New York City this weekend may find an uninvited guest looming over their festivities: a police drone.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/new-york-police-will-use-drones-to-monitor-backyard-parties-this-weekend-spurring-privacy-concerns/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

T-Mobile cuts more than 400 Bellevue jobs, part of broader layoffs

The Bellevue-based company said last week that it plans to eliminate nearly 7% of its workforce, a total of 5,000 jobs.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/t-mobile-cuts-more-than-400-bellevue-jobs-part-of-broader-layoffs/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Nissan is reusing the batteries from old Leaf electric vehicles to make portable power sources

Batteries in older Nissan Leaf electric vehicles are getting a new life as portable power sources that can be used to run gadgets on the go or deliver emergency power in disasters.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/nissan-is-reusing-the-batteries-from-old-leaf-electric-vehicles-to-make-portable-power-sources/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Microsoft to stop packaging Teams and Office software in Europe to head off EU antitrust action

Microsoft will stop packaging its Teams videoconferencing app with its Office software in Europe in an effort to head off antitrust penalties by regulators.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/microsoft-to-stop-packaging-teams-and-office-software-in-europe-to-head-off-eu-antitrust-action/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

China’s Baidu makes AI chatbot Ernie Bot publicly available

Chinese search engine and artificial intelligence firm Baidu has made its ChatGPT-equivalent language model, Ernie Bot, fully available to the public.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/chinas-baidu-makes-ai-chatbot-ernie-bot-publicly-available/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

‘This is a test’: Nationwide alert will reach cellphones, TVs and radios

Every TV, radio and cellphone is going to broadcast a message akin to: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/this-is-a-test-nationwide-alert-will-reach-cellphones-tvs-and-radios/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Georgia Power customers could see monthly bills rise another $9 to pay for the Vogtle nuclear plant

Residential customers of Georgia’s largest electrical utility could see their bills rise another $9 a month to pay for a new nuclear power plant.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/georgia-power-customers-could-see-monthly-bills-rise-another-9-to-pay-for-the-vogtle-nuclear-plant/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Tesla is allowing no-hands driving with Autopilot for longer periods. US regulators have questions

Tesla is letting some drivers use its Autopilot driver-assist system for extended periods without making them put their hands on the steering wheel, a development that has drawn concern from U.S. safety regulators.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/after-tesla-relaxes-monitoring-of-drivers-using-its-autopilot-technology-us-regulators-seek-answers/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

UW student finishes second at the 2023 Pokémon World Championships

Thomas Welch kept playing after the game changed from when players wandered the world catching Pokémon, to its current 1 vs. 1 fighter mode, and it's paid off.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/life/uw-student-finishes-second-at-the-2023-pokemon-world-championships/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Meta’s ‘biggest single takedown’ removes Chinese influence campaign

The effort was aimed at advancing China’s interests and discrediting its adversaries, such as the United States,

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/metas-biggest-single-takedown-removes-chinese-influence-campaign/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

FBI and European partners seize major malware network in blow to global cybercrime

U.S. officials say the FBI and its partners in Europe infiltrated and seized control of a major malware network that was used for more than 15 years to commit a gamut of online crimes including crippling ransomware attacks.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/fbi-and-european-partners-seize-major-malware-network-in-blow-to-global-cybercrime/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Amazon CEO says ‘it’s probably not going work out’ for employees who defy return-to-office policy

Amazon employees have been pushing back against the company’s return to office policy for months — and it seems the ecommerce giant’s CEO has had enough.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/amazon-ceo-says-its-probably-not-going-work-out-for-employees-who-defy-return-to-office-policy/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Why you can’t get ‘Planet of the Bass,’ the playful ’90s Eurodance parody, out of your head

The year is 2023, but it might as well be 1997.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/why-you-cant-get-planet-of-the-bass-the-playful-90s-eurodance-parody-out-of-your-head/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

OpenAI unveils ChatGPT for businesses, stepping up revenue push

It is the startup's most significant effort yet to attract a broad mix of business customers and boost revenue from its best-known product.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/openai-unveils-chatgpt-for-businesses-stepping-up-revenue-push/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Google to invest another $1.7 billion into Ohio data centers

Google will invest an additional $1.7 billion to support three data center campuses in central Ohio.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/google-to-invest-another-1-7-billion-into-ohio-data-centers/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

AI brings the robot wingman to aerial combat

An Air Force program shows how the Pentagon is starting to embrace AI, with far-reaching implications for war-fighting tactics, military culture and the defense industry.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/ai-brings-the-robot-wingman-to-aerial-combat/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Need to know about lifesaving CPR? A new study says it’s probably wise not to ask Alexa or Siri

A new study says Alexa, Siri and other voice assistants could do a better job giving instructions on CPR to help bystanders respond in emergencies.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/need-to-know-about-live-saving-cpr-a-new-study-says-its-probably-wise-not-to-ask-alexa-or-siri/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

‘This experience may feel futuristic’: Three rides in Waymo robot taxis

The New York Times dispatched three reporters to test the paid driverless taxi rides that Waymo began offering in San Francisco.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/this-experience-may-feel-futuristic-three-rides-in-waymo-robot-taxis/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

How Nvidia built a competitive moat around AI chips

Nvidia achieved its dominance by becoming a one-stop shop for AI development, from chips to software to other services.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/how-nvidia-built-a-competitive-moat-around-ai-chips/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

To stop wildfires, residents in some Greek suburbs put their own money toward early warning drones

Residents in leafy suburb of the Greek capital have united this summer to prevent the nightmare of towering, deadly wildfires from reaching their homes.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/to-stop-wildfires-residents-in-some-greek-suburbs-put-their-own-money-toward-early-warning-drones/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

How PayPal is using AI to combat fraud, and make it easier to pay

Artificial intelligence has been the buzzword of 2023 ever since ChatGPT made its public debut earlier this year, with businesses, schools, universities and even non-profits looking for ways to integrate AI in their operations.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/how-paypal-is-using-ai-to-combat-fraud-and-make-it-easier-to-pay/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

What to stream this week: Indiana Jones, ‘One Piece,’ ‘The Menu’ and tunes from NCT and Icona Pop

This week’s new entertainment releases include an album from the 20-member K-pop super group NCT, ”Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” swings into streaming.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/what-to-stream-this-week-indiana-jones-one-piece-the-menu-and-tunes-from-nct-and-icona-pop/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

How the Microsoft-Activision deal came back from the dead

Microsoft resurrected the purchase earlier this summer, deploying what amounted to a bluff that pitted U.S. and U.K. regulators against each another.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/microsoft/how-the-microsoft-activision-deal-came-back-from-the-dead/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Cause of Kenya’s longest power outage in memory remains unclear as grid suppliers exchange blame

The longest nationwide power outage in Kenyans’ memory remains a mystery as the government-owned power company blames a failure at Africa’s largest wind farm, which laid the responsibility on the power grid instead.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/cause-of-kenyas-longest-power-outage-in-memory-remains-unclear-as-grid-suppliers-exchange-blame/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

What mandates? Data shows WA workers aren’t rushing back to the office

More than 1 in 3 Washingtonians were on a hybrid schedule or were totally virtual, well above the national average.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/what-mandates-data-shows-wa-workers-arent-rushing-back-to-the-office/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Early Apple computer that helped launch $3T company sells at auction for $223,000

One of the first personal computers built by Apple and signed by company co-founder Steve Wozniak has sold at auction for more than $223,000.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/early-apple-computer-that-helped-launch-3t-company-sells-at-auction-for-223000/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

In reversal because of AI, office jobs are now more at risk

Technology disruption typically affected blue-collar occupations. Now white-collar workers may feel the brunt of changes.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/in-reversal-because-of-ai-office-jobs-are-now-more-at-risk/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Europe is cracking down on Big Tech. This is what will change when you sign on

Starting Friday, Europeans will see their online life change.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/europe-is-cracking-down-on-big-tech-this-is-what-will-change-when-you-sign-on/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Trump returns to site formerly known as Twitter, posts his mug shot shortly after Georgia surrender

Former President Donald Trump has returned to X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/trump-returns-to-x-the-site-formerly-known-as-twitter-shortly-after-surrendering-in-georgia/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

U.S. sues SpaceX for alleged hiring discrimination against refugees, others

Federal prosecutors said in a lawsuit filed on Thursday that SpaceX routinely discouraged asylum seekers and refugees from applying and refused to hire or consider them.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/u-s-sues-spacex-for-alleged-hiring-discrimination-against-refugees-others/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Meta launches AI coding software to compete with OpenAI

The tool introduced Thursday, called Code Llama, uses generative AI to help developers work faster by suggesting lines of software code.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/meta-launches-ai-coding-software-to-compete-with-openai/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Bellevue-based T-Mobile to lay off 7% of workforce

The company will inform all affected employees by the end of September. The roles that will be cut are mostly corporate, back-office and some tech.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/bellevue-based-t-mobile-to-lay-off-7-of-workforce/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Uber raises minimum age for most California drivers to 25, saying insurance costs are too high

Uber has raised the minimum age requirement for most new drivers in California to 25.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/uber-raises-minimum-age-for-most-california-drivers-to-25-saying-insurance-costs-are-too-high/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Nvidia’s rising star gets even brighter with another stellar quarter propelled by sales of AI chips

Computer chip maker Nvidia has rocketed into the constellation of Big Tech’s brightest stars while riding the artificial intelligence craze that’s fueling red-hot demand for its technology.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/nvidias-rising-star-gets-even-brighter-with-another-stellar-quarter-propelled-by-sales-of-ai-chips/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Children’s advocates ask FTC to investigate Google for targeting ads to kids

Children's advocacy groups including Fairplay and Common Sense Media are asking the Federal Trade Commission to investigate Google, saying the tech giant serves personalized ads to kids on YouTube despite federal law prohibiting the practice.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/childrens-advocates-ask-ftc-to-investigate-google-for-targeting-ads-to-kids/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Jailed Sam Bankman-Fried can’t prepare for trial without vegan diet and adequate meds, lawyers say

Defense lawyers say FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried can't adequately prepare for trial in six weeks while in jail without proper access to computers, necessary medications to help him concentrate, and a better diet than bread, water and peanut butter.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/jailed-sam-bankman-fried-cant-prepare-for-trial-on-bread-water-and-inadequate-meds-lawyers-say/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Mark Zuckerberg says a web version of Threads will be available in the next few days

Threads users, get happy – you will finally be able to use the social media platform without an app.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/mark-zuckerberg-says-a-web-version-of-threads-will-be-available-in-the-next-few-days/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

As fight over AI artwork unfolds, judge rejects copyright claim

A federal judge rejected an attempt to copyright an artwork generated by artificial intelligence in a decision last week that provided insight into the broader legal war over authorship and intellectual property. The case was unique because an inventor named Stephen Thaler listed his computer system as the artwork’s creator, arguing that a copyright should be issued and transferred to him as the machine’s owner.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/as-fight-over-ai-artwork-unfolds-judge-rejects-copyright-claim/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Microsoft revamps deal for video game maker Activision Blizzard. The UK will investigate again

British competition regulators have opened a new investigation into Microsoft’s revamped bid to buy video game maker Activision Blizzard.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/microsoft-revamps-deal-for-video-game-maker-activision-blizzard-to-meet-uk-demands/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Microsoft, Activision deal back in play with fresh UK probe

Microsoft’s $69 billion Activision Blizzard acquisition got a new chance at winning approval from UK regulators after the tech giant submitted a substantially different deal to the country’s antitrust watchdog. In a rare move, the Competition and Markets Authority is reconsidering the offer from Microsoft after it said it would sell the rights of all […]

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/microsoft-activision-deal-back-in-play-with-fresh-uk-probe/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Europe’s sweeping rules for tech giants are about to kick in. Here’s how they work

Google, Facebook, TikTok and other Big Tech companies operating in Europe are facing one of the most far-reaching efforts to clean up what people encounter online.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/europes-sweeping-rules-for-tech-giants-are-about-to-kick-in-heres-how-they-work/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Montana asks judge to allow TikTok ban to take effect while legal challenge moves through courts

Montana is asking a federal judge to allow its law banning new downloads of TikTok to take effect while a legal challenge filed by the company and five content creators moves through the courts.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/montana-asks-judge-to-allow-tiktok-ban-to-take-effect-while-legal-challenge-moves-through-courts/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

John Warnock, who invented the PDF and co-founded Adobe Systems, dies at age 82

John Warnock, who invented the PDF and co-founded Adobe Systems, has died.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/john-warnock-who-invented-the-pdf-and-co-founded-adobe-systems-dies-at-age-82/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Somalia’s government says it intends to shut down access to TikTok, Telegram over content concerns

Somalia’s government says it intends to shut down access to certain social media platforms including TikTok and Telegram that authorities believe disproportionately harms youth.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/somalias-government-says-it-intends-to-shut-down-access-to-tiktok-telegram-over-content-concerns/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Amazon offers influencers $25 per video, sparking chorus of LOLs

Amazon, looking to amp up its TikTok-like shopping feed, has called on influencers to make videos. But its offer of $25 a pop was mocked on social media.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/amazon-offers-influencers-25-per-video-sparking-chorus-of-lols/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

White House science adviser calls for more safeguards against artificial intelligence risks

When President Joe Biden has questions about artificial intelligence, one expert he turns to is his science adviser Arati Prabhakar, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/white-house-science-adviser-calls-for-more-safeguards-against-artificial-intelligence-risks/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Biden administration announces more new funding for rural broadband infrastructure

The Biden administration is continuing its push to bring internet connectivity to every home and business in the U.S. On Monday, the Biden administration announced a new investment of $667 million to build broadband infrastructure in rural areas of the country.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/biden-administration-announces-more-new-funding-for-rural-broadband-infrastructure/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology