States are rolling out red carpets for data centers. But some lawmakers are pushing back

The explosive growth of the data centers needed to power America’s fast-rising demand for artificial intelligence and cloud computing has spurred states to dangle incentives in hopes of landing an economic bonanza.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/states-are-rolling-out-red-carpets-for-data-centers-but-some-lawmakers-are-pushing-back/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

AI powerhouse OpenAI plans move to former Microsoft offices in Bellevue

After searching since at least last summer, Microsoft-backed OpenAI found its Bellevue home.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/ai-powerhouse-openai-plans-move-to-former-microsoft-offices-in-bellevue/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Czech justice minister resigns over a donated bitcoin scandal

Czech Republic Justice Minister Pavel Blažek has resigned from his post over a bitcoin-related scandal.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/czech-justice-minister-resigns-over-a-donated-bitcoin-scandal/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Cyprus shows off its new Airbus military helicopters touted as more advanced than what Germany has

Cyprus has unveiled four of its newly-delivered Airbus H145 helicopters that officials say ar among the most advanced rotorcraft in the world with a proven track record that gives the Cypriot National Guard an operational edge.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/cyprus-shows-off-its-new-airbus-military-helicopters-touted-as-more-advanced-than-what-germany-has/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Victoria’s Secret US website is down as lingerie seller addresses ‘security incident’

Victoria’s Secret has taken down its U_S_ website and says some in-store services will be unavailable as it addresses an unspecified “security incident.”.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/victorias-secret-us-website-is-down-as-lingerie-seller-addresses-security-incident/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

CEO pay rose nearly 10% in 2024 as stock prices and profits soared

The typical compensation package for chief executives who run companies in the S&P 500 jumped nearly 10% in 2024 as the stock market enjoyed another banner year and corporate profits rose sharply.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/ceo-pay-rose-nearly-10-in-2024-as-stock-prices-and-profits-soared/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

AI is changing shopping. Will consumers buy in?

Major tech platforms envision a future where online shopping becomes even more personalized. But they'll also have to convince consumers to buy into the idea.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/ai-is-changing-shopping-will-consumers-buy-in/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Job Interviews Enter a Strange New World With AI That Talks Back

(Bloomberg) — For better or worse, the next generation of job interviews has arrived: Employers are now rolling out artificial intelligence simulating live, two-way screener calls using synthetic voices.  Startups like Apriora, HeyMilo AI and Ribbon all say they’re seeing swift adoption of their software for conducting real-time AI interviews over video. Job candidates converse with […]

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/job-interviews-enter-a-strange-new-world-with-ai-that-talks-back/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Czech Republic blames China for cyberattacks against its foreign ministry communication network

The Czech government says it has identified China as being “responsible” for cyberattacks against a communication network of the Czech Foreign Ministry.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/czech-republic-blames-china-for-cyberattacks-against-its-foreign-ministry-communication-network/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Salesforce is buying Informatica in deal worth approximately $8 billion

Salesforce is buying AI-powered cloud data management company Informatica in an approximately $8 billion deal.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/salesforce-is-buying-informatica-in-deal-worth-approximately-8-billion/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Nets and high-tech hijackings: Anti-drone systems offer new ways to counter rising threats

Rising concerns about the misuse of drones have led to the development of new technologies designed to counter unmanned aircraft.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/nets-and-high-tech-hijackings-anti-drone-systems-offer-new-ways-to-counter-rising-threats/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Nvidia’s chief says U.S. chip controls on China have backfired

Washington’s efforts gave Chinese companies “the spirit, the energy and the government support to accelerate their development,” said Jensen Huang.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/nvidias-chief-says-u-s-chip-controls-on-china-have-backfired/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Why we’re unlikely to get artificial general intelligence anytime soon

Many technologists have grown bold in predicting how soon artificial general intelligence. But others dispel any claim that machines will soon match human intellect.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/why-were-unlikely-to-get-artificial-general-intelligence-anytime-soon/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Japan’s troubled automaker Nissan banks on hybrid EV technology

Money-losing Japanese automaker Nissan is banking on its latest “e-Power” technology for a turnaround.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/japans-troubled-automaker-nissan-banks-on-hybrid-ev-technology/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

What to Stream: ‘Mountainhead,’ Bono documentary and Elizabeth Banks and Jessica Biel play sisters

“Succession” creator Jesse Armstrong’s satirical drama “Mountainhead” and Elizabeth Banks and Jessica Biel playing dysfunctional siblings in the murder thriller series “The Better Sister” are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/what-to-stream-mountainhead-bono-documentary-and-elizabeth-banks-and-jessica-biel-play-sisters/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Apps you’ll want to take on vacation: A digital packing list

There are a variety of apps that can make your travels smoother, safer and more fun.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/apps-youll-want-to-take-on-vacation-a-digital-packing-list/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

In Netflix’s ‘The Eternaut,’ an Argentine comic goes global as dystopia hits home

A group of friends gather to play cards in their host’s cozy home when the power cuts.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/in-netflixs-the-eternaut-an-argentine-comic-goes-global-as-dystopia-hits-home/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

FTC abandons Biden-era effort to block Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard

The Republican-controlled Federal Trade Commission is abandoning a Biden-era effort to block Microsoft’s purchase of “Call of Duty” video game maker Activision Blizzard.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/ftc-abandons-biden-era-effort-to-block-microsofts-acquisition-of-activision-blizzard/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Apple has had few incentives in the past to start making iPhones in US

Unhappy that Apple intends to source nearly all of its U.S. iPhones from India, President Donald Trump on Friday threatened a 25% tariff on the popular device unless the tech giant moves production to the United States.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/apple-has-had-few-incentives-in-the-past-to-start-making-iphones-in-us/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Walmart eliminates about 1,500 jobs on its technology team

(Bloomberg) — Walmart Inc. is cutting corporate staff in the company’s headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, and other offices, people familiar with the matter said, as the world’s biggest retailer looks to trim costs and contends with economic volatility.  The company is eliminating some jobs on its global technology team, according to people with knowledge of […]

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/walmart-eliminates-about-1500-jobs-on-its-technology-team/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Trump threatens 50% tariffs on EU and 25% penalties on Apple as his trade war intensifies

President Donald Trump is threatening a 50% tax on all imports from the European Union as well as a 25% tariff on Apple products unless iPhones are made in America.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/trump-threatens-25-import-tax-on-apple-unless-iphones-are-made-in-the-us/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Tariff truce means more cargo, and uncertainty, for WA ports, businesses

Washington ports and businesses expect a boost in trade after the U.S. and China paused their trade war this month. But the 90-day tariff cut brings its own risks.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/tariff-truce-means-more-cargo-and-uncertainty-for-wa-ports-businesses/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

One Tech Tip: These are the apps that can now avoid Apple’s in-app payment system

Apple users are starting to get ways out of the iPhone maker’s so-called “walled garden" which imposes restrictions and fees on payments through iOS apps.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/one-tech-tip-these-are-the-apps-that-can-now-avoid-apples-in-app-payment-system/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Fictional fiction: A newspaper’s summer book list recommends nonexistent books. Blame AI

There's another artificial intelligence blunder impacting news organizations.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/fictional-fiction-a-newspapers-summer-book-list-recommends-nonexistent-books-blame-ai/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

OpenAI recruits legendary iPhone designer Jony Ive to work on AI hardware in $6.5B deal

OpenAI has recruited Jony Ive, the designer behind Apple’s iPhone, to lead a new hardware project for the artificial intelligence company that makes ChatGPT.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/openai-recruits-legendary-iphone-designer-jony-ive-to-work-on-ai-hardware-in-6-5b-deal/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Tanzania blocks access to X after it says hackers targeted government accounts

Authorities in Tanzania have blocked access to the social platform X after cyberattacks on some accounts of government institutions resulted in fake or pornographic posts.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/tanzania-blocks-access-to-x-after-it-says-hackers-targeted-government-accounts/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Massachusetts 19-year-old pleading guilty to stealing, extorting teacher and student private data

A Massachusetts college student will plead guilty to stealing millions of students' and teachers' private data from two U.S. education tech companies and extorting it for ransom.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/massachusetts-19-year-old-pleading-guilty-to-stealing-extorting-teacher-and-student-private-data/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Southwest Airlines will require chargers be kept out while in use because of battery fire concerns

Southwest passengers will be required to keep portable chargers in plain sight while using them because of concerns about lithium ion battery fires.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/southwest-airlines-will-require-chargers-be-kept-out-while-in-use-because-of-battery-fire-concerns/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Charging installations drop as Trump ramps up attacks on EVs

The U.S. currently has more than 208,000 public ports, according to the Energy Department. Additions are moving too slowly to meet EV demand, according to an analyst.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/charging-installations-drop-as-trump-ramps-up-attacks-on-evs/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

AI ambitions, Elon Musk and protesters mark Microsoft’s developer conference

A day devoted to Microsoft's bold vision for the future included a guest appearance by Elon Musk and protesters at the gates, all preceded by sweeping layoffs.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/ai-ambitions-elon-musk-and-protesters-mark-microsofts-developer-conference/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Biotechnology company Regeneron buying 23andMe for $256 million

Biotechnology company Regeneron Pharmaceuticals is buying 23andMe for $256 million, two months after the genetic testing company filed for bankruptcy protection.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/biotechnology-company-regeneron-buying-23andme-for-256-million/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Facing protests, Microsoft says no evidence its tech harmed Gazans

Tensions between Microsoft and a pro-Palestinian group of employees and activists are growing as Microsoft kicks off a high-profile event.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/facing-protests-microsoft-says-no-evidence-its-tech-harmed-gazans/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Hackers strike UK’s legal aid agency and compromise data of lawyers and clients

Britain’s justice department says it shut down its legal aid website after a cyberattack compromised personal information.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/hackers-strike-uks-legal-aid-agency-and-compromise-data-of-lawyers-and-clients/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Trump order targets barcodes on ballots. They’ve long been a source of misinformation

President Donald Trump’s executive order seeking to overhaul how U.S. elections are run includes a somewhat obscure reference to the way votes are counted.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/trump-order-targets-barcodes-on-ballots-theyve-long-been-a-source-of-misinformation/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

What to Stream: Krasinski and Portman search for ‘Fountain of Youth,’ and Joe Jonas’ album

Joe Jonas’ sophomore solo album Work It Out” and John Krasinski and Natalie Portman searching for immortality in Guy Ritchie’s adventure movie “Fountain of Youth” are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/what-to-stream-krasinski-and-portman-search-for-fountain-of-youth-and-joe-jonas-album/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

How to secure your phone’s data before traveling abroad

The U.S. government has the authority to conduct border searches of devices. Travelers have been denied entry in part because of phone data, such as photos of guns and social media posts about protests.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/how-to-secure-your-phones-data-before-traveling-abroad/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

How the S&P 500 recovered all of its losses for the year

Conditions appeared dire for the stock market in early April.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/how-the-sp-500-recovered-all-of-its-losses-for-the-year/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Poland’s Tusk says Russian hackers attacked party websites before election

Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk says Russian hackers attacked the websites of parties in his ruling coalition just two days before a presidential election.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/polands-tusk-says-russian-hackers-attacked-party-websites-before-election/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Elon Musk’s AI company says Grok chatbot focus on South Africa’s racial politics was ‘unauthorized’

Much like its creator, Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence chatbot Grok was preoccupied with South African racial politics on social media this week, posting unsolicited claims about the persecution and “genocide” of white people.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/elon-musks-ai-company-says-grok-chatbot-focus-on-south-africas-racial-politics-was-unauthorized/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Here’s a story about the history of the Like button that you might like

The internet wouldn’t be the same without the Like button, the thumbs-up icon that Facebook and other online services turned into digital catnip.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/heres-a-story-about-the-history-of-the-like-button-that-you-might-like/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

China blasts new US rule banning use of Huawei’s Ascend advanced computer chips

China has taken aim at a new U.S. rule against use anywhere in the world of Ascend computer chips made by Huawei Technologies.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/china-blasts-new-us-rule-banning-use-of-huaweis-ascend-advanced-computer-chips/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

European Union accuses TikTok of breaching digital rules its ad database falls short

European Union regulators are accusing TikTok of breaching digital safety rules because of shortcomings in the video sharing app’s online ad database.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/european-union-accuses-tiktok-of-breaching-digital-rules-its-ad-database-falls-short/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

NATO’s procurement agency under investigation for alleged corruption linked to military contracts

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte says the organization’s procurement agency is cooperating with police investigating corruption and fraud allegations involving the purchase of military equipment.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/natos-procurement-agency-under-investigation-for-alleged-corruption-linked-to-military-contracts/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

DoorDash delivery driver pleads guilty to stealing $2.5 million in deliveries scam

A former food delivery driver has pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to steal more than $2.5 million from DoorDash by getting the company to pay for deliveries that never occurred.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/doordash-delivery-driver-pleads-guilty-to-stealing-2-5-million-in-deliveries-scam/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Is answer to pricey cars a Bezos-backed pickup without power windows?

True to its name, the Slate truck is designed to be a blank slate to which buyers can add more than 100 accessories, like power windows and heated seats.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/is-answer-to-pricey-cars-a-bezos-backed-pickup-without-power-windows/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Why is Microsoft, the world’s most valuable company, cutting workers?

The layoffs, which will affect almost 2,000 workers in Washington state, are meant in part to strip away layers of management and create more nimble teams.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/why-is-microsoft-the-worlds-most-valuable-company-cutting-workers/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Trump administration rescinds curbs on AI chip exports to foreign markets

After a week of promises to alter the policy, the U.S. Department of Commerce has rescinded a Biden-era rule due to take effect on May 15 that placed limits on the number of artificial intelligence chips that could be exported to certain international markets without federal approval.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/trump-administration-rescinds-curbs-on-ai-chip-exports-to-foreign-markets/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Microsoft layoffs may hit 3% of global workforce

More than 6,000 employees could be affected in Microsoft's latest round of layoffs.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/microsoft-layoffs-may-hit-3-of-global-workforce/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

How online auction startup Unicorn is turning whiskey bottles into windfalls

When it comes to liquid assets, a Chicago startup is finding that stocks and bonds may have nothing on bourbon.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/how-online-auction-startup-unicorn-is-turning-whiskey-bottles-into-windfalls/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Major social media platforms fail to protect LGBTQ users, advocacy group GLAAD says

Major social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and X have failed to protect LGBTQ+ users from hate and harassment, in part, because they intentionally rolled back previous safety practices, the advocacy group GLAAD said Tuesday in its annual Social Media Safety Index.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/major-social-media-platforms-fail-to-protect-lgbtq-users-advocacy-group-glaad-says/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Japanese tech giant SoftBank records its first profit in 4 years

Japanese technology company SoftBank Group has posted its first profit in four years, as it raked in gains from its investment portfolios.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/japanese-tech-giant-softbank-records-its-first-profit-in-4-years/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Drone footage shows New Mexico deputies disarm children handling a loaded gun

The sheriff in New Mexico's most populous county is crediting his department's drone program for helping disarm two children and prevent what could have been a worse outcome.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/drone-footage-shows-new-mexico-deputies-disarm-children-handling-a-loaded-gun/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology