Welcome to today’s curated collection of interesting links and insights for 2025/09/11. Our Hand-picked, AI optomized system has processed and summarized 27 articles from all over the internet to bring you the key the latest technology news.
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1. Move Over Carbon Fiber—There’s A New High-Performance Material In Town
The flax-fiber composite ampliTex (#ampliTex) from Bcomp offers a sustainable alternative to carbon fiber (#carbonfiber) that can nearly match its strength-to-weight properties and be produced on existing manufacturing lines. Bcomp claims parts made with ampliTex emit up to 80% less CO2 than equivalent carbon-fiber parts, and using a bio-based resin (#bio-basedresin) can cut CO2 by as much as 96%, with production scrap easily recycled into pellets for reuse or re-entry into production (#recyclability). Flax is renewable and contributes to #naturalcircularity, as plants absorb CO2 during growth and the lifecycle of the material follows the natural carbon cycle when recycled or decomposed. In real-world use, @BMW has announced it will use flax-based components—roof, mirrors, diffusers, interior trim—built with these materials and tested on the racetrack, while @McLaren Racing previously trialed a flax-fiber seat in Formula 1 in 2020. This combination of lower emissions, recyclability, and proven track-tested performance points to a credible path for flax-based composites to complement or substitute carbon fiber in high-performance parts.
2. Rivian CEO warns cheap China EVs will dominate US market by 2025
Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe predicts that by 2025, low-cost electric vehicles (#EVs) made in China will dominate the US light-duty vehicle market due to their price advantage and government support. He highlights that Chinese manufacturers benefit from economies of scale and substantial state backing, enabling aggressive cost reductions. Scaringe emphasizes the challenge this poses to US companies like Rivian, which face higher production costs and less government support. Despite these obstacles, Rivian aims to compete by focusing on innovation, quality, and brand differentiation. This underscores the growing influence of Chinese EV technology and industry dynamics shaping the global automotive market.
3. Ted Cruz’s new bill would let AI companies set their own rules for up to 10 years
Sen. @tedcruz introduced the SANDBOX Act, which would create a regulatory #sandbox for AI, letting companies apply for modifications to or waivers from federal rules governing AI products and services, with waivers lasting two years at a time up to 10 years and requiring disclosure of plans to mitigate consumer safety and financial risks. Waivers would be granted by the agency whose regulations would otherwise apply, and if the agency does not respond within 90 days, the waiver would be automatically granted; if denied, companies could appeal to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), which would oversee the sandbox and have the authority to override the denial. Every year, Congress would receive a report on the number of times federal rules were waived or modified. Critics such as The Tech Oversight Project call it a ‘sweetheart deal for Big Tech CEOs’ and Public Citizen warns it could let a ‘move fast and break things’ approach apply to laws; both groups highlight OSTP’s power to override federal agencies. The article also notes that President Trump’s AI Action Plan endorses regulatory sandboxes and that Texas has passed a similar 36-month sandbox, framing the bill within broader debates about innovation versus consumer protection.
4. Court rejects Verizon claim that selling location data without consent is legal
A court ruled against Verizon’s argument that selling customers’ location data without consent is lawful, emphasizing privacy protections under #FederalWiretapAct and consumer privacy laws. Evidence showed that Verizon shared detailed location information with third-party brokers despite customers’ objections, raising legal concerns over unauthorized data dissemination. The decision highlights the need for stricter enforcement of privacy safeguards against deceptive data practices by major telecom providers. This ruling reinforces accountability for carriers regarding customers’ sensitive data and supports evolving standards for digital privacy rights. It marks a significant step in curbing exploitative location data sales and upholding user consent as central to data sharing practices.
5. AI pricing currently in a state of ‘pandemonium’ – Gartner
AI pricing is in a state of pandemonium, according to @Gartner, as vendors’ licenses and terms often lack AI-specific clarity. Evidence shows many vendors don’t include AI language in contracts, with @AWS noting AI is only addressed in clause 50 of supplementary T&Cs and @Adobe reversing a responsibility stance on copyright infringements after buyer pressure. This creates risk for buyers who must sift through multiple documents to understand liability and expected costs. Two pressure points are the inclusion of #ResponsibleAI principles in contracts and compliance with the #ISO42001 standard on AI management systems. Pricing inconsistencies abound, including credit-based schemes with multipliers and tokens, and examples like @Salesforce and @Slack altering pricing, so buyers must clarify credits, usage rights, and monitor consumption to avoid cost blowouts.
6. Melania Trump’s AI Era Is Upon Us
@MelaniaTrump expands her public role by championing an AI for education initiative for children, signaling an #AI focused policy stance in her public life. A video announced the initiative with few specifics, including a government AI competition inviting students to submit AI-driven projects via AI.gov, and she appeared at a dinner with tech executives. At an education-themed AI task force event she warned that ‘The robots are here. Our future is no longer science fiction’ and described English as a new coding language for many, underscoring a focus on technology literacy #education. White House and Trumpworld sources offered little detail about the plan, with many unwilling to discuss the initiative, while some AI insiders predict discounts or early access to services as part of her effort, a sign this may be more branding and influence than concrete policy, shaped in part by her son @BarronTrump’s interest in emerging tech.
7. Oracle stock jumps as cloud backlog hits record $50 billion, driven by AI investments
Oracle’s stock surged after reporting a record $50 billion cloud backlog fueled by growing AI-related demand. The company highlighted strong customer investments in its cloud infrastructure and AI capabilities, which are expected to drive future revenue growth. Oracle’s CEO noted that AI adoption is accelerating digital transformation across industries, boosting the need for scalable cloud solutions. This backlog reflects confidence in Oracle’s ability to capitalize on AI trends and expand its enterprise cloud offerings. As a result, Oracle is positioned to benefit significantly from the expanding #AI and #cloudcomputing markets.
8. Oracle Cloud’s NFT prize giveaway for chatbots sparks debate over LLM cash incentives
Oracle Cloud has launched a promotion awarding a $1,000 NFT prize to chatbot developers who build useful applications powered by its large language models (#LLM). This initiative aims to stimulate engagement with Oracle’s AI capabilities by providing direct financial incentives linked to creativity and utility in chatbot design. However, the use of cryptocurrency-based rewards has sparked debate about the efficacy and ethics of paying developers with volatile digital assets versus traditional money. Advocates argue the NFT prize aligns with the tech community’s innovative spirit, while critics question its tangible value and accessibility. Overall, the campaign illustrates Oracle’s strategy to integrate #cloud services with AI innovation and emerging digital economy trends.
9. US sanctions Southeast Asian scam centers over $100M in cybercrime
The US Treasury imposed sanctions on two criminal groups in Southeast Asia responsible for over $100 million in cybercrime, targeting their scam centers in the Philippines and Cambodia. These groups engaged in various fraud campaigns, including business email compromise (BEC) scams and lottery fraud schemes, causing significant financial losses globally. By placing sanctions on these entities and specific individuals, the US aims to disrupt their operations and pressure regional governments to take action against cybercriminal hubs. The move highlights the evolving nature of #cybercrime leveraging global interconnectedness and emphasizes the importance of international cooperation to curb such illicit activities. This action aligns with broader US efforts to combat cyber threats and protect financial systems worldwide.
10. Amazon rumored to launch augmented reality glasses, codenamed ‘Jayhawk’ | The Verge
Amazon is developing #AR glasses under the codename Jayhawk, targeting both consumers and its delivery workforce. The consumer version is expected to feature a sleek design with a full-color display, microphones, speakers, and a camera, potentially launching around 2026–2027. A rugged, driver-focused model, internally called “Amelia”, could debut earlier, offering practical tools like turn-by-turn navigation and real-time delivery guidance. Reports suggest an initial production run of about 100,000 units. This move places @Amazon in direct competition with rivals like @Meta, Apple, and Snap in the #augmentedreality race, blending logistics optimization with consumer tech ambitions. The article highlights how Jayhawk could transform both workplace efficiency and wearable computing, signaling Amazon’s push beyond #Echo and #Alexa devices into immersive, vision-driven platforms.
11. OpenAI and Oracle sign $300 billion computing deal | WSJ reports
OpenAI has entered into a $300 billion computing deal with Oracle, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. This partnership involves leveraging Oracle’s cloud infrastructure to support OpenAI’s advanced AI development. The agreement highlights the increasing demand for robust cloud computing resources in the rapidly growing field of artificial intelligence. It reflects the strategic alignment between OpenAI’s AI capabilities and Oracle’s cloud technology. This collaboration could significantly impact the AI industry’s cloud service dynamics.
13. Opendoor Technologies Snags Shopify Operating Chief as CEO
Opendoor Technologies has appointed Harley Finkelstein, the chief operating officer of Shopify, as its new CEO amid the company’s efforts to improve its performance in the online real estate market. Finkelstein brings extensive experience in scaling digital businesses and operational leadership, which Opendoor hopes will guide its next phase of growth and innovation. This leadership change comes as the company faces challenges related to market fluctuations and operational efficiency in the competitive iBuying sector. By leveraging Finkelstein’s background in technology and commerce, Opendoor aims to enhance its platform and expand its customer base. The appointment signals Opendoor’s strategic commitment to strengthening its management team and adapting to evolving market demands.
14. Senator blasts Microsoft for making default Windows vulnerable to “Kerberoasting”
US Senator @RonWyden is pressing the FTC to investigate Microsoft over what he calls cybersecurity negligence, arguing that Windows’ default use of RC4 in Active Directory directly enabled the 2024 Ascension ransomware breach that exposed 5.6 million patient records. Wyden says the breach began when attackers compromised a contractor’s laptop after using Microsoft Edge to search Microsoft’s Bing site, then expanded by attacking Ascension’s Active Directory and abusing its privileged access to push malware across thousands of machines. In a blog post, cryptography expert @MattGreen of Johns Hopkins University warned that keeping Kerberos and RC4—in particular RC4’s lack of salt and iterated hashing—opens networks to kerberoasting. Microsoft has said it would disable RC4 by default in future Windows updates. Wyden argues that these default choices and the company’s tendency to hide details from customers reflect dangerous software engineering decisions.
15. Cuba hit with fifth blackout in less than a year with 10m people in the dark
Cuba faced its fifth nationwide blackout in under a year, leaving about 10 million people without power as emergency crews worked to restore service after a total disconnection of the electric system. The outage follows a string of outages since late last year that exposed an aging, frail grid and exhaustively strained oil-fired plants that rely on dwindling imports. Officials have pointed to reduced oil imports from Venezuela, Russia and Mexico and to U.S. sanctions that deprive Cuba of foreign currency needed to buy fuel or repair plants, compounding shortages of fuel, food and other essentials. Residents described the disruption as stressful and frustrating, with some saying they would have to improvise energy or endure greater hardship, while authorities warned the system remains vulnerable to further failures. The crisis highlights structural weaknesses in #electricgrid and the broader #sanctions-driven economy, linking the recurring power cuts to Cuba’s worst economic crisis in decades and to ongoing protests and social tension.
16. CATL’s Naxtra sodium-ion battery passes new national safety standards, ready for mass production
CATL’s @CATL Naxtra sodium-ion battery has passed the GB 38031-2025 safety certification, becoming the world’s first sodium-ion cell to meet the new national standard and moving toward mass production. In third-party testing by @CATARC, the cell and battery pack demonstrated safety across thermal diffusion, bottom impact, and fast-charging cycles, with the standard taking effect on 1 July 2026. The Naxtra delivers 175 Wh/kg, retains about 90% usable capacity at -40°C, supports 5C charging, and offers a 500 km range with a lifespan over 10,000 cycles, supporting a shift away from lithium dependence and a lower-carbon energy ecosystem #sodium-ion #NEV-safety. CATL plans mass production in December 2025 and initial deployment in #ChocoSwap electric vehicles, backed by 512 stations across 34 cities as of the end of August, with a goal of 1,000 stations by 2025. This certification strengthens safety for EV batteries and signals a scalable path for sodium-ion technology within @CATL’s NEV strategy, linking safety standards, production scale, and swapping-network expansion.
CATL’s new Naxtra sodium-ion battery has passed the latest national safety standards in China, making it ready for mass production. The battery technology boasts improved safety features, energy density, and cost efficiency compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries. This is supported by rigorous testing under new government regulations designed to enhance battery safety and reliability. As a result, Naxtra sodium-ion batteries are positioned to accelerate the adoption of sodium-ion energy storage solutions in electric vehicles and other applications. CATL’s achievement marks a significant advance in #batterytechnology, promising safer, sustainable energy options aligned with national policies.
17. Social media is teaching children how to use AI. How can teachers keep up?
AI is reshaping how students write essays, practise languages and complete assignments, while most learning to use it happens informally via TikTok, Discord, and ChatGPT, and teachers’ preparation lags behind. A recent study shows educators are under-prepared to assess reliability and ethics of AI tools, with professional development often limited to technical training and neglecting wider implications such as bias, surveillance, and equity. The author designed a professional development module within a graduate course at Mount Saint Vincent University where teacher candidates explored AI for feedback and plagiarism detection, collaboratively designed AI-integrated assessments, and analyzed ethical dilemmas in multilingual classrooms, aiming to move from casual experimentation to critical engagement. Participants reported a stronger ability to evaluate tools, recognize bias and apply AI thoughtfully, and their language shifted to terms like algorithmic bias and informed consent, linking AI literacy to pedagogy, cultural responsiveness and their teacher identity. The pilot suggests enthusiasm is not the missing ingredient; structured education provides the tools and vocabulary to think critically about AI, a view echoed by @Vox. However, universities worldwide show inconsistent policies—some ban AI, others cautiously endorse it—creating confusion and underscoring the need for clearer guidance on ethics and equity.
18. With Cheap Chinese Solar, Developing Countries Leapfrog U.S. on Clean Energy
Cheap #China #solar and #wind manufacturing is driving a rapid shift away from fossil fuels in the developing world, helping many leapfrog the U.S. in clean energy adoption. China manufactures 60% of wind turbines and 80% of solar panels, and as factories scale, prices fall for all, with @Ember showing that 91% of new solar and wind projects are cheaper than the cheapest fossil option when fuel costs are included. A growing share of emerging markets such as Brazil, Chile, El Salvador, Morocco, Kenya, and Namibia are outpacing the United States, with 63% drawing a greater solar share. In some places, small solar kits are cheaper than diesel, and several countries have imported solar capacity that is roughly half or more of their grid capacity, including Kenya, Yemen, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Namibia, Senegal, Cambodia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. China has become the leading innovator, with EVs that charge in 10 minutes, lightweight batteries for short haul aircraft, and wind turbines as large as the Eiffel Tower, and in 2022 Chinese inventors filed three times as many energy patents as the rest of the world combined, underscoring its role as both laboratory and factory for the clean energy transition @Ember.
19. OpenAI introduces new parental controls to enhance ChatGPT safety for children
OpenAI has launched new parental controls designed to make ChatGPT safer for children by limiting the type of content accessible during interactions. These features include age-based settings and content filters that help prevent exposure to inappropriate material, reflecting the company’s response to growing concerns about AI safety and ethical use. OpenAI’s CEO @SamAltman emphasized the importance of responsible AI deployment, underlining the need for tools that empower families to manage digital experiences. The implementation of these controls demonstrates a commitment to addressing privacy and safety within AI-powered platforms, helping to build trust among users and regulators. This development reinforces the broader trend of tech companies enhancing user protections as AI technologies become increasingly integrated into everyday life.
20. AI vs. MAGA: Populists alarmed by Trump’s embrace of AI, Big Tech
AI’s rise is triggering a clash within the MAGA world between embracing rapid deployment and fearing its social and political costs. In the White House, @MelaniaTrump hailed AI as potentially the greatest engine of progress for the United States, while @JoshHawley warned the AI revolution could threaten liberty and concentrate power, potentially displacing farmers and assembly line workers. At the National Conservatism Conference, conservatives expressed concerns about unemployment, families, culture, and education, with @GeoffreyMiller noting the AI industry shares virtually no ideological overlap with national conservatism and critics warning that AI companionship and pornography could damage society or even affect marriage. The backlash is sharpened by long-standing anti-Silicon Valley sentiment from figures like @SteveBannon, and by @DarioAmodei of @Anthropic warning that AI could wipe out half of entry-level jobs within five years, a point used by some to press Trump to constrain the technology, reinforced by high-profile AI safety incidents and lawsuits against @OpenAI following teen suicides linked to ChatGPT. Taken together, the debate signals a potential reshaping of MAGA tech policy as the movement weighs the gains of AI adoption against social costs and calls for safety protocols.
21. Teenage Boy in China Suffers Stroke After Hours on Phone with Bent Neck
A teenage boy in China suffered a stroke after extended mobile phone use with a bent neck, illustrating how sustained forward posture can have life-threatening neurological consequences. Doctors linked the stroke to a blood clot forming in cervical arteries due to the prolonged #textneck posture, citing @Xiao Dong, a university student from Fujian, who spent long periods tilting forward while gaming; the clot was surgically removed after two operations. The case shows that such posture can restrict blood flow to the brain, triggering classic stroke symptoms like dizziness, weakness, and difficulty speaking, and it underscores that strokes are medical emergencies requiring prompt emergency care. This example highlights the importance of avoiding prolonged forward neck posture on devices and of recognizing early warning signs to seek timely treatment, reducing the risk of fatal outcomes.
22. How the AI Boom Is Leaving Consultants Behind
The rapid advancement of AI technologies like #chatbots and generative AI is disrupting traditional consulting firms, as they struggle to keep pace with the speed and scale of change. Despite consultants’ expertise in advising on digital transformation, clients increasingly seek AI-driven solutions delivered faster and more cost-effectively than consulting engagements typically allow. Firms like McKinsey and Bain are investing in internal AI capabilities, but many smaller firms lack the resources to fully integrate AI, risking obsolescence. The shift highlights a broader trend of clients demanding practical, data-driven tools over advisory services alone, reshaping the consulting industry landscape. This dynamic pushes consultants to innovate and adapt or face being sidelined in the AI-powered era.
23. Tesla Cybertruck Won’t Get Wireless Charging After All. Here’s Why.
Tesla’s #Cybertruck won’t gain wireless charging, with @Wes Morrill stating on Discord that “Nothing planned there” for the feature. Designer @Franz von Holzhausen previously hinted at wireless charging during Jay Leno’s Cybertruck review, and a Cybertruck service manual once described an “inductive charger” that could connect to the battery pack. The main obstacle is the truck’s high ground clearance, which would require a base station roughly 6 inches tall, making wireless charging impractical. Wireless charging is inherently less efficient over distance, and Tesla would need to bring transmitting and receiving antennas closer without sacrificing clearance, a tradeoff that may not be worth it given demand; meanwhile, #Porsche is pursuing the concept.
24. DoorDash tests food delivery drones in San Francisco
DoorDash has initiated a pilot program for food delivery using #drones in San Francisco, aiming to enhance delivery speed and reduce human contact. This innovative approach leverages autonomous #drone technology to address urban delivery challenges, particularly during periods of heightened demand or public health concerns. Early tests involve coordination with local authorities to ensure safety and compliance with regulations. The development highlights the potential for transforming last-mile delivery services by integrating advanced robotics. DoorDash’s experiment reflects a broader trend in the food delivery industry to incorporate emerging technologies for efficiency and customer satisfaction.
25. Rock found on Mars could be evidence of ancient life, NASA says
A 350-billion-year-old rock sample nicknamed Sapphire Canyon, collected by the Perseverance rover in 2024 from an ancient dry riverbed in Jezero Crater, is described by @NASA as the closest we’ve come to discovering ancient life on Mars. The sample contains potential biosignatures—substances or structures that might have a biological origin rather than life itself. Scientists, including @NickyFox from @NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, caution that the signals could be non-organic and require further laboratory work on Earth with teams at @Caltech and @JPL. In context, earlier findings in Jezero Crater, such as leopard-spotted rocks nicknamed Cheyava Falls, showed patterns of minerals like #vivianite and #greigite that could arise from microbial-like processes, though non-biological explanations remain possible. The researchers emphasize that additional Earth-based experiments are needed to determine whether these signatures point to ancient life and to better understand Mars’ history of water.
The LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA collaboration has provided the clearest evidence to date supporting the #theories of @AlbertEinstein and @StephenHawking regarding black holes by detecting and analyzing gravitational waves from merging black holes. By precisely observing the gravitational waves emitted during a black hole collision, scientists have confirmed that the behavior of black holes aligns with Einstein’s #GeneralRelativity predictions and Hawking’s theories on black hole properties. The data showed that the resulting black hole’s characteristics, such as mass and spin, matched theoretical models with unprecedented clarity, strengthening the understanding of these #cosmic phenomena. This breakthrough demonstrates the power of gravitational wave detectors to probe the fundamental laws of physics in extreme environments and opens new pathways for studying #blackhole dynamics. The findings solidify gravitational wave astronomy as a vital tool for testing and refining our knowledge of the universe’s most enigmatic objects.
27. Lossless Audio Finally Arrives for Spotify Premium Subscribers. Here’s How to Enable It
@Spotify’s Premium plan is finally gaining lossless audio in select markets, offering 24-bit/44.1kHz FLAC across nearly all songs. Subscribers can choose among Low, Normal, High, Very High, and Lossless quality levels and see data usage per tier. Lossless preserves the full data of the track rather than compressing it like MP3 or AAC, and it will work on some Spotify Connect devices from @Sony, @Bose, @Samsung, and @Sennheiser, with support for @Sonos and @Amazon devices planned next month. The rollout is expected to reach about 50 markets, signaling Spotify’s alignment with competitors who already offer lossless. To enable, follow the in-app prompts after the notification: Profile > Settings & Privacy > Media Quality, and choose the format for Wi‑Fi, cellular, or downloads per device.
That’s all for today’s digest for 2025/09/11! We picked, and processed 27 Articles. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s collection of insights and discoveries.
Thanks Patricia Zougheib and Dr Badawi for curating the links
See you in the next one! 🚀