Welcome to today’s curated collection of interesting links and insights for 2025/11/14. Our Hand-picked, AI-optimized system has processed and summarized 18 articles from all over the internet to bring you the latest technology news.
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1. Black Mirror becomes reality: New app lets users talk to AI avatars of deceased loved ones
A new app enables users to interact with AI avatars modeled after deceased loved ones, offering a novel way to preserve memories and engage with the past. This innovation leverages #artificialintelligence and deep learning techniques to recreate conversational personalities based on digital data such as texts and photos. While the technology provides comfort by simulating interactions with lost individuals, it raises ethical concerns about privacy and the emotional impacts on users. The app exemplifies how futuristic concepts from shows like @BlackMirror are entering everyday life, blending technology and human experience. As society adapts, this development prompts broader discussions about the role of AI in mourning and memory preservation.
The U.S. faces a widespread shortage of skilled manual-labor workers, highlighted by @Jim Farley noting Ford has 5,000 open mechanic roles at six-figure pay, signaling a national talent gap. Farley links Ford’s struggle to a broader gap, noting more than 400,000 manufacturing jobs were open in August and over a million openings in critical trades, emergency services, trucking, and factory work. He argues education and training shortcomings are a core cause, saying ‘We do not have trade schools’ and that it takes years to train, contrasting with his grandfather’s era. Gen Z is moving toward trade schools, with vocational enrollment up 16% last year, the highest level since 2018, while many top-paying jobs still require advanced degrees according to a study, and Ford has raised wages by ending the lowest tier and delivering a 25% raise over four years under the #UAW agreement. Without expanding training pathways, the country risks ongoing shortages that threaten manufacturing competitiveness and workers’ economic futures, tying together #tradeSchools, #skilledTrades, and #manufacturing policy.
Palantir CEO @AlexKarp defends the company’s software as a national security asset, pushing back against critics who label it a surveillance tool. He argues Palantir’s technology is built for frontline workers, the welder, the truck driver, the factory technician, and the soldier, not a surveillance bureaucracy, and it enables AI that actually works. He says detractors have harmed everyday investors, noting that retail Americans bought shares while institutions sold, evidence of misunderstanding Palantir’s value. By reframing the critique as patriotism and economic opportunity, he links national strength with market success, suggesting #patriotism can align with profit for regular investors and underscoring Palantir’s role in US tech dominance (#AI, #Palantir). The broader claim is that Palantir aims to deter conflict by making America stronger rather than enabling a surveillance dragnet, reinforcing @AlexKarp’s view that the mission blends security and wealth creation.
4. Google Has Chosen a Side in Trump’s Mass Deportation Effort
Google has chosen sides in Trump’s mass deportation effort by hosting #MobileIdentify, a #CBP app that uses facial recognition to identify immigrants and advise local officers whether to contact #ICE, while removing apps that warn communities about ICE activity. The CBP app is part of the #287(g) Task Force Model, which allows local officers to make immigration arrests during routine policing and, according to the NYCLU, effectively turns police into ICE agents, with ICE reporting 596 agencies in 34 states under TFM. Critics, including @Mark, creator of Eyes Up, argue Google has shifted from its stated aim of not being evil to an alignment with government enforcement, calling such actions inexcusable. The article frames Google’s decision as a public choice during the Trump administration’s mass deportation program, highlighting the broader debate over tech platforms’ role in immigration enforcement.
5. Morgan Freeman Says His Lawyers Are ‘Very Busy’ Cracking Down on Unauthorized Use of His Voice
The Guardian interview shows @Morgan Freeman voicing strong concerns about unauthorized #AI voice cloning and says his lawyers are very busy pursuing infringing uses of his vocal likeness. He explains he is upset about AI mimicking his voice without permission or payment, calling it wrong to replicate him with falseness and insisting performers should be compensated for such uses; his team has already identified quite a few instances. The piece notes a split in the industry, with @Matthew McConaughey and @Michael Caine partnering with #ElevenLabs to create AI versions of their voices, including McConaughey funding the effort and using it for a Spanish-language version of his newsletter, while Caine participates in the company’s #IconicVoiceMarketplace featuring voices of many legends such as @Judy Garland, @John Wayne, @Laurence Olivier, @Liza Minelli, @Lana Turner, @Maya Angelou, @Burt Reynolds and @Babe Ruth. McConaughey’s remarks highlight a belief that voice tech can connect people and expand storytelling, illustrating the broader tension between enabling innovative uses and respecting consent and pay rights #AI #voicecloning. Overall, Freeman’s stance underscores the push for safeguards, licensing norms, and explicit permissions as AI-driven voice work expands in media and entertainment.
6. Absolutely a Market Bubble: Wall Street Sounds the Alarm on AI-Driven Boom as Investors Go All In
Wall Street experts warn that the rapid surge in AI-driven investments signals an impending market bubble fueled by excessive investor enthusiasm. Significant capital is flowing into #AI startups and technologies, driven by optimistic projections and high-profile endorsements. Despite the excitement, some analysts caution that valuations are detached from sustainable earnings, risking a sharp market correction. This tension highlights the cyclical nature of tech booms, where initial overvaluation often precedes a market reset. As investors proceed, balancing innovation potential with prudent risk assessment remains critical for long-term stability.
7. Tesla recalls Cybertruck for light bar issue
Tesla has initiated a recall for its Cybertruck due to a problem with the light bar that could lead to reduced visibility and increased accident risk. The issue involves the glass of the light bar, which may crack or shatter under certain conditions, according to a safety notice. This defect compromises the vehicle’s lighting performance, potentially endangering driver safety. Tesla’s proactive recall aims to replace or repair the faulty light bars in affected vehicles to meet safety standards. The recall reflects Tesla’s commitment to resolving safety concerns in its innovative #Cybertruck model.
8. Tesla Renting Cars From Showrooms As Sales Crashing
Tesla faces a significant drop in vehicle sales, prompting the company to rent out cars from its showrooms to maintain revenue streams. Reports indicate that this strategy serves as a response to weakening demand and the broader challenges in the electric vehicle market. Despite Tesla’s strong brand presence and innovations by CEO @ElonMusk, the slowing sales highlight intense competition and market saturation risks. Renting vehicles offers a temporary buffer, allowing Tesla to optimize inventory use and generate cash flow amid declining purchases. This move reflects the shifting dynamics in the #EV industry and Tesla’s adaptive tactics to manage economic headwinds.
9. 9. Tesla AI boss tells staff 2026 will be the ‘hardest year’ of their lives
At a recent all-hands meeting for the #Autopilot and #Optimus teams, @Tesla’s VP of AI software, @Ashok Elluswamy, warned employees that 2026 will be the “hardest year of their lives” as the company races to meet ambitious targets tied to CEO @Elon Musk’s pay package and strategic vision. The meeting laid out aggressive timelines: launching the Robotaxi service in eight-to-ten U.S. cities by year’s end and initiating mass production of the Optimus humanoid robot by late 2026, with long-term goals of producing one million units of each. Sources say the work culture is intense, with frequent late-night meetings and heightened expectations for delivery. The push follows significant restructuring within the AI teams and a strategic shift toward a camera-based approach for Tesla’s autonomous and robotics efforts.
10. Verizon to Cut About 15,000 Jobs, WSJ Reports
Verizon plans to reduce its workforce by about 15,000 employees, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. This significant job cut reflects Verizon’s strategy to streamline operations amid industry pressures and evolving technology landscapes. The layoffs are expected to affect various departments as the company adjusts to shifts in demand and focuses on efficiency. This move aligns with broader trends in telecommunications where companies optimize their workforce to invest more in digital infrastructure and 5G networks. Verizon’s decision underscores the challenges and adaptations facing major telecom providers in a competitive market.
Taiwan plans to boost defense spending to 5% of GDP and develop #T-dome, an air-defense system inspired by Israel’s #Iron Dome, to shield its critical #semiconductor sector. According to @Nikkei Asia, Hsinchu Science Park houses more than 600 tech companies and TSMC fabs, making a single missile strike there potentially catastrophic with a projected global GDP drop of 6% to 10% and years-long disruption to iPhone production. Experts warn that disruption to this hub would ripple through the global supply chain, given Beijing’s stated reunification goals and the possibility that China could destroy TSMC rather than capture it. Even with U.S. efforts to reshore chip production and TSMC’s moves to Arizona, full independence from Taiwan and China is likely to take decades, reinforcing the importance of safeguarding Taiwan’s silicon shield and global access to tech.
@George Clooney weighs in on #AI in Hollywood: he argues AI actors will share the same core challenge as human stars, since defining what makes a #star isn’t easy and isn’t reducible to looks. He notes the recent #Sora2 quality surge rattling the industry and adds that star power is something unusual that’s hard to describe or detect. Clooney also reveals unauthorized AI versions of himself online that have said things he never did, calling it dangerous for families and noting that the genie is out of the bottle. This debate sits within a broader industry conversation about AI in film, echoed by voices like #ElineVanDerVelden who foresees AI content in movies from establishing shots to full films, raising questions about audience willingness to pay for AI-driven projects. Ultimately, Clooney’s perspective underscores that while AI may reshape production, the mystery of true star-making remains resistant to automation, influencing how studios think about AI in casting, storytelling, and branding.
13. The US government shutdown claims an unexpected victim: OnePlus 15
US consumers face a delayed release of the OnePlus 15 as the @FCC certifications needed before selling devices in the US are stalled by the government shutdown. The phone has already passed all required lab tests and filed the certification application, and @OnePlus hopes approvals arrive quickly so the US launch can proceed. The OnePlus 15 is the first phone to ship with #OxygenOS 16 on top of #Android, offering new customization options, smoother animations, and AI-enabled features. Canada will have the device today, while US buyers can sign up on the company page to be notified once purchases resume; prices are $900 for 12GB/256GB and $1000 for 16GB/512GB. The situation shows how government processes can affect tech launches even when a device is ready for market.
14. Google Messages is gaining this long-overdue group chat feature
Google Messages appears close to adding @mentions in RCS group chats, a long-awaited upgrade for keeping group conversations focused. Reddit users spotted mentions in a Pixel 10 running the 20251103_00_RC00 beta, and an onscreen prompt invites users to ‘Try @ to get their attention,’ with mentioned contacts notified even if muted. Mentions leverage saved contact names, with the option to trim a name, while unsaved contacts appear as @, and iPhone users in RCS chats won’t be notified when mentioned. The report frames this as progress toward parity with @Apple’s group chat mentions and other cross-platform apps such as @Signal, @WhatsApp, and @Telegram, suggesting a rollout may still be limited but nearing general availability.
15. Firefox adds AI Window, users want AI wall to keep it out
Mozilla is pursuing an opt-in AI Window in Firefox—a new, user-controlled space that lets you chat with an AI assistant while browsing, with a clear option to switch it off. @Ajit Varma described it as an intelligent and user-managed environment, noting it is not yet launched but will be developed in the open as a placeholder. The proposal has sparked significant backlash in Mozilla Connect and Firefox forums, with users calling for a prominent disable switch and criticizing the direction as chasing trends. @Jolie Huang says Mozilla will provide additional settings to control how #AI is used in Firefox, particularly #AIWindow, emphasizing user choice, openness, and the goal of shaping AI to benefit the web. The article situates this within broader debates over AI in the web, recalling Mozilla’s mixed track record with AI, including a 2023 AI help bot for developer docs that was later disabled.
Google is enhancing its shopping experience by introducing advanced AI features including conversational search, agentic checkout, and an AI concierge that calls stores on behalf of users. Using #AI and natural language processing, these tools aim to streamline product discovery, comparison, and purchasing. For example, conversational search allows users to interactively explore options, while agentic checkout automates purchasing steps to save time. The AI that calls stores can handle tasks like checking availability or booking appointments, reducing friction between online and offline retail experiences. These innovations illustrate Google’s commitment to integrating intelligent automation into commerce, improving convenience and personalization for consumers.
17. Disney eyes a future where users help shape the story
Disney is exploring AI-powered tools to let subscribers create and share their own content built from Disney-owned stories on @Disney+ to deepen engagement while protecting #IP. In an earnings call, @Bob Iger said the company is talking with AI partners about enabling user-generated content, though no formal announcements have been made and details are scarce. Disney emphasizes safeguarding its IP and preventing dilution or misuse as it weighs how far to let fans remix its worlds amid broader industry concerns and lawsuits over AI copyright #AI #IP. The push toward interactivity fits a wider trend, with @Netflix highlighting interactive features and #StarSearch, and Deloitte noting Gen Z prefers participatory, social content. Overall the move signals a shift toward more personalized, immersive experiences for younger audiences, as platforms experiment with user-generated and participatory formats #personalization #immersive.
18. 5 reasons why Blue Origin’s New Glenn Mars launch was a big deal
The Nov. 13, 2025 launch of NASA’s ESCAPADE mission on @BlueOrigin’s #NewGlenn marks a milestone for @NASA, planetary science, and private spaceflight as two identical orbiters are sent to #Mars to study its magnetic environment and the history of its atmosphere. ESCAPADE is the first Mars mission in more than five years, with each orbiter carrying the same four instruments to map how Mars’ magnetosphere interacts with the solar wind and to help explain how the planet lost its atmosphere. The mission also defies the usual launch cadence by using a novel trajectory: after lingering at the sun-Earth #L2 for about a year, the probes will receive a gravity assist from #Earth to reach Mars once the transfer window opens, enabling a more flexible, long-term exploration plan. Built by @RocketLab and named Blue and Gold, this marks the private company’s first interplanetary mission and could pave the way for many Mars launches to be conducted during future alignments, advancing #Mars exploration for both crewed and uncrewed missions.
That’s all for today’s digest for 2025/11/14! We picked, and processed 18 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! 🚀