Welcome to today’s curated collection of interesting links and insights for 2025/11/15. Our Hand-picked, AI-optimized system has processed and summarized 19 articles from all over the internet to bring you the latest technology news.
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1. Disrupting the First Reported AI-Orchestrated Cyber Espionage Campaign
The report details the first known case of an AI-driven cyber espionage campaign orchestrated by an advanced threat group, highlighting the increasing sophistication in #cybersecurity threats. It provides evidence of how the actors utilized AI technologies to automate and enhance phishing, reconnaissance, and exploitation efforts, significantly increasing the campaign’s scale and efficiency. The analysis discusses the challenges in detecting and mitigating AI-powered attacks, emphasizing the need for innovative defense strategies that combine advanced analytics and human expertise. This disruption effort involved collaboration among private sector, government agencies, and security researchers to neutralize the threat and bolster collective defenses. The findings illustrate the evolving nature of cyber threats and underscore the importance of proactive, AI-aware security frameworks to protect critical infrastructure and sensitive information.
2. US may owe $1 trillion in refunds if SCOTUS cancels Trump tariffs
If the Supreme Court rules against Trump, the US may be required to refund tens of billions in import duties, with refunds potentially reaching $1 trillion the longer the ruling awaits. The Atlantic reports that these refunds would cover duties paid this year plus interest. The tech sector would feel the impact most as tariff shocks could destabilize global partnerships and supply chains in #tech-intensive, IP-led sectors like semiconductors and software, per @Matthew Allen. Economists in friend-of-the-court briefs argue that trade deficits are ordinary and not inherently problematic, a view illustrated by @Robert Solow’s quip, while the case centers on #IEEPA and #reciprocalTariffs and could shape US competitiveness.
3. US spy satellites built by SpaceX send signals in the wrong direction
US spy satellites constructed by @SpaceX have encountered a critical issue where their signals are transmitting in unintended directions, compromising their operational effectiveness. The problem was identified through technical evaluations showing signal misalignment that could reduce the satellites’ surveillance capabilities. This misdirection affects the satellites’ ability to collect intelligence accurately and may necessitate costly adjustments or replacements. The situation highlights challenges in satellite manufacturing and quality control within private aerospace contractors engaged by #US intelligence agencies. As these satellites are vital for national security, resolving the signal direction flaw is essential to maintain effective intelligence gathering.
The article details how @GenDavidAllvin confirmed that the U.S. #F47 sixth generation fighter is scheduled for its first flight in 2028, placing it several years behind China’s rapidly advancing sixth generation programs. China already flew two separate sixth generation prototypes in late 2024, reinforcing concerns that it may field operational aircraft nearly a decade before the United States. The article contrasts China’s fast development cycle, citing the #J20’s transition from demonstrator to service in only six years, compared to the 15-year timelines seen in the #F22 and #F35 programs. U.S. officials, including @GenMarkKelly, warn that China is accelerating rather than slowing, creating a growing capability gap in next generation air power. The piece also highlights internal U.S. tensions: renewed funding for the Air Force’s #F47 appears to be diverting resources from the Navy’s #FAXX carrier fighter program, which is considered more urgent given the Navy’s continued dependence on fourth generation #F18EF aircraft. If the Navy falls further behind, the United States risks a growing imbalance between American and Chinese carrier air wings with strategic consequences for power projection in the Indo Pacific.
5. Meta is about to start grading workers on their AI skills
Meta will tie employee performance to AI-driven impact starting in 2026, signaling an AI-native culture and rewarding workers who accelerate AI adoption. In an internal memo, @JanelleGale says AI-driven impact will be a core expectation from 2026, while 2025 reviews won’t include AI usage metrics, though staff should highlight AI-fueled wins in self-reviews, and Meta is rolling out an AI Performance Assistant for this year’s cycle beginning December 8, with performance content supported by @Metamate and #Gemini. The plan builds on a broader industry push, with leaders at #Microsoft and #Google stressing that using AI is no longer optional, and @SundarPichai has urged employees to use AI to stay competitive, while Meta has already opened AI-friendly hiring and launched #LevelUp to reward AI adoption. By linking day-to-day work to measurable AI-driven outcomes, Meta aims to move performance discussions from traditional metrics to the impact of AI on productivity and results.
Five people pleaded guilty to helping North Koreans infiltrate US companies by posing as #remoteITworkers, a scheme the DOJ says earned the regime led by @Kim Jong Un about $2.2 million. Prosecutors say the facilitators used real or stolen identities of more than a dozen US nationals, hosted company laptops in their homes to make the workers appear local, and helped them pass vetting procedures, affecting 136 US companies and channeling salaries to North Korea. Three defendants, @Audricus Phagnasay, @Jason Salazar, and @Alexander Paul Travis, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud conspiracy. The pleas form part of a years-long U.S. effort to disrupt North Korea’s cybercrime networks and prevent funding for its weapons program, with prosecutors pursuing others and imposing sanctions to disrupt these schemes. Travis earned more than $50,000, while Phagnasay and Salazar were paid at least $3,500 and $4,500 respectively, and around $1.28 million in salaries was paid to the North Korean workers overseas.
7. The Data Center Resistance Has Arrived
Data centers, essential for powering digital services, have sparked a growing environmental pushback due to their high electricity consumption and impact on local communities. Activists and residents near planned or existing data centers highlight concerns about water usage, energy demands, and the strain on local infrastructure, exemplified by opposition in places like Loudoun County, Virginia. Companies continue to expand these facilities to meet rising digital needs, but resistance stresses the importance of sustainable practices and improved transparency. This tension underscores a broader debate about balancing technological advancement with ecological and social responsibility. Understanding this dynamic is crucial for shaping future #energy policies and the digital economy.
8. UK Treasury unveils a tax on AI to ease taxpayers’ burden
The UK Treasury has proposed a #tax on artificial intelligence innovations to relieve taxpayers from the increasing financial burden of AI-related developments. The tax targets major tech companies earning substantial profits from AI products and services, aiming to channel some of that revenue into public funding. Experts suggest this move could balance corporate benefits with societal costs, ensuring that AI advancements contribute to community welfare. Critics argue it might dampen innovation or prompt companies to relocate, but the government emphasizes fair contribution to social infrastructure. This measure reflects growing global discussions on regulating #AI economics while supporting innovation.
9. ChatGPT founder starts baby gene-editing business with husband
The founder of ChatGPT has co-launched a gene-editing company focused on embryo modification alongside her husband, targeting hereditary diseases. Their startup aims to pioneer safe applications of CRISPR technology to edit genes before birth, potentially transforming preventative medicine. This venture combines their expertise in AI and biotechnology to accelerate research and development in genomic therapies. The initiative reflects growing interest in integrating #artificialintelligence with #genomeediting to address complex health challenges. Their work could redefine how congenital conditions are treated, linking cutting-edge tech to future medical practices.
10. Streamflation intensifies as Netflix, Disney, others continue raising prices
Streamflation, the ongoing increase in streaming service subscription prices, is impacting major platforms like @Netflix, @Disney, and others. Evidence shows that Netflix raised its subscription fees multiple times recently, followed by Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max also implementing price hikes. This trend reflects companies reacting to rising content production and licensing costs amid a saturated streaming market. The price increases may influence consumer behavior and subscription retention as the market adjusts to inflationary pressures. Therefore, #streaming services face the challenge of balancing profitability with customer satisfaction in a competitive environment.
Rabbit employees have reported not receiving their salaries for several months amid controversy over the company’s financial status and valuation. Despite these payment issues, the company maintains an ambitious valuation of R1 billion, highlighting a disconnect between internal employee concerns and corporate financial goals. The employees’ unpaid status raises questions about Rabbit’s operational stability and its prioritization of growth metrics over workforce welfare. This situation illustrates the challenges startups face balancing rapid expansion and sustainable employee relations. The developments at Rabbit emphasize the need for transparent financial management to maintain trust and functionality within tech enterprises.
12. BBC apologises to Donald Trump over edit of speech for Panorama
The BBC issued an apology to @DonaldTrump following criticism over an edited segment of his speech featured on Panorama. The edited footage was accused of misrepresenting his words, prompting the broadcaster to acknowledge the error and reaffirm its commitment to impartiality. The incident raised questions about editorial standards and the responsibilities of news organizations in accurately conveying political statements. The BBC’s apology aims to restore trust and clarify their position on maintaining balanced reporting amid controversies. This case highlights ongoing challenges faced by media outlets in handling sensitive political content while preserving journalistic integrity.
13. Tesla Reportedly Caving and Will Add Apple CarPlay Support To Boost Sales: TDS
Tesla is reportedly developing Apple CarPlay support in response to strong customer demand, marking a dramatic reversal for a company whose @ElonMusk has previously criticized Apple and its policies. The feature has been among the most requested by customers, and its pursuit is framed as a move to boost sales and broaden appeal. The shift hints at a broader strategic pivot to improve the vehicle’s software ecosystem and competitiveness in a market where seamless smartphone integration matters. By embracing #AppleCarPlay, Tesla could align with consumer expectations and potentially reshape its software strategy and market position.
14. Microrobots finding their way
ETH Zurich researchers have developed a microrobot capable of transporting drugs to precise locations in the body, offering targeted therapies such as delivering a thrombus-dissolving agent directly to a stroke-related clot. The microrobot is a tiny spherical capsule with a soluble gel shell, steered by magnets via iron oxide nanoparticles and made visible by tantalum imaging contrast, and it can be loaded with thrombus-dissolving drugs, antibiotics, or tumor medications. Drugs are released when a high-frequency magnetic field heats the magnetic particles, dissolving the shell as the capsule is released from a catheter and guided through vessels to the target. Realistic vessel models and large-animal tests show promise, and the work addresses brain vessel size limits by balancing capsule miniaturization with magnetic strength, potentially reducing systemic side effects compared with current approaches. The research team, including @Bradley Nelson and @Salvador Pané, published their findings in Science and highlight the synergy of materials science and robotics engineering for future therapies #microrobot #magnetic #contrast #drug_delivery #stroke.
The Chip Hub for Integrated Photonics Xplore (CHIPX) has unveiled an all‑photonic optical quantum chip billed as an industrial‑grade, scalable platform and claims it is 1,000× faster than @NVIDIA GPUs for AI tasks. Built on a new co-packaging technology for photons and electronics, the chip packs more than 1,000 optical components on a 6‑inch silicon wafer in a monolithic design, making the system far more compact than traditional quantum computers. The developers say systems with these chips can be deployed in about two weeks instead of six months, and the architecture can run chips in tandem to scale toward roughly 1 million qubits of processing power. The approach uses photons as qubits, highlighting that light-based processing takes up less space, generates less heat, and can move data faster than electricity, aligning with concerns about data-center power use in AI #photonic #qubits #AI. Yet the article notes a key bottleneck: production is limited to about 12,000 wafers per year with roughly 350 chips per wafer, leaving significant unknowns before mainstream adoption, while China presses to outpace Western rivals in quantum computing #production #China #co-packaging.
16. Valve is making microSD cards the next game cartridges
Valve is expanding microSD card use beyond the Steam Deck to its new Steam Machine PC and Steam Frame VR headset, letting players carry many games on a single card. All three devices run Linux-based @SteamOS and feature microSD slots, so a card formatted for SteamOS can be read by any of them and games on the card become visible without re-downloading. When the Steam Machine and Steam Frame launch in early 2026, you’ll be able to slot in your Deck microSD and start playing most titles immediately, though performance may vary due to different specs and UHS-I card readers may limit speed compared with state-of-the-art microSD Express or internal SSDs. Valve likens the setup to old-school #cartridges, but with the flexibility to carry many games, making it easy to switch between Deck, Machine, and Frame. This ecosystem approach could give Valve an edge in the console wars by prioritizing portability and cross-device compatibility via #SteamOS and #microSD.
17. Google rolls out official call recording across Pixel lineup
Pixel users on #Android14 with @Google’s Phone by Google app finally gain built‑in call recording, starting with Pixel 6 and newer devices. A dedicated Call Recording toggle appears in Settings → Call Assist, and during calls a red recording indicator with a Stop button shows the feature is active. Recordings are saved locally in the Home tab with a built‑in player and on‑device storage, and users can choose retention options to auto‑delete after 7, 14, or 30 days or keep them indefinitely. You can auto‑record unknown numbers or limit recording to specific contacts, and Google emphasizes that all recordings stay on the device and are not uploaded to the cloud. Availability depends on both the Phone app update and the November Pixel Feature Drop and may vary by region due to local laws, with audible alerts helping users comply.
18. Apple launches new ‘iPhone Pocket’ carrying case to mixed reviews: ‘$230 for a cut up sock’
Apple launches the iPhone Pocket, a $230 carrying case/strap created with @Issey Miyake that is meant to be worn on the body, tied to bags, or handheld, and that encloses the iPhone while offering a peek at the display. There are two designs: a short strap priced at $149.95 in eight colors and a long strap priced at $229.95 in three colors, with hues including lemon, mandarin, purple, pink, peacock, sapphire, cinnamon and black. The product uses a #3D-knitted construction of nylon, polyester and polyurethane and is designed to mix with iPhone colors to enable personalized combinations, according to @Molly Anderson of Apple’s industrial design team. Yoshiyuki Miyamae of Miyake Design Studio says the design embodies the idea of leaving things less defined to invite interpretation, while the company frames the project as exploring the joy of wearing iPhone in one’s own way. Availability begins Friday, Nov. 14, in select Apple Stores and on Apple.com in France, Greater China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the U.K. and the United States, and initial reactions on social media have been mixed, with critics citing the high price and fashion-forward concept, and supporters pointing to the potential of wearables.
19. It’s Official: Scientists Confirmed What Is Inside Our Moon
Scientists have confirmed the internal structure of the Moon, revealing a core surrounded by a mantle and crust much like Earth, but with distinct differences in composition and dimensions. Seismic data from Apollo missions, combined with modern modeling techniques, have allowed researchers to determine that the Moon’s core is smaller and contains lighter elements than Earth’s core. This discovery enhances understanding of lunar formation and geological history, suggesting the Moon’s core formed through a unique process after its separation from Earth. The findings underscore the importance of seismic studies in planetary science, providing insights into the evolutionary paths of celestial bodies within our solar system. Such knowledge helps refine models of planetary differentiation and the dynamic history of the Earth-Moon system.
That’s all for today’s digest for 2025/11/15! We picked, and processed 19 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! 🚀