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When white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney, it signaled a new era for the Catholic Church: the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, who stepped onto St. Peter’s balcony with a message of peace and a nod to the challenges of our time. This week, in his first formal address to the College of Cardinals, the 69-year-old Chicago-born Robert Prevost revealed that artificial intelligence, among other modern issues, inspired his choice of the papal name Leo, drawing parallels to Pope Leo XIII’s response to the Industrial Revolution in the late 19th century. For the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, tech enthusiasts, and global observers, his remarks highlight a Church grappling with AI’s impact on human dignity, a theme he’s already weaving into his pontificate. Adding a…

Picture a robot hitting a dance floor, swinging its arms and stepping to a beat with moves so smooth you’d swear it’s human. That’s exactly what Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robot pulled off in a video shared last week by CEO Elon Musk, lighting up social media with its slick choreography. The clip, dropped early Wednesday morning, shows Optimus grooving without cables holding it up, a massive leap from its early days when it could barely take a step. For robotics fans, Tesla investors, and tech enthusiasts, this isn’t just a cool trick—it’s a bold statement of how far Optimus has come, blending artificial intelligence with balance that’s starting to rival the real thing in a $4.7 trillion market for humanoid robots. The dance, crafted in a virtual world using smart…

Imagine firing off a text, flipping through apps, or adjusting your music playlist just by thinking about it—no taps, no voice commands, just your brain at work. That’s what Apple’s aiming for with its new Brain Control accessibility features, set to roll out later this year across iOS, iPadOS, and visionOS, as announced this week. Designed for folks with severe mobility challenges, like those with spinal cord injuries or ALS, these features let users control their iPhone or iPad using brain signals alone. For the 2.35 billion people using Apple devices, app developers, and tech enthusiasts, this is a massive step toward making gadgets truly accessible, tapping into brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) that feel like something out of a sci-fi flick. Apple’s partnering with Synchron, a New York-based BCI startup, to…

ESPN will debut its highly anticipated direct-to-consumer streaming service, simply named “ESPN,” in September 2025, priced at $29.99 per month, as announced this week. The platform will offer access to all ESPN networks, including SEC, Big Ten, and ACC college leagues, alongside ESPN+ content, marking a historic shift from cable dependency. For sports fans, streaming enthusiasts, and industry observers, this launch represents a pivotal moment in the streaming wars, where platforms like Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, Paramount+, Hulu, and Max have battled for dominance over the past decade, with sports now emerging as a critical battleground. The service, which also offers a $299.99 annual plan and a $35.99 monthly bundle with Disney+ and Hulu ($29.99 for the first year), aims to deliver 47,000 live events annually, enhanced by AI-driven personalization,…

Microsoft is trimming its global workforce by about 6,000 jobs, roughly 3% of its 228,000 employees, while pouring significant resources into artificial intelligence, as announced this week. The layoffs, affecting various teams and levels worldwide, mark the company’s largest workforce reduction since slashing 10,000 roles in 2023. For employees, investors, and the tech industry, the move highlights Microsoft’s strategic pivot toward AI-driven growth, balancing cost-cutting with investments in cutting-edge technology to stay competitive in a $2 trillion market. The cuts, not tied to performance but to a focus on high-priority areas like AI, aim to streamline operations, with CEO Satya Nadella emphasizing smarter resource allocation after slower-than-expected Azure cloud growth outside AI. Meanwhile, Microsoft’s $80 billion AI spending this fiscal year, with over half in the U.S., underscores its commitment…

Apple has revealed plans to introduce an AI-powered battery management feature in iOS 19, set for release in September 2025, leveraging Apple Intelligence to optimize iPhone battery life, as announced this week. The feature will analyze individual user habits to adjust power consumption, reducing energy draw for specific apps and functions, aiming to extend daily battery usage. For iPhone users, developers, and the tech industry, this update addresses longstanding battery life concerns, particularly for the upcoming iPhone 17 Air, which will feature a thinner design with a smaller battery capacity. The system will use battery usage data collected from millions of iPhones to predict and manage power needs, ensuring efficient energy allocation. A new lock screen indicator will display estimated charging times, enhancing user awareness of battery status. The feature,…

Thanks to technological innovations, economic pressures, and ethical considerations, the manufacturing landscape is shifting. For decades, high-precision manufacturing has been dominated by Asian powerhouses like China, South Korea, and Taiwan. However, a perfect storm is accelerating the adoption of AI-powered manufacturing, bringing industrial activity back to the US, and unlocking opportunities for manufacturers and consumers alike. THE FUTURE OF MANUFACTURING Asia’s dominance in high-precision manufacturing is well-established. Countries like China and Taiwan have developed sophisticated supply chains and expertise in producing complex components at scale. According to the National Association of Manufacturers, over 60% of U.S. tech hardware is manufactured in Asia, with China alone accounting for nearly 40% of global electronics production. This reliance has been beneficial for cost savings and efficiency, but has also exposed vulnerabilities. Ethical concerns…

Perplexity AI, a San Francisco-based startup developing an AI-powered search engine, is finalizing a $500 million funding round at a $14 billion valuation, marking its second major capital raise in six months, as announced this week. The round, led by venture capital firm Accel, follows a $500 million raise in December 2024 that valued the company at $9 billion, reflecting intense investor enthusiasm for Perplexity’s generative AI technology. For investors, developers, and tech industry observers, the funding underscores Perplexity’s rapid growth and its ambition to challenge Google’s search dominance, with nearly 100 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) and 230 million monthly queries. The company, founded in 2022 by Aravind Srinivas, Andy Konwinski, Denis Yarats, and Johnny Ho, has raised over $1.1 billion to date, with backers including Nvidia, Jeff…

Chinese tech giant Baidu is gearing up to test its driverless ride-hailing service, Apollo Go, in Europe for the first time, with plans to establish a local entity in Switzerland and begin trials by the end of 2025, as reported last week by The Wall Street Journal. The move, which also includes launching in Turkey, marks Baidu’s bold push into global markets amid fierce competition in China’s autonomous vehicle sector. For European commuters, regulators, and the global tech industry, this expansion signals a new chapter in the race for self-driving technology, challenging established players like Waymo and Uber in a $2 trillion mobility market. Apollo Go, already operational in over a dozen Chinese cities with a fleet of more than 400 vehicles in Wuhan, aims to leverage its experience to…

Google revealed this week that Americans are sending over 1 billion Rich Communication Services (RCS) messages every day, a massive leap fueled by Apple’s decision to embrace RCS in iOS 18 last September. This milestone, based on a 28-day average, shows how RCS has transformed texting between iPhones and Android phones, bringing crisp photos, group chat flair, and typing bubbles to conversations that used to be stuck in SMS limbo. For anyone with a smartphone, app makers, or folks in the telecom world, it’s a sign that RCS is becoming the go-to for cross-platform chats, making those blurry green-bubble texts a thing of the past. Apple’s move to support RCS, after years of nudging from Google, has supercharged its adoption, especially since iOS 18 rolled out. With Google Messages already…

Apple has released iOS 18.5, addressing over 30 security vulnerabilities affecting iPhone components such as Bluetooth, FaceTime, and the Notes app, as announced this week. The update, which also includes new features like Mail changes and Screen Time password notifications, strengthens the security of devices ranging from the iPhone XS to the iPhone 16e, ensuring protection against potential cyberattacks. For iPhone users, developers, and cybersecurity experts, this release underscores Apple’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding its 2.2 billion active devices amid rising threats in the digital landscape. A notable fix targets a baseband vulnerability in the iPhone 16e’s C1 modem, where an attacker in a privileged network position could intercept network traffic. Other patches address issues in CoreMedia, AppleJPEG, Call History, and WebKit, with no reported exploitation of these flaws in…

Google has introduced the AI Futures Fund, a new initiative to invest in artificial intelligence startups, providing them with capital, early access to advanced AI models, and technical support, as announced this week. The fund, aimed at startups from seed to late stages, offers resources like Google Cloud credits, hands-on guidance from Google researchers and engineers, and potential direct investment opportunities. For entrepreneurs, investors, and the tech industry, the initiative positions Google as a key player in fostering AI innovation, competing with firms like Microsoft and Amazon in backing the next generation of AI-driven companies. The fund, led by Anna Patterson, vice president of engineering for AI at Google, builds on the company’s history of supporting AI ventures, including investments in Anthropic and Algorithmia. Eligible startups gain access to models…

Toyota has unveiled a revamped version of its only all-electric vehicle in the U.S., renaming the bZ4X to simply “bZ” and introducing significant technological upgrades for the 2026 model year, as announced this week. The redesigned bZ, set to hit dealerships in the second half of 2025, boasts a 25% increase in driving range, up to 50% more horsepower, and a North American Charging Standard (NACS) port for Tesla Supercharger compatibility. For electric vehicle (EV) buyers, auto enthusiasts, and industry observers, the update addresses past criticisms of the bZ4X, which struggled with lackluster performance and a recall for detaching wheels, aiming to boost Toyota’s presence in the competitive U.S. EV market. The bZ now offers a range of up to 314 miles, a new battery preconditioning system, and a refreshed…

Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, revealed plans last week to bring the company’s autonomous Robotaxis, dubbed Cybercabs, and Optimus humanoid robots to Saudi Arabia, marking a bold step in the kingdom’s push for technological innovation. Speaking at the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh, Musk highlighted the move as a boost to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a strategy to diversify its economy through cutting-edge tech. For Saudi commuters, global investors, and tech enthusiasts, this announcement signals Tesla’s ambition to reshape mobility and automation in a region eager to become a global tech hub, within a $2 trillion autonomous vehicle market and a $4.7 trillion humanoid robot sector. The Cybercab, a sleek, self-driving taxi with no steering wheel, and Optimus, a versatile robot designed for tasks from factory work to personal assistance, aim…