Tech News

1. Technology & Innovation:

   • AI Agents in Retail: Google has introduced the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), an open standard for AI-powered shopping agents, allowing seamless product discovery, cart management, and checkout across retailers like Walmart, Target, and Etsy. The protocol integrates with Google’s Gemini AI assistant, enabling users to complete purchases without leaving the AI interface. 👉 techcrunch.com 👉 axios.com 👉 theinformation.com

   • AI-Powered Shopping: Walmart and Google have partnered to embed AI shopping capabilities into Google’s Gemini chatbot, allowing users to purchase Walmart and Sam’s Club products directly through the AI interface. The integration aims to streamline the shopping experience by enabling in-chat purchases and personalized recommendations. 👉 bloomberg.com^$ 👉 corporate.walmart.com

   • AI in Healthcare: Anthropic has launched Claude for Healthcare, a suite of HIPAA-compliant AI tools designed for healthcare providers, insurers, and patients. The platform integrates with medical records and offers AI-driven insights for clinical decision-making. 👉 businessinsider.com^$ 👉 fortune.com

   • AI in Finance: ATG, a startup developing an AI-powered wealth management app called Autonomous, has emerged from stealth and secured a $15 million pre-seed round led by Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan. The app aims to provide personalized financial advice using AI-driven analytics. 👉 businessinsider.com^$

2. Cybersecurity & Privacy:

   • Instagram Data Breach: Meta (Instagram) has denied a breach after reports claimed 17.5 million users' data was exposed. The company stated that a bug allowed external parties to send password reset emails, but no breach occurred. Users are advised to ignore the suspicious emails. 👉 theverge.com 👉 bleepingcomputer.com

   • Malware Campaigns:

     • WhatsApp Worm: A new WhatsApp worm spreads the Astaroth banking trojan across Brazil by automatically messaging victims’ contacts. The malware retrieves WhatsApp contact lists and sends malicious links to further spread infections. 👉 thehackernews.com
     • China-Linked Hackers: Chinese-speaking threat actors exploited VMware ESXi zero-days to escape virtual machines, potentially leading to ransomware attacks. The vulnerabilities were disclosed in March 2025 and were added to CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. 👉 thehackernews.com

   • Cybercrime Operations:

     • Kimwolf Botnet: A destructive botnet called Kimwolf has infected over 2 million devices globally, primarily targeting Android TV streaming boxes and digital photo frames. The malware forces devices to relay malicious traffic, including ad fraud and account takeovers. 👉 krebsonsecurity.com
     • Black Axe Arrests: Europol arrested 34 individuals in Spain linked to the Black Axe cybercrime syndicate, which is involved in fraud, drug trafficking, and human trafficking. The operation resulted in damages exceeding €5.9 million. 👉 thehackernews.com

3. Geopolitics & Regulation:

   • AI Regulation: Indonesia and Malaysia have blocked access to Elon Musk’s Grok AI due to concerns over its generation of sexualized deepfake content. The move follows similar restrictions in the UK and other countries. 👉 bloomberg.com^$ 👉 techcrunch.com

   • Data Privacy: India has proposed new security rules requiring smartphone manufacturers to share source code with the government, prompting pushback from Apple and Samsung. The rules aim to enhance cybersecurity but raise concerns about privacy and data sovereignty. 👉 reuters.com

   • Cryptocurrency Sanctions: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) used UK-registered companies to move over $1 billion in stablecoins since 2023, evading international sanctions. The operation highlights the use of cryptocurrency in circumventing financial restrictions. 👉 washingtonpost.com

4. Healthcare & Science:

   • Hubble Space Telescope: NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope is at risk of reentering Earth’s atmosphere within the next five to six years due to increased solar activity and lack of reboost missions. A privately funded telescope, Lazuli, is planned to launch by 2028 as a potential successor. 👉 slashdot.org

   • Neuromorphic Computing: Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have developed a novel algorithm enabling neuromorphic computers to solve complex mathematical problems efficiently. The breakthrough could lead to the first neuromorphic supercomputer, revolutionizing energy-efficient computing. 👉 phys.org

5. Business & Economy:

   • AI Investment: Global AI-related companies contributed ~40% of convertible bond index returns in 2025, with total investments reaching $166.5 billion, the highest since 2001. The surge reflects growing confidence in AI-driven innovation and its economic impact. 👉 bloomberg.com^$

   • Drone Delivery: Alphabet’s Wing is expanding its drone delivery service to 150 additional Walmart stores, bringing the total to 270+ stores and covering ~10% of the US population. The service offers free delivery initially and aims to integrate AI-powered shopping tools. 👉 techcrunch.com

6. Legal & Ethical Issues:

   • AI Transparency: Elon Musk announced that X’s new algorithm will be made open source within seven days, including all code used for organic and advertising post recommendations. The move aims to enhance transparency and developer engagement. 👉 engadget.com

   • AI and Privacy: Cory Doctorow discussed the potential end of "enshittification" in technology, advocating for the repeal of anti-circumvention laws to allow reverse-engineering and modification of proprietary tech for better user control. 👉 theguardian.com

7. Social & Cultural Trends:

   • Linux Adoption: Multiple tech journalists have recently switched to Linux for desktop use, citing frustrations with Windows and macOS. They highlight improved performance, stability, and customization. 👉 theverge.com 👉 notebookcheck.net

   • AI in Social Media: A new platform called Tangle, developed by former Twitter and Pinterest founders, uses AI to help users define life purposes and set intentions. The platform is invitation-only and aims to create a more meaningful digital experience. 👉 msn.com

8. Workforce & Productivity:

   • AI vs. Human Work: A study comparing AI systems and human workers found that AI successfully completed only 2.5% of real-world tasks, highlighting limitations in automation and the need for human oversight. 👉 msn.com

9. Environment & Energy:

   • Supercritical CO2 Power: China has deployed a supercritical CO2 power generator, claiming efficiency improvements of 20-30% over conventional steam-based systems. However, concerns remain about its long-term durability and economic viability. 👉 cleantechnica.com

10. Historical Discoveries:

    • Unix Tape Rediscovery: A 1974 Unix tape was rediscovered at the University of Utah, containing one of the earliest versions of the Unix operating system. The tape is now available for public access and simulation. 👉 slashdot.org

11. Programming Languages:

    • TIOBE Index: C# saw the largest increase in popularity among programming languages in 2025, driven by its cross-platform capabilities and open-source evolution. Python, C, and Java remain the top three languages. 👉 tiobe.com

12. AI Ethics & Safety:

    • AI Risks: AI systems are currently unable to automate most real-world jobs due to limitations in memory, visual understanding, and technical execution. Research indicates that AI will not replace human workers in the near future. 👉 msn.com

13. Tech Industry Trends:

    • AI in Retail: Google’s new Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) aims to streamline AI agent-based shopping, allowing users to find, add to cart, and purchase products without custom integrations. The protocol is open-source and vendor-agnostic. 👉 techcrunch.com

14. Cybersecurity Threats:

    • CISA Retires Directives: The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has retired 10 emergency cybersecurity directives issued between 2019 and 2024, as required actions have been completed or are now covered by other directives. 👉 thehackernews.com

15. AI Advancements:

    • AI in Healthcare: Anthropic’s Claude for Healthcare aims to improve efficiency and accuracy in healthcare by integrating AI with medical records and offering HIPAA-compliant tools for providers and patients. 👉 businessinsider.com^$

16. AI and Job Market:

    • AI’s Role in Workforce: A study found that AI systems can only complete 2.5% of real-world tasks, emphasizing the importance of human workers in the near future. 👉 msn.com

17. AI Regulation & Ethics:

    • AI Ethics: Cory Doctorow advocates for repealing anti-circumvention laws to allow reverse-engineering and modification of proprietary tech, aiming to improve user control and privacy. 👉 theguardian.com

18. AI and Social Media:

    • Tangle Platform: Former Twitter and Pinterest founders have developed Tangle, an AI-powered platform designed to help users define life purposes and set intentions, aiming to create a more meaningful digital experience. 👉 msn.com

19. AI and Retail:

    • AI Shopping Tools: Google’s Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) enables AI agents to handle shopping tasks, including product discovery, payment, and support, without requiring custom integrations. 👉 techcrunch.com

20. AI and Automation:

    • AI Limitations: Current AI systems lack the capability to automate most real-world jobs, highlighting the need for human oversight and intervention. 👉 msn.com

1768176600000