Uganda's general election faced delays due to technical glitches like malfunctioning biometric ID machines and undelivered ballots, impacting voter access. This occurred amidst an internet shutdown and a backdrop of political tension, raising concerns about the integrity and fairness of the electoral process as President Museveni seeks to extend his long-standing rule.
WhatsApp has exempted Brazil from its global ban on third-party AI chatbots following regulatory scrutiny over potential anti-competitive practices related to Meta's own AI. This decision allows AI providers to continue serving Brazilian users via WhatsApp's Business API, while the company faces investigation into whether its policies unfairly favor Meta AI. The original policy, which is still in effect for other regions, restricts general-purpose chatbots like ChatGPT but permits customer service bots.
After extensive testing, the Apple Watch Series 11 emerges as the top choice for iPhone users, while the Google Pixel Watch 4 leads for Android, offering features from fitness tracking to notifications. This guide highlights a range of smartwatches, including the Apple Watch SE 3 and Samsung Galaxy Watch8, catering to diverse needs and preferences within the evolving wearable technology market.
Companies should view AI as a transformative tool for business model innovation, not just cost reduction, to fully realize its potential. Successful AI implementation requires establishing a solid data infrastructure and focusing on high-value projects that drive growth and sales, similar to the impact of the internet. By prioritizing strategic applications over simple cost-saving measures, businesses can unlock AI's ability to revolutionize various industries.
Following public outcry and an Ofcom investigation, X's AI tool Grok is reportedly addressing the creation of sexualized deepfakes, a move welcomed by the UK government. The government plans to enforce laws criminalizing non-consensual deepfakes, signaling a proactive stance on AI-generated content regulation and its potential impact on digital safety.
Taryn Plumb January 13, 2026 CleoP made with MidjourneyEgnyte, the 1.5 billion cloud content governance company, has embedded AI coding tools across its global team of more than 350 developers but not to reduce headcount. Instead, the company continues to hire junior engineers, using AI to accelerate onboarding, deepen codebase understanding, and shorten the path from junior to senior contributor.
Elon Musk denies knowledge of Grok generating sexualized images of minors as the California Attorney General initiates an investigation into xAI's chatbot. The probe follows reports of users exploiting Grok to create non-consensual, sexually explicit material, prompting concerns over legal violations and the need for immediate action to prevent further misuse, potentially impacting AI content governance standards.
Jen Easterly, former CISA Director, takes the helm as CEO of RSAC Conference, signaling a strategic shift towards year-round global engagement and innovation. Easterly aims to expand RSAC's role in fostering AI-driven cybersecurity solutions and supporting early-stage startups, reflecting the industry's critical juncture with emerging AI technologies. This move underscores the importance of proactive security measures in an evolving threat landscape.
Apple will integrate Google's Gemini AI models into its services, including Siri, through a multi-year collaboration. This partnership allows Apple to quickly enhance its AI capabilities and deliver innovative user experiences, while also highlighting the increasing industry trend of tech companies leveraging external AI expertise to stay competitive. The move is expected to satisfy consumer demand for advanced AI features on Apple devices.
Sid Meier's Civilization VII Arcade Edition is launching on iPhone and iPad, developed by Behaviour Interactive with guidance from Firaxis Games, offering the full Civilization experience through Apple Arcade. This subscription-based release diverges from the standard edition by excluding planned DLC and potentially delaying or omitting post-launch updates, and may lack multiplayer functionality. This strategic move reflects the success of subscription models in mobile gaming, as seen with Red Dead Redemption's performance on Netflix versus direct purchase.
The rise of on-device AI, exemplified by Apple Intelligence and Microsoft's Copilot, suggests a potential future where powerful AI runs locally on devices, reducing reliance on massive data centers. While current adoption is limited to premium devices, this trend could revolutionize data processing, prioritizing speed and security while potentially impacting the data center industry's long-term growth trajectory. Data centers are traditionally...
Sodium-ion batteries, utilizing readily available sodium instead of scarce lithium, are emerging as a promising alternative for powering EVs and energy grids, potentially reshaping the energy landscape. The recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES) highlighted the growing optimism and innovation from Chinese tech companies, showcasing their significant presence and advancements on the global stage.
Next-generation nuclear reactors are gaining traction as a potential solution to climate change and energy independence, offering a faster and more cost-effective alternative to traditional nuclear power. However, the rapid expansion of hyperscale data centers, while technologically impressive, is facing increasing public opposition due to concerns about resource consumption and environmental impact across various states.
Widespread protests in Iran, initially sparked by economic grievances, have escalated into significant unrest within a mere 17 days. The Iranian government attributes the escalating violence to foreign influence, while the United States has issued threats of potential military intervention, highlighting the geopolitical implications of the situation.
Ronald Deibert, director of Citizen Lab, researches digital threats and exposes cyber abuses, now viewing the US with increased scrutiny. Looking ahead to 2026, new climate technologies are emerging with the potential to significantly impact efforts to address climate change.
Hackman Capital Partners, the world's largest independent studio owner, is expected to relinquish ownership of the historic Radford Studio Center to lenders like Goldman Sachs after defaulting on a $1.1 billion mortgage. The default stems from a significant downturn in film and TV production since 2022, impacting studio space leasing and revenue, with Hackman currently working with lenders to find a resolution.
Indian workforce-training startup Emversity, focused on roles resilient to AI automation, has secured $30 million in Series A funding, doubling its valuation to $120 million. The company addresses India's skills gap by integrating employer-designed training into university programs and operating skill centers, aiming to provide job-ready talent for sectors like healthcare and hospitality facing critical shortages.
Monzo Bank resolved an issue affecting its mobile app after thousands of users reported access problems, triggering the activation of "Monzo Stand-in," their backup system. While the app experienced limited functionality, users could still make payments, withdraw cash, and manage card settings, demonstrating the resilience of Monzo's independent backup infrastructure.
US senators are pressing major tech companies like X, Meta, and Alphabet to demonstrate effective measures against the proliferation of sexualized deepfakes on their platforms, highlighting concerns that current safeguards are insufficient. The inquiry demands detailed documentation on the creation, detection, and moderation of AI-generated sexual content, signaling increased regulatory scrutiny and the potential for stricter content policies across the industry.
Volvo's upcoming EX60 SUV will feature HuginCore, a new software-defined platform powered by Google's Gemini, enabling advanced data processing and real-time environmental awareness for improved vehicle performance and safety. This second-generation platform, built on an EV-only architecture with cell-to-body battery packs and large castings, signifies a major step towards software-centric vehicle design in the automotive industry.
