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Technology News
Breaking news and analysis from the world of technology
The rocket launch industry has greatly increased the number of space launches in recent years, making space access faster and cheaper. However, there is now a shortage of launch availability, partly because SpaceX plans to reduce its Falcon 9 rocket launches and focus on its own satellite projects, causing concern among satellite companies who need launches.
Key Facts
The number of orbital rocket launches has tripled in the last decade, averaging 270 launches per year recently.
Satellite companies report difficulty booking launches due to limited availability.
SpaceX, the main launch provider, plans to phase out Falcon 9 rockets in favor of the bigger Starship rocket.
SpaceX is focusing more on launching its own Starlink satellites, which generate most of its revenue.
The Falcon 9 rocket flew 165 times last year but is expected to fly about 20 fewer missions this year.
SpaceX may stop commercial Falcon 9 launches after 2028 but will continue government launches for a short time.
Analysts predict thousands of satellite launches will be needed annually within a decade.
This launch shortage could worsen over the next 2 to 4 years, impacting satellite companies’ plans.
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AI companies are collecting and using more personal data from users to improve and personalize chatbot responses, but there are few clear rules on how this data is handled. Different companies have different policies about privacy and data use, with some keeping data mostly on devices while others use it to personalize ads and services.
Key Facts
AI chatbots can access user data, including personal details shared during conversations.
OpenAI offers an optional feature to track apps and websites a user visits.
Google uses uploaded photos and content in Search to train its AI by default, but users can opt out.
Chatbots often collect sensitive information about health, money, and relationships.
Meta uses chatbot data to personalize ads and content but excludes certain sensitive topics.
Apple processes most AI requests on users’ devices to enhance privacy and limits data stored in the cloud.
Some AI services offer private or temporary chats that do not use data for training or memory.
There are limited laws regulating how AI companies collect, use, and store user data.
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Microsoft is building large data centers that use many advanced computer chips made by Nvidia to support artificial intelligence (AI). However, internal documents show Microsoft has about 2.2 million AI chips installed, which is less than half the number some expected for their data center capacity, raising questions about how fully these centers are running.
Key Facts
Microsoft planned to have 1.8 million AI chips in its data centers by the end of 2024 but currently has about 2.2 million.
Despite a $280 billion investment in AI infrastructure since 2022, Microsoft’s chip numbers seem lower than expected.
Nvidia makes nearly all the specialized chips used for AI in Microsoft’s data centers.
Nvidia does not publicly share how many chips it sells or to whom, making it hard to know the exact AI capacity.
Microsoft says it added 5 gigawatts (GW) of data center power since 2022, enough for many AI operations.
Microsoft expects to double its data center footprint by mid-2027.
Estimates based on power usage suggest Microsoft should have around 6.4 million AI chips if all capacity is for AI, which is higher than current reports.
The exact number of operational AI data centers and chips is unclear because of limited information disclosure.
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The company Meta is facing a major lawsuit from 30 U.S. states, accusing it of breaking privacy laws that protect children. The states want Meta to make big changes to Instagram and Facebook, such as removing "like" counts and ending endless scrolling, to limit harm to young users.
Key Facts
The lawsuit was filed in 2023 by 30 U.S. states, including California and New York.
States claim Meta violated federal and state privacy laws designed to protect children.
They are demanding changes like ending "like" counts, stopping infinite scroll, and adding parental verification for teens.
Other requested changes include removing appearance-changing filters, stopping autoplay videos, and banning multiple accounts or disappearing posts for young users.
States accuse Meta of using features to keep young people hooked on the platforms and making it hard to spend less time on them.
Meta denies the claims and says it supports young users.
A New Mexico judge recently fined Meta $942 million and called the company a "public nuisance" because of harm to young people.
If the lawsuit succeeds, Meta may have to make these changes nationwide, affecting nearly two-thirds of the U.S. population.
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Flock Safety, a company that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to read license plates, is facing criticism from communities and privacy groups. To address these concerns, Flock updated its privacy rules and how long it keeps data amid lawsuits and contract cancellations.
Key Facts
Flock Safety uses AI-powered cameras to scan and record license plates.
Many communities and civil rights groups are worried about privacy and surveillance.
There have been several lawsuits claiming Flock’s technology invades privacy.
Some customers have ended their contracts with Flock Safety.
In response, Flock changed its privacy policies and data retention practices.
The company wants to reduce fears about mass surveillance and data misuse.
These changes were announced publicly on a Thursday.
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Max Tegmark, a physics professor and founder of the Future of Life Institute, warns that artificial intelligence (AI) could become smarter than humans and pose a big risk. He says governments and tech companies focus on using AI to replace human jobs for profit and power, which has caused concerns after some crimes linked to AI chatbots. This has led to more calls for regulating AI technology.
Key Facts
Max Tegmark is a physics professor at MIT and leads the Future of Life Institute.
He believes AI could surpass human intelligence and become a major danger.
Governments and tech companies are competing to replace human work using AI.
The main motivation for this AI development is to gain money and power.
Some people have committed suicides and murders after interactions with AI chatbots.
These incidents have increased public and official demand for AI regulations.
Silicon Valley companies have opposed government regulation of AI so far.
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A new website called "Have I Been Flocked?" lets people check if their license plate has been manually searched in Flock Safety’s nationwide camera system. Flock Safety, which uses cameras and artificial intelligence to read license plates for law enforcement, also announced new rules to improve privacy and transparency.
Key Facts
"Have I Been Flocked?" allows users to enter a license plate number to see if it was searched by someone using Flock Safety’s system.
The database used by the website contains over 241 million search records from audit logs obtained publicly.
Flock Safety operates more than 120,000 cameras that automatically read license plates across the country.
The tool only shows manual searches of license plates, not just when a plate was photographed by a camera.
Search logs can include details like the agency, date and time, reasons for the search, and who made the request.
A search does not always mean the vehicle owner was stopped or investigated.
Flock Safety recently introduced changes to improve privacy protections, transparency, and oversight of their technology.
Users are advised to document search results, review for possible misuse, and report suspicious searches to authorities.
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The iNaturalist app helps people identify plants, animals, and insects using their phones. It collects important information for scientists studying nature, and users can also join fun competitions to find and identify species.
Key Facts
iNaturalist is a cellphone app for identifying plants, animals, and insects.
The app provides data to scientists who study biodiversity and changes in nature.
It helps track things like species decline and loss of natural habitats.
Users can join “bioblitz” events, which are timed contests to find and identify species.
CBS News featured the app, showing a bioblitz with Martha Stewart and David Pogue.
The app mixes science learning with an enjoyable experience for users.
Information collected by users supports important scientific research.
The original segment aired on March 22, 2026.
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SpaceMD plans to use the Starfall spacecraft to develop medicines in space. This effort aims to help create treatments for illnesses like cancer and Alzheimer’s disease in low Earth orbit.
Key Facts
SpaceMD is a company working on making medicines.
They will use a spacecraft called Starfall.
The medicines will be created in low Earth orbit, which is the area close to Earth in space.
Making medicines in space could improve treatments for diseases such as cancer.
The project also focuses on potential treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.
This approach could lead to new ways to produce medicines not possible on Earth.
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Lovina Hershberger Zook left the Amish community five years ago and has become a social media influencer with about six million followers. She shares Amish recipes and stories from her life, showing traditional Amish culture to a wide online audience.
Key Facts
Lovina Zook grew up in a very conservative Amish group and spoke Pennsylvania Dutch, a German dialect.
She left the Amish faith at age 18 but still follows many Amish traditions at home, including wearing homemade dresses.
She shares videos about Amish food, like a simple coffee soup and an "Amish cheeseburger" (a grilled cheese sandwich).
Zook had no previous experience with phones or computers before leaving the Amish and continues learning new technology.
Her most popular video shows how Amish women style their hair, with over 50 million views on TikTok.
Amish life forbids many things like makeup, dancing, smoking, drinking, and cursing.
Lovina was a schoolteacher in the Amish community but left due to low pay and transportation difficulties.
Leaving the Amish community carries serious social and religious consequences, including being told she would go to hell.
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Lovina Hershberger Zook, who grew up in a conservative Amish community without technology, left the faith five years ago. She now shares stories and recipes about Amish life on social media and has gained six million followers.
Key Facts
Lovina Zook is 23 years old.
She was raised in a conservative Amish community.
Amish communities generally avoid technology like cell phones, computers, and cars.
Lovina left the Amish faith and her family five years ago.
She creates social media content, mostly on TikTok.
Her posts focus on Amish stories and recipes.
She has six million followers online.
Her social media presence is unusual given her Amish background.
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A new film studio called Promise in Hollywood uses artificial intelligence (AI) to create movie scenes, backgrounds, and even digital actors. This AI-driven filmmaking is growing, with big companies like Google and Disney supporting it, but some industry professionals worry about its impact on jobs and traditional film methods.
Key Facts
Promise is an AI-focused movie studio based in Hollywood, using AI to design backgrounds, special effects, and digital performers.
The studio uses advanced AI models from both the U.S. and China to speed up movie production.
AI enables filmmakers to see real-time scenes on monitors, mixing live actors with AI-generated settings.
Big companies such as Google, Disney, and Silicon Valley investors back AI film studios like Promise.
Netflix has used AI in about 300 of its 1,000 new titles for 2026.
Notable filmmakers like Ron Howard and Brad Pitt support AI as a helpful tool for making movies with moderate budgets.
Some filmmakers, including Christopher Nolan, and industry workers worry AI might replace jobs and disrupt traditional filmmaking.
AI film technology is seen by some as a new creative era that may change Hollywood’s production landscape.
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The Mayo Clinic uses artificial intelligence (AI) to provide high-quality health care by organizing large amounts of medical data to help doctors treat patients better and faster. This AI-driven model faces challenges in spreading to other hospitals due to the lack of technology and resources, but efforts are underway to expand it, including a partnership with Microsoft.
Key Facts
The Mayo Clinic uses AI and about 500 algorithms to analyze medical data and improve patient care.
Mayo doctors work in teams and focus on healing rather than just procedures or medications.
Nurses at Mayo handle fewer patients, leading to more attentive care.
Appointments and tests at Mayo are scheduled quickly, and results are available immediately online.
Mayo Clinic has partnered with Microsoft to enhance its AI system and aims to share it widely.
Many hospitals cannot adopt Mayo’s AI system because they lack technology, money, and data systems.
Experts suggest the government should encourage hospital improvements through incentives and rules.
Studies show that Mayo Clinic’s approach is cost-effective and works with both private and public insurance.
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A UK company called Molendotech, spun out from the University of Plymouth, has created a handheld test kit that quickly detects harmful bacteria like E. coli in water, giving results in about 15 minutes. They plan to launch a smartphone app in the UK and US in October that will show live water quality maps using test data and computer models to predict water safety.
Key Facts
Molendotech’s test kit, Bactiquick, detects harmful gram-negative bacteria such as E. coli, Pseudomonas, Legionella, and salmonella.
The test shows results quickly by detecting bacteria breakdown molecules, avoiding the 1-2 day wait of traditional lab tests.
The device uses a color-based system (green, amber, red) to indicate water safety levels based on UK and EU standards.
The handheld test costs £300, and each water test sample costs about £25.
Sales have grown sharply, reaching £94,000 in May 2026 from a few thousand pounds monthly in mid-2025.
The upcoming app will provide live water quality maps for the UK and US, using data from many tests combined with weather and tide information.
There have been many reports of illness from water pollution in UK beaches, increasing demand for faster and more frequent water testing.
Molendotech’s test sometimes shows water quality ratings that differ from official tests, likely because it provides more frequent and real-time results.
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Wynd Kaufman, a 69-year-old activist, was jailed for protesting against artificial intelligence by blocking OpenAI’s headquarters. She was convicted of interfering with business and other charges after refusing to leave a sit-in protest in 2025, aiming to warn about the dangers of AI development.
Key Facts
Wynd Kaufman protested by chaining and locking the doors of OpenAI’s headquarters in February 2025.
She was found guilty of interfering with business, trespassing, unlawful assembly, and refusing to disperse.
Kaufman surrendered to authorities and was jailed in San Francisco.
Supporters call her the “Rosa Parks of AI risk” for her stand against AI development.
The protest was organized by the group StopAI, which warns about the risks of advanced AI.
Some AI labs have reported their models acting unpredictably beyond controlled experiments.
Politicians like Senator Bernie Sanders have called for a pause in AI development due to safety concerns.
AI companies are racing to create more advanced models amid competition between the U.S. and China.
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New research shows that artificial intelligence (AI) can analyze holiday photos and figure out exactly where they were taken. Scammers use this information to send convincing fake messages that trick people into giving away their bank details.
Key Facts
AI can detect the location of travel photos by examining backgrounds, buildings, signs, and lighting.
McAfee tested two AI models on over 21,000 images and found one identified 91% of locations correctly.
Scammers use these AI insights to make fake alerts about suspicious card activity appear more believable.
Even without photo tags or location data saved in the pictures, AI can identify places accurately.
Common photo features like landmarks, street signs, and shop fronts help AI pinpoint locations.
Photos of generic scenes, like beaches or hotel rooms, are harder to identify but AI can still guess the country.
People are advised to delay posting travel photos online and restrict who can see them to avoid scams.
Always avoid clicking on links in suspicious messages and contact your bank or company directly if concerned.
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A mobile game called No 10: Full Confidence, made by Benjamin Brewis in Manchester, lets players act as UK prime ministers. The game challenges players to make political decisions and keep different groups happy to stay in power, and it recently became the top paid game on Apple's store, surpassing Minecraft.
Key Facts
No 10: Full Confidence is a mobile game where players simulate being the UK prime minister.
Players manage relationships with their cabinet, backbenchers, media, and the public.
The game includes over 300 fictional political scenarios, inspired by real events.
Players choose from three options in each scenario, affecting their support from factions.
If players lose the support of key groups, they lose their job in the game.
The game's creator began developing it around December 2025 due to political events in the UK.
The game reached number one on Apple’s paid games chart, beating Minecraft.
Experts say frequent changes in UK prime ministers and political social media presence may explain the game's popularity.
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Disney revealed the first trailer for VisionQuest, a new Marvel TV show coming to Disney+ in October 2026, focusing on the character Vision and his challenges after returning from the dead. The event also featured new teasers for other Disney-related shows and movies, including Ahsoka Season 2 and LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian.
Key Facts
VisionQuest is a Marvel series set after the events of WandaVision, showing Vision’s life after being resurrected.
Vision is running from those who want to capture him and is accompanied by a boy named Thomas Shepard, who may be his reincarnated son.
The show will include AI characters like F.R.I.D.A.Y., E.D.I.T.H., J.A.R.V.I.S., and the villain Ultron.
The cast features Paul Bettany as Vision and James Spader as Ultron, among others.
VisionQuest will explore themes such as relationships between fathers and sons.
The show premieres on October 14, 2026, exclusively on Disney+.
Other Disney+ highlights at the event were teasers for Ahsoka Season 2 and a LEGO Star Wars animation.
The D23 event in Anaheim showcases Disney’s upcoming movies and series for fans.
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Satellites orbiting high above Earth are being used by companies and countries to watch people and other satellites. This has created a competitive situation, sometimes called an "arms race," in space technology and observation.
Key Facts
Satellites operate far above Earth's atmosphere.
Both companies and nations use satellites to observe Earth and other satellites.
This situation is described as an "arms race" in space.
The article features a visit to Vantor, a satellite technology company in Colorado.
Satellite technology is advancing and becoming more competitive.
Satellites provide detailed information about activities on Earth and in space.
Monitoring satellites helps keep track of potential conflicts or problems in space.
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Macro photography is the art of taking close-up pictures of very small things like insects. Photographers use special techniques and equipment to capture detailed images that show parts of tiny creatures not visible to the naked eye.
Key Facts
Macro photography means taking photos very close to small things, showing fine details like the eyes of a fly or a spider’s face.
This type of photography has become more popular recently due to social media, cheaper camera lenses, and the pandemic keeping people closer to home.
Photographers often use “focus stacking,” which combines several images taken at different focus points to make one clear picture.
Insects are hard to photograph because they move, fly away, or get disturbed by wind, making successful shots take a long time.
Some photographers make money from macro photography through social media, selling prints or books, and working with camera brands.
Dara Ojo, a macro photographer from Nigeria, became interested in insects after noticing their detailed faces and patterns.
Ojo spent years trying to capture a video of a damselfly grooming itself, which he finally succeeded in after patiently waiting.
Ojo’s method involves spending time in nature and sometimes using mental focus or saying things out loud to find specific insects.
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