Greece turns to satellites to fight wildfires
As Greece prepares for another dangerous wildfire season, a new defense strategy is being developed from space. A fleet of small, suitcase-sized satellites will be deployed to detect the earliest signs of fire — a groundbreaking system that officials hope will protect lives and communities. European planners also see potential for the same satellite technology to be used for border monitoring, heat-wave preparedness, and continental defense, particularly as tensions grow from Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and shifting relationships across the Atlantic.
ATF scraps phone-tracking program amid legal concerns
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has ended its contract for a surveillance tool that allowed government agencies to track mobile devices without a warrant. The tool, known as Webloc, pulls location data from consumer apps and advertising networks. Lawmakers, a prosecutor, and a judge all raised red flags about whether using it was legal. The ATF said it concluded the pilot program simply didn’t meet its needs. However, other federal agencies — including the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security — reportedly continue purchasing commercial location data without warrants.
Former Meta executive takes company to court over memoir
A former high-ranking Meta employee has filed a federal lawsuit against the social media company, accusing it of trying to muzzle her bestselling book, “Careless People,” which offers a detailed insider look at her time at the tech giant. Filed Thursday in federal court in Northern California, the suit argues that a private arbitration order barring her from discussing the company or promoting her book is not legally valid. She also claims the severance agreement she signed upon leaving Meta was made under pressure.
Apple raises prices on Macs and iPads
Apple announced Thursday that it is raising the prices on several Mac and iPad models, pointing to a shortage of memory chips driven by surging demand from the artificial intelligence industry. The Cupertino, California company described the situation as an “unprecedented challenge” for the consumer electronics sector. Under the new pricing, the entry-level MacBook Neo will run $699, up from $599. The 512 gigabyte MacBook Air climbs to $1,299 from $1,099, and the one terabyte MacBook Pro rises to $1,999 from $1,699. On the tablet side, the 128 gigabyte iPad Air now costs $749, up from $599, while the 256 gigabyte iPad Pro Wi-Fi jumps to $1,199 from $999. Analysts anticipate iPhone prices could follow suit later this year.
Australia moves to tighten social media ban for children
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that his government is prioritizing efforts to strengthen what is considered the world’s first law banning children under the age of 16 from social media platforms. Observers noted Friday that the push comes after evidence emerged that the ban — which took effect in December and applies to platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube — has not been working as intended. Addressing Parliament on Thursday, Albanese said his government is exploring ways to make the restrictions more effective, adding: “We’re working on that as a priority because this is something that other generations didn’t have to deal with.”
New nonprofit launches to help workers displaced by AI
A newly formed bipartisan nonprofit organization is stepping up to assist Americans who have lost jobs due to artificial intelligence. Called RAISE US, the group is launching with more than $500 million earmarked for education and job training programs at the state level. Research from the Boston Consulting Group suggests that more than half of all U.S. jobs will be significantly changed by AI in the coming years. The organization was co-founded by former Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and former Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb. Initial programs are planned for Arkansas, Maryland, Utah, and Connecticut, with the idea that successful approaches can eventually be adopted as national policy by Congress.
Poll: Most Americans hit by scams, but few report them
A new survey from the AP-NORC Center finds that the majority of Americans are bombarded with scam attempts on a daily basis, and roughly three in ten say they have personally lost money or had their personal information stolen by scammers. A separate Gallup poll conducted with the Stop Scams Alliance between January and February found that in just the past year, about one in ten U.S. adults — or someone in their household — was tricked by a scammer into losing money or handing over access to a financial account. Nearly half of those victims reported losses exceeding $500. Despite the widespread impact, both surveys found that very few victims actually reported the scam to federal authorities or local law enforcement.
Experts offer tips to reduce AI’s environmental toll
Artificial intelligence is consuming enormous amounts of energy and water, and every online search adds to the environmental burden. While it may feel like individuals have little power to change that, sustainability experts say there are steps people can take. One key piece of advice: be brief when using AI tools. Experts point out that AI has genuine practical uses, but it’s not necessary for simple tasks like finding a cookie recipe, getting directions, or checking business hours. They also warn that the tech industry is pushing consumers to rely on AI for everyday tasks while remaining secretive about the true scale of its energy and water consumption.
Humanoid robot company heads to Wall Street
Oregon-based Agility Robotics, which builds human-like robots, is preparing to become a publicly traded company. The firm announced a planned merger with an investment company that values Agility at $2.5 billion, which would make it the first publicly traded business focused specifically on humanoid robots. Its flagship product, called Digit, is built to move heavy bins and containers in warehouse settings. Unlike many humanoid robots, Digit’s legs are designed more like a bird’s than a human’s. The company’s CEO says the robots are meant to take on repetitive, injury-prone jobs. Agility has received backing from Amazon, Nvidia, and other investors, with early customers that include Toyota and Mercado Libre. A fifth generation of the Digit robot is expected to be unveiled later this year.
Scientists shift focus from chatbots to AI that understands the physical world
A growing number of artificial intelligence researchers are moving beyond chatbot technology toward what are being called AI “world models” — systems designed to understand how the physical world works, not just how language is structured. Prominent scientists, including those dubbed the “Godmother of AI” Fei-Fei Li and researcher Yann LeCun, are leading the charge. They argue that true AI advancement requires machines to grasp the structure of space and time. While chatbots continue to attract massive investment — with trillions of dollars flowing to companies like Anthropic and OpenAI — a rising number of AI entrepreneurs are focusing on building systems that can respond intelligently to real-world physical environments.
