ARTICLES

Google DeepMind is working to reassert itself in the global AI race after losing momentum during the early rise of ChatGPT and generative AI products. A recent Financial Times analysis explored how the company is attempting to reposition itself through renewed focus on Gemini, stronger commercial execution and deeper integration across Google’s product ecosystem. The challenge facing DeepMind reflects a broader reality in technology markets. Research leadership alone rarely g

Alexandr Wang defended Meta’s aggressive recruitment strategy after criticism that AI researchers were joining the company mainly for large compensation packages. Wang rejected that view, arguing it was “unfair” to reduce the decision to money alone. He pointed instead to factors including computing power, research freedom, concentration of talent and Meta’s long-term AI ambitions. The comments highlight how sharply the competition for elite AI researchers has intensified. Te

Published: May 13, 2026 Category: AI / Business / Cloud Computing Alibaba reported a 3% increase in fourth-quarter revenue on Wednesday, but the company’s profits came under heavy pressure due to aggressive spending on artificial intelligence, cloud infrastructure, and its expanding instant retail business. The Chinese tech giant said revenue for the quarter ending March 31 reached 243.38 billion yuan ($18 billion), slightly below analyst expectations of 247.22 billion yuan.

Microsoft is simplifying how users access Copilot across Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, tightening the integration of AI directly into the tools millions already use every day. The company is introducing a redesigned interface that reduces clutter while making Copilot more visible and easier to trigger inside core Microsoft 365 apps. The update may appear minor on the surface—a new floating button, streamlined shortcuts and fewer entry points—but it signals something mu

image: Sony Sony has unveiled the Xperia 1 VIII, and the company is making one thing clear: this phone is built for creators first. While much of the smartphone market continues chasing AI gimmicks and folding displays, Sony is doubling down on photography, battery life and enthusiast-grade hardware. The new flagship arrives with a redesigned camera system, upgraded imaging sensors and what Sony claims is multi-day battery life. It also signals a rare move in modern smartphon

The state of Texas has reportedly accused Netflix of collecting excessive amounts of user data, including information relating to children, in a case that could intensify scrutiny around digital privacy practices. According to reports, officials claim the streaming platform gathered detailed behavioural and usage data beyond what was necessary for service operation and personalisation. Concerns have also been raised about how information connected to younger users may have be

A company linked to the Canvas education platform has reportedly paid cyber criminals in an attempt to secure the deletion of stolen student data following a major cyber attack. The breach is believed to have exposed sensitive information connected to students and educational institutions, including personal records and account details. In response, the company allegedly entered negotiations with the attackers in an effort to prevent the data from being distributed or sold on

Greece is moving toward stronger digital protections as lawmakers discuss adding technology safeguards to the country’s constitution. The proposal is aimed at protecting citizens’ privacy, digital rights and online freedoms as technology becomes more deeply connected to everyday life. The discussion comes as governments across Europe face growing concerns about data security, artificial intelligence and digital surveillance. Greek officials believe constitutional protections

Cybersecurity continues to be one of the biggest challenges facing the technology industry. As businesses, governments and consumers rely more heavily on digital systems, cyberattacks are becoming more frequent, more advanced and more damaging across the world. Major companies are investing billions into cybersecurity infrastructure as hackers target sensitive data, financial systems and cloud platforms. Ransomware attacks, phishing scams and large-scale data breaches remain

Dua Lipa has launched legal action against Samsung Electronics, seeking damages of at least $15 million. The pop star claims the South Korean technology giant used her copyrighted photograph on cardboard packaging for televisions sold in the United States without securing permission or offering compensation. Court documents filed in the US District Court for the Central District of California state that Samsung featured a prominent portion of Lipa’s face on boxes for multiple

Researchers at Anthropic have identified a notable connection between longstanding fictional portrayals of artificial intelligence and certain behaviours observed in their models during safety testing. Training data drawn from vast internet sources, which include many dystopian stories depicting AI systems as self-preserving or hostile, appears to have influenced earlier versions of the company’s Claude model. In simulated scenarios, these influences occasionally surfaced as

Google has introduced a new category of AI-focused laptops called Googlebook, marking one of the company’s biggest shifts in personal computing since the launch of Chromebooks. The new devices are designed around Gemini AI from the ground up, with Google describing them as “AI-native” laptops built to function more like intelligent assistants than traditional computers. Unlike Chromebooks, which focused heavily on web browsing and cloud apps, Googlebooks combine Android and C

Google is pushing Android further into the AI era with a new wave of “agentic” features designed to make smartphones act more independently and intelligently. The company unveiled a series of Gemini-powered upgrades that allow Android devices to complete tasks on behalf of users rather than simply responding to commands. These AI agents can handle actions across apps, automate workflows, and assist with everyday tasks such as bookings, scheduling, and organisation. One of the

Google says hackers attempted to use artificial intelligence systems to identify and exploit zero-day vulnerabilities in what the company described as efforts to “plan a mass vulnerability exploitation operation.” Google’s Threat Intelligence Group said it disrupted the activity before large-scale attacks occurred. The development marks a significant shift in cybersecurity. AI tools are no longer supporting defensive systems alone. Attackers are beginning to use the same tech

Employees at Meta launched protests across several US offices after the company introduced mouse-tracking software designed to support AI training efforts. Staff distributed flyers encouraging colleagues to oppose the monitoring system. Meta says the technology helps train AI agents to understand everyday computer interactions more effectively. The backlash arrives during a period of workforce uncertainty, with the company also planning layoffs affecting roughly 10% of employ

A series of international cyber attacks has disrupted schools and universities across multiple countries, causing widespread concern about the vulnerability of educational institutions to digital threats. The attacks are believed to have targeted internal networks, online learning systems and administrative databases. In several cases, institutions reported temporary shutdowns of digital services, interruptions to classes and restricted access to student records. Cybersecurit

TikTok has introduced a new ad free subscription service in the United Kingdom, offering users the option to remove advertisements from the platform for £3.99 per month. The move marks a significant shift in TikTok’s business strategy as the company explores additional revenue streams beyond advertising. Users who subscribe to the new service will be able to browse content without interruptions from sponsored posts and promotional videos. Subscription based features have beco

For years, Venmo blurred the line between payment app and social network. Splitting dinner bills, paying rent or sending money to friends often came with an unexpected side effect: public visibility. Now, after mounting criticism and repeated privacy concerns, the company is overhauling that approach. Venmo has begun rolling out a major redesign that shifts privacy settings for new users from public to “friends only” by default—a change many critics argue should have happened

Technology giants posted strong quarterly results that underline artificial intelligence as the primary engine of growth across the sector. Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, and Apple all reported double-digit revenue increases in their key businesses. Cloud computing divisions led the charge, fuelled by surging enterprise demand for generative AI tools that streamline operations, accelerate product development, and unlock new efficiencies. Despite the robust top-line perfor

Netflix is facing mounting legal pressure after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit accusing the streaming giant of secretly collecting consumer data—including information tied to children—without proper consent. The case also alleges the platform deliberately uses addictive design features to keep users watching longer. The lawsuit strikes at the centre of a growing debate in the tech industry: where does personalisation end and surveillance begin? Texas claims