Communities across the U.S. are increasingly resisting the expansion of surveillance technology and AI infrastructure, leading to vandalism of license plate readers and protests at public hearings. Concurrently, gig economy workers are demanding unpaid wages, while safety concerns mount regarding Tesla's autonomous vehicle performance.
Tesla's dominance in the US electric vehicle sector is waning, marked by a 17% sales drop in January 2026 compared to the previous year. The decline is attributed to rising costs from expired tax credits and fierce competition, signaling a potential long-term shift in the market.
The developer behind the hit poker roguelike Balatro marks the game's second anniversary with a personal reflection on their path into game development. The story highlights a pivotal switch from engineering to computer science and the passion projects that fueled a lasting love for coding.
Phil Spencer, the head of Xbox and Microsoft Gaming CEO, has announced he will retire in February 2026, concluding a 38-year tenure at the tech giant. Current Microsoft CoreAI president Asha Sharma is set to succeed him, marking a significant leadership transition for the gaming division.
Security researchers have exposed a vulnerability in Discord’s age verification partner, Persona, revealing that frontend code was left publicly accessible. The discovery has sparked major concerns over data privacy and the platform's ability to secure sensitive biometric information ahead of its 2026 rollout.
A recent FBI bulletin warns that hackers have stolen over $20 million through coordinated ATM jackpotting attacks in 2025. Criminals are combining physical access techniques with advanced malware to force cash machines to dispense money rapidly.
Indie game publisher Finji reports that TikTok's automated systems created unauthorized, offensive AI modifications to their advertisements without consent. Despite disabling AI features, the company discovered sexualized and racist depictions of their characters circulating on the platform. TikTok's support team has faced criticism for their handling of the incident, initially denying the issue before attributing it to a broader automated initiative.
Senator Bernie Sanders cautioned that Congress is unprepared for the rapid advancement of AI, calling for a moratorium on data center expansion. Speaking at Stanford alongside Rep. Ro Khanna, the politicians highlighted the risks to the workforce and democracy while debating the best path forward for regulation.
Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer is retiring after 38 years with the company, effective February 23. Asha Sharma, previously President of Microsoft's CoreAI product, steps in as the new CEO, while Xbox President Sarah Bond resigns and Matt Booty is promoted to Chief Content Officer.
A new documentary reveals how a Korean-speaking intern uncovered crucial evidence that saved Valve from bankruptcy during a lawsuit with Vivendi. The legal victory allowed Valve to retain the Half-Life IP and launch Steam, shaping the future of PC gaming.
Todd Howard confirms Bethesda is avoiding generative AI for creative tasks in upcoming games like The Elder Scrolls 6 to preserve artistic integrity. While the studio utilizes AI for data analysis, the focus remains firmly on human-driven development.
Mark Zuckerberg testified in a lawsuit alleging Meta's platforms are designed to be addictive to children, facing a strict warning from the judge regarding the use of smart glasses in the courtroom. The case highlights internal data on underage users and raises questions about social media's impact on youth mental health.
A recent court filing alleges that appointees used ChatGPT and basic keyword searches to cancel National Endowment for the Humanities grants. The process bypassed expert review, relying on AI prompts to identify projects related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
AMC Theatres has refused to screen 'Thanksgiving Day,' the winning short from the Frame Forward AI Animated Film Festival. The decision highlights a disconnect between the festival's distributor and major exhibitors regarding AI-generated content.
Tesla has officially discontinued the use of its 'Autopilot' terminology to satisfy California DMV requirements, thereby avoiding the suspension of its dealer licenses. The decision follows regulatory accusations that the branding misled consumers regarding the true capabilities of the vehicle's driver-assistance systems.
