GREY Journal Daily News Podcast

Show description: Xchange Chicago opened a 28,000 square foot technology business hub in Grand Crossing to train South Side residents for tech careers through apprenticeship programs. The initiative, supported by the Comer Science and Education Foundation, P33, SDI Presence, and local stakeholders, aims to address gaps in IT services and economic development. The hub provides hands-on training in...

Microsoft has introduced experimental agentic AI features in Windows 11, including Copilot Actions, to automate tasks like organizing files and scheduling meetings. These features are available in early test builds and are off by default. Microsoft has implemented security measures such as separate user accounts for AI agents, required user approvals for data access, and detailed activity logs to...

ThreatLocker announced plans to hire hundreds of technology professionals in Orlando, including roles in software development, cybersecurity analysis, IT operations, and project management. The expansion aims to meet increased demand for cybersecurity services and is expected to create opportunities for both experienced professionals and recent graduates. Local economic leaders noted that the new...

Google parent Alphabet is in settlement negotiations with the U.S. Department of Justice over allegations of monopolistic practices in online advertising following a federal court ruling that Google illegally monopolized ad auction technology. The DOJ has proposed that Google sell its Google Ad Manager business, and delays in trial closing arguments suggest ongoing settlement talks. A settlement c...

Google disabled remote control features for early Nest Learning Thermostats but continues to collect data such as manual temperature changes, occupancy, sunlight exposure, and sensor readings. Security researcher Cody Kociemba, working with right-to-repair group FULU, discovered ongoing data transmission while restoring smart features to unsupported devices. Google states these logs are for diagno...

Northwell Health Physician Partners will expand its office space at Stony Brook Technology Center in East Setauket, New York, increasing its total area to nearly thirteen thousand square feet by early 2026. The expansion supports Northwell Primary Care’s delivery of services such as annual checkups, health screenings, immunizations, and chronic disease management. The site, owned by Tritec Real Es...

Show description: Small businesses are experiencing increased cybersecurity threats as they expand digital operations. The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Small Business Development Center reports that cybersecurity is a top concern among business owners and offers free consulting to help address these risks. Director Anne Hlavacka states that businesses must take additional steps to protect com...

Google launched new artificial intelligence features for online shopping, enabling users to search for products conversationally, compare items, track prices, and complete purchases through Google Pay. The update includes an AI tool that can call local stores to check inventory and promotions, with summaries sent to users via text or email. These features are initially available in the United Stat...

Volkswagen and Rivian have formed a joint venture, RV Tech, to develop a scalable electric vehicle platform intended for use by both companies and potentially other automakers. The platform will undergo winter testing in 2026 on Audi, Volkswagen, and Scout models. Rivian’s R2 SUV will launch with the new technology next year, followed by Volkswagen’s ID. EVERY1 in 2027 and additional Scout vehicle...

OpenAI launched GPT-5.1 for ChatGPT, introducing Instant and Thinking models that improve speed, reasoning, and personalization. The update allows users to control tone and personality, offering options for communication style and emoji use. GPT-5.1 addresses prior issues by reducing jargon and maintaining access to older models for comparison. The update is available to Pro, Plus, Go, Business, f...

AI stocks have experienced volatility, with companies like Nvidia, Oracle, Palantir, CoreWeave, and Snowflake at the forefront. The MAGS ETF dropped nearly five percent since late October, while capital spending on AI infrastructure increased. Nvidia announced up to $100 billion in investments in OpenAI, Broadcom and AMD secured major AI chip deals, and CoreWeave expanded its AI cloud services. Pa...

Ryan Welch, a former U.S. Army Apache helicopter pilot, completed nearly 400 combat missions and later became director of U.S. Army programs at BAE Systems in Huntsville, Alabama. Welch used his combat experience to influence the development and deployment of mission-critical technologies such as BAE Systems’ engine controls, doppler navigation systems, armor panels, and the Common Missile Warning...

Google introduced Private AI Compute, a system designed to process user data in the cloud with security and privacy standards comparable to local device processing. The system enables features like Magic Cue and expanded language support in the Recorder app by leveraging cloud computing power. Google states that Private AI Compute maintains the same security assurances as on-device AI, but the app...

Parents are increasingly adopting advanced driver technology to monitor and guide teen driving, prompting automakers and tech companies to integrate safety features into vehicles. Airlines are expanding flight options, updating schedules, and enhancing customer service to accommodate increased holiday travel demand, investing in technology and flexible policies to improve the travel experience and...

Arkade, a 6,000 square foot technology greenhouse, opened in Bentonville, Arkansas, following a seven-figure investment from Spring Capital. The space provides collaborative work areas, event programming, and networking opportunities for startups, established brands, and investors in the food, retail, and supply chain industries. Arkade focuses on supporting growth-stage innovators and facilitatin...

Google will introduce a new Play Store metric on March 1, 2026, to identify Android apps that excessively drain battery by holding wake locks for more than two cumulative hours in a 24-hour period. Apps exceeding this threshold in at least five percent of user sessions over 28 days will be flagged, face reduced visibility in recommendations, and display a red warning label on their listings. Googl...

Microsoft is releasing the Windows 11 26H1 update to prioritize support for new hardware, including Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite and NVIDIA N1 and N1x processors. The update delivers minor operating system improvements and bug fixes without introducing major new features or user interface changes. Microsoft will use an enablement package to streamline installation, and no customer action is requir...

China has introduced the K-visa to attract foreign science and technology professionals, allowing applications without a prior job offer. This initiative coincides with stricter U.S. H-1B visa policies, prompting some international workers to consider China as an alternative. The Chinese government aims to address skills gaps in advanced technology sectors, but challenges such as language barriers...

BlueDot Global Technologies raised 1.1 million dollars in a recent funding round to expand product offerings, scale operations, and invest in research and development. The funding attracted local and national investors and supports BlueDot's plans to strengthen its workforce and enter new markets. This event reflects increased venture capital interest in Birmingham's technology sector and contribu...

YouTube has expanded its AI-powered age verification system, requiring users flagged as potentially under 18 to confirm their age using an official ID, a selfie for AI-based estimation, or a credit card. Users who do not verify their age face restrictions such as blocked access to age-restricted videos, non-personalized ads, default digital wellbeing tools, privacy reminders, minimized recommendat...

Bank of America is investing $13 billion annually in technology, with $4 billion allocated to technology code initiatives and $1.5 billion dedicated to data analytics over five years. The bank’s virtual assistant, Erica, has conducted over 3 billion interactions since 2018, and AI tools have increased software development efficiency by 20 percent. Global Payment Solutions generates $11 billion in...

St. Pete Maritime and Defense Technology Hub announced plans to expand its facilities in downtown St. Petersburg to increase capacity for maritime and defense technology companies. The expansion will provide additional research and development space, support public and private sector partnerships, and offer more resources for startups and established firms. The initiative aims to attract new jobs,...

PlayStation launched a major update to the PlayStation Portal, enabling PlayStation Plus Premium members to stream select titles from their libraries without connecting to a PS5 console. The update includes access to thousands of PS5 games and hundreds of titles from the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog and Classics Catalog, totaling over 2,000 games available for cloud streaming at launch. The Porta...

Michael Burry placed a $1.1 billion bet against AI-focused companies Nvidia and Palantir, prompting a global sell-off in technology stocks. Japan's Nikkei 225 index fell 2.5 percent, led by a more than 10 percent drop in SoftBank shares. Nvidia, Amazon, Samsung, and TSMC also experienced declines. Analysts cited concerns about high AI company valuations and the sustainability of current spending l...

Cengage Group is closing its Boston, Detroit, and Cincinnati offices and moving to a fully remote workforce. The company, which serves 90 million students in 125 countries and employs nearly 4,000 people, will now operate without a central headquarters except for a remaining location in Independence, Kentucky. Cengage is also integrating generative artificial intelligence solutions into its learni...