Tech News Briefing

The Kremlin has long tried to rein in the influence of Western platforms in Russia. Now, that goal may be within reach thanks to a super-app called Max . WSJ correspondent Matthew Luxmoore tells us how the app could help cement state control over the digital lives of millions of Russians. Plus, WSJ reporter Will Parker tells us about a landmark bill in Maine that could put a pause of new data cent...

Plus: OpenAI acquires tech-industry online talk show TBPN. And Citi analysts say Chinese tech giant Baidu is likely to maintain its momentum. Danny Lewis hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: blockchain-based tokenized stocks may be coming to the U.S. soon. And TotalEnergies and Masdar announce renewable energy joint venture. Danny Lewis hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: Visa rolls out six AI tools aimed at improving dispute resolution. And NASA is set to launch four astronauts around the moon later today. Julie Chang hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: money manager Franklin Templeton plans to buy a crypto spinoff from venture firm CoinFund. And HSBC Global Research says China could have 500,000 robotaxis on the streets by 2030. Danny Lewis hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: Oracle lays off workers as it continues to invest heavily in AI. And Amazon signs deal to provide in-flight Wi-Fi on Delta Air Lines flights. Julie Chang hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: Iran war chokes off helium supplies critical for AI chipmakers. And Huawei’s net profit rises thanks to its auto business expansion. Danny Lewis hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

OpenAI shocked many last week with its decision to shutter its video generation app Sora . WSJ reporter Berber Jin joins us for an exclusive look behind the scenes of the decision. Plus, at the WSJ Leadership Institute’s recent Chief People Officer Summit , IBM's HR chief explained the company's plan to hire more entry-level workers in a move to prioritize growth, widely contrasting with other com...

Plus: Eli Lilly strikes AI drug discovery deal with InSilico. And GM plans to boost production of heavy-duty trucks despite rising gas prices and renewed interest in electric vehicles. Danny Lewis hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: BYD posts first annual profit decline in four years amid EV sales slowdown in China. And Citi analysts say Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company could see stronger growth in the coming years. Danny Lewis hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: Novartis will buy allergy-drug developer Excellergy. And in markets, shares of Unity Software and Lumentum Holdings were on the rise. Danny Lewis hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: China’s Moonshot AI is considering restructuring ahead of a possible IPO in Hong Kong. And Mitsubishi Electric, Toshiba and Rohm propose merging their power semiconductor businesses. Danny Lewis hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unlike some reporters, Fortune’s Nick Lichtenberg isn’t afraid of AI—in fact, he’s whole-heartedly embracing it. WSJ’s Isabella Simonetti shares how Lichtenberg is a bellwether for where much of the media business is headed. Plus, Minkyu Shin, an assistant professor of marketing at the City University of Hong Kong, explains why using AI to write a customer complaint might yield better results. Sig...

Plus: Fannie Mae to accept crypto-backed mortgages for the first time. And FCC advances effort to bring telecom call centers back to the U.S. Julie Chang hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: OpenAI is investing in a new AI startup building software aimed at letting AI agents solve complex problems in finance and biotech. And Micron slumps after Google reveals new memory technology for AI models. Danny Lewis hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: The Supreme Court rules that internet service providers are not liable for customers' copyright infringement. And SLB and Nvidia expand their collaboration on AI use in the energy industry. Julie Chang hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: A New Mexico jury found Meta liable for failing to protect young people from online dangers. And a federal judge said the U.S. government’s ban on Anthropic looks like punishment. Julie Chang hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: Meta appoints a new leader to take over AI adoption efforts. And some New York tech founders and investors oppose a state legislature proposal to increase capital gains taxes on startup exits. Julie Chang hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: Chinese electronics maker Xiaomi's fourth-quarter net profit falls. And a new survey of CFOs finds AI will push some people out of their jobs. Julie Chang hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tesla’s new semi-truck hasn’t been fully launched yet, but it’s already a hit with truckers, who are raving about its new features. WSJ’s Paul Berger explains what’s behind the phenomenon. Plus, WSJ reporter Te-Ping Chen describes how young people are aiming to AI-proof their careers. Belle Lin hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaph...

Plus: Toyota Motor to invest $1 billion in Kentucky and Indiana manufacturing operations. And the EU’s competition chief says a decision on whether Google is breaking the bloc’s new digital competition law is coming. Julie Chang hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: Nvidia and Emerald AI plan to work with power companies on AI factories. And a pair of senators plan to introduce bipartisan legislation to ban sports betting on prediction markets. Danny Lewis hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: Publicis Sapient’s CEO says demand for AI consultant projects is on the rise. And Nexstar Media says federal regulators have approved its merger with rival TV-station owner Tegna. NAME hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: A U.S. indictment alleges Super Micro Computer employees smuggled high-end Nvidia chips to China. And Jeff Bezos in talks to raise $100 billion for AI manufacturing fund. Julie Chang hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apple is set to surpass $1 billion in artificial intelligence revenue this year, but much of it is derived from other companies’ AI leaps. WSJ tech reporter Rolfe Winkler explains how. Plus, the WSJ’s Jinjoo Lee asks what’s next for electric battery makers as EV demand dips. Katie Deighton hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.f...