WSJ Tech News Briefing

Microsoft was absent from OpenAI’s Stargate announcement at the White House earlier this week. WSJ reporter Tom Dotan tells host Julie Chang what it means for the companies and why it signals a new era in which the longtime partners will be less reliant on each other. Plus, some U.S. drone makers that rely on China for parts are looking to Taiwan. But there are risks. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus, Spotify founder and CEO Daniel Ek’s body-scan startup is valued at $1.8 billion. And Apple and Google mobile ecosystems face U.K. probe under new tech rules. Julie Chang hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Class time has become screen time in schools across the country. WSJ education reporter Sara Randazzo tells host Julie Chang about the rapid tech transformation playing out in American schools, and whether it has benefited learning or done kids a disservice. Plus, why compliance firms are using artificial intelligence to decode Wall Street-trader jargon. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus, South Carolina to reboot a big nuclear project to meet demand for artificial intelligence. And Spain’s prime minister pushes for EU plan to rein in social media. Julie Chang hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

TikTok is back in the U.S. but its future is still uncertain. WSJ tech reporter Sarah Needleman tells host Julie Chang about the role that TikTok plays in the U.S. economy and what’s at stake for creators and businesses. Plus, why WSJ’s Heard on the Street columnist Dan Gallagher says Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg can afford to take a page out of Elon Musk’s playbook at X. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus, Netflix raises its prices again. And, the SEC names “CryptoMom” head of a new cryptocurrency task force. Julie Chang hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Google CEO Sundar Pichai recently told Google employees that he wants its Gemini chatbot to hit 500 million users by the end of 2025. WSJ reporter Miles Kruppa joins host Belle Lin to discuss how far Google has to go to beat its rival in the chatbot game, OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Plus, how to reclaim space and prevent iPhone storage creep. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus, the U.S. sanctions the Beijing firm behind the Salt Typhoon telecom hacks. And former European Leaders call for a breakup of Google’s ad-tech business. Belle Lin hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Troodi is a mental-health chatbot built into a child-focused smartphone called Troomi. Part counselor, part friend, Troodi talks with kids about their anxieties. WSJ family and tech columnist Julie Jargon joins host Belle Lin to discuss why some kids and parents are turning to an AI chatbot. Plus, we’re tracking Elon Musk’s first 100 days in the new Trump White House as co-lead of the Department of Government Efficiency. WSJ columnist Tim Higgins joins for a preview. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus, Cash App owner hit with back-to-back fines. And, Nintendo announces a new Switch console. Charlotte Gartenberg hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tech investor Vinod Khosla made a big bet on OpenAI in 2019, years before interest in artificial intelligence exploded. How does he choose his next investments? By asking better questions about technology’s “rate of change.” WSJ enterprise technology bureau chief and columnist Steven Rosenbush joins host Belle Lin to discuss what that means. Plus, venture capitalists are getting into the accounting firm business, bringing fresh cash into a traditional sector. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus, the U.S. further tightens chip restrictions on Chinese companies. And the European Union doubles down on enforcing its tech regulations. Belle Lin hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is fresh evidence that Intel, the once-mighty innovator, is losing market share in more areas than commonly known, says WSJ tech columnist Christopher Mims. He joins host Belle Lin to discuss the state of the Intel world, including the challenges of steering a massive company, Intel’s fading lead in data-center chips and how it missed the boat on artificial intelligence. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus, Amazon’s cloud unit will invest $5 billion in Mexico to launch an infrastructure region. And Macquarie will invest up to $5 billion in data centers being built by Applied Digital. Belle Lin hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Skyrocketing misinformation is forcing public officials to adopt a new playbook when tragedies like the L.A. fires hit their communities. WSJ national affairs reporter Scott Calvert joins host Belle Lin to talk about how rumors about the fires spread online, and what public officials are doing about them. Plus, the U.S. is targeting China with new AI rules, overriding chip giant Nvidia’s objections. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus, Apple faces a $1.8 billion lawsuit in the U.K. And Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin delays the debut launch of its new rocket. Belle Lin hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Big companies in pharmaceuticals, finance and technology are deploying artificial intelligence agents at scale. But they’re not quite ready to let the bots run amok. WSJ reporter Belle Lin joins host James Rundle to talk about how some companies, including Moody’s, eBay and others, are using the tech and how it could affect workers. Plus, how smarter tires might help self-driving cars in cold weather. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus, bitcoin ETFs soar in their first year of trading. And electronic-trading network Liquidnet is fined by US watchdogs. James Rundle hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

TikTok is making a last-ditch effort to block the law that will ban it within the U.S. today. The Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments on a case that will decide the Chinese-owned app’s future in the U.S. WSJ reporter Jess Bravin joins host James Rundle to discuss what the arguments on both sides are likely to be. Plus, how Uber and Lyft are planning to deal with robotaxis. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus, Apple defends Siri after a privacy lawsuit. And, cybersecurity startup Wiz names a new CFO as it prepares for an IPO. James Rundle hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices