OpenAI is enabling users to access Codex, its AI-powered coding assistant previously available on desktop, directly from the ChatGPT app on mobile devices. This move follows the rising competition from Anthropic's Claude Code and comes as OpenAI refocuses its efforts on core products, discontinuing projects like the Sora video generator. The latest update enhances Codex's capabilities, allowing it to control macOS applications, marking a significant step toward evolving it into a versatile desktop superapp.
For the second consecutive year, Netflix's ad-supported subscription tier has more than doubled its monthly audience. At the 2026 upfront presentation, the company announced that its $8.99-per-month plan now reaches over 250 million users worldwide, up from 94 million the previous year. In 2025, Netflix generated $1.5 billion in ad revenue and plans to broaden ad placement further. Starting next year, ads will appear within the vertical video feed on its mobile app and across newly introduced podcasts. This move reflects Netflix's strategy to deepen monetization through diverse ad formats across its services.
YouTube is enhancing its role as a key player in content creation by connecting creators and advertisers through exclusive streaming shows. At its annual advertiser event in New York, YouTube unveiled a new lineup featuring notable personalities such as Trevor Noah with a travel series, podcaster Alex Cooper producing a Met Gala documentary, and Kareem Rahma hosting a fresh series titled Subway Takes. The platform positions its creators not only as social media pioneers but also as influencers shaping the future of advertising, television, streaming, and entertainment at large. Advertisers are encouraged to invest in this innovative content slate as a way to tap into emerging entertainment trends.
Google has revealed that it successfully intercepted a zero-day exploit crafted with the assistance of artificial intelligence. The Google Threat Intelligence Group reported that major cybercriminals aimed to use this vulnerability for widespread attacks, specifically targeting an open-source web-based system administration tool to bypass two-factor authentication. Clues within the Python script—such as an imaginary CVSS score and textbook-style formatting—suggested the involvement of AI in creating the exploit. This groundbreaking incident highlights new challenges in cybersecurity as AI begins to play a role in malicious software development.
Massive new data centers serve as the backbone for tech companies' ambitions in AI, but their rapid expansion is sparking global debates about their effects on power grids, utility costs, local communities, and environmental health. From plans to deploy data centers in space to legal challenges over pollution, this report covers the key issues and developments including energy usage regulations, community opposition, political debates, and innovative cooling and power solutions. Major tech players are investing billions in AI data centers, raising questions about sustainable growth amid increasing electricity demands and environmental concerns.
OpenAI has introduced its latest default ChatGPT model, GPT-5.5 Instant, which shows marked improvement in reducing hallucinations—errors where the AI fabricates information. Internal evaluations reveal that this new model generates 52.5% fewer hallucinated claims compared to the previous Instant model (GPT-5.3), particularly in critical fields like medicine, law, and finance. Additionally, GPT-5.5 Instant cuts inaccurate claims by 37.3% in conversations previously flagged for errors, reflecting OpenAI's ongoing commitment to enhancing factual accuracy in AI models.
In this in-depth conversation, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi discusses the company’s strategic expansion beyond ridesharing — including hotel bookings through a new Expedia partnership, personal shopping services, and even snacks in vehicles. He explains Uber’s vision to evolve into an "everything app" by enhancing the travel experience with technology and AI innovations, while navigating risks and trade-offs inherent in a growing platform. Dara shares insights on the current state and future of AI integration at Uber, from coding assistance to customer service automation, as well as the impact of AI token usage on hiring strategies.
The discussion also covers Uber's significant investments in autonomous vehicle technologies through partnerships and equity stakes with companies like Rivian, highlighting the milestones and challenges in bringing robotaxis to market. Importantly, Dara addresses what autonomy means for Uber's drivers, anticipating new complex roles in a mixed human-and-robot driving future. Lastly, he reflects candidly on the limits of AI, the current slow adoption of ride bookings via AI chatbots, and even the emergence of an AI version of himself at Uber for internal use, emphasizing that the best future leadership combines human and AI teaming.
This interview offers an unusually transparent look at how one of the world’s leading tech companies balances innovation, risk, AI advancements, and human impact as it moves into a new era of mobility and travel.
Earlier this year, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez secured a landmark $375 million judgment against Meta in a significant child safety lawsuit. Now, both parties are heading back to a Santa Fe courthouse for a three-week trial focusing on requested changes to Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The proposed measures include implementing age verification for New Mexico users, restricting end-to-end encryption for users under 18, and limiting their use of the platforms to 90 minutes daily. These developments could have far-reaching impacts not only for Meta but for the wider social media landscape as well.
Meta has warned it might pull Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp from New Mexico if forced to comply with the state attorney general's recent demands. Following a court ruling awarding $375 million against Meta for allegedly misleading users about product safety, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez seeks orders for major platform changes. These include banning end-to-end encryption for minors, instituting age verification, and detecting nearly all child sexual abuse content on the platforms. Meta states that these requirements are technologically unfeasible, prompting the company to consider withdrawing its services from the state.
More than 600 Google employees, including leaders from the DeepMind AI division, have signed a letter urging CEO Sundar Pichai to prevent the Pentagon from using Google's AI models for classified military projects. The letter emphasizes that rejecting classified workloads is crucial to ensure Google isn't unknowingly tied to potentially harmful applications. This internal push reflects growing concern among staff about the ethical implications of AI in defense sectors. The Verge has the full story on this developing situation.
