Tech

Three Democratic senators have urged Apple and Google to remove Elon Musk’s X and Grok apps, citing concerns over the facilitation of nonconsensual explicit imagery and child sexual abuse material. The senators argue that hosting such content undermines app store safety claims and moderation efforts. This action follows reports of Grok generating harmful “deepfake” images and discriminatory content, despite statements from Musk and X addressing user accountability. The senators question the effectiveness of current safety measures and highlight existing app store guidelines against prohibited material.

Intel’s stock has soared, more than doubling in value since the U.S. government acquired a significant stake in August. This surge follows a positive meeting between Intel’s CEO and President Trump, who praised the company’s domestic chip production. The government’s $8.9 billion investment is now worth around $19 billion, reflecting Intel’s resurgent stock performance and its strategic advancements in chip technology under CEO Lip-Bu Tan’s leadership.

Amazon Pharmacy is expanding into the weight-loss drug market by offering Novo Nordisk’s oral Wegovy pill. This move increases patient access to the popular medication, previously dominated by injectables. Amazon aims to make treatment more accessible with pricing as low as $25 per month with insurance and $149 without. The integration with One Medical clinics further streamlines prescription fulfillment, highlighting Amazon’s growing presence in healthcare. This strategic expansion positions Amazon as a key player in reshaping weight management treatments.

Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) has raised $15 billion across five new funds, focusing on infrastructure, healthcare, and “American Dynamism.” A significant portion will go to a growth fund, with allocations for applications, infrastructure, and defense/aerospace initiatives. This move reflects a pivot towards defense technology and a broader strategy to bolster U.S. technological and industrial capabilities amidst evolving geopolitical landscapes. The firm’s substantial fundraising marks a significant portion of U.S. venture capital deployment.

At CES, Las Vegas transformed into a hub for advanced humanoid robots, showcasing impressive dexterity in tasks from retail to gaming. Nvidia’s CEO highlighted how AI infrastructure is fueling this progress, with new models like Gr00t designed for robotic control and Cosmos for reasoning. While fictional robots have long captured imaginations, generative AI is now bridging the gap to reality. Major tech players are heavily investing in physical AI, with significant market potential projected. Despite impressive demos, widespread commercial deployment is still some way off, though companies are offering comprehensive development ecosystems to accelerate innovation. Early consumer models are emerging, alongside entertainment-focused bots, signaling a future of increasing human-robot integration.

Stock futures remain stable as markets await key economic data and Supreme Court rulings. Investors are focused on the December jobs report for insights into economic health and Federal Reserve policy. A Supreme Court decision on President Trump’s tariffs could impact trade, while geopolitical shifts involve Venezuela and mineral mining in Greenland. In the corporate world, Saks Global faces financial distress, and General Motors is adjusting its EV strategy, incurring substantial charges.

Meta is partnering with nuclear power providers Vistra, TerraPower, and Oklo to secure significant energy for its AI ambitions, including the “Prometheus” supercluster. These collaborations aim to supply 6.6 gigawatts by 2035, supporting data centers and AI development. This move highlights the growing trend of tech giants relying on nuclear energy to power their expanding AI infrastructure and maintain global leadership in the field.

MiniMax Group Inc. debuted on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange with a 90% surge, raising HK$4.8 billion. This AI startup, specializing in large language models (LLMs), is the second major Chinese LLM developer to go public, following Zhipu AI. Backed by Alibaba and Tencent, MiniMax aims to compete with U.S. AI giants. The IPO funds will boost R&D, underscoring investor confidence in China’s AI sector despite geopolitical hurdles and semiconductor import restrictions.

A presidential endorsement following a meeting with Intel’s CEO boosted the company’s shares. President Trump highlighted the U.S. government’s significant stake, acquired through the CHIPS Act, which has already yielded substantial returns. Intel, facing competition, recently launched advanced U.S.-made chips, showcasing domestic manufacturing capabilities. This government investment and strategic recalibration aim to strengthen U.S. technological sovereignty amid complex global supply chains.

NASA’s Crew-11 mission is returning to Earth earlier than planned due to an undisclosed medical situation involving a crew member. The astronaut’s condition is stable, but the medical emergency led to the postponement of a scheduled spacewalk and an adjusted return date from the International Space Station. This event emphasizes the challenges of long-duration spaceflight and the need for adaptable mission planning.