WSJ Tech News Briefing

After his ouster from Apple, Steve Jobs may have never returned to reshape the company he co-founded if his new venture hadn't struck a key deal with the CIA. Sharon Weinberger, former WSJ national security editor and author of “Valley of Death: How Big Tech Is Fueling the Future of War,” breaks down the little known tale. Isabelle Bousquette, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal Leadership Institute, hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: Lawmakers call to reverse cuts at CISA. Activist investor Elliott Investment Management acquires stake in Deutsche Telekom and opposes T-Mobile merger. Julie Chang hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: A new survey finds a sizable share of company leaders don't know the rate of return on their AI investments. And Ford is setting ambitious sales targets for its new electric truck. Danny Lewis hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: Uber's $15 billion takeover bid of Delivery Hero gets board backing. And Uber cuts 3,300 jobs. Julie Chang hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: Apple's new CEO could earn up to $58 million dollars in 2027. And musicians sue AI music company Suno over alleged copycats. Imani Moise hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: Bank of America, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs and other firms team up to launch a stablecoin. And Dyson unveils an AI-powered toothbrush. Julie Chang hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: John Ternus officially takes over as Apple CEO. And Anthropic signs $35 billion cloud computing deal backed by Nvidia. Imani Moise hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For the first time public opinion is moving in favor of all-day cell phone bans in schools. But do these bans actually make a difference in students' lives? Family and Tech columnist Julie Jargon explains what the latest research says. Plus, Hawaii state officials are looking to the tech industry to help revive its economy as tourism stalls. Past attempts to turn the islands into the next Silicon Valley have fallen flat. But the WSJ's Owen Tucker-Smith says this time the state has a new strategy. Imani Moise hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: Nvidia invests $3.5 billion in Taiwanese chipmaker MediaTek . And Strategy buys bitcoin for the first time since June. Imani Moise hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: IPO documents show Softbank-backed data center venture issued perks to land OpenAI. And SLB acquires data-center cooling company Kelvion for $4.1 billion. Imani Moise hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: BYD's overseas push drives quarterly profit growth. And Google will change how it ranks certain websites in most of Europe to appease antitrust regulators. Julie Chang hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: South Korea will give its entire population free access to homegrown generative AI. And Nvidia is pausing some revenue sharing deals just weeks after announcing them. Danny Lewis hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The success of SK Hynix and Samsung helped make South Korea's stock market one of the world's hottest in recent years—but also one of the most volatile. WSJ reporter Jack Pitcher tells us about the “Rollerkospi,” and what its wild ride could mean for the broader AI trade. Plus, buying a refurbished phone might save you a few hundred dollars, but it could also come with unexpected problems. Personal tech columnist Nicole Nguyen breaks down what to look out for to avoid stress, scams, and spyware. Imani Moise hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: Best Buy raises outlook following better-than-expected second-quarter results. And Cisco gave its 90,000 employees their own AI agent. Julie Chang hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: SK Telecom is creating an AI data-center company backed by KKR. And Thinking Machines Lab co-founder Barret Zoph rejoins Google. Imani Moise hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: Google moves AI responsibility unit out of DeepMind. And the FBI disrupts a China-linked hacking network. Julie Chang hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: Bill Gates calls for more regulation of AI. And Chinese automaker XPeng plans to start mass-producing humanoid robots. Danny Lewis hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: Anthropic tells investors its potential revenue may surpass $30 trillion. And global shipments of flat panel displays will dip this year, per Counterpoint Research. Julie Chang hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: A flurry of tech companies will likely join this year's IPO bonanza. And Hyundai Mobis's robot parts business is poised for growth. Imani Moise hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nvidia will report earnings this Wednesday amid growing challenges for the AI industry, including the financial vulnerability of some of its biggest customers. WSJ's David Uberti breaks down what the chip giant is doing to shore up those potential weaknesses across the market. Plus, WSJ's Callum Borchers explains how companies are using AI to monitor worker productivity – and shares tips for evading the sneaky trackers. Isabelle Bousquette, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal Leadership Institute, hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: Samsung will reclaim the top global smartphone spot from Apple this year, per Counterpoint Research. And Chinese-owned EV-maker Polestar says it was blindsided by U.S. ban. Julie Chang hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: Alibaba to raise $10.2 billion for AI investment with share placement. And the Justice Department and TikTok reach $400 million settlement over children's privacy suit. Julie Chang hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: Crypto stocks gain as bitcoin heads for best week in over two years. And Swedish heating company Nibe Industrier sees sales growth from heat pumps and data centers. Julie Chang hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: Samsung plans biggest-ever buyback. And Micron Technology is launching a research institution. Julie Chang hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tech companies are deploying a variety of tactics—from holding listening sessions to offering guaranteed jobs to writing big checks—to win public support for the data centers they need to power AI. WSJ reporter Isabella Simonetti discusses what's at stake in getting public opinion on their side. Plus, we take you inside the race to build America's first nuclear reactor in a generation. Journal reporter Jennifer Hiller explains why atomic energy is hot again, and the risks of a nuclear hype cycle. Belle Lin, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal Leadership Institute, hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: Super Micro Computer clears senior management in alleged smuggling scheme. And the global foldable smartphone market is rebounding. Julie Chang hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: California sees record venture capital funding this year. And OpenAI has paused new AI model training for two weeks. Julie Chang hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: FTC warns companies on using private consumer data to set prices. And a Chinese humanoid robot-maker soared 460% in its trading debut. Julie Chang hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: Amazon to expand drone delivery service to nearly 500 locales. And SK Hynix plans to buy back more than $28 billion shares. Julie Chang hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: A massive federal child safety trial against Meta begins opening arguments. And Apple plans to change its terms for app developers to appease EU's antitrust officials. Julie Chang hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: Baidu's profit and revenue continue to fall as the Chinese internet titan pivots to AI. And younger workers are nabbing AI jobs. Julie Chang hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Patients, doctors and nurses are turning to AI for help identifying rare and undiagnosed diseases. WSJ reporter Alex Janin explains what makes AI good at playing medical detective, and how some people have used it effectively. Plus, the book publishing industry is in chaos, and AI is to blame. Journal reporter Anna Silman discusses the reckoning that authors, publishers and agents are facing over the use of AI in book writing. Belle Lin, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal Leadership Institute, hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: The maker of Rubik's Cubes and Paw Patrol is buying AI company Hapiko, the maker of Stickerbox. And warehouses are bringing in more robots, per a new report. Julie Chang hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: Uber partners with drone startup Zipline to make drone deliveries. And Alibaba sells its Lingxi Games videogame business. Julie Chang hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Identifying AI-generated content is getting harder, even for the experts. Do the rest of us stand a chance? In the final installment of Tech News Briefing's three-part series, "AI and the Blurring of Reality," WSJ personal tech columnist Nicole Nguyen sits down with digital forensics and photo experts to find out why spotting deepfakes is so difficult and get practical advice for scrutinizing the images and videos in our feeds. Further Listening: When AI Grandmas Go Viral, What Even Is Reality Anymore? AI Is Fueling a New Kind of Political Propaganda Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: JPMorgan Chase ended its banking relationship with Polymarket over regulatory concerns. And analysts say Lenovo seems confident in managing the headwinds for consumer electronics. Julie Chang hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: DeepSeek's flagship models will soon cost users four times as much to run. And Reddit is set to join the S&P 500. Danny Lewis hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Alphabet chief scientist Demis Hassabis has been discussing the formation of an independent AI safety entity with AI lab peers and government officials. WSJ reporter Amrith Ramkumar takes us inside those conversations, and what the move means for Google. Plus, meet the datamaxxers who are feeding AI chatbots their every health move. WSJ reporter Natalie Kaufman discusses the trend. Belle Lin, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal Leadership Institute, hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: surveillance-tech company Flock Safety announces safeguards to curb potential abuse by law enforcement. And China's future economy may need far fewer workers. Julie Chang hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: the AI boom boosted Cisco's quarterly profits. And Lenovo is on track to hit its annual revenue goal ahead of schedule. Danny Lewis hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: Foxconn to ramp up global AI server production. And Tencent Holdings' AI spending ends its earnings growth streak. Julie Chang hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: European vibe-coding startup Lovable notches $13 billion valuation. And rust-powered battery maker Form Energy raises $750 million to boost manufacturing. Danny Lewis hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.