Science and Technology

The US Supreme Court has announced that it will hear arguments on January 10, 2025 on the constitutionality of a federal law that could ban TikTok in the US unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, sells the platform. The case raises significant questions about free speech and national security, with implications for TikTok's 170 million U.S. users and its content creators. The law, passed in April with bipartisan support and signed by President Joe Biden, set a Jan. 19 deadline for ByteDance to divest TikTok or face a nationwide ban. TikTok has argued that the law violates the First Amendment…

Eric Yuan, founder and CEO of Zoom Communications Inc., spoke about the company's ongoing transformation at the annual Concordia Summit held in New York on September 25, 2024. The video conferencing giant, formerly known as Zoom Video Communications, reported solid financial results for its fiscal third quarter, but its shares fell 4% in extended trading on Monday amid mixed investor sentiment regarding its future guidance. Zoom posted results that beat Wall Street's expectations, showing steady growth in an evolving market for its services. According to LSEG financials, the company outperformed analysts' projections in both earnings per share and revenue. Adjusted…

In a recent blog post, the Startup Coalition, a major tech lobby group in the UK, expressed concern about the potential repercussions of the government's new tax policies, suggesting they could lead to a significant "brain drain" in the tech sector . The comments come in light of the announcement made by Britain's Labor government on Wednesday to increase capital gains tax (CGT) rates on share sales, a move intended to strengthen public finances and stimulate economic growth. Finance Minister Rachel Reeves set out the proposed changes in her inaugural budget, saying the minimum rate of CGT will rise from…

The UK's digital landscape is poised for significant change as the regulatory body that oversees internet security has announced tough measures to enforce new cybersecurity rules. Major tech companies could face sizable fines and potential service suspensions if they fail to comply with these upcoming regulations. This initiative is designed to improve the security and privacy of users online by addressing growing concerns about data breaches and cyber threats. Under the new framework, tech giants will be required to implement robust security measures to protect user data from unauthorized access and cyber attacks. The regulations aim to create a safer…

OpenAI has reported that its technology is being exploited by malicious entities aiming to disrupt electoral processes, although these efforts have gained minimal traction online. This issue was addressed in a recent update on a digital news platform. The organization has highlighted concerns about the use of its AI tools in election-related disruptions. Despite the efforts of these attackers, their influence has not had significant viral spread online, indicating limited impact on public opinion. OpenAI's statement comes at a time when digital platforms are under scrutiny for their role in political processes. As the technology community continues to monitor such…

Atomico, the venture capital firm founded by one of the creators of Skype, has successfully raised a whopping $1.24 billion to fund emerging technology startups across Europe. The significant funding injection is aimed at powering the next generation of tech pioneers, paving the way for innovative advancements and industry disruption. The capital raised will be dedicated to identifying and scaling up high-potential startups that demonstrate the ability to lead and transform their respective industries. Atomico's investment strategy focuses on fostering technological innovation and sustainable growth within the European technology ecosystem, reflecting a strong commitment to cultivating future technology leaders. In…

The S&P 500 Index fell significantly by 1% on Friday, capping a difficult week dominated by tech sell-offs and a disappointing jobs report. The decline is set to position this week as the most troubled period of the year for the index, with real-time updates continuing to monitor the situation. The market reaction reflects growing concerns among investors who are responding to the twin pressures of sector-specific declines and broader economic signals. This week's performance was particularly impacted by a notable sell-off in technology stocks, compounded by a jobs report that fell short of market expectations. Ongoing updates will provide…

The hype surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) has radically reshaped the venture capital market, as tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon funnel billions into AI innovations. This influx of capital represents a monumental shift in investment strategies, with substantial implications for both emerging technologies and market dynamics. As these industry giants pour resources into AI, they are not only championing its potential, but also driving a trend that could set the pace for technology development across industries. This movement highlights a significant transformation in which traditional venture capital approaches are being adapted to meet the expansive needs and rapid evolution of…

Mike Lynch, celebrated as a pioneer in the UK's technology sector and often compared to Bill Gates for his contributions, has died at the age of 59. Lynch, founder of the innovative software company Autonomy, was a key figure in shaping the UK's technology landscape. His career has been marked by groundbreaking achievements in enterprise software solutions, though not without controversy. Lynch has faced legal challenges, including fraud charges of which he was acquitted in June, allowing him to spend his final months focused on personal and professional recovery. Lynch's impact on technology and business will be remembered for his…

Norway’s government pension fund Global, the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund, posted a staggering profit of $138 billion in the first half of the year. This strong performance was driven primarily by strong returns in technology stocks, as investors flocked to the sector amid the burgeoning artificial intelligence (AI) revolution. The fund’s equity portfolio delivered an impressive 12.5% ​​return, underlining the impact of AI-related investments on its overall performance. However, the fund also faced challenges in other sectors, with its unlisted renewable energy infrastructure portfolio posting a negative 17.7% return due to rising capital costs. Despite this year’s solid performance,…