Technology

Samsung Electronics urges union to resume talks as strike threat looms

SEOUL, May 14 (Reuters) - Samsung ⁠Electronics on Thursday proposed that its South Korean labour union resume pay talks after ⁠government-mediated negotiations fell apart, a union leader said, citing a letter from the company.

AI

OpenAI floats idea of global AI governance body with US, China

OpenAI would support the creation of a global governance body for artificial intelligence led by the US and including China as a member, a top company executive said, hours before the start of President Donald Trump's high-stakes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Technology

AI boom puts SK Hynix on cusp of $1 trillion market value

SEOUL, ⁠May 14 (Reuters) - SK Hynix is on the verge of topping a $1 trillion market value, just weeks ⁠after Samsung Electronics crossed the milestone, as strong demand for artificial intelligence places South Korea at ‌the heart of Asia's AI boom.

Mobile apps

Meta launches WhatsApp 'incognito' mode to address privacy concerns for AI chats

Meta Platforms said Wednesday it's rolling out an "incognito" mode for WhatsApp users to have private conversations with its AI chatbot, a move intended to ease privacy concerns about sensitive information that users share in chats.

Technology

TSMC says global chip market to hit $1.5 trillion by 2030 as AI drives growth

HSINCHU, Taiwan, May ⁠14 (Reuters) - TSMC, the world's largest contract chipmaker, expects the global semiconductor market to ⁠exceed $1.5 trillion by 2030, topping its previous forecast of $1 trillion, according to ‌its presentation materials ahead of a tech symposium on Thursday.

Technology

New York, California pension leaders oppose 'extreme' SpaceX control structure

BOSTON, May 13 (Reuters) - Leaders of three of the biggest U.S. ⁠public pension systems said they have major concerns over SpaceX's "extreme" ownership and control set-up in its upcoming public stock listing, urging founder and CEO Elon Musk to remove provisions that would curb ⁠shareholder protections.

Gadgets

Are AirPods frying your brain? Widespread online claims debunked

TikTok, Instagram and other social media platforms have been full of posts warning us that Bluetooth headphones emit dangerous radiation.

AI

Altman testifies about ‘hair-raising’ OpenAI chat with Musk

OpenAI's Sam Altman testified that he was "extremely uncomfortable" with Elon Musk's insistence that he have complete control over a proposed for-profit subsidiary of the startup back in 2017.

Technology

Ryan Cohen hits back at eBay, says his takeover proposal should not be dismissed

NEW YORK, May 13 (Reuters) - ⁠GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen told eBay's board on Wednesday that they should not reject his $56 billion takeover proposal and the e-commerce ⁠company's shareholders deserve a chance to evaluate it.

Technology

Cisco to cut about 4,000 jobs in AI-focused restructuring as orders surge

May 13 (Reuters) - Cisco said ⁠on Wednesday it would cut nearly 4,000 jobs, as part of a restructuring aimed at ⁠shifting investment toward artificial intelligence and related growth areas, and raised its annual revenue ‌forecast after a surge in hyperscaler orders.

Technology

Exclusive-Microsoft eyeing startup deals for life after OpenAI

SAN FRANCISCO / NEW YORK, ⁠May 13 (Reuters) - Microsoft is shopping for artificial-intelligence startups as the software company prepares for a future independent of its once-vital partner OpenAI, five people familiar with ⁠the matter said. 

Technology

OpenAI chief Altman has over $2 billion stake in companies that dealt with OpenAI, court filing shows

OAKLAND, California, May 13 (Reuters) - OpenAI Chief Executive ⁠Sam Altman holds more than $2 billion in companies that have done business with the artificial intelligence company, a court document showed as ⁠Altman faces claims of self-dealing from state attorneys general and Elon Musk, as well as a U.S. congressional investigation.

Technology

Top French court rejects Amazon challenge over French book delivery fees

PARIS, May 13 (Reuters) - France's ⁠highest administrative court, the Conseil d'Etat, rejected on Wednesday ⁠a challenge by Internet giant Amazon over minimum delivery ‌fees on books, as the country continues its battle to protect its cultural traditions in an age of global, digital commerce.

Technology

Shutterstock to pay $35 million to settle US FTC charges over subscription plans, cancellations

NEW YORK, May ⁠13 (Reuters) - Shutterstock will pay $35 million to settle U.S. Federal Trade ⁠Commission charges that the online provider of stock photography, graphics ‌and videos misled consumers about its subscription plans and made it difficult to cancel, the agency said.

Technology

Meta to launch 'Incognito Chat' for private AI conversations on WhatsApp

May 13 (Reuters) - Meta Platforms is rolling out a new "Incognito Chat" ⁠feature for its artificial intelligence assistant on WhatsApp messaging service, the ‌company said on Wednesday, as it looks to address data privacy concerns.

Technology

Exclusive-LinkedIn planning to lay off 5% of staff in latest tech-sector cuts, source says

SAN FRANCISCO, May 13 (Reuters) - LinkedIn planned to inform staff of layoffs on ⁠Wednesday, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters, in ‌a widening of technology sector cuts this year.

Technology

Apple criticises EU measures to help AI rivals access Google services

BRUSSELS, ⁠May 13 (Reuters) - Apple on Wednesday echoed Google's criticism of EU antitrust ⁠regulators' efforts to force the search giant to help AI ‌rivals access its services, warning the proposed measures pose risks to privacy, security and safety.

Technology

Analysis-Sizzling semiconductor trade at risk of cooling - and stalling US stocks rally

NEW YORK, May 13 (Reuters) - A stunning run-up in shares of semiconductor ⁠companies has helped drive the U.S. stock rally, but the eye-popping gains are sparking concerns about an overheated market and prompting some investors to prepare for a pullback.

Technology

Federal judge cites 'red flags' in Musk, SEC Twitter settlement

WASHINGTON, May 13 (Reuters) - A federal ⁠judge on Wednesday cast doubt on the motives behind the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's $1.5 million settlement over ⁠Elon Musk's purchase of Twitter, suggesting the deal may have been inked with the sole purpose ‌of avoiding penalizing him personally.

Technology

Roundhill fund becomes fastest-growing ETF ever as retail investors seek semiconductor exposure

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, May 13 (Reuters) - Individual ⁠investors who can't seem to get enough of the red-hot market for semiconductor stocks have made a five-week-old ⁠exchange-traded fund the most successful ETF launch in history, according to market data and analysts.