T-Mobile said in a blog post Wednesday it prevented an attempt to infiltrate its systems following reports of an ongoing Chinese espionage campaign targeting high-profile individual's phones through weaknesses in telecommunications networks.
Why it matters: This is the first time T-Mobile has provided details on activity that could be linked to the sprawling espionage campaign that continues to worry U.S. officials.
Competition in AI is less a single race than a triathlon: There's a face-off to develop the most advanced generative AI foundation models; a battle to win customers by making AI useful; and a struggle to build costly infrastructure that makes the first two goals possible.
Why it matters: Picking a winner in AI depends on which of these games you're watching most closely. And the competition's multi-faceted nature means there's more than one way to win.
Walmart said this week it will phase out several major diversity, equity and inclusion policies, and one conservative influencer is taking the credit for it.
Why it matters: Robby Starbuck, a former music video director, has championed several right-leaning causes on social media, making anti-DEI advocacy the centerpiece of his online brand.
The internet has been inundated witha press tour moment from the film "Wicked" that's been memed around the world: ActressCynthia Erivo, overcome with emotion, shares she's stunned to hear people have been taking lyrics from the "Wicked" song "Defying Gravity" and "really holding space with that."
The big picture: If that sounds like gibberish, you're not alone.The meaning of "holding space" — a way of creating judgement-free, safe spaces for healing — was lost on many social media users, but spoofs of the early-November interview became a yellow brick road to viral status.
Why it matters: X in a Monday court filing argued that its users don't own their accounts and those accounts can't be sold or transferred to a third party without X's permission.
Starbucks is the latest retailer to have its operations ensnarled as part of an ongoing ransomware attack targeting a massive software provider, the company confirmed Tuesday.
Why it matters: The coffee retailer has had to manually track the hours that employees work this week to ensure they're paid properly.
As retailers prepare to kick off the busiest shopping season of the year, they'll also have to keep an eye out for a wave of AI-enabled bots flooding their websites, making fraudulent purchases and trying to steal consumer information.
Why it matters: Detecting bot attacks in the moment is difficult because their activity often looks exactly like a typical consumer's.
🇨🇳 The White House held a meeting Friday with telecommunications companies to discuss the ongoing threat of Chinese government hackers breaching their networks to spy on Americans. (New York Times)
🏛️ The Trump transition team has approached Mandiant founder Kevin Mandia for a potential role in the White House. (Politico Pro)
🇷🇺 Microsoft is encouraging President-elect Trump to "push harder" against Russia and China. (Financial Times)
@ Industry
💰 New York state fined Geico and Travelers Indemnity a combined $11.3 million for lapses in their cybersecurity programs that allowed hackers to steal information on 120,000 people. (Wall Street Journal)
Walmart is on a roll, reeling in shoppers who previously spurned the retailer, pounding rival Target and mounting a serious challenge to Amazon's digital turf.
Why it matters: Already the world's biggest company by revenue, Walmart is nonetheless growing and transcending its previously down-market reputation.
Why it matters: Cyberattacks affecting health care providers and vendors have become more common in recent years, often exposing individuals' private health information.
President-elect Trump is considering naming an AI czar in the White House to coordinate federal policy and governmental use of the emerging technology, Trump transition sources told Axios.
Why it matters: Elon Musk won't be the AI czar, but is expected to be intimately involved in shaping the future of the debate and use cases, the sources said.
Here are the most popular Christmas recipes on TikTok, based on high views, likes and engagement:
Puff pastry Christmas trees: Think pizza, but with a tree-shaped puff pastry with garlic butter, pepperoni, mozzarella and pesto.
Christmas tree charcuterie: Gone are the days of plain charcuterie boards. It's time to place your meats and cheeses like ornaments on a tree-shaped stand.
Snow globe cocktails: Turn your cocktails (or mocktails) into a snow globe by freezing a piece of pine and cranberries at the bottom of your glass.
Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is launching a new institute to help America win a "technological space race" on everything from artificial intelligence to advanced manufacturing.
Why it matters: McCarthy will tap his 17 years of congressional experience on technology and innovation issues to ensure that America stays ahead of competitors like China with his "ALFA Institute."
