Axios

A growing number of states are banning cellphones in schools — almost always with bipartisan support.

Why it matters: Parents are divided over these policies, which are meant to reduce distractions and boost students' socialization.

Character.AI, a personalized AI chatbot developer, has hired media veteran David Brinker to build partnerships that will bring its chatbot characters to life.

Why it matters: Character.AI says what differentiates it from other chatbot startups is its focus on helping users create personalized characters and build stories and engagement around them. Media partnerships will be critical to expanding its user base and advancing its business.

Three out of four communicators use generative AI at work, according to a new report shared exclusively with Axios.

Why it matters: This is nearly three times more than in March 2023.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew intends to attend President-elect Trump's inauguration next week and is expected to sit on the dais alongside other prominent guests, a Trump transition source confirmed to Axios Thursday.

Why it matters: News of his invite comes as TikTok's fate hangs in the balance, with the U.S. ban of the popular platform set to take effect on Sunday, barring any eleventh-hour intervention.

Google has told the EU it will not add fact checks to search results and YouTube videos or use them in ranking or removing content, despite the requirements of a new EU law, according to a copy of a letter obtained by Axios.

The big picture: Google has never included fact-checking as part of its content moderation practices. The company had signaled privately to EU lawmakers that it didn't plan to change its practices, but it's reaffirming its stance ahead of a voluntary code becoming law in the near future.

Exclusive: Google has a new contract with the carbon removal startup Charm Industrial for drawing down 100,000 tons of CO2 through 2030.

Why it matters: It's Charm's first deal using biochar, which it produces using biomass from forest management.

Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin launched its massive new rocket into space Thursday, successfully reaching orbit on its very first test flight.

Why it matters: The successful launch of the New Glenn rocket came after several delays and marks an important milestone for the company, which had previously only flown suborbital flights.

Once upon a time, Facebook, now called Meta, sat at the forefront of corporate feminism.

Why it matters: That time is over.

President Biden will sign a wide-reaching cybersecurity executive order today that looks to strengthen the federal government's cybersecurity practices and improve AI-powered cyber defenses.

Why it matters: The order comes as the U.S. grapples with several high-profile Chinese government hacks of its systems and top officials' communications.

Anduril Industries will build Arsenal-1 in Columbus, Ohio, propelling its plans to pump out tens of thousands of autonomous vehicles, sensors and weapons.

• The production lines could go hot as soon as July 2026, according to the company.

Why it matters: This is a make-or-break moment for the $14 billion neo-prime, as it's promised the Pentagon and investors alike an overhaul of defense manufacturing.

About 73% of 13- to 39-year-olds in the U.S. said they don't support a TikTok ban in a new survey from YPulse, a youth research organization.

Why it matters: The app could go dark as soon as Sunday if the Supreme Court upholds a law that forces a ban if the app is not sold to a U.S. buyer. China-based owner ByteDance sued over the law and hasn't indicated it plans to sell.

Big corporate donors to President-elect Trump's inaugural committee could soon find themselves in the crosshairs of his trade policy.

Why it matters: Ford, General Motors, Stellantis, Stanley Black & Decker and Apple's Tim Cook all have written seven-figure checks for Trump's inauguration, which is on track to outraise his first ceremony in 2017 and President Biden's in 2021.

We're halfway through the first month of the year, which means that many of us are already on our way to breaking our New Year's resolutions.

The big picture: You can use ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Perplexity and other generative AI tools to help you keep those promises you made to yourself at least a little bit longer.

President-elect Trump will move to "preserve" TikTok, said his pick for national security adviser, Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.), on Wednesday — as a potential nationwide ban looms.

The big picture: It's not immediately clear what action Trump could take if the U.S. Supreme Court were to uphold a bipartisan law that would, unless sold to a U.S. firm, ban the popular video app that's owned by Chinese company ByteDance.

President Biden in his farewell address to the nation on Wednesday took aim at Big Tech and warned of "dangerous consequences" if a "concentration of power in the hands of a very few ultra-wealthy people" goes unchecked.

Why it matters: Biden's warning that an "oligarchy" was "taking shape in America" comes as the world's richest person, Elon Musk, prepares to co-lead the incoming Trump administration's new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) as his companies including SpaceX hold government contracts.