Axios

PowerSchool, the popular education technology vendor that works with 75% of U.S. school districts, said it paid a ransom to hackers during its December data breach.

Why it matters: It's rare for ransomware victims to admit that they've paid hackers, and security experts often frown upon the practice because it could further embolden the cybercriminals behind the attacks.

For the first time, the TikTok generation is watching and making content about a papal conclave, otherwise known as "Catholic Superbowl."

The big picture: After an award-winning movie on the topic last year, the sacred process is officially intersecting with pop culture in new ways.

The Trump administration will scrap a looming Biden-era rule Thursday that would have restricted how American technology is exported overseas, and is planning to issue new guidance within a few months, a source familiar with the matter told Axios.

Why it matters: The so-called AI diffusion rule was a top target for the Trump administration and a number of AI and chip companies, who said it imposed overly complex rules that would make it difficult for American companies to sell abroad.

Shares in Google parent Alphabet plunged Wednesday, dragging broader markets lower, after Apple reportedly said it was exploring AI search engines for the Safari browser.

Why it matters: Being the default search engine on Apple devices is a key placement for Google, enough so that historically it paid Apple north of $20 billion a year in revenue sharing.

Two hypersonic flight tests were completed mere months apart using the same autonomous vehicle, a milestone for the U.S. as it jockeys with other world powers for speedy, maneuverable weapons.

Why it matters: The Talon-A flights handled by Stratolaunch contribute to the Pentagon's Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonic Test Bed program (MACH-TB).

• The U.S. has lacked a recoverable hypersonic aircraft for decades, since the X-15 was ditched.

L3Harris Technologies has delivered to Ukraine tens of thousands of tactical radios and is rolling out software updates based on troop feedback and Russian electronic warfare.

• These digital tweaks can take as little as three weeks to complete.

Why it matters: "If you cannot communicate, you can fight but you can't win, and the whole purpose is to win," Sam Mehta, president of communication systems, told reporters on the sidelines of the Modern Day Marine conference.

In a curtained-off alcove of a U.S. Army lab just minutes off Washington's Beltway, reporters glimpsed the near future of war.

• It was robotic, electronically saturated and inclusive of all domains, including air littorals dominated by drones.

The big picture: The U.S. Army has for years organized Project Convergence, a weapons-and-networking crucible that welcomes Air Force, Navy and foreign participation in pursuit of the Pentagon's connectivity nirvana, Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control.

OpenAI announced a push to help countries build AI infrastructure and promote AI rooted in democratic, rather than authoritarian, values.

Why it matters: Global expansion will be one key to ensuring that OpenAI's massive investments pay off — and the company is arguing that it will help the U.S. counter China's influence, too.

Bland food is out. Fully loaded flavors are in.

• If you've found yourself salivating over menu items or recipes infused with za'atar, saffron, black sesame, cardamom, raspberry-rhubarb or miso lately — you're not alone.

The big picture: Since home cooking boomed among the cooped-up during 2020 lockdowns, palates have expanded and gotten more colorful. Businesses are trying to keep up with the hunger for hyphenated flavor combos and artisanal tastes.

A California federal jury found that Israel-based spyware vendor NSO Group owes $167.25 million in punitive damages for enabling the hacks of about 1,400 WhatsApp users' devices.

Why it matters: The damages deal a major economic blow to one of the world's most prolific spyware vendors and sets a precedent for similar cases.

Billionaire hedge-fund manager Paul Tudor Jones said Tuesday that the U.S. trade war with China was past the point of no return.

Why it matters: Jones' comments come as economists have also suggested that the impact of Trump's tariffs are likely to outlast him.

Maryana Iskander, CEO of the nonprofit Wikimedia Foundation, plans to step down early next year, Axios has learned first.

Why it matters: A search for a new CEO is underway in a critical moment for AI and the digital media ecosystem. 

The cybersecurity industry is rushing to confront a new identity crisis — not for people, but for AI agents that act autonomously and now need to be managed like employees.

Why it matters: Without proper guardrails, agents could, at the very least, cause incidental data breaches, misuse login credentials, and leak sensitive information.

Everyone knows getting power for data centers is a challenge for U.S. AI development — but don't sleep on minerals, new and recent analyses warn.

Why it matters: A new Barclays report finds that obtaining critical minerals and attracting elite talent are the "new battlegrounds in the fight for AI supremacy."

Cirrus, a leading maker of small planes, is adding a feature to its G7 model that allows it to land itself in an emergency.

Why it matters: The move is a step toward autonomous passenger travel, though landing a plane in an emergency is a long way from removing pilots from the cockpit.

The latest plot twist in OpenAI's epic corporate drama leaves Sam Altman only partway toward his goal, announced last year, of separating the ChatGPT maker from the nonprofit that controls it.

Why it matters: Since Altman was briefly ousted as CEO by the nonprofit board in November 2023, his efforts to raise billions for OpenAI's mission of creating advanced AI "that benefits all of humanity" have been shadowed by questions about the firm's governance.