This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Microsoft on Wednesday committed to boosting its presence in Europe and protecting European citizens' data against a backdrop of rising "geopolitical volatility." The tech titan's pledges come as the return of President Donald Trump has upended the relationship between the United States and Eu ...

Core Insights - Meta has launched its first standalone AI assistant app to compete with ChatGPT, aiming to provide users direct access to its generative AI models [1][4] Group 1: Product Features - The new Meta AI app is designed to be a personal AI, primarily accessed through voice conversations, with interactions tailored to individual users [2] - Users will initially provide basic context about their interests, but the app will evolve to allow deeper personalization over time [3] - The app includes a social feed for users to view AI-generated posts from others and replaces the previous Meta View app for Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, facilitating seamless conversations across devices [3] Group 2: Market Context - The release of the Meta AI app comes as OpenAI's ChatGPT remains a leading AI assistant, regularly updated with new features [4]

Core Insights - OpenAI is enhancing its ChatGPT tool to assist users in online shopping, aiming to compete with Google amid regulatory scrutiny of Google's market dominance [3][4] - The new shopping feature allows users to find and compare products through natural conversation, marking a significant shift in how consumers interact with search tools [5][6] Group 1: OpenAI's Strategy - The introduction of the shopping capability positions OpenAI to challenge Google's long-held control over the search engine market [4][6] - OpenAI reported that search has become one of its most popular features, with over 1 billion web searches conducted in just the past week [4][6] Group 2: Features and Focus Areas - The shopping feature currently emphasizes categories such as fashion, beauty, and home electronics, providing personalized product recommendations sourced from the web rather than advertisements [6] - Users can engage in conversations to find products, ask follow-up questions, and compare items, streamlining the shopping experience [5][6] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - In response to OpenAI's advancements, Google has integrated its Gemini assistant into search results, offering AI-generated answers above traditional links [6] - The competitive tension escalated when an OpenAI executive indicated the company might consider acquiring Chrome if Google were compelled to sell it due to ongoing antitrust issues [7]

Investment Plans - IBM announced plans to invest $150 billion in the United States over the next five years, with $30 billion specifically allocated for research and development to enhance manufacturing of mainframe and quantum computers [1][2][4] Strategic Positioning - The investment aims to solidify IBM's position as a leader in advanced computing and AI capabilities, as stated by IBM chairman and CEO Arvind Krishna [2][4] Industry Context - Other corporate giants like Apple, Nvidia, and Hyundai have also revealed significant spending plans in the U.S. since the return of President Trump to the White House, indicating a broader trend among major companies to invest domestically [3] - The investment comes amid a backdrop of tariff hikes aimed at encouraging U.S. companies to bring manufacturing back home, although many tariffs have been put on hold due to concerns about their impact on the economy [3]

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Internet company Yahoo Inc.—backed by owner Apollo Global Management Inc.—would bid for the Chrome web browser if a federal court orders Google to divest it as a remedy for maintaining an illegal monopoly, a senior executive said. Brian Provost, the general manager for Yahoo Search, testified ...

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Alphabet Inc. pays Samsung Electronics Co. an "enormous sum of money" every month to preinstall Google generative AI app, Gemini, on its phones and devices, according to court testimony, even though the company's practice of paying for installations has twice been found to violate the law. The ...

Core Viewpoint - Approximately 200 French media groups are initiating legal action against Meta for alleged unlawful online advertising practices, claiming significant economic harm due to unfair business practices [1][2]. Group 1: Legal Action and Allegations - The lawsuit was filed in the Paris commercial court, with plaintiffs seeking compensation for economic damages caused by Meta's practices [2]. - Meta is accused of unlawfully collecting users' personal data without consent, violating European data protection regulations [2][4]. - The legal representatives describe this joint action as a "historic first" in challenging Meta's advertising practices [3]. Group 2: Market Impact and Dominance - Meta and Google together dominate the online advertising market, accounting for 75% of the market and 90% of its growth [4]. - Advertising constitutes 98% of Meta's global turnover, indicating the company's heavy reliance on this revenue stream [4]. - The plaintiffs argue that without Meta's alleged unfair practices, French media outlets would have captured a larger share of digital advertising investments [4]. Group 3: Regulatory Actions - The European Union recently imposed a fine of 200 million euros (approximately $227 million) on Meta for violating personal data usage rules [5]. - The fine specifically targets Meta's "pay for privacy" system, which requires users to either pay to avoid data collection or consent to share their data to use the platforms for free [7].

Core Points - The European Union imposed fines totaling 700 million euros ($683 million) on Apple and Meta for violating digital competition rules under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) [3][4][6] - Apple was fined 500 million euros ($571 million) for restricting app developers from directing users to cheaper purchasing options outside its App Store [4][10] - Meta was fined 200 million euros for forcing users to choose between personalized ads or paying for an ad-free experience [4][11] Company-Specific Summaries Apple - The European Commission accused Apple of imposing unfair rules that prevent app developers from steering consumers to alternative purchasing channels [9][10] - Apple has 60 days to comply with the ruling or face unspecified periodic penalty payments [4] - The company claims it has made significant efforts to comply with the DMA, stating it has spent hundreds of thousands of engineering hours on changes [10][8] Meta - Meta's fine stems from its strategy of offering users the option to pay for ad-free versions of Facebook and Instagram, which the EU deemed insufficient for user consent regarding personal data usage [11][12] - The company introduced a third option allowing users to see fewer personalized ads without paying, which is currently under assessment by the Commission [13] - Meta's Chief Global Affairs Officer criticized the fines as a multibillion-dollar tariff that would harm its business model and negatively impact European economies [14]

Core Viewpoint - Meta's decision to end its US fact-checking program has raised significant concerns regarding the potential increase in misinformation and its implications for human rights [2][4]. Group 1: Policy Changes and Reactions - Meta announced a policy shift to replace third-party fact-checkers with a community-based moderation tool called "Community Notes," which has been criticized for its effectiveness [5][6]. - The Meta Oversight Board criticized the announcement as being made "hastily" and emphasized the need for a balance between free expression and safety from harm [3][4]. - Analysts suggest that the policy change may have been influenced by political pressures, particularly from then US President-elect Donald Trump [3]. Group 2: Recommendations and Concerns - The Oversight Board issued 17 recommendations for Meta, urging the company to evaluate the effectiveness of Community Notes compared to traditional fact-checking methods, especially in contexts where misinformation poses public safety risks [4]. - Experts have expressed skepticism about relying on crowd-sourced moderation, likening it to an abdication of social responsibility by Meta [6][8]. - The board's recommendations are not binding, meaning Meta is not obligated to implement them despite promising to honor rulings on appeals regarding content moderation [8].

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Wikipedia Boeing plans to sell portions of its digital aviation solutions business to software-focused investment firm Thoma Bravo for $10.55 billion, the aerospace giant announced Tuesday. Boeing said it will retain "core digital capabilities" to enable fleet maintenance and repair services for customers.The transacti ...