Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Amazon reaches $2.5 billion settlement with FTC over 'deceptive' Prime program

Sal Rodriguez 🕷️ @sal19.bsky.social · 16d

Amazon reaches $2.5 billion settlement with FTC over ‘deceptive’ Prime program www.cnbc.com/2025/09/25/a... by @anniepalmer.bsky.social

Nvidia just spent over $900 million to hire Enfabrica CEO, license AI startup's technology

Sal Rodriguez 🕷️ @sal19.bsky.social · 23d

Nvidia just spent over $900 million to hire Enfabrica CEO, license AI startup’s technology www.cnbc.com/2025/09/18/n... Scoop by @lorak.bsky.social @jordannovet.bsky.social & @kif.bsky.social

In a deal reminiscent of acquihires by Meta and Google, Nvidia hired Enfabrica's CEO and other employees of the startup, and licensed its technology.

Alphabet's Verily covered up HIPAA violations, whistleblower says in lawsuit

3

Sal Rodriguez 🕷️ @sal19.bsky.social · Sep 11

Another good one from @ashleycapoot.cnbc.com: Alphabet’s Verily covered up HIPAA violations, whistleblower says in lawsuit www.cnbc.com/2025/09/11/a...

Verily hired Sloan in 2020 to serve as the chief commercial officer of its diabetes and hypertension business, Onduo.

Alphabet, Meta, OpenAI, xAI and Snap face FTC probe over AI chatbot safety for kids

Sal Rodriguez 🕷️ @sal19.bsky.social · Sep 11

Alphabet, Meta, OpenAI, xAI & Snap face FTC probe over AI chatbot safety for kids www.cnbc.com/2025/09/11/a... by @ashleycapoot.cnbc.com

This probe comes after reports of humans falling in love with AI companions. Here's my piece on the subject from last month: www.cnbc.com/2025/08/01/h...

The Federal Trade Commission is issuing orders to seven companies to understand how their AI chatbots potentially negatively affect kids and teenagers.

Amazon's Zoox jumps into U.S. robotaxi race with Las Vegas launch

Sal Rodriguez 🕷️ @sal19.bsky.social · Sep 10

Zoox today launched its service to the public in Las Vegas, marking the start of the robotaxi race between Amazon & Alphabet, which owns Waymo.

We got to do an early ride of Zoox's service, which you can watch here www.cnbc.com/2025/09/10/a... with @anniepalmer.bsky.social & @jeniecep.bsky.social

Amazon's Zoox robotaxi unit is offering free rides in Las Vegas from a few locations, with plans to expand in the city.

1 2

Sal Rodriguez 🕷️ @sal19.bsky.social · Sep 9

Quite the busy one today with our coverage of Apple's iPhone event and editing for a big piece we've got coming tomorrow, but I wanted to note it's been one year since my return to CNBC. So happy I came back and took the leap to editing (while still getting to keep reporting!) 🎉

Apple event live updates: New iPhone 17 release expected today

Sal Rodriguez 🕷️ @sal19.bsky.social · Sep 9

You can tune in to follow our live coverage of Apple's iPhone event right here www.cnbc.com/2025/09/09/l...

Apple CEO Tim Cook and his team are set to unveil the iPhone 17 line of devices, Apple Watches, new AirPods Pro, and the release date for iOS 26.

Google gets to keep Chrome but is barred from exclusive search deals, judge rules

Sal Rodriguez 🕷️ @sal19.bsky.social · Sep 2

Google gets to keep Chrome but is barred from exclusive search deals, judge rules www.cnbc.com/2025/09/02/g... by @jennelias.bsky.social

The ruling comes nearly a year after a U.S. judge ruled that Google holds an illegal monopoly in its core market of internet search.

Google has eliminated 35% of managers overseeing small teams in past year, exec says

Sal Rodriguez 🕷️ @sal19.bsky.social · Aug 27

Here's the latest chatter inside of Google: Search giant has eliminated 35% of managers overseeing small teams in past year, exec says

www.cnbc.com/2025/08/27/g...

Scoop by @jennelias.bsky.social

In Google's continuing effort to run more efficiently, the company has been getting rid of managers who oversee fewer than three people.

OpenAI says it plans ChatGPT changes after lawsuit blamed chatbot for teen's suicide

Sal Rodriguez 🕷️ @sal19.bsky.social · Aug 26

OpenAI says it plans ChatGPT changes after lawsuit blamed chatbot for teen’s suicide www.cnbc.com/2025/08/26/o... with @lorak.bsky.social

OpenAI disclosed plans to improve ChatGPT safety for users expressing “suicidal intent.”

Meta set to unveil first consumer-ready smart glasses with a display, wristband next month

1 1 2

Sal Rodriguez 🕷️ @sal19.bsky.social · Aug 22

NEW on Meta: CNBC has extensive details on the company's upcoming Hypernova device, its first consumer-ready glasses with a display, and its accompanying neural-tech wristband

www.cnbc.com/2025/08/22/m...

with @lorak.bsky.social & @jonathanvanian.bsky.social

Meta's glasses are codenamed Hypernova and will include a small display in the right lens of the device, people familiar with the matter told CNBC.

Google announces its AI-powered Pixel 10 smartphone series

1 1 1

Sal Rodriguez 🕷️ @sal19.bsky.social · Aug 20

More foldable phones, this time from Google www.cnbc.com/2025/08/20/g... by @jennelias.bsky.social & @kif.bsky.social

The newest series prominently feature the Gemini assistant as AI increasingly becomes the battleground where device companies compete.

Silicon Valley's AI deals are creating zombie startups: 'You hollowed out the organization'

Sal Rodriguez 🕷️ @sal19.bsky.social · Aug 19

The latest M&A tactics in tech have turned AI startups into something resembling zombies. Here’s my latest: www.cnbc.com/2025/08/19/h...
with @ashleycapoot.cnbc.com & @anniepalmer.bsky.social

Unable to make big AI purchases because of regulatory hurdles, tech giants have spent billions to buy top talent from startups, leaving behind shell companies.

Google faces loss of Chrome as Perplexity bid adds drama to looming breakup decision

1 1

Sal Rodriguez 🕷️ @sal19.bsky.social · Aug 13

Google's Chrome browser might actually be worth as much as $50 billion www.cnbc.com/2025/08/13/g... the latest from @jennelias.bsky.social & @mackenziesigalos.bsky.social

Perplexity AI's offer of $34.5 billion for Google's Chrome browser is a lot lower than where some analysts value the business.

Sal Rodriguez 🕷️ @sal19.bsky.social · Aug 7

How Tim Cook convinced Trump to drop made-in-USA iPhone — for now www.cnbc.com/2025/08/07/a... by @kif.bsky.social

'What am I falling in love with?' Human-AI relationships are no longer just science fiction

3 4

Reposted by Sal Rodriguez 🕷️

Jennifer Elias @jennelias.bsky.social · Aug 1

Incredible piece by @sal19.bsky.social, who takes you deep into the stories of people who have AI companions. Human-AI relationships are perhaps, more common than you may think. cnb.cx/4ms9l1j

Since ChatGPT’s late 2022 launch, everyday people have formed emotional connections to chatbots, describing them as deep friendships and even life partnerships.

cnb.cx

2 3

Reposted by Sal Rodriguez 🕷️

Danny Groner @dannygroner.bsky.social · Aug 1

“He owns his own wholesale lighting business and is on the phone throughout the day with clients. He has a stepdaughter and niece he communicates with, but otherwise he generally keeps to himself. Even when he was married, he and his wife weren’t terribly social and didn’t have many friends.”

Sal Rodriguez 🕷️ @sal19.bsky.social · Aug 1

Do you think AI can fall in love?

Over the past 6 months, I traveled across the U.S. to interview people who’ve formed emotional relationships with chatbots. These AI companions serve as friends and romantic partners. Here is what I found www.cnbc.com/2025/08/01/h...

'What am I falling in love with?' Human-AI relationships are no longer just science fiction

Since ChatGPT’s late 2022 launch, everyday people have formed emotional connections to chatbots, describing them as deep friendships and even life partnerships.

'What am I falling in love with?' Human-AI relationships are no longer just science fiction

1 2

Sal Rodriguez 🕷️ @sal19.bsky.social · Aug 1

Do you think AI can fall in love?

Over the past 6 months, I traveled across the U.S. to interview people who’ve formed emotional relationships with chatbots. These AI companions serve as friends and romantic partners. Here is what I found www.cnbc.com/2025/08/01/h...

Since ChatGPT’s late 2022 launch, everyday people have formed emotional connections to chatbots, describing them as deep friendships and even life partnerships.

Meta's AI spending spree is Wall Street's focus in second-quarter earnings

1 1 3

Sal Rodriguez 🕷️ @sal19.bsky.social · Jul 29

Usually when Meta copies others in tech, it works out quite well, but when it chose to follow in DeepSeek's footsteps, the move backfired. Since then, Zuckerberg has had to spend billions to overhaul his AI strategy.

Here's @jonathanvanian.bsky.social with his latest www.cnbc.com/2025/07/29/m...

Meta investors will be scrutinizing CEO Mark Zuckerberg's AI hiring blitz during the company's second-quarter earnings on Wednesday.

Microsoft poaches more Google DeepMind AI talent as it beefs up Copilot

Sal Rodriguez 🕷️ @sal19.bsky.social · Jul 22

Microsoft poaches more Google DeepMind AI talent as it beefs up Copilot www.cnbc.com/2025/07/22/m... SCOOP by @jordannovet.bsky.social

Microsoft's artificial intelligence group has been growing under Mustafa Suleyman, a co-founder of the DeepMind research lab Google acquired years ago.

Amazon warehouse workers lose jobs after Trump's immigration crackdown: 'We have done everything legally'

Sal Rodriguez 🕷️ @sal19.bsky.social · Jul 10

Amazon warehouse workers lose jobs after Trump’s immigration crackdown: ‘We have done everything legally’ www.cnbc.com/2025/07/10/a...

Excellent reporting by @anniepalmer.bsky.social

Last month, Amazon began asking staffers who came to the U.S. under humanitarian immigration programs to provide updated work permits.

Elon Musk's Grok AI chatbot is posting antisemitic comments

Sal Rodriguez 🕷️ @sal19.bsky.social · Jul 8

Grok, the chatbot from Elon Musk's xAI, praised Hitler on Tuesday

Story by @jonathanvanian.bsky.social with help from @lorak.bsky.social

www.cnbc.com/2025/07/08/e...

Elon Musk's Grok chatbot on Tuesday praised Adolf Hitler and made other antisemitic comments on Tuesday.

Apple scores big victory with 'F1,' but AI is still a major problem in Cupertino

1 1

Sal Rodriguez 🕷️ @sal19.bsky.social · Jul 4

Apple takes victory lap with 'F1,' but there's an AI problem under the hood in Cupertino www.cnbc.com/2025/07/04/a... by @kif.bsky.social

While "F1" was a victory lap for Apple, Wall Street's reaction to the company's AI announcements at WWDC suggest there's some trouble underneath the hood.

AI virtual personality YouTubers, or 'VTubers,' are earning millions

Sal Rodriguez 🕷️ @sal19.bsky.social · Jul 2

In the latest example of AI infiltrating social media, virtual personality YouTubers, or ‘VTubers,’ are earning millions www.cnbc.com/2025/07/02/a...

By @zachvallese.bsky.social