| |
| Here's a look at today's tech briefing: - Biden administration is investigating Chinese-made connected cars for national security risks.
- EA to cut 5% of workforce.
- Ransomware group Blackcat is behind the UnitedHealth cyberattack.
- Tesla aims to ship its Roadster EV in 2025.
Beth
p/beth-duckett | |
| 1 | | The Biden administration has opened an investigation into the data and cybersecurity risks of Chinese smart cars, which could result in new import or parts restrictions. The Commerce Department will lead the investigation over fears that connected vehicles could threaten national security and Americans' privacy by sending sensitive data to Beijing. More: - Commerce will now look into the dangers linked to connected cars using tech from China and similar "countries of concern," and weigh potential rules.
- According to a senior official, the U.S. is also worried about foreign-made hardware and software in smart vehicles from Russia, Iran, and Venezuela.
- These vehicles are "constantly connecting" with personal devices, other cars, and more, collecting sensitive data on drivers and using their sensors to record U.S. infrastructure, the White House said.
- Since vehicles can be controlled or shut down remotely, the investigation will also cover self-driving cars.
Zoom out: - White House officials said it's too early to discuss bans or limits on Chinese vehicles, but the U.S. does have the legal authority to take actions with a "large impact."
- The move is the first in a series of potential policies that aim to stop lower-cost electric vehicles, made in China or by Chinese firms abroad, from threatening U.S. automakers and dominating the U.S. market.
|     | |
| 2 | | Electronic Arts is laying off 5% of its workforce as part of a restructuring plan that also involves office closures and discontinuing some games. EA, the maker of Madden NFL games and Apex Legends, is the latest gaming company to slash jobs this year amid a slow post-pandemic recovery in the gaming market. 
Details: EA employed about 13,400 workers a year ago, meaning the layoffs could affect roughly 670 jobs. The cuts will support the company's "strategic priorities and growth initiatives," according to a new SEC filing. EA is also sunsetting an undisclosed number of games and scaling back its real estate holdings, according to CEO Andrew Wilson. The company is "moving away from development of future licensed IP that we do not believe will be successful in our changing industry," he added. The bigger picture: The video game industry has suffered widespread job cuts. In 2023, over 10,500 workers lost their jobs, with an additional 6,000 cuts in January 2024. Microsoft, Riot Games, and Unity have all announced layoffs recently, while Sony just axed 900 positions in its PlayStation division, representing about 8% of its overall workforce. | | | |
| |
|
| 3 | | The ransomware group Blackcat is behind a cyberattack on UnitedHealth's tech unit, causing widespread disruptions across U.S. pharmacies and health systems. The attack has interfered with prescription deliveries and caused backlogs at pharmacies such as CVS Health and Walgreens. More: - The issues began last week after Blackcat hackers breached the IT systems of Change Healthcare, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth.
- The breach means pharmacies are unable to process insurance claims for patients.
- In a since-deleted post, Blackcat claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it extracted six terabytes of data, including patients' medical and insurance records.
- Alphabet's cybersecurity division, Mandiant, is leading an investigation into the breach along with cybersecurity software vendor Palo Alto Networks.
Zoom out: - Blackcat, also known as "ALPHV," steals sensitive information and threatens to leak it unless it's paid.
- It has demanded ransoms from companies like MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment, resulting in losses in the hundreds of millions globally, according to the DOJ.
| | | |
| 4 | | Tesla aims to ship its long-delayed Roadster sports car in 2025, according to Elon Musk. The CEO said Tesla has finished production design on the electric vehicle, with an unveiling expected before the end of this year. More: - "I think [the Roadster] has a shot at being the most mind-blowing product demo of all time," Musk wrote on X this week.
- He said the vehicle can reach 60 miles per hour in under a second.
- Tesla first announced the Roadster, an electric four-seater, in late 2017, initially planning its release for 2020.
- In 2018, Musk announced that a "SpaceX option package" would feature 10 small rocket thrusters arranged around the car.
Zoom out: - The update comes after Chinese rival BYD introduced its own U9 electric supercar.
- The Yangwang U9 has 1,300 horsepower and can reach a top speed of 192 mph.
- Tesla competes with BYD primarily in China. In Q4, BYD outpaced Tesla in electric vehicle sales for the period.
| | | |
| 5 | | Apple is expanding its Self Service Repair program to include MacBook Pros and iMacs with the M3 chip. The program already covers earlier Macs as well as certain iPhones. More: - First launched in 2022, Apple self-service repair lets device owners perform certain DIY repairs at home using official Apple parts, repair guides, and tools.
- The program will now cover the M3 iMac, M3 14-inch MacBook Pro, and M3 16-inch MacBook Pro.
- Apple will also offer its remote diagnostic tool to M3 Mac users starting next month. The web-based tool allows U.S. users to test devices for performance and parts.
Zoom out: - Apple added the iPhone 15 and M2-powered Macs to Self Service Repair in December.
- Previously a vocal opponent of Right to Repair, Apple gave its full support to California's Right to Repair Act, which was signed by Gov. Gavin Newson in October.
- The law gives Californians more access to tools and parts to repair their own electronics, or seek third-party repairs.
| | | |
| 6 | | Adobe is developing a generative AI tool for creating music. Project Music GenAI Control, currently an "early-stage" experiment, generates music from text prompts and lets users directly edit the audio. More: - The tool generates music in specific styles based on text prompts, allowing users to customize tempo, intensity, and structure and create loops for backing tracks.
- According to Adobe, the tool can also revise, cut, and loop music sections, serving as a track editor.
- Project Music GenAI is a collaborative effort between Adobe, the University of California, and Carnegie Mellon University's School of Computer Science.
- A public release date is yet to be announced.
Zoom out: - Google's MusicLM and Meta's AudioCraft also generate audio from text prompts, although their music editing tools are limited.
| | | |
| 7 | | QUICK HITS - Business Owners who took Visa or Mastercard from Jan. 1, 2004, to Jan. 25, 2019, apply to see if you are entitled to a portion of a $5.6 billion payout.*
- Major Chinese retailers JD.com, TMall, and Pinduoduo are offering discounts of up to $180 on all iPhone 15 models.
- Apple shareholders have rejected a proposal for an AI transparency report, fearing the move could harm the company's competitive strategy.
- Figure AI, the developer of a humanoid robot designed to fill labor shortages, has secured $675M in funding, valuing the company at $2.6B. The financial backing comes from prominent investors including Jeff Bezos, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Amazon's $1B Industrial Innovation Fund.
- Uncover the trends shaping the business landscape in 2024. From building trust to leveraging tech, our report shares crucial developments for success.*
*This is a sponsored post | | | |
| Upcoming Events | | MAR
7 | | Portfolio Diversification - Learn from knowledgable experts on the latest trends in alternative investment assets like private equity, crypto, real estate, and the art market. | | | | | | | MAR
27 | | Discover how generative AI can speed up your enterprise, expand your business model, and improve your value proposition. Network with hundreds of AI leaders.* | | | | | | * This is a sponsored event | | | |
 | AI and technology writer | | Beth is a contributing editor and writer of Inside's AI and Tech newsletters. She has written for publications including USA Today, the Arizona Business Gazette, and The Arizona Republic, where she received recognition with a Pulitzer Prize nomination and a First Amendment Award for collaborative reporting on state pension cost increases. You can reach her at Beth.Duckett@yahoo.com. | | This newsletter was edited by Eduardo Garcia | |
| |
 | Fellow is the all-in-one AI meeting transcription and management software for remote and hybrid teams. | |
|
| |
