Author: Frank Salvato

The Federal Reserve’s latest Beige Book paints a picture of an American economy that continues to expand despite persistent uncertainty, with economic activity increasing at a slight-to-moderate pace in 11 of the nation’s 12 Federal Reserve districts. The lone exception was the San Francisco district, where activity remained flat. Perhaps the most significant takeaway, however, was the growing acknowledgment that employers are increasingly investing in artificial intelligence to improve productivity, automate routine functions, and address ongoing labor challenges. While many businesses reported cautious hiring, they also described continued capital investment in AI technologies, reflecting a long-term confidence in innovation even…

Researchers have unveiled a lightweight robotic vehicle capable of both sustained flight and underwater swimming by closely mimicking the mechanics of diving birds such as puffins, loons, and petrels. Developed through a collaboration between researchers in the United States and Switzerland, the flapping-wing robot weighs less than 300 grams and transitions directly from underwater propulsion to powered flight without requiring separate propellers or flotation devices. Engineers believe the technology could revolutionize oceanographic research, environmental monitoring, infrastructure inspection, and maritime security by allowing a single autonomous platform to gather data above and below the water’s surface. The achievement demonstrates that engineers…

A group of 26 current and former employees has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that Meta relied on artificial intelligence-driven evaluation systems, productivity tracking, and algorithmic performance rankings to help determine which workers would be selected during its recent workforce reduction affecting approximately 8,000 employees. According to the complaint, employees on medical, parental, pregnancy, disability, or family leave were disproportionately disadvantaged because AI-generated productivity metrics inherently penalized workers who were legally absent from their jobs. The plaintiffs argue that the company’s systems failed to account for protected leave, violating federal and state anti-discrimination laws. Meta rejects those allegations, maintaining that…

Netflix’s steady expansion beyond movies and television into gaming, live sports, podcasts, and even creator-style video content is fueling debate over whether the streaming giant is building a stronger entertainment ecosystem or losing focus in an increasingly competitive market. At the same time, the broader technology industry continues to push aggressively into AI-powered smart glasses despite unresolved concerns over privacy, consumer adoption, and social acceptance. The discussion highlights a broader trend in Big Tech: companies increasingly seek to dominate every form of digital engagement, even if doing so risks diluting their core products or normalizing more intrusive technology. While diversification…

Microsoft’s sweeping restructuring of its Xbox division has ignited speculation over whether the gaming business could eventually become an independent company. After announcing thousands of layoffs, plans to divest multiple game studios, and a broad strategic reset under Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, analysts are now openly debating whether Microsoft should go further by spinning off or selling the entire Xbox operation. While no decision has been announced, the discussion reflects growing concern that Microsoft’s massive investment in gaming has failed to generate returns comparable to its competitors. The company’s renewed emphasis on artificial intelligence and higher-margin businesses has only intensified…

A new opinion piece argues that today’s widespread anxiety over artificial intelligence closely resembles the public’s reaction to earlier breakthrough technologies, particularly radio during its infancy in the 1920s. Using the story of 19-year-old radio engineer Lester J. Wolf, who was electrocuted while restoring a radio transmitter in 1926 and was memorialized as a “martyr” to broadcasting, the article contends that society has a long history of assuming revolutionary technologies will produce catastrophic consequences before their benefits become clear. While acknowledging that AI carries legitimate risks requiring oversight, the piece suggests Americans should distinguish between realistic dangers and the tendency…

Apple’s canceled self-driving car program may ultimately be remembered not as one of the company’s biggest failures, but as the catalyst for its current artificial intelligence hardware strategy. Engineers working on the autonomous vehicle project recognized years ago that safe self-driving technology would require massive on-device AI processing power, leading to the development of Apple’s Neural Engine architecture. That technology first appeared in the A11 Bionic processor powering the iPhone X before expanding across the company’s M-series chips. Apple is now reportedly accelerating development of its next-generation M7 processors, bypassing higher-end M6 variants in favor of significantly more powerful AI-focused…

There was a time when surveillance meant something visible—cameras mounted on street corners, intelligence agencies gathering classified information, or law enforcement tracking suspects with warrants in hand. Today, that paradigm has shifted into something far more subtle, far more pervasive, and arguably far more dangerous. Surveillance is no longer just about watching—it’s about shaping behavior through economic systems that most people interact with daily, often without a second thought. At the center of this transformation is the convergence of financial infrastructure and digital technology. What was once a relatively neutral system for facilitating commerce is rapidly becoming a mechanism for…

The European Parliament has reignited controversy over online privacy after a procedural vote resulted in the continuation of the EU’s temporary “Chat Control” framework, even though more Members of the European Parliament voted against the measure than in favor of it. Under the EU’s legislative rules, opponents needed an absolute majority of all lawmakers—not merely a majority of those voting—to block the proposal. As a result, the temporary regulation allowing technology companies to voluntarily scan private electronic communications for child sexual abuse material remains in effect despite receiving more “no” than “yes” votes. Supporters argue the measure is essential to…

Chicago officials are moving to close what they see as a growing ethical loophole by prohibiting city employees and elected officials from using confidential government information to profit on prediction-market platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket. The proposed ordinance, which unanimously advanced from the City Council’s Ethics and Government Oversight Committee, would explicitly ban the use of nonpublic information to place or assist others in placing wagers on government actions, elections, zoning decisions, investigations, and other events that could be influenced by insider knowledge. Supporters argue the measure is necessary because prediction markets have expanded far faster than government ethics…