Science and Technology

In a significant escalation of its efforts to counter foreign influence in its electoral processes, the U.S. Department of Justice has launched a full criminal investigation into American individuals who have been associated with Russian state media outlets. This action underscores a proactive approach to safeguarding the integrity of the upcoming November presidential election. Earlier this month, FBI operations included raids on the residences of two well-known individuals with ties to Russian media: Scott Ritter, a former United Nations weapons inspector and a vocal critic of U.S. foreign policy, and Dimitri K. Simes, who served as an advisor to Donald…

In a recent groundbreaking legal move, a University of Massachusetts Amherst professor has taken an unconventional approach to challenging Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Using Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, a law traditionally seen as a protective shield for social media platforms, the professor’s lawsuit seeks judicial affirmation of software that would allow users to unfollow all of their Facebook contacts at once. Historically, Section 230 has been instrumental in the growth and development of major technology companies by exempting them from liability for user-generated content. This legal shield has been a cornerstone of…

In a significant move, the California State Assembly’s Appropriations Committee on Thursday approved a revised version of the artificial intelligence regulatory bill, known as SB 1047. The legislation seeks to establish groundbreaking safety protocols for AI technologies, requiring companies to conduct extensive safety testing before these technologies are introduced to consumers. The bill, which is now inching closer to becoming law, would authorize the California attorney general to take legal action against companies whose AI systems cause substantial harm, such as serious property damage or loss of life. The proposed regulations have sparked heated debate among tech elites, academics, and…

Cisco Systems, a leading developer of computer networking solutions based in San Jose, California, said it will reduce its workforce by 7 percent, marking its second significant reduction this year. The decision means about 6,000 job losses from its 84,900-person workforce as of July 2023. Earlier this year, Cisco had already cut its workforce by 4,000. Despite the job cuts, Cisco reported net income of $2.16 billion for the latest quarter, a 45 percent decline from the previous year, with revenue falling 10 percent to $13.64 billion. However, those numbers still beat expectations set by Wall Street, sending Cisco's stock…

Tech mogul Elon Musk has stepped up his public support for Donald Trump, using his social media platform, X, as a key vehicle for political endorsement. Musk’s support for Trump, which has grown significantly following a recent assassination attempt against the former president, now includes the formation of a PAC to support Trump’s political efforts and publicly criticize his opponents. In a notable move, Musk scheduled a live event with Trump on X for Monday, signaling deeper engagement with the political landscape through his platform. The event is part of Musk’s broader strategy to leverage X not just as a…