California's digital driver's licenses now work with Apple Wallet
Californians can now securely add their digital driver’s license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on their iPhone and Apple Watch, the company announced Thursday. “With this new…
Swedan Margen
I focus on highlighting the latest in business and entrepreneurship. I enjoy bringing fresh perspectives to the table and sharing stories that inspire growth and innovation.
Social media platforms engaged in 'vast surveillance' and failed to protect young people, FTC finds
Major social media platforms and video streaming services that gather a “staggering” amount of data from their users have failed to protect young people and safeguard online privacy, the…
Opinion: California's AI safety bill is under fire. Making it law is the best way to improve it
On Aug. 29, the California Legislature passed Senate Bill 1047 — the Safe and Secure Innovation for Frontier Artificial Intelligence Models Act — and sent it to Gov. Gavin Newsom for…
Gov. Newsom signs AI-related bills regulating Hollywood actor replicas and deep fakes
SAN FRANCISCO — Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday signed a handful of artificial intelligence-related bills that would give actors more protection over their digital likenesses and fight…
A computer on your face? Snap and others still trying to make augmented reality glasses a reality
In its relentless search for ways to weave digital products into people’s lives, Big Tech has achieved some big wins. Smart phones are ubiquitous. Apple Watch users talk to their wrists.…
In 'liberal' San Francisco, the sole progressive vying for mayor is an underdog
SAN FRANCISCO — After 17 years wielding power and influence on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, Aaron Peskin is facing a rather existential moment: Has this famously liberal city…
Google to invest in satellites and AI to better detect wildfires
Amid an outbreak of recent wildfires in California, Google announced a commitment to spend $13 million to improve satellite imaging to help track and detect wildfires, starting as early as…
'A stab in the back.' How Elon Musk's decision to move X from San Francisco is stirring mixed emotions
SAN FRANCISCO — When Elon Musk took over Twitter in 2022, it marked a new era for the struggling San Francisco company. As the deal neared completion, Musk, the eccentric entrepreneur…
'How Elon Musk Destroyed Twitter' authors say platform is 'a tool for controlling political discourse'
On the Shelf Character Limit: How Elon Musk Destroyed Twitter By Kate Conger and Ryan Mac Penguin Press: 480 pages, $32 If you buy books linked on our site, The Times may earn a commission…
Apple touts latest AI tools as it unveils iPhone 16
SAN FRANCISCO — Apple on Monday unveiled its newest generation of iPhones, with the usual improvements to their cameras and computing power. But this time, the company touted an additional…
Opinion: How to avoid AI-enhanced attempts to manipulate the election
The headlines this election cycle have been dominated by unprecedented events, among them Donald Trump’s criminal conviction, the attempt on his life, Joe Biden’s disastrous debate…
A new book chronicles the battle over AI, but fails to question whether AI is worth battling over
Book Reviews Supremacy: AI, ChatGPT, and the Race That Will Change the World By Parmy Olson St. Martin’s Press” 336 pages, $30 If you buy books linked on our site, The Times may earn a…
Online fraudster on the loose after bilking investors out of millions with fake inventions, websites
Online, the deeds and ingenuity of Dennis Fountaine had no bounds. One website listed the 67-year-old as a “technologist and entrepreneurial inventor” who has been “conceptualizing,…
This is what's missing in our sex lives in 2024, according to Esther Perel
Esther Perel’s trajectory from private practice psychotherapist to internationally renowned relationship expert is deeply entwined with technology. It was her publisher’s printing presses…
California is racing to combat deepfakes ahead of the election
Days after Vice President Kamala Harris launched her presidential bid, a video — created with the help of artificial intelligence — went viral. “I ... am your Democrat candidate for…
Yelp versus Google: An antitrust court fight plays out in San Francisco
San Francisco — For years, Yelp has complained about Google’s practices, alleging that the tech giant placed its own products above competitors in Google search results. Yelp says when a…
Opinion: Silicon Valley is maximizing profit at everyone's expense. It doesn't have to be this way
A public battle has broken out among the titans of Silicon Valley. One side, led by Elon Musk, PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel and venture capitalists Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, is…
AI safety bill passes California Legislature
A controversial bill that would require developers of advanced AI models to adopt safety measures is one step closer to becoming law. The bill, SB 1047, would require developers of future…
Opinion: How bringing back the woolly mammoth could save species that still walk the Earth
As more species are pushed to the brink of extinction, conservationists are responding to our biodiversity crisis in new and sometimes controversial ways. One such novel approach could be…
Uber will add driverless Cruise vehicles to its fleet in 2025
After losing its California operating license last year over safety concerns, the autonomous vehicle company Cruise will soon partner with Uber to offer driverless transportation through…
Deal reached in feud between California news outlets and Google: $250 million to support journalism but no new law
SACRAMENTO — California lawmakers intend to shelve legislation that would have required Google to pay news outlets for distributing their content, and in its place announced on Wednesday a…
Trump posted a fake Taylor Swift image. AI and deepfakes are only going to get worse this election cycle
A patriotic image shows megastar Taylor Swift dressed up like Uncle Sam, falsely suggesting she endorses Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. “Taylor Wants You To Vote For Donald…
This controversial California AI bill was amended to quell Silicon Valley fears. Here’s what changed
A controversial bill that seeks to protect Californians from artificial intelligence-driven catastrophes has caused uproar in the tech industry. This week, the legislation passed a key…
Will this California bill to regulate AI protect consumers or gut tech?
Aug. 8, 2024 3 AM PT California is a world leader in artificial intelligence — which means we’re expected to help figure out how to regulate it. The state is considering multiple bills to…