OpenAI eyes Chrome amid Google antitrust case OpenAI has expressed interest in acquiring Google’s Chrome browser if regulators mandate its sale due to antitrust violations. During a US Department of Justice (DOJ) trial, OpenAI’s head of product for ChatGPT, Nick Turley, claimed that integrating ChatGPT with Chrome could deliver a superior AI-driven user experience. […]
OpenAI eyes Chrome amid Google antitrust case
OpenAI has expressed interest in acquiring Google’s Chrome browser if regulators mandate its sale due to antitrust violations.
During a US Department of Justice (DOJ) trial, OpenAI’s head of product for ChatGPT, Nick Turley, claimed that integrating ChatGPT with Chrome could deliver a superior AI-driven user experience.
The DOJ has accused Google of maintaining an illegal monopoly in online search and advertising, proposing the forced sale of Chrome as a remedy. Google has denied these claims.
Chrome holds a 61% share of the US browser market, and its divestiture could disrupt Google’s dominance.
WhatsApp defends ‘optional’ AI tool that cannot be turned off
Meta is facing criticism over WhatsApp’s new AI-powered tool, which the company claims is “optional” – even though it cannot be disabled by users.
The feature, designed to assist with message composition, has raised privacy and user autonomy concerns.
Critics argue that labelling the tool as optional is misleading, as users have no means to deactivate it.
WhatsApp has defended the feature, stating that it aims to enhance user experience, but the controversy highlights ongoing debates about AI integration in communication platforms.
US unveils 3,500% tariffs on Southeast Asian solar panels
The US has announced a huge increase in tariffs on solar panels imported from Southeast Asia, following a year-long trade investigation.
The tariffs range from 41.56% on Jinko Solar’s Malaysian products, to over 3,500% levies on Cambodian suppliers.
The tariffs are separate to President Donald Trump’s current trade war, as they follow an investigation first launched by the Biden administration that looked to protect US manufacturers from allegedly unfair competition.
The Solar Energy Industries Association has criticised the move, arguing that the tariffs could increase costs for US producers reliant on imported components.
The new tariffs come amidst the backdrop of Trump’s wider tariff policy, which is impacting US trade partners across the globe.
Boaty McBoatface used in pioneering quantum experiments
Aquark Technologies has successfully carried out a quantum experiment to trap cold atoms underwater for the first time in partnership with the National Oceanography Centre and its Autosub Long Range, better known as ‘Boaty McBoatface’.
The quantum test saw the Nato Diana Accelerator Programme member leverage the NOC’s ALR Boaty to trial its ultra-cold atom source underwater in the NOC’s test tank.
The test was carried out to collect data for cold atom systems which could be used in quantum applications including advanced navigation, medical diagnostics, and environmental monitoring.
The ALR shot to fame in the UK after the NOC held an online poll in 2016 to name its £200 million polar scientific research ship. Despite being the most popular choice, the name was rejected in favour of RRS David Attenborough, with one of the ship’s submersibles instead being named “Boaty”.
Tesla whistleblower wins latest legal battle
A Tesla whistleblower has been handed a legal win in their ongoing battle against Elon Musk’s electric carmaker.
A US court issued a ruling supporting former Tesla engineer Cristina Balan who was fired after raising a safety concern in 2014 about a design flaw which could affect the cars’ braking.
A panel of appeal judges in California reversed a previous judge’s decision to dismiss her defamation case against the company, meaning she now could potentially face Musk in open court.
It comes as Musk has said he will reduce his responsibilities at the Department for Government Efficiency (Doge) to refocus on Tesla.
President Trump tasked Musk with reducing government waste when he took office in January, but the billionaire has been accused of losing focus on his car company after Tesla saw a significant drop in both sales and revenue since the start of the year
