WSJ Tech News Briefing

On the social-media platform X, owner Elon Musk has been making posts that some people see as pro-Russia, accusing him of being an apologist for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Musk has called these accusations "absurd.? WSJ columnist Tim Higgins tells host Alex Ossola why his comments are raising questions about how X will be used in the upcoming U.S. presidential election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: Reddit plans to reserve shares for top users when it goes public next month. And EV startup Rivian plans to lay off 10% of staff. Alex Ossola hosts.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Artificial intelligence is already changing work across industries. Companies are looking to AI tools to help them operate more efficiently, and in some cases, increasing automation in their workforces. But as workers upskill and reskill how can they?and the companies that employ them?keep up with the pace of innovation? Andrew Ng, managing general partner of AI Fund, spoke with WSJ global tech editor Jason Dean at the WSJ CIO Network Summit about how AI will affect the labor force, and which companies are positioning themselves the best in the AI market. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: Walmart buys TV maker Vizio. And a court orders a new trial for music labels suing internet provider Cox Communications. Alex Ossola hosts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In March 2023, education nonprofit Khan Academy launched an AI-powered education chatbot known as Khanmigo. Some 65,000 kids in grades three and up, in schools across the country, are part of an ongoing pilot of the tool. It's supposed to serve as a personal tutor for students in whatever subject they might need help with. But as WSJ education reporter Matt Barnum found when he tested the bot, it sometimes struggled with basic math. He joins host Alex Ossola to talk about what that means for students. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: Paramount Global and Comcast held talks over combining Paramount+ and Peacock streaming services. And why influential investor Cathie Wood is selling millions in Nvidia stock. Alex Ossola hosts.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Google recently launched Gemini, a new artificial-intelligence system it says is more powerful than any currently on the market, including technology developed by ChatGPT creator OpenAI. Eli Collins, vice president of product management at Google DeepMind, spoke with WSJ reporter Miles Kruppa about some of the early use cases for Gemini and how Google is accelerating its AI push. Their conversation was recorded at WSJ?s CIO Network Summit on February 13. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: Two senators criticize the FDA for its guidance on prescription-drug promotion on social media. And OpenAI introduces a new text-to-video AI tool. Alex Ossola hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Altering the ocean or atmosphere to mitigate the effects of climate change is an approach called geoengineering. For scientists, these techniques were long considered taboo. But now, that?s changing. Researchers and startups are launching three geoengineering field experiments in Israel, Australia and Massachusetts this year. But will they work and could there be unintended consequences? WSJ reporter Eric Niiler tells host Alex Ossola about these projects, and what they could mean for the future of the planet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: New York City sues social-media companies. And Cisco plans to lay off 5% of staff. Alex Ossola hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During the pandemic, automakers got the message that they needed to invest in electric vehicles. In an effort to meet surging demand, they came out with new models and devised ways to make their own batteries. And then, in the span of just six months, things changed. Potential EV buyers have proven more hesitant, forcing automakers to reconsider overzealous demand projections. WSJ reporter Mike Colias tells host Alex Ossola what happened, and how automakers are reacting. Plus, listen to The Future of Everything podcast episode on how biometrics could change security at work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: Instacart is laying off 7% of staff. And Walmart is in talks to buy smart TV company Vizio. Alex Ossola hosts.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you caught the Super Bowl over the weekend, chances are you saw at least one ad for Temu. Since the China-backed company launched in the U.S. in September 2022, it?s been pouring money into marketing?Temu was the fifth-largest digital advertising spender in the final three months of 2023. It?s trying to become the go-to place for Americans to buy cheap goods online. But can it overcome its more established rivals? WSJ reporter Shen Lu tells host Alex Ossola about Temu?s marketing strategy, and whether it?s paying off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: Digital freight startup CDL 1000 acquires competitor NEXT Trucking. And Gilead Sciences expands its portfolio to treat liver disease by acquiring biopharma company CymaBay Therapeutics. Alex Ossola hosts.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The tech industry has had a big impact on San Francisco, but for years Silicon Valley leaders have largely stayed out of city politics. Now, that?s changing. In an effort to combat issues like crime and homelessness, Silicon Valley investors and executives are holding fundraising events for local candidates and using their influence to sway public opinion. WSJ technology reporter Preetika Rana tells host Alex Ossola why this involvement?particularly during an election year?could determine San Francisco?s future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: Amazon Prime Video will stream its first NFL playoff game next season. And Nikola?s board rejects nominees from former Chairman and Founder Trevor Milton. Alex Ossola hosts.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amazon has long been the biggest online retailer in the U.S., offering customers low prices and quick delivery times. Now, competitors like Shein, TikTok and Temu are looking to beat Amazon at its own game. They?re building up their U.S. logistics operations. Shein and TikTok are even opening offices in Seattle in an effort to poach talent from Amazon. WSJ reporter Sebastian Herrera tells host Alex Ossola about these moves?and whether they could be enough to unseat Amazon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: The FCC outlaws robocalls made with AI voices. And Disney will bring the Magic Kingdom to ?Fortnite.? Alex Ossola hosts.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Money and drugs tie Elon Musk to some Tesla directors, and some shareholders have questioned whether the board of directors is truly independent. Some board members have invested in Musk?s other companies, and, as The Wall Street Journal exclusively reports, they have deep personal ties to Musk, too. WSJ reporter Emily Glazer tells host Alex Ossola more about these personal and financial relationships, and how they could affect the companies? business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: The CEO of Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, steps down. And Alibaba posts lackluster sales growth. Alex Ossola hosts.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices