Tuesday, March 24, 2026

Pentagon ban of Anthropic faces judge; Claude AI maker seeks injunction

Anthropic is challenging the Pentagon's recent ban on its Claude AI models in federal court, seeking a preliminary injunction to prevent the enforcement of a supply chain risk designation and a directive from former President Trump that prohibits federal agencies from using its technology. The company argues that without this legal relief, it risks losing billions in contracts and facing reputational damage, while the Pentagon maintains it does not use the AI for controversial purposes.

Meet the former Apple designer building a new AI interface at Hark

Hark, an AI lab founded by entrepreneur Brett Adcock, is working on a groundbreaking interface that combines model-building and hardware design to enhance human interaction with AI. The company aims to create a system with persistent memory that can engage with users in real time, reflecting a shift towards more intelligent and personalized technology. With a team led by former Apple designer Abidur Chowdhury, Hark plans to unveil its AI models this summer, positioning itself in the competitive landscape of consumer AI products.

Google’s Android Automotive is moving from the dashboard to the ‘brain’ of the car

Google has announced an expansion of its Android Automotive open-source operating system, moving beyond the infotainment system to manage non-safety components of vehicles. This shift aims to address industry fragmentation and enhance the in-car experience, promising faster updates and better integration of features like climate control and maintenance alerts.

As Iran war causes gas and airfares to spike, lawmakers warn of price gouging — but experts point to supply shocks

As the U.S.-Iran war continues, consumers are facing significant price increases for gas and airline tickets, with gasoline averaging $3.98 per gallon and jet fuel prices up 106% in just a month. Lawmakers, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren, are raising concerns about potential price gouging, while experts attribute the price hikes to severe supply shocks rather than unfair business practices.

Agile Robots and Google Deepmind team up to bring AI-powered robots to factories

Agile Robots, based in Munich, has teamed up with Google Deepmind to integrate advanced AI capabilities into its robotic systems, addressing the increasing demand for adaptable automation in industrial settings. This partnership will leverage Google Deepmind's Gemini Robotics AI models, allowing robots to independently plan and execute complex tasks, with ongoing improvements driven by real-world operational data.

Flighty’s new update gives you real-time alerts about airport disturbances

Flighty has rolled out a new 'Airport Intelligence' feature that provides real-time alerts about disruptions at 14,000 airports worldwide, addressing the growing chaos in air travel. This update comes amid increased flight delays and cancellations due to geopolitical tensions and staffing shortages in the U.S. The feature translates complex aviation data into user-friendly insights, helping travelers understand how disruptions may affect their journeys.

Apple to bring paid ads to maps to US, Canada this summer

Apple announced plans to introduce paid advertisements in its Maps service across the U.S. and Canada this summer, marking its entry into a market historically dominated by Google. The ads will appear alongside organic search results, allowing advertisers to claim their physical locations through new business tools that Apple intends to revamp next month. This initiative aligns with Apple's strategy to bolster its services business while maintaining its commitment to user privacy.

Google brings AI-powered dark web analysis to enterprise security teams

At the RSA Conference 2026, Google Cloud launched new AI-driven security features, including an agent named 'Triage and Investigation' that autonomously evaluates security alerts for enterprise teams. This tool aims to reduce the time security analysts spend on false positives, addressing the growing sophistication of cybercriminals who now exploit vulnerabilities within just 22 seconds of intrusion.

Roku’s $3 Howdy subscription service launches on Prime Video

Roku has announced the launch of its $3 ad-free streaming service, Howdy, on Amazon's Prime Video, marking its first expansion beyond the Roku platform. Launched in August 2025, Howdy offers nearly 10,000 hours of content from major studios like Lionsgate and Disney, aiming to complement existing premium services. Subscribers can access Howdy through their Amazon Prime membership or a standalone Prime Video subscription.

John Deere, Garmin, and Philips may have undermined military right to repair

Recent lobbying reports reveal that companies such as John Deere, Garmin, and Philips spent nearly $2 million to influence the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which included a right-to-repair provision for military equipment. Despite support from Pentagon leaders, lawmakers removed the provision, leaving the military's right-to-repair efforts stalled as the new NDAA mandates only a digital tracking system for repair data.

Microsoft hires top AI researchers from Allen Institute for AI for Suleyman's Superintelligence team

Microsoft has hired prominent AI researchers from the Allen Institute for AI, including former CEO Ali Farhadi, language model expert Hanna Hajishirzi, and multimodal specialist Ranjay Krishna. They will join Mustafa Suleyman's Superintelligence team while maintaining their positions at the University of Washington. This recruitment is part of Microsoft's strategy to lessen its reliance on OpenAI for AI models, coinciding with a significant funding shift at Ai2, which is now prioritizing applied AI projects.

'Property Brothers' Jonathan Scott: AI could unleash housing market prosperity

Jonathan Scott, known from 'Property Brothers,' argues that leveraging AI could significantly improve the sluggish US housing market by expediting permit approvals, which currently face lengthy delays. He highlights his own experience where a permit was granted in under three weeks, contrasting it with the typical wait times of six months or more. The housing market is currently characterized by rising mortgage rates and affordability challenges, with households spending nearly half of their income on bills.

Ayaneo says selling its Windows gaming handheld ‘is no longer sustainable’

Ayaneo has announced the suspension of preorders for its Next 2 gaming handheld, originally priced at $1,999, citing unsustainable production costs driven by skyrocketing storage prices. The company revealed that the cost to manufacture the device has nearly doubled since its initial pricing, making it no longer viable to continue sales. While preorders are temporarily halted, Ayaneo will fulfill existing orders and may consider resuming sales if storage costs stabilize.

Securing AI systems under today’s and tomorrow’s conditions

A recent eBook by Utimaco highlights that security risks are the primary barrier to AI adoption, with organizations needing to address threats throughout the AI lifecycle. As quantum computing advances, current cryptographic methods will become vulnerable, necessitating a shift to quantum-resistant protocols and hardware-based trust mechanisms to safeguard sensitive data and maintain model integrity.

Alibaba reveals new AI chip designed for 'agents'

Alibaba has unveiled the XuanTie C950, a central processing unit (CPU) specifically designed to enhance the capabilities of agentic AI systems. This new chip, which will be deployed in data centers, focuses on inferencing tasks that allow AI models to operate effectively. Built on RISC-V architecture, the XuanTie C950 aims to provide significant performance improvements and customization options for various AI applications.

Gap says it will launch checkout within Google's Gemini, in an AI first from a major fashion company

Gap has announced a partnership with Google Gemini, allowing customers to purchase products directly within the AI platform, marking it as the first major fashion retailer to implement such a feature. This move aims to enhance the shopping experience by integrating AI-driven product discovery and checkout, while Gap continues to refine its customer-facing AI tools. The initiative comes as retailers adapt to shifting consumer behaviors favoring AI platforms over traditional search methods.

Trump's market-moving post, the new DHS chief, Gap's AI push and more in Morning Squawk

President Donald Trump's announcement of productive talks with Iran has sparked optimism on Wall Street, leading to a significant market rally. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by over 600 points, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite each gained more than 1%. This surge comes amid ongoing volatility in the oil market, with Chevron's CEO warning of potential upward price pressure due to supply disruptions.

Daily Spotlight: War Roils Oil Price Outlook

The price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil has skyrocketed into triple-digit territory due to the ongoing war in Iran, which, despite producing only 3% of the world's oil, has significantly impacted global supply routes. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world's oil supply is transported, has pushed prices to $90 per barrel, marking a 60% increase from earlier lows this year. Analysts have revised their 2026 oil price forecast to $75 per barrel, reflecting the heightened geopolitical tensions and damage to oil infrastructure in the region.

Gemini could let you transfer chat history from other AI apps, like a game of ‘telephone’

Google Gemini is working on a feature that would allow users to transfer chat history and memory from other AI applications, making it easier for users to switch platforms without losing their previous interactions. This feature, still in development and not yet available publicly, would enable Gemini to build a user profile based on information imported from other chatbots, potentially improving the AI's contextual understanding and response quality.

Flighty launches new ‘Airport Intelligence’ feature, here’s how it works

Flighty has rolled out a significant update with its new 'Airport Intelligence' feature, available in version 4.8 of the app and on the web. This feature allows users to better understand and anticipate flight delays by analyzing disruptions caused by weather, traffic, and staffing issues, providing real-time insights into airport conditions globally.

Apple takes aim at Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 with new hosted business email

Apple is challenging the dominance of Google and Microsoft in the enterprise email and calendar market with its new Apple Business platform, offering a free hosted email service for businesses. This service allows companies to use their custom domain names and provides essential features like calendar delegation and a company directory, all integrated within the Apple Business portal. With support for up to 500 users and compatibility with various email clients, Apple aims to attract startups and new businesses looking for a comprehensive solution.

Update on the OpenAI Foundation

The OpenAI Foundation is launching a comprehensive initiative to leverage AI for societal benefits, backed by a new funding commitment of at least $1 billion. This investment will focus on advancing life sciences, addressing economic impacts of AI, and ensuring resilience against emerging challenges posed by advanced AI technologies. Key appointments include Jacob Trefethen leading the Life Sciences program and Wojciech Zaremba heading AI Resilience, signaling a robust approach to harnessing AI for public good.

Galaxy S26 Ultra teardown shows off easy battery repairs, if you can ever find the parts

The Galaxy S26 Ultra, while not drastically changing its design, offers several appealing upgrades, including a lighter chassis and a Privacy Display. However, a recent teardown by iFixit reveals a mixed bag in terms of repairability, with easy battery replacements contrasted by challenges in accessing the selfie camera and display, resulting in a provisional score of 5/10.

Revenium Unveils Tool Registry to Expose the True Cost of AI Agents

Revenium has introduced its Tool Registry, a platform aimed at providing enterprises with a detailed understanding of the true costs associated with AI agents. Unlike traditional token-based tracking, this tool attributes all expenses, including those from APIs and human interventions, to the specific AI decisions that incur them. This innovation addresses the challenge of fragmented cost visibility, enabling organizations to better assess the financial value generated by their AI investments.