WIRED Business

Let the AI Coding Wars Begin! Mar 31, 2023

The way artificial intelligence can rewrite software will have huge implications for the tech industry—and everyone else, too.

In Sudden Alarm, Tech Doyens Call for a Pause on ChatGPT Mar 30, 2023

Tech luminaries, renowned scientists, and Elon Musk warn of an “out-of-control race” to develop and deploy ever-more-powerful AI systems.

Microsoft's ‘Security Copilot’ Sics ChatGPT on Security Breaches Mar 29, 2023

A new security tool aims to actually deliver the network insights and coordination that “AI” security tools have long promised.

11 Tips to Take Your ChatGPT Prompts to the Next Level Mar 28, 2023

Sure, anyone can use OpenAI’s chatbot. But with smart engineering, you can get way more interesting results.

A US Agency Rejected Face Recognition—and Landed in Big Trouble Mar 27, 2023

Officials working on Login.gov, used to access dozens of government sites, worried about algorithmic bias. Their decision breached federal security rules.

How You Can Tell the AI Images of Trump’s Arrest Are Deepfakes Mar 24, 2023

Doctored images of the former US president went viral on Twitter. These are the telltale signs that they aren’t what they seem.

Meta Is Being Sued in Kenya, Again Mar 23, 2023

Moderators who handled Facebook and Instagram content allege they’ve been blacklisted after raising concerns about working conditions.

Senators Warn the Next US Bank Run Could Be Rigged Mar 22, 2023

Lawmakers call for an investigation into the SVB collapse, fearing hostile foreign governments will use social media to manipulate markets.

Here Are the Skills You Need to Succeed in Tech in 2023 Mar 21, 2023

First, stay human.

USE 3/20 Crypto Faces a Banking Crisis. For Some, It’s a Conspiracy Mar 20, 2023

The collapse of crypto-friendly Silvergate and Signature Bank has left the industry scrambling to find anyone willing to work with them.

In Ukraine, Crypto Finds a Purpose Mar 17, 2023

The UN’s refugee agency has partnered with blockchain and money transfer companies to get vital aid to people displaced by conflict.

Ukrainians’ Google Searches Reveal a Year of Fear—and Hope Mar 16, 2023

Digital traces including social posts and search queries like “How many tank squadrons?” capture a population’s struggle to survive war.

The Silicon Valley Bank Contagion Is Just Beginning Mar 15, 2023

The collapse of SVB isn’t just a tech industry problem—and the rest of the world is about to find out why.

Yes, ChatGPT Is Coming for Your Office Job Mar 14, 2023

White-collar workers may soon face the AI disruption everyone’s been panicking about. But the news may be better than you think.

WhatsApp Has Started a Fight With the UK About Encryption Mar 13, 2023

The head of the messaging app says a new law will undermine privacy. The government says it’s about protecting children.

ChatGPT’s API Is Here. Let the AI Gold Rush Begin Mar 10, 2023

Businesses can now get paid for services built on the large language model, meaning chatbots are going to start appearing everywhere.

Why the Floppy Disk Just Won’t Die Mar 09, 2023

A surprising number of industries, from embroidery to aviation, still use floppy disks. But the supply is finally running out.

What to Do When Your Boss Is Spying on You Mar 08, 2023

Employee monitoring increased with Covid-19’s remote work—and stuck around for back-to-the-office.

New Crypto Mixer Promises to Be Tornado Cash Without the Crime Mar 07, 2023

Privacy Pool founder says he can preserve users’ privacy while keeping money launderers and regulators at bay.

India’s YouTube Vigilante Is Wanted for Murder Mar 06, 2023

Monu Manesar built a huge audience with violent content, but he’s far from the only sectarian streamer in Modi’s India.

Video Games Are a New Propaganda Machine for Iran Mar 03, 2023

The state sponsors titles that cast it in a favorable light and punish indies for depicting a more complex vision of Iranian identity.

An Apple Store Worker Is the New Face of US Labor Law Reform Mar 02, 2023

The company's anti-union tactics at retail outlets have drawn government scrutiny and are fueling a drive to get a new labor bill through Congress.

How Ukraine’s Trains Kept Running Despite Bombs, Blackouts, and Biden Mar 01, 2023

Since Russia’s full-scale assault began, Ukraine’s railways evacuated 4 million people and brought 300 foreign delegations to Kyiv.

Ukraine’s War Brings Autonomous Weapons to the Front Lines Feb 28, 2023

Drones that can find their own targets already exist, making machine-versus-machine conflict just a software update away.

Amazon Has a Donkey Meat Problem Feb 27, 2023

The online retailer sells products meant for human consumption that contain donkey meat. A new lawsuit claims that’s illegal in California.

Alphabet Layoffs Hit Trash-Sorting Robots Feb 24, 2023

The company recently laid off thousands of human workers and is also shutting down a unit working on robots that learned to open doors and clean tables.

Generative AI Is Coming For the Lawyers Feb 23, 2023

Large law firms are using a tool made by OpenAI to research and write legal documents. What could go wrong?

One Startup’s Plan to Help Africa Lure Back Its AI Talent Feb 22, 2023

Lelapa is building a research lab to serve African businesses and nonprofits, with the hope that locally grown algorithms can better serve communities.

Germany Raises Red Flags About Palantir’s Big Data Dragnet Feb 21, 2023

A court has issued strict limits on how police can pull innocent bystanders into big data investigations.

The Scramble to Save Twitter’s Research From Elon Musk Feb 20, 2023

Fearing the company’s new management, researchers frantically completed studies on misinformation and algorithmic bias, then published them online.

Audiobook Narrators Fear Spotify Used Their Voices to Train AI Feb 17, 2023

After a backlash, Spotify has removed a clause that allowed Apple to train machine learning models on some audiobook files.

The Generative AI Race Has a Dirty Secret Feb 16, 2023

Integrating large language models into search engines could mean a fivefold increase in computing power and huge carbon emissions.

The Mastodon Bump Is Now a Slump Feb 15, 2023

Active users have fallen by more than 1 million since the exodus from Elon Musk’s Twitter, suggesting the decentralized platform is not a direct replacement.

Meta’s Gruesome Content Broke Him. Now He Wants It to Pay Feb 14, 2023

A Kenyan moderator sued the company for work-related PTSD. A new ruling on his case could signal a global reckoning for Big Tech outsourcing.

Startup T2 Wants to Terminate Twitter Feb 13, 2023

Cofounder Gabor Cselle says his upstart social network can offer a “2007 Twitter” community vibe that Elon Musk’s platform no longer supplies.

The Race to Build a ChatGPT-Powered Search Engine Feb 10, 2023

A search bot you converse with could make finding answers easier—if it doesn’t tell fibs. Microsoft, Google, Baidu, and others are working on it.

Robot Cars Are Causing 911 False Alarms in San Francisco Feb 09, 2023

City agencies say the incidents and other disruptions show the need for more transparency about the vehicles and a pause on expanding service.

Layoffs Broke Big Tech’s Elite College Hiring Pipeline Feb 08, 2023

Students from top schools used to waltz from Silicon Valley internships into lucrative jobs. Now, some are reconsidering their options.

How the US Could Ban TikTok in 7 Not-So-Easy Steps Feb 07, 2023

Former president Trump tried and failed to ban the app. Now US lawmakers from both parties are preparing legislation they say can finish the job.

Get Used to Face Recognition in Stadiums Feb 06, 2023

Madison Square Garden is under fire for using the technology. Other venues are exploring their own uses of face algorithms, raising privacy concerns.

The Earth Is Begging You to Accept Smaller EV Batteries Feb 03, 2023

Electric vehicles are selling fast. But unless people change how they get around, the demand for battery materials threatens its own environmental disaster.

Alphabet's Layoffs Aren’t Very Googley Feb 02, 2023

The company’s founders pioneered putting employees first and said they’d never bow down to Wall Street. How things have changed.

Tesla’s Problems Go Way Beyond Elon Musk Feb 01, 2023

The EV giant is alienating its customers, bringing in less revenue, and falling behind legacy carmakers.

My Week With the Future of Garbage Bins Jan 31, 2023

A device called Mill from veterans of Nest, the smart-thermostat creator, transforms your would-be kitchen waste intoÂ chicken feed.

FTX Has Wrecked the Crypto Party in Paradise Jan 30, 2023

The digital currency exchange’s stupendous fallout has put local Web3 companies in the Bahamas on the back foot.

Metaverse Landlords Are Creating a New Class System Jan 27, 2023

Virtual landowners have found a way to put their investments to work, but with unintended consequences.

The Collapse of the UK’s Electric Vehicle Champion Jan 26, 2023

Britishvolt promised investors it would be the cornerstone of the country’s battery industry. Now it faces bankruptcy.

Twitter Is a Megaphone for ‘Sudden Death’ Vaccine Conspiracies Jan 25, 2023

By reinstating banned accounts and selling blue checks, Musk has supercharged “the most dangerous” Covid disinformation.

Lina Khan’s Plan to Liberate US Workers Jan 24, 2023

The chair of the Federal Trade Commission explains why she wants to ban companies from locking up employees with noncompete clauses.

On-Demand Tailoring Brings the Gig Economy to Your Wardrobe Jan 23, 2023

A London-based startup is networking seamsters with the goal of personalizing fit and making garments last longer.

Right-to-Repair Advocates Question John Deere’s New Promises Jan 20, 2023

The tractor maker is accused of blocking farmers from fixing their own equipment. A new agreement offers concessions—but campaigners say it’s not enough.

The FAA Outage Highlights an Essential System Everyone Hates Jan 19, 2023

A glitch in the so-called NOTAM system caused the agency to ground flights across the US. But its problems go back years.

Iran Says Face Recognition Will ID Women Breaking Hijab Laws Jan 18, 2023

Iranian women are baring their heads to protest government controls. A top official said algorithms can identify anyone flouting dress codes.

As Gig Economy Companies Flee Europe, Getir Is Taking Over Jan 17, 2023

Rapid grocery delivery apps are leaving the continent, putting the Turkish startup on top. But, its reign is anything but stable.

ChatGPT Has Investors Drooling—but Can It Bring Home the Bacon? Jan 16, 2023

The loquacious bot has Microsoft ready to sink a reported $10 billion into OpenAI. It’s unclear what products can be built on the technology.

Twitter Promised Them Severance. They Got Nothing Jan 13, 2023

Staff laid off by Elon Musk were assured they would be compensated following mass cuts. As the deadline passes, the silence has been deafening.

No One Will Escape the FTX Fallout Jan 12, 2023

Try as they might, crypto companies pressured by the trading platform’s collapse are failing to bail themselves out.

The Slow Death of Surveillance Capitalism Has Begun Jan 11, 2023

A European Union ruling against Meta marks the beginning of the end of targeted ads.

Can’t Decide What to Do About Twitter? Here Are Some Options Jan 10, 2023

It’s not too late to move toward your ideal social media existence. You could opt for Mastodon or Post, or stay and hope things turn around.

Digital Traders Want to Go Fish Jan 09, 2023

A network of trading platforms is restructuring the seafood industry and tackling waste.

Wine Is Getting Pricier Thanks to a Logistical Nightmare Jan 06, 2023

Supply chain issues, drought, and war are conspiring to make it way more expensive to produce the drink around the world.

Sorry, GDP. There Are Other Ways to Measure a Nation’s Worth Jan 05, 2023

A country’s real wealth lies in its equality, environment, and happiness.

Mastodon Is Hurtling Toward a Tipping Point Jan 04, 2023

As the niche, decentralized social networking platform rises in popularity, it faces rising costs, culture shifts—and potential legal risks.

The Overlooked Upsides of Algorithms in the Workplace Dec 30, 2022

Author and labor lawyer Orly Lobel says AI can help mitigate human biases in hiring and compensation.

Big Tech Laid Off Thousands. Here’s Who Wants Them Next Dec 29, 2022

Governments, nonprofits, and small startups hope to scoop up people let go by the likes of Meta and Amazon. It’s their big chance to lure top-tier talent.

The Spawn of ChatGPT Will Try to Sell You Things Dec 28, 2022

Companies are exploring how to adapt powerful new chatbot technology to negotiate with customer service—and to persuade humans to buy stuff.

No One on Twitter Is Safe From Elon Musk Dec 23, 2022

The entrepreneur says he’s cracking down on doxing. Many see his account-blocking spree as self-serving.

Tired, Filthy, and Overworked: Inside Amazon’s Holiday Rush Dec 22, 2022

The retailer’s warehouses are flooded with packages. Workers say that means mandatory extra shifts and faster-paced work.

Amazon Investors Demand Answers About Its Cloud’s Human Rights Record Dec 21, 2022

At the company’s next annual meeting, shareholders will be asked to pressure the company over contracts with US immigration and the Israeli government.

A Fight Over Automation Plans at US Hydroelectric Dams Dec 20, 2022

The US government says replacing staff with automation and remote monitoring saves taxpayers money. Some workers fear accidents and cyberattacks.

A Tale of Two Nuclear Plants Reveals Europe's Energy Divide Dec 19, 2022

An upgraded power plant in Slovakia has angered neighboring Austria and fueled the debate over nuclear power andÂ independence from Russian gas.

These Algorithms Are Hunting for an EV Battery Mother Lode Dec 16, 2022

AI trained on reams of geological data can indicate where to dig in search of metals crucial to electric cars and other green technology.

ChatGPT’s Most Charming Trick Is Also Its Biggest Flaw Dec 15, 2022

The articulate new chatbot has won over the internet and shown how engaging conversational AI can be—even when it makes stuff up.

Elon Musk’s Twitter Isn’t Ready for the Next Natural Disaster Dec 14, 2022

Emergency responders rely on the platform to share and collect lifesaving information. Looser moderation puts that in peril.

A Row Erupts Over Texas’ Bold Bitcoin Battery Plan Dec 13, 2022

Bitcoin miners say they can help stabilize a shaky power grid and prevent blackouts. Experts say it will make the problem worse.

Airbnb Is Running Riot in Small-Town America Dec 12, 2022

The company sent cities scrambling to clamp down on short-term rentals. Now resort towns are feeling the pinch.

San Francisco Just Reversed Its Killer Robot Plan Dec 09, 2022

The city’s board of supervisors has rolled back a controversial decision to let robots use lethal force without human intervention. But the fight is far from over.

The Twitter Files Revealed One Thing: Elon Musk Is Trapped Dec 08, 2022

Messages show Twitter’s past leaders struggling with a tough moderation call with political overtones. Musk is now on the hook for such decisions himself.

How Chinese Netizens Swamped China’s Internet Controls Dec 07, 2022

The government regained control of streets and social networks, but citizens protesting zero-Covid policies proved smartphones can help fuel mass action.

San Francisco's Killer Robots Threaten the City's Most Vulnerable Dec 05, 2022

Law enforcement says that in some scenarios a lethal robot is the only way to protect public safety. Experts say the policy will harm communities of color.

Crypto Contagion Is Spreading, Fast Dec 05, 2022

The collapse of FTX has set off a chain reaction that threatens to topple one of crypto’s oldest and most well-respected institutions.

They Wanted a Baby, Then Twitter Fired Them Dec 02, 2022

From IVF treatments to parental leave, Twitter staff laid off without notice have had their lives upended.

Elon Musk’s Twitter Risks Big Fines From US Regulators Dec 01, 2022

The company’s past failings place its security under scrutiny by the Federal Trade Commission until 2042. Any new mishaps could lead to heavy penalties.

Truth Social Is Rising as the Anti-Mastodon Nov 30, 2022

Amid Twitter chaos and Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential bid, the conservative social network is having a moment of its own.

Here's Proof Hate Speech is More Viral on Elon Musk's Twitter Nov 28, 2022

Researchers monitoring a "firehose" of public tweets found signs of increasing toxicity—before Elon Musk reversed bans on Trump and other divisive figures.

The Race To Save Sam Bankman-Fried’s Other Crypto Exchange Nov 24, 2022

Following the collapse of FTX, a group of volunteers has gathered to try and salvage Serum. But the work is far from straightforward.

This Copyright Lawsuit Could Shape the Future of Generative AI Nov 23, 2022

Algorithms that create art, text, and code are spreading fast—but legal challenges could throw a wrench in the works.

Twitter’s Moderation System Is in Tatters Nov 22, 2022

Disinformation researchers have spent years asking Twitter to remove toxic and fake posts. After Elon Musk’s staff cuts, there’s hardly anyone to talk to.

The Pandemic Bike Boom Survives—in Cities That Stepped Up Nov 21, 2022

Covid lockdowns prompted a surge of new cyclists. But the trend has faltered in places that didn't build bike-friendly infrastructure.

Lyft Aspired to Kill Car Ownership. Now It Aims to Profit From It Nov 18, 2022

The company once claimed that ride-hail services and robotaxis would make personal cars obsolete. Mounting losses have prompted a rethink.

TikTok’s Format Breeds Sassy Customer Service Nov 16, 2022

Unlike the old days of replying to someone’s tweet, brands now poke back at their consumers on social media.

Elon Musk Has Put Twitter’s Free Speech in Danger Nov 16, 2022

Authoritarian countries around the world want to suppress criticism and public opinion. Can this new Twitter fight back?

Elon Musk Is Overloaded Nov 15, 2022

Twitter’s new CEO also leads Tesla, SpaceX, and startups working on tunnel digging and brain implants. His social media project will make it harder to juggle them all.

How to 'Quiet Quit' Twitter Nov 14, 2022

The chaos engulfing the platform provides an opportunity to reclaim control of your online life, without logging off for good.

The Reason for Meta's Massive Layoffs? Ghosts in the Machine Nov 11, 2022

The social media company's failed projects required thousands of staffers who swelled the ranks and never left.

Fintech in Latin America and Africa Is Breaking the Mold Nov 10, 2022

The US and Europe can learn a lot from startups that are nimbler, more digitized, and potentially better at serving underserved people.

Algorithms Quietly Run the City of DC—and Maybe Your Hometown Nov 09, 2022

A new report finds that municipal agencies in Washington deploy dozens of automated decision systems, often without residents’ knowledge.

The Strange Death of the Uyghur Internet Nov 08, 2022

China’s Muslim minority used to have its own budding cluster of websites, forums, and social media. Now that’s been erased.

Cannabis Banking Startups Want to Make It Easy to Buy Weed Nov 07, 2022

In dispensaries, cash is king—and it's a nuisance for business owners and buyers. Fintech players are entering the fray.

Uber Squeezed Europe’s Taxi Drivers. Now It Wants to Hire Them Nov 04, 2022

The ride-sharing giant is trying to end a yearslong battle by offering EU cabbies aggressive financial incentives.

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