WSJ Tech News Briefing

Plus, Polymarket blocks users in France from placing new bets. And the U.K.’s competition watchdog recommends investigating Apple and Google’s mobile ecosystems. Belle Lin hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Wall Street Journal’s Personal Tech team rounded up their favorite stuff to wear, help them get fit and more. WSJ personal tech columnist Nicole Nguyen and personal tech news editor Shara Tibken join host Belle Lin to discuss their picks for the year. Plus, the gene-editing tool Crispr comes for tomatoes to make them sweeter. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In remote Quebec, the mining giant Glencore is turning America’s electronic trash back into treasure. WSJ reporter Ryan Dezember joins host Belle Lin to talk about how recycled copper could help meet the demands of the energy transition and data boom. Plus, a look at a new Transportation Security Administration program that allows travelers to use their faces for identity verification at airport security checkpoints. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus, Elon Musk’s xAI startup is valued at $50 billion. And the U.S. military selects a little-known Utah supplier for its drone program. Belle Lin hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new entertainment studio called Promise will incorporate generative artificial-intelligence tools into various stages of production for movies and shows. WSJ deputy media editor Jessica Toonkel joins host Belle Lin to talk about how the studio will make AI-powered entertainment and what it means for the industry. Plus, what to expect from chip giant Nvidia’s earnings today. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus, it’s not just data centers—networking capabilities need upgrades for AI too. And how AI is playing a role in preparing for earnings day. Belle Lin hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some Republican lawmakers and policy agenda Project 2025 have criticized the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency for overreach. WSJ reporter James Rundle joins host Belle Lin to talk about how President-elect Trump’s second term might shape the cyber agency, from more robust abilities for it to detect and respond to cyber threats, to drastic budget cuts.Plus, why some techies are taking their meetings and networking events to saunas. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus, Trump picks Brendan Carr as FCC Chair. And Roblox adds parental controls. Belle Lin hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the most significant expansions of online protection for children in decades is currently languishing in the House, without a clear path to passage. WSJ reporter Georgia Wells joins host James Rundle to discuss what happened to the Kids Online Safety Act, and how intense lobbying from tech giants including Meta Platforms and Alphabet’s Google contributed to its struggles. Plus, we preview Bold Names, a new series from WSJ columnists Christopher Mims and Tim Higgins. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tesla, and its CEO Elon Musk, are the big names in electric vehicles, but a lot of competitors are nipping at their heels, including one led by a former top Tesla engineer. Peter Rawlinson is the CEO of Lucid, a billion-dollar auto startup he says has better technology than its rivals. The company recently completed a $1.75 billion stock offering, and has backing from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. Now, as major automakers such as Volkswagen, General Motors and Ford pull back on their EV ambitions, find out why Rawlinson says Lucid’s all-in on luxury vehicles with a high price tag and, eventually, smaller batteries. Plus, why he says he won’t be building a $20,000 EV any time soon. He speaks to WSJ’s Tim Higgins and Christopher Mims in episode one of our interview series Bold Names.   Further Reading Why Elon Musk’s Robotaxi Dreams Are Premature  Elon Musk Plays a Familiar Song: Robot Cars Are Coming  Ultralong-Range Electric Cars Are Arriving. Say Goodbye to Charging Stops.  Used EVs Sell for Bargain Prices Now, Putting Owners and Dealers in a Bind  Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus, General Motors lays off 1,000 workers. And Samsung plans a massive share buyback program. James Rundle hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As U.S. officials warn that disinformation from Russia, China and Iran is reaching unprecedented levels, a key office in the State Department designed to counter these operations may shut its doors this year. WSJ’s national security correspondent, Michael Gordon, joins host James Rundle to talk about why the Global Engagement Center, which works with U.S. intelligence agencies to counter propaganda, is facing a difficult road to reauthorization. Plus, companies looking to make lithium-ion batteries safer are facing headwinds. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus, a consumer protection group sues Apple. And Cisco posts lower revenue and profit, but results beat analyst estimates. James Rundle hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The use of drones is transforming how the war in Ukraine is being fought. Squadrons of pilots, mostly young men, are deploying skills and reflexes learned from videogames to attack Russian troops and inflicting casualties, while acting like military startups in the field. WSJ’s Ukraine bureau chief, James Marson, joins host James Rundle to discuss how this new crop of nontraditional soldiers are developing the future of modern warfare. Plus, we put artificial-intelligence chatbots through their paces, with a weekend in the woods. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus, Amazon launches sub-$20 section. And chip maker AMD lays off over 1,000 workers. James Rundle hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Big tech companies are striking deals to bring more nuclear power online to meet the energy demands of AI while curbing surging carbon emissions tied to data centers. Now, one provider of nuclear power is looking to bring Pennsylvania’s Three Mile Island plant back to life, after closing it just five years ago. WSJ reporter Jennifer Hiller joins host James Rundle to explain what’s happening in Harrisburg. Plus, Meta is trying to appease European regulators by making Facebook and Instagram ads less personal. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus, 23andMe lays off 40% of its staff. And SoftBank returns to profit. James Rundle hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cryptocurrency companies have had to get used to heavy regulation over the past four years. With President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House, they’re hoping for relief – and they’ve spent big to make sure they get it. WSJ reporter Vicky Huang joins host James Rundle to explain what the crypto industry expects from Washington over the next four years. Plus, artificial intelligence is reshaping the way that advertising agencies get paid. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus, Tencent builds another Indonesian data center. And FTX’s estate sues Binance for $1.8 billion. James Rundle hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices