WSJ Tech News Briefing

Plus, the Biden administration issues new rules on transferring chips to China. And Super Micro Computer says a final review of its accounting showed no evidence of fraud or misconduct by its board or management. Danny Lewis hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Figma is a collaboration-software company that helps designers and product developers work together to build software products. And the company is looking to incorporate artificial intelligence into every step of the development process. At WSJ Tech Live in October, Figma co-founder and CEO Dylan Field joined WSJ global tech editor Jason Dean for a chat about collaboration in the AI-era. We play you highlights of that conversation. Julie Chang hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

JB Straubel was Elon Musk’s battery guy. Now he’s trying to turn what some see as trash into power for the electric vehicle revolution. Straubel was there at the earliest days of Tesla, and in his 15 years with the electric vehicle company, he played an integral role: he developed the battery pack used in the first Tesla vehicle, was the company’s Chief Technology Officer, and now sits on the board of directors. But his day job is running the battery-recycling startup Redwood Materials, and he envisions a future where recycled batteries power our cars, cell phones and power tools. So could companies like his one day replace the oil giants who fueled the last century? Why does he think humans have room to work harder? And can the Tesla board manage Musk as he takes on a growing role in U.S. politics, including advising the Trump administration? Straubel speaks to WSJ’s Tim Higgins and Christopher Mims in episode three of our interview series Bold Names. Check Out Past Episodes Bold Names: Why This Tesla Pioneer Says the Cheap EV Market 'Sucks'  Bold Names: Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff and the AI ‘Fantasy Land’  Further Reading The Boom in Battery Metals for EVs Is Turning to Bust  Cost-Cutting Lessons From Musk World for DOGE  The Withering Dream of a Cheap American Electric Car  What Americans Get Wrong About Electric Cars  One of the Brains Behind Tesla May Have a New Way to Make Electric Cars Cheaper  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can Hollywood work with artificial intelligence? And if so, under what terms? Stability AI CEO Prem Akkaraju and actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt went head-to-head last month at WSJ Tech Live discussing that and more. They were joined by WSJ senior personal tech columnist Joanna Stern. We play you highlights of that conversation. Julie Chang hosts. Subscribers can watch the full talk here. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus, crypto advocates land legal win after a federal appeals court rejects the Treasury Department’s sanctions on Tornado Cash. And, Shopify looks to court bigger clients. Julie Chang hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tesla’s Gigafactory in Austin, Texas ran afoul of environmental overseers, with toxins spewed into the air and a dead deer found in a pond, according to Wall Street Journal reporting. WSJ reporter Susan Pulliam joins host Belle Lin to discuss her findings, including how the Journal uncovered the story and how far back alleged environmental problems at Tesla’s plants go. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus, Google proposes more changes to its search results in Europe. And Best Buy says President-elect Donald Trump’s new proposed tariffs will raise prices for customers. Danny Lewis hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apple CEO Tim Cook has done something that has eluded many other corporate leaders: He’s cracked the code on working with President-elect Donald Trump. What’s his playbook? And will others follow suit? WSJ reporter Chip Cutter joins host Julie Chang for a look at how some corporate executives could work with the new administration. Plus, artificial intelligence could help bring down the cost of college. We explain how. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus, prospective Bitcoin investors are instead buying shares in a software company that owns tens of billions of the cryptocurrency’s tokens. And Chinese tech company Bilibili beat quarterly expectations thanks to a new videogame release. Danny Lewis hosts.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ukraine’s drone suppliers are ramping up production of computer-guided drones to aid in its fight against Russia. WSJ Ukraine bureau chief James Marson joins host Belle Lin to talk about how these killer robots differ from other drones on the battlefield today. Plus, why the “smart” home of tomorrow has some people wishing for the “dumb” home of yesteryear. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marc Benioff is one of the most outspoken names in tech. The billionaire co-founder of customer relationship software company Salesforce has been pivoting the company’s focus to artificial intelligence agents to help its clients manage customer service and other needs. But he has some strong opinions about how others are promoting AI, from how Microsoft is marketing its Copilot feature to companies like Amazon buying up nuclear power contracts for their data centers. And yet he says he’s as excited about AI as he was the day that Apple’s Steve Jobs sent him one of the first iPhones. So what can AI actually do, and what’s a ‘fantasy’? Benioff speaks to WSJ’s Christopher Mims and Tim Higgins in episode two of our interview series Bold Names. Check out Episode 1: Bold Names: Why This Tesla Pioneer Says the Cheap EV Market 'Sucks'  Further Reading A Powerful AI Breakthrough Is About to Transform the World  With ‘Founder Mode,’ Silicon Valley Makes Micromanaging Cool  AI Agents Can Do More Than Answer Queries. That Raises a Few Questions.  At Marc Benioff’s Salesforce, It’s One Big Family—Until Trouble Hits  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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