AP Technology

January 14, 2026

Free Starlink access for Iran seen as game changer for demonstrators getting their message out

BANGKOK (AP) — SpaceX’s Starlink has dropped fees to help Iranian demonstrators share protest details globally, activists say. This move follows Iran’s January 8 shutdown of telecommunications amid protests over its economy and currency collapse. Starlink, banned in Iran, has been smuggled in since 2022. Activists report over 50,000 units are in use, disguised to avoid detection. Despite government jamming efforts, Starlink remains effective in many areas. Iran began allowing international calls on Tuesday, but incoming calls remain blocked. Starlink’s free service could increase communication flow, challenging Iran’s information control.

Sales of a powerful Nvidia AI chip to China gets the greenlight, with conditions

The Trump administration placed new security requirements on Nividia’s semiconductor sales to China, but essentially greenlighted the export of its powerful H200 artificial intelligence chips to Chinese buyers. Nvidia must ensure that there is an adequate supply in the U.S., and the H200 chips must undergo a third-party review before being exported to China, according to new rules set by the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security. But the new rules lower the bar for exports. China won’t be allowed to use the chips for military purposes and is not allowed to import more than 50% of the chips sold to U.S. customers.

Proposed billionaires’ tax in California rattles Silicon Valley, entangles Gov. Newsom

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A proposal to tax the accumulated wealth of California billionaires has ignited a political uproar in Silicon Valley and across the state. A large health care union is attempting to place a proposal before voters in November that would impose a one-time 5% tax on the assets of billionaires. The money would be used to backfill federal funding cuts to health services for lower-income people. Such proposals are popular within Democratic constituencies. But there are fears that billionaires could flee the state and take their tax dollars with them. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is trying to block the measure.

Malaysia will take legal action against Musk’s X and xAI over misuse of Grok chatbot

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysian authorities have announced legal action against Elon Musk’s social media platform X and its AI unit xAI. They accuse the companies of failing to ensure user safety with their Grok chatbot. This comes after Malaysia and Indonesia over the weekend blocked access to Grok, citing concerns over its misuse to generate explicit and nonconsensual images. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission says it identified harmful content and served notices to X and xAI, but no action was taken. Grok, launched in 2023, has faced criticism for generating manipulated images, including explicit content. Musk’s companies have not publicly commented on the restrictions.

Microsoft’s Brad Smith pushes Big Tech to ‘pay our way’ for AI data centers amid rising opposition

Microsoft is trying to win over communities concerned about AI data centers. The company’s president, Brad Smith, is meeting with federal lawmakers to emphasize that the industry, not taxpayers, should cover the costs of these centers. Data centers have faced opposition in towns where they want to build. In Wisconsin, Microsoft has encountered hurdles but promises minimal environmental impact. Smith insists on private funding for electricity improvements and remains committed to carbon-negative goals by 2030.

Pentagon is embracing Musk’s Grok AI chatbot as it draws global outcry

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence chatbot Grok will join Google’s AI engine inside the Pentagon network. Hegseth made the announcement Monday at Musk’s SpaceX company in South Texas as part of a push to integrate as much military data as possible into the developing technology. It follows global criticism of Grok for generating sexualized deepfake images of people without their consent. Hegseth says he would “make all appropriate data” from the military’s IT systems available for “AI exploitation.” He also said data from intelligence databases would be fed into AI systems.

Ancient Rome meets modern technology as tourists visit restored, frescoed home via livestream tours

ROME (AP) — One of the best-preserved ancient Roman homes on the Palatine Hill is opening to the public for the first time. But it’s happening via a livestreamed tour of its hard-to-reach underground frescoes and mosaics. The House of the Griffins was first discovered during the excavations in the early 20th century of the Palatine Hill. The hill is located just off the Colosseum. It was known for temples and homes of leading citizens during Rome’s Republican era. It became the aristocratic quarter during the Roman Empire that followed when new palaces were built on top of the older homes. The livestreamed tours will be held weekly starting on March 3.

The UK is watering down plans for mandatory digital ID cards after a backlash

LONDON (AP) — The British government has scaled back plans for mandatory digital ID cards, initially proposed as a way of helping control immigration. Officials confirmed Wednesday that digital ID cards won’t be required for employment, reversing a policy announced in September. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander told the BBC that digital IDs will be one way of proving eligibility to work, alongside other documents like passports. Prime Minister Keir Starmer had argued the plan would reduce unauthorized immigration and simplify access to public services. The proposal faced backlash from politicians and the public. Britain hasn’t had compulsory ID cards since World War II, and the idea remains controversial.

Apple calls on Google to help smarten up Siri and bring other AI features to the iPhone

Apple will lean on Google to help finish its bungled attempts to smarten up its virtual assistant Siri and bring other artificial intelligence features to the iPhone as the trendsetting company plays catch up in technology’s latest craze. The deal that allowing Apple to tap into Google’s AI technology was disclosed Monday in a joint statement from the Silicon Valley powerhouses. The partnership will draw upon Google’s Gemini technology to customize a suite of AI features dubbed “Apple Intelligence” on the iPhone and other products. Apple announced plans to use AI to turn Siri into a more conversational and versatile multitasker in 2024, but that promise remains unfulfilled.