Business

The AI Issue

The Big Interview

Kara Swisher Would Rather Work for Sam Altman Than Mark Zuckerberg

But ideally, the journalist and podcast host would rather not work for tech CEOs at all.

Second Chances

Trump’s CZ Pardon Has the Crypto World Bracing for Impact

Cloud Competing

OpenAI Signs $38 Billion Deal With Amazon

Artificial Intelligence

WIRED Roundup: Alpha School, Grokipedia, and Real Estate AI Videos

In this episode of Uncanny Valley, we run through the top stories of the week and dive into why the promise of a tech-forward school in Texas with software instead of teachers fell apart.

The Man Who Invented AGI

Everyone is obsessed with artificial general intelligence—the stage when AI can match all feats of human cognition. The guy who named it saw it as a threat.

WIRED Roundup: AI Psychosis, Missing FTC Files, and Google Bedbugs

In this episode of Uncanny Valley, we run through the top stories of the week and look closely at people’s complaints to the FTC alleging that ChatGPT led them or loved ones into AI psychosis.

AI Agents Are Terrible Freelance Workers

A new benchmark measures how well AI agents can automate economically valuable chores. Human-level AI is still some ways off.

Big Tech

Meta Claims Downloaded Porn at Center of AI Lawsuit Was for ‘Personal Use’

In a motion to dismiss filed earlier this week, Meta denied claims that employees had downloaded pornography from Strike 3 Holdings to train its artificial intelligence models.

Meta, Google, and Microsoft Triple Down on AI Spending

Three of the biggest US tech companies reported record profits and record infrastructure spending on Wednesday, fueling speculation about a possible AI market bubble.

Google Search Could Change Forever in the UK

New regulation from the UK’s competition authority means Google may be forced to make major changes in the way that people use its search engine.

Your Delivery Robot Is Here

On this episode of Uncanny Valley, we introduce you to DoorDash’s new delivery robot and discuss what the growing robot population means for humans.

Startups and Tech Culture

Inside the Messy, Accidental Kryptos Reveal

After 35 years, the secretive CIA sculpture finally gave up its mystery, thanks to a novelist, a playwright, and some misplaced documents. But the chase to decode continues.

Google Has a Bedbug Infestation in Its New York Offices

Employees at the company’s Chelsea campus were told to stay home after exterminators found “credible evidence” of an infestation.

Can AI Avoid the Enshittification Trap?

Cory Doctorow’s theory of “enshittification” explains how tech platforms rot from within. As AI grows more profitable—and powerful—it risks the same fate.

How China Is Hoping to Attract Tech Talent

In this episode of Uncanny Valley, we uncover how America's new $100,000 H-1B golden visa has thrown tech workers and their employers into chaos.

Regulation

People Who Say They’re Experiencing AI Psychosis Beg the FTC for Help

The Federal Trade Commission received 200 complaints mentioning ChatGPT between November 2022 and August 2025. Several attributed delusions, paranoia, and spiritual crises to the chatbot.

WIRED Roundup: Satellites Data Leak, Cybertrucks, Politicized Federal Workers

In this episode of Uncanny Valley, we run through the top stories of the week, including security concerns from satellites leaking sensitive data and the experiences of undeterred Cybertruck owners.

A Plan to Rebuild Gaza Lists Nearly 30 Companies. Many Say They’re Not Involved

A presentation that has been shared with the Trump administration references Tesla, Ikea, TSMC, and more in its plan to rebuild Gaza. Some of these companies say they had no idea they were mentioned.

Big Tech Companies in the US Have Been Told Not to Apply the Digital Services Act

The FTC notified companies like Google, Meta, and Apple that they must not apply the Digital Services Act, which regulates digital platforms, if it jeopardizes the freedom of Americans.

Blockchain and Cryptocurrency

Donald Trump’s Truth Social Is Launching a Polymarket Competitor

As crypto-based prediction services attract a flood of attention and capital, the US president’s social media platform has announced plans to muscle in.

‘War on Crypto Is Over’: Donald Trump Pardons Binance Founder CZ

After serving a federal prison sentence for violating anti-money-laundering laws and US sanctions, former crypto exchange CEO Changpeng Zhao has been pardoned by US president Donald Trump.

Melania Trump Used as ‘Window-Dressing’ in Elaborate Memecoin Fraud, Legal Filing Claims

The first lady of the United States became a pawn in an intricate memecoin scam that resulted in millions of dollars in losses, crypto investors have alleged.

Feds Seize Record-Breaking $15 Billion in Bitcoin From Alleged Scam Empire

Officials in the US and UK have taken sweeping action against “one of the largest investment fraud operations in history,” confiscating a historic amount of funds in the process.

Computers and Software

China Dives in on the World’s First Wind-Powered Undersea Data Center

The $226 million project uses ocean breezes and seawater to stay cool.

Sora Has Lost Its App Store Crown to … Dave's Hot Chicken

Dave’s Hot Chicken is the top app in the iOS App Store, ending Sora’s weeks-long reign.

How Data Centers Actually Work

In this episode of Uncanny Valley, we discuss the economics and environmental impacts of energy-hungry data centers and whether these facilities are sustainable in the age of AI.

Trump's Investment in Intel Is Paying Off

The chipmaker reported higher-than-expected revenue on Thursday, and its stock price has risen more than 90 percent since August.

Retail and Logistics

A Journey Into the Heart of Labubu

I made an epic trek across four countries to answer one question: Why is the world going mad for a plushie monster?

The Unexpected Winners of Trump’s Trade War

Americans are now hit with tariffs when they shop from overseas sellers on eBay and Etsy. Shein and Temu had months to get ahead of the curve.

Chinese ‘Virtual Human’ Salespeople Are Outperforming Their Real Human Counterparts

Built using AI technology from Baidu and DeepSeek, the virtual livestreamers sell everything from wet wipes to printers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Trump Ends Tariff Exemption for Small Packages

Starting in September, US buyers on sites like Etsy and eBay may face higher tariffs on goods from abroad.

Transportation

How to Keep Subways and Trains Cool in an Ever Hotter World

As temperatures increase, trains and subways are becoming unendurable. Potential solutions include everything from cooling tunnels with water to painting rolling stock—but there’s no magic fix.

Spit On, Sworn At, and Undeterred: What It’s Like to Own a Cybertruck

“We were the targets.” WIRED spoke to seven Tesla Cybertruck owners about their most controversial purchase and why they’re proud to drive it.

New Rules Could Force Tesla to Redesign Its Door Handles. That’s Harder Than It Sounds

Proposed regulations in China would mean the end of flush handles on car doors, with precious little time to roll out the changes.

Why Are Car Software Updates Still So Bad?

Over-the-air upgrades can not only transform your ride, they can help carmakers slash costs. Here's why they're still miles away from being seamless.

Energy

Inside Intel's Hail Mary to Reclaim Chip Dominance

The struggling American chipmaker is betting that a new plant and fresh product line will help turn around its fortunes.

X Data Center Fire in Oregon Started Inside Power Cabinet, Authorities Say

Generative AI has put data centers under the spotlight, and surging electricity needs could increase risk of fires.

These Startups Are Building Advanced AI Models Without Data Centers

A new crowd-trained way to develop LLMs over the internet could shake up the AI industry with a giant 100 billion-parameter model later this year.

This Refinery Wants to Make Sustainable Aviation Fuel Mainstream. Trump’s Cuts Could Kill It

A sprawling Minnesota refinery wants to make low-carbon aviation fuel mainstream—but without government support experts believe the project could be “dead in the water.”