Q&A with Spotify Co-President and CTO Gustav Söderström on AI-generated music, NotebookLM podcasts, AI recommendations, improving discoverability, and more (Alex Kantrowitz/Big Technology)

Tesla is granting Elon Musk over $29 billion in stock as part of an interim pay plan to ensure his continued interest in the company, amidst ongoing legal issues with a larger pay package from 2018. Board Chair Robyn Denholm emphasized the importance of retaining Musk, especially given his commitments to other ventures. Want More Context? 🔎

The Alienware AW2725Q is a 26.7-inch 4K OLED gaming monitor featuring a 240Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms latency, currently on sale for $675.84. It supports technologies like Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, while enhancing color accuracy with Dolby Vision and VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400. Want More Context? 🔎

Spotify is raising Premium subscription prices by €1 in several regions outside the US, including Europe and South Asia, following disappointing earnings results. Although specific countries affected were not detailed, initial increases have been noted in Spain, Italy, and Portugal, while US pricing remains unchanged despite past increases. Want More Context? 🔎

Bluetooth trackers like Apple's AirTags, Google's Find Hub, and Samsung's SmartTag2 utilize vast finding networks to help locate lost items, with various brands like Chipolo and Pebblebee also joining the ecosystem. Testing showed AirTags and compatible third-party trackers excelled in precision and speed, while Google's network improved significantly by 2025, offering competitive tracking capabilities. Want More Context? 🔎

Disney considered using AI to create a digital double of Dwayne Johnson for its live-action Moana, collaborating with Metaphysic to employ deepfake technology. However, concerns over legal implications, ownership rights, and potential backlash led to the decision not to include such footage in the final film, highlighting the company's struggle to balance innovation with audience expectations and contractual obligations. Want More Context? 🔎

This week, I was reminded that while ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini are impressive AI tools, they are not without flaws. Despite my enthusiasm for AI's future, I advocate for a more measured approach to its development, urging caution against irrational optimism. Want More Context? 🔎