Court filings show Meta staffers discussed using copyrighted content for AI training

Fintech Block, owned by Jack Dorsey, laid off 931 employees, approximately 8% of its workforce, citing org changes and performance reasons in an email to staff. The company is cutting roles across three buckets, including strategy, performance, and hierarchy adjustments, with a focus on meeting strategic needs and improving performance. Block previously underwent significant layoffs in January 2024, and is closing 748 open roles while denying financial reasons for the layoffs. Full Article

Nexthop AI, backed by $110M in funding from Lightspeed Ventures, has been launched to provide cloud AI infrastructure solutions to major cloud companies. The funding includes both seed and Series A rounds, highlighting the company's focus on hardware and software for cloud-based artificial intelligence systems. Led by Lightspeed Ventures, Nexthop AI aims to support the development of cutting-edge AI technologies for the world's largest cloud networks. Full Article

Amazon's Spring Sale 2025 will take place from March 25 to March 31, with Prime members having special access to select exclusive deals. Non-Prime members can still shop the sale and can join Prime before the event to receive member benefits. To maximize savings, ensure payment options are correct, research potential purchases, and set a budget beforehand. ZDNET's experts are curating the best deals by category and price, as well as from other retailers, to...

Mojang is set to introduce Vibrant Visuals, a significant graphical upgrade for Minecraft that maintains the retro aesthetic while adding dynamic lighting, shadows, and improved reflections. The update, initially for the Bedrock Edition, will not impact gameplay and will be backward compatible with existing worlds. Mojang also confirmed that Minecraft will stick to its one-time purchase model, prioritizing accessibility over potential freemium revenue. Full Article

Technology leaders initially sought regulation for generative A.I. due to concerns about national security and job displacement, but have since shifted their stance under the Trump administration's pro-growth A.I. policies. The reversal has led to tech companies lobbying for fewer regulations and more incentives, despite potential risks like disinformation and discrimination. The Biden administration previously worked on safety standards and regulation, but the current push is focused on promoting American leadership in A.I. through collaboration...

The author discusses their ongoing struggle between sticking with the iPhone Pro model and being drawn back to Android by the Google Pixel 9 Pro, citing iterative iPhone updates and a desire for improvements in camera color and contrast, gaming performance, Siri and Apple Intelligence integration, camera design, and the need for a truly surprising new feature in the upcoming iPhone 17. They express a longing for more dynamic and vibrant photography, smoother gaming experiences,...