WSJ Tech News Briefing The Wall Street Journal

Last week, President Biden signed a law requiring the sale or ban of TikTok. But lawmakers’ concerns go back much farther. Some lawmakers and former employees of TikTok say that TikTok executives, particularly CEO Shou Chew, could have done more to prevent this outcome. WSJ tech reporter Georgia Wells tells host Alex Ossola about Chew’s missed opportunities to woo lawmakers. Plus, it’s a trend on TikTok to get AI systems like ChatGPT to talk to people like a boyfriend would… even if the systems weren’t designed that way. WSJ senior platform editor Julia Munslow undertook an experiment to find out just how hard it is to get the system to be R-rated.

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Plus: Binance founder is sentenced to four months in jail. And the European Union is investigating Meta over disinformation. Alex Ossola hosts.



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Investments in artificial intelligence startups are heating up. Last year, investors poured more than $20 billion dollars into generative AI deals. But some of these companies, some of which have billion-dollar valuations, haven’t turned a profit or don’t have a product. WSJ venture-capital reporter Berber Jin tells host Alex Ossola more about this ecosystem, and why some are already concerned that it could be a bubble. Plus, scammers are using AI to target recent college grads looking for jobs. WSJ workplace reporter Ray Smith talks about how to stay safe online.



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Plus: Beijing tentatively approves Tesla’s “Full Self-Driving” software. And federal regulators fine wireless carriers for sharing customer-location data. Alex Ossola hosts.



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Tesla CEO Elon Musk has talked about offering a cheaper EV model for a while. A low-priced car could attract new customers who may not be able to afford Tesla’s more premium models. Last week, Musk said that cheaper cars could be coming as soon as late this year. WSJ columnist Tim Higgins tells host Alex Ossola what it would take to make that happen. Plus, Tesla was one of four tech companies to report first-quarter earnings last week. WSJ reporter Hardika Singh talks about the through-lines in those reports, and why artificial intelligence is defining the moment.



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Plus: ByteDance denies rumors that it is exploring a sale of TikTok. And several high-profile tech leaders join a new federal advisory board focused on the secure use of AI. Alex Ossola hosts.



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