Mixed Reality

Technology News

  • Senators Back QUIET Act to Require AI Disclosure in Robocalls and Texts
    December 7, 2025, 8:24 AM EST. U.S. Sen. John Curtis and Sen. Richard Blumenthal unveiled the QUIET Act to curb AI-driven robocalls and texts. The bill would require that any use of artificial intelligence disclose its involvement at the start of the call or message and would double penalties for impersonation scams. An exception covers communications requiring substantial human intervention. Supporters, including AARP, say the bill protects older Americans who face frequent scams. The proposal follows ongoing efforts on caller ID verification and autodialer restrictions, though volumes remain high. Lawmakers cite FTC data on rising losses by older adults and argue the bill would curb AI-enabled deception while protecting legitimate innovation.
  • Chinese internet giants ramp up AI spending, boosting domestic chipmakers
    December 7, 2025, 8:22 AM EST. Chinese internet giants are accelerating AI investments, with Alibaba's cloud revenue up 34% YoY to about $5.6B, and management signaling they may spend more than 380 billion yuan for AI buildout. Analysts call this a turning point for China's domestic computing power industry, with other cloud players likely to follow. Chinese restrictions on Nvidia push attention to homegrown players like Cambricon (revenue surged >4,000% H1) and Hygon, and newcomers like Moore Threads whose IPO drew Tencent and ByteDance funding. Goldman Sachs sees Cambricon as a beneficiary, with a target above 2,100 yuan. Regulators have supported Moore Threads IPO; U.S. controls keep onshore GPU capacity as a potential constraint in 2026.
  • AI-powered police body cameras test facial recognition on Edmonton watch list
    December 7, 2025, 8:20 AM EST. Edmonton is testing AI-powered police body cameras that can detect the faces of about 7,000 people on a high-risk watch list. The live pilot marks a turn in the debate over facial recognition in policing, rekindling privacy and civil-liberties concerns. Six years after Axon Enterprise warned about ethical risks and paused facial recognition, the project was switched on recently, prompting alarm beyond the city. A former chair of Axon's AI ethics board says there's insufficient public debate, testing, and expert vetting of the societal costs. Critics argue the potential benefits are unclear while the privacy implications and racial biases remain unresolved. The test underscores how North American policing policy could be shaped by technical capability, corporate influence, and public accountability.
  • Indiana Proposes Bell-to-Bell Ban on Cellphones, Laptops, and Smartwatches in Schools
    December 7, 2025, 8:10 AM EST. Indiana lawmakers are advancing bills to tighten the state's cellphone ban in schools and extend it to all personal devices. The proposed "bell-to-bell" rule would require phones, and likely laptops and smartwatches, to be securely stored or left at home during the entire school day. Existing exemptions for medical needs or students with disabilities could remain, but the proposals would significantly curb device use during instructional time. Supporters say the plan could boost focus and academics, aligning Indiana with a growing national push to limit screens in learning. Critics warn about safety and communication during emergencies, and worry about inconsistent implementation across districts. Local schools already experiment with different rules, from confiscation to lockered storage. If enacted, schools would need clear procedures to handle violations and families would face more frequent device pickups at the office.
  • SEALSQ and WISeSat Launch Secure Satellite on SpaceX Mission
    December 7, 2025, 8:06 AM EST. SEALSQ and WISeSat partnered to launch a secure satellite aboard a SpaceX mission, highlighting advances in space cybersecurity. By pairing SEALSQ's cryptographic silicon with WISeSat's secure-on-orbit platform, the project aims to strengthen satellite communications, key management, and tamper resistance. The mission signals a broader push to harden space infrastructure against cyber threats and enable trusted services for defense, IoT, and commercial users. A SpaceX launch demonstrates the feasibility of deploying crypto-enabled satellites at pace, underscoring new collaboration between chipmakers and satellite operators in the evolving space tech ecosystem.