Science and Technology

Brock Pierce, a cryptocurrency entrepreneur, arrived in Puerto Rico in 2017 promising a cryptocurrency-fueled economic revival. However, his grand vision has been marred by legal battles and disputes with business partners. In 2022, Pierce enjoyed showing off his lavish new acquisition, a $15 million beachfront resort in Vieques. The once-glittering W Hotel was a vital source of tourism jobs, but Hurricane Maria shuttered it in 2017. The crypto-rich Pierce envisioned a grand reopening, revitalizing both the resort and the local economy. However, the story takes a different turn. Pierce, a former child actor, seems to have traded the limelight for…

On a lively Wednesday in the White House Indian Treaty Room, President Biden wowed a roomful of digital influencers and media professionals with his entrance, immediately raising their smartphones as they prepared to document the event. In a display of modernity and relatability, President Biden interacted directly with attendees by taking selfies before addressing the crowd. He emphasized the critical role that social media creators play in today’s communications landscape, acknowledging the generational shift in media consumption preferences, particularly among younger people who prefer digital content to traditional media. “Unlike my generation’s media, you are where today’s young people listen,…

WASHINGTON AND SAN FRANCISCO — Following a final court ruling that Google violated antitrust laws by monopolizing the online search market, the U.S. Department of Justice, along with state prosecutors, is actively considering remedies. Possible strategies could include segmenting core Google components, such as the Chrome web browser and Android operating system, according to several sources familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the ongoing discussions. Further measures under consideration force Google to provide competitive access to its valuable data and dismantle agreements that establish Google as the default search engine on…

Cisco Systems, a leading developer of computer networking solutions based in San Jose, California, said it will reduce its workforce by 7 percent, marking its second significant reduction this year. The decision means about 6,000 job losses from its 84,900-person workforce as of July 2023. Earlier this year, Cisco had already cut its workforce by 4,000. Despite the job cuts, Cisco reported net income of $2.16 billion for the latest quarter, a 45 percent decline from the previous year, with revenue falling 10 percent to $13.64 billion. However, those numbers still beat expectations set by Wall Street, sending Cisco's stock…

SAN FRANCISCO AND WASHINGTON — In what could be a groundbreaking step for AI regulation, a California bill is making waves in the Silicon Valley tech landscape. Spearheaded by state Sen. Scott Wiener, the legislation seeks to address the growing risks associated with advanced AI technologies. The bill is currently working its way through the legislative process in Sacramento and is expected to be considered by the California State Assembly Appropriations Committee later this week. If it passes, it will go to the full House for a vote. Gov. Gavin Newsom, if he signs the bill, would approve a framework…

GEORGIA — In an election year marked by unprecedented challenges, Tate Fall, the newly appointed director of elections in Cobb County, Georgia, is facing more than the usual duties of registering voters and maintaining equipment. Today, her role increasingly involves combating a relentless wave of misinformation that threatens the electoral process. As the 2024 election approaches, local election officials like Fall find themselves on the front lines of an uphill battle against misinformation. This phenomenon isn’t just a distraction; it actively undermines public confidence in the democratic process, complicating the task of conducting free and fair elections. Cobb County Elections…