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Autonomous Vehicles

Tesla Seeks to Test Autonomous Vehicles in Arizona, Expanding Robotaxi Ambitions

Tesla has applied to test and operate autonomous vehicles in Arizona, aiming to expand its robotaxi service to the Phoenix Metro area. The company contacted the Arizona Department of Transportation to begin the certification process, expressing interest in both testing with and without a driver. A decision is expected by the end of the month. Tesla's move follows the launch of a limited robotaxi service in South Austin. The company is also seeking regulatory approvals to launch robotaxis in the Bay Area. Waymo, the Alphabet-owned autonomous vehicle company, already operates a driverless robotaxi service in the Phoenix Metro area and holds the necessary permits in Arizona and California.

Artificial Intelligence

Pat Gelsinger's Flourishing AI: A New Benchmark for Human-Aligned AI

Former Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger has launched Flourishing AI (FAI), a benchmark in partnership with Gloo, to assess how well AI models align with human values.

FAI is based on The Global Flourishing Study, incorporating categories like Character and Virtue, Social Relationships, Happiness, Meaning and Purpose, Mental and Physical Health, and Financial Stability, with an added focus on Faith and Spirituality.

Gelsinger aims to ensure AI models support a flourishing humanity through this new benchmark, reflecting his lifelong involvement in faith tech.

Software and Apps

Mockly Simplifies Fake Conversation Generation Across Multiple Platforms

Developer Maurice Kleine launched Mockly, a user-friendly web app for generating believable fake conversations on various platforms like iMessage, Discord, Instagram, X, Tinder, and WhatsApp.

Unlike many older, less user-friendly fake message generators, Mockly stands out with its usability and support for 13 platforms at launch, surpassing alternatives like Postfully, which only supports iMessage.

While some templates are more convincing than others, Mockly primarily replicates web-based conversation layouts, not mobile versions. Despite potential misuse, the app's imperfections and general awareness of fake DM capabilities may limit its impact in the age of AI-generated disinformation.

Technology

Nvidia to Launch Modified AI Chip for China Amid Export Restrictions

Nvidia is reportedly planning to release a new AI chip tailored for the Chinese market as early as September. This chip will be based on the Blackwell RTX Pro 6000 processor, which has already been modified to comply with U.S. export restrictions. The new chip will lack high-bandwidth memory and NVLink, features present in Nvidia's more advanced AI chips. This move comes after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang indicated the exclusion of the Chinese market from the company's revenue and profit forecasts.

Electric Vehicles

Slate Auto's Rise: From Stealth Mode to EV Industry Disruptor

Slate Auto, an EV startup secretly backed by Jeff Bezos, emerged from stealth in April 2025, aiming to produce a customizable, affordable electric pickup truck. The company's unique approach and backing garnered attention, with prototypes appearing in California. Slate's business model focuses on customization and affordability, targeting a wide audience with a starting price under $20,000 (before tax credit changes). The company plans to manufacture its trucks in a former Indiana printing plant and has already received over 100,000 refundable reservations.

Crime

Russian Basketball Player Arrested in France on Ransomware Charges

French authorities have arrested Daniil Kasatkin, a Russian professional basketball player, at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris on June 21. He is accused by U.S. authorities of being a member of a ransomware gang.

Kasatkin plays for MBA Moscow and briefly played for Penn State during the 2018-2019 season. His lawyer claims his client is innocent, stating that Kasatkin bought a used computer and is not tech-savvy enough to be involved in hacking.

Technology

Elon Musk Announces Grok Integration into Tesla Vehicles

Elon Musk announced on X that Grok, xAI's chatbot, will be integrated into Tesla vehicles "very soon," with a target of "next week at the latest." This follows the debut of Grok 4. Tesla drivers will be able to chat with their cars and use Grok for tasks. A hacker found options for Grok "personalities", including NSFW ones. Grok will be available on newer vehicles with Hardware 3 and will be the voice and brain for Tesla's Optimus robot.

Cybersecurity

UK Authorities Apprehend Four Suspects in Retail Hacking Spree Targeting Marks & Spencer, Harrods, and Co-op

U.K. authorities have arrested four individuals in connection with a series of cyberattacks targeting British retailers, including Marks & Spencer, Harrods, and the Co-op. The suspects, a woman aged 20, two men aged 19, and a youth aged 17, were apprehended on suspicion of hacking, blackmail, money laundering, and participating in an organized crime group.

The intrusions, which began in April, involved the theft of customer data from the Co-op and Marks & Spencer. These attacks are attributed to Scattered Spider, a group known for using impersonation and deception tactics to gain access to networks. The hackers allegedly collaborated with the DragonForce ransomware gang, which deployed file-encrypting malware on Marks & Spencer’s network. The Co-op reportedly avoided the ransomware by shutting down its network. Harrods also successfully defended against a significant portion of a cyberattack.

Cloud Computing & Cybersecurity

Knox Secures $6.5M to Simplify FedRAMP Compliance for SaaS Vendors

Knox, a federal managed cloud provider, raised $6.5 million in seed funding to help software vendors achieve FedRAMP security compliance quickly and affordably. Achieving FedRAMP can take years and cost millions. Knox aims to reduce this to three months. CEO Irina Denisenko experienced these challenges firsthand at Class, leading her to acquire a FedRAMP-certified company. Knox offers a compliance management platform that identifies and remediates security gaps, competing with Palantir's FedStart.

Mobile Technology

Samsung Plans to Unveil Tri-Fold Phone This Year

Samsung is reportedly developing a triple-folding smartphone for release later this year. TM Roh, head of consumer electronics, mentioned the company's aim to launch the device, focusing on perfecting its usability. While the name is undecided, a final decision is expected soon as the product nears completion.

An unnamed executive confirmed that the tri-fold device is ready for production.