According to Angie Brown, executive vice president and chief information officer at Home Depot, the company wants to verify that an AI agent is not just a bot trying to mimic human behavior. Instead, it needs to confirm that the agent has a genuine purpose and is authorized by its owner to interact with the retailer's website or apps.

Home Depot's decision comes as several tech companies have launched consumer-focused AI agents in recent times. These agents, such as Meta's Muse and Spear Street Technology's Instinct AI, promise to simplify online shopping by scanning products, comparing prices, filling carts, and making purchases on behalf of their owners with minimal human intervention.

The rollout of these AI agents has been met with mixed reactions from online retailers, with some welcoming the technology while others express concerns about its potential misuse.

Home Depot has expressed reservations about allowing AI agents like Muse onto its website without proper identification.

The company's concerns are not unfounded, given that Amazon recently barred Muse from shopping on its marketplace due to the bots' failure to properly identify themselves.

Meanwhile, other retailers such as Walmart and Best Buy have announced integrations or openness to AI agents, while Meta has co-developed a personal agent protocol with Sierra AI to standardize AI identification.

Home Depot's reluctance stems in part from its loyalty program, Pro Rewards, which caters to frequent shoppers like contractors and remodelers who are eligible for discounts.

Home Depot's cybersecurity team breathed a sigh of relief after the initial warning period passed without major incident on its main website. However, the experience was still chaotic for those involved in responding to it.

The company has since joined Anthropic's Project Glasswing initiative, which provides selected companies with access to Claude Mythos Preview to help secure critical software. Home Depot is one of a few retailers to have been given this opportunity, as most slots were reserved for banks and cybersecurity firms.

Home Depot's participation in the project allowed its AI agents to scan its code and identify vulnerabilities that needed fixing. While the review did uncover some genuine issues, it also flagged a few false positives, requiring the team to revisit and correct these errors.

Business Insider: https://www.businessinsider.com/home-depot-chief-open-ai-agents-muse-instinct-2026-10

The proposed legislation would have required prominent recording indicators on wearable devices sold in California from 2028, as well as prohibited disabling these indicators. It also made it a misdemeanor to record people without their explicit consent in physical places of business where they reasonably expect privacy.

Several companies based in California are developing smart glasses that raise questions about unnoticed recording and privacy concerns for those who have not chosen to wear them. Lawmakers want stronger protections against invasive uses of the technology, but Newsom argues that the proposed rules would be too broad and could affect other everyday devices.

Newsom acknowledged the need for a legislative response to reports of invasive uses of wearable devices. However, he vetoed the bill on grounds that it could sweep in smartwatches and other devices, duplicating existing privacy protections.

The governor's office referred further questions about potential support for a narrower proposal back to his original message, stating that it "speaks for itself".

Tech companies are increasingly incorporating augmented reality features into their products, including smart glasses that can capture video and audio. One notable example is Snap's Specs augmented reality glasses, which have been co-developed with Hollywood actor Robert Downey Jr.

The collaboration between Downey Jr. and Snap goes beyond a simple endorsement deal, with the actor actively involved in shaping new experiences for the Specs device. As smart glasses become more widespread, concerns are growing about their potential impact on public privacy.

Meta, another prominent player in the smart glasses market, has reported strong sales figures, with over 7 million pairs sold last year through its partnership with eyewear manufacturer EssilorLuxottica. However, this increased adoption also raises questions about how users will interact with people who may not be aware of the device's recording capabilities.

The proposed bill aimed to address these concerns by requiring smart devices to include clear indicators when they are capturing audio or video. This would help prevent situations where people unknowingly record others without their consent.

However, the proposal also included provisions that could have led to unintended consequences, such as creating confusion around what types of devices fall under the law's purview.

The governor's office emphasized that existing laws already provide sufficient protection for individuals' privacy when it comes to recording and confidential communications. These laws remain in effect despite the veto of the proposed legislation. They offer a safeguard against unlawful activities such as secretly recording people in places where they reasonably expect privacy or intercepting confidential conversations without consent.

Tech companies, including industry leaders Meta, Google, and Amazon, had expressed concerns about the proposed legislation through their trade association TechNet. According to reports, these tech giants argued that existing laws already address issues related to unlawful recording. They contended that the new regulations were unnecessary.

The office of Assemblymember Lori Reyes did not provide a response to questions about whether she plans to reintroduce the legislation or engage in discussions with the governor's office regarding potential revisions. This lack of clarification leaves the future of the proposed rules uncertain.

Other states are exploring their own approaches to regulating smart glasses and similar devices. For example, Louisiana recently enacted a law that requires users to notify individuals in direct conversations when recording or transcribing them, subject to certain exceptions. Meanwhile, a Pennsylvania House committee has advanced a bill that would mandate visible recording indicators on these devices.

The current warning system for bystanders is relatively minimal, consisting of a small white light on the frames of smart glasses. On Meta's products, this light flashes whenever the wearer captures an image or video for their personal gallery, and there's no option to disable it. Additionally, newer models incorporate features that automatically shut off the camera if they detect the light being obstructed.

Meta has taken steps to address concerns over smart glasses recording footage without users' knowledge or consent. The company's measures include automatically shutting off the camera if it detects that the light indicator is being obstructed.

These efforts were prompted by a growing debate over whether smart glasses should be subject to stricter regulations, particularly in California where lawmakers had proposed legislation requiring devices to alert users before recording video. However, Meta has argued that its own safeguards are sufficient and do not need to be codified into law.

In addition to shutting off the camera if the indicator is blocked, Meta also removes advertisements and Marketplace listings for services that disable the light, and can take action against providers by banning their accounts or pursuing legal action. This approach has been met with skepticism from some who argue that it is not enough to protect users' privacy.

The debate over smart glasses and user consent highlights a broader concern about the increasing prevalence of wearable technology and its potential impact on individuals' right to privacy, as noted by Thorin Klosowski, a security and privacy activist at the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

Fortune: https://fortune.com/2026/10/27/gavin-newsom-smart-glasses-privacy-bill-veto/

According to figures shared by Skift's Head of Research Seth Borko at the inaugural Skift Creator Summit, creators and social media now influence over $7 trillion in global travel spending.

This significant influence has brought creator marketing from the margins of the industry to center stage, but brands are struggling to turn this influence into a repeatable business function.

Travel brands can no longer rely on one-off campaigns with individual creators; they need to develop more scalable and measurable systems around creator marketing.

To succeed, travel brands must adopt a structured approach to creator marketing, which includes clear organizational ownership, a defined budget, and creative planning that integrates with the media strategy.

As Marriott's luxury division experimented with social media in 2007, there was a sense of trial and error, with no clear guidelines to follow. This early experience shaped a test-and-learn approach, but it still required a clear definition of success for each project.

The lack of clarity on goals and what constitutes success can lead to underwhelming results, even with high-quality creator content. It's essential that brands align their objectives and measurement methods to ensure the desired outcome.

To address this issue, Marriott now incorporates paid media into its approach to creator content. This means creators must understand not only the story they're being asked to tell but also how the asset will be used once media investment is involved.

The integration of paid media requires collaboration across various teams, including creative, brand, media, and performance groups. They need to agree on objectives and measurement methods to ensure a cohesive strategy.

Bhatia notes that one major challenge for brands is organizational constraints, which can hinder the effective implementation of creator marketing strategies. A shared definition of success can help bring different departments together and facilitate more efficient collaboration.

As travel brands seek to partner with creators who best match their target audience, they're moving away from relying solely on follower counts and toward more sophisticated discovery methods. For instance, Meta's Creator Marketing Hub makes it possible for brands to identify over seven million potential partners across Instagram and Facebook by leveraging machine learning and performance data.

To unlock the full potential of creator partnerships, travel companies must also establish clear permissions and rights structures that enable them to reuse content beyond a single organic post. This involves identifying existing content that's resonating with audiences and amplifying it through media support.

Meta reports that its Partnership Ads have achieved significant returns on investment, generating two times the incremental return on ad spend compared to other campaigns. Furthermore, these ads have also led to a 94% improvement in cost per lift for brand consideration.

Marriott has taken a similar approach to creator partnerships, evolving its strategy from early hotel-stay exchanges to a broader marketing function that incorporates creators as both social influencers and paid talent across multiple formats.

Brands must first define what success means to them before scaling up their creator partnerships. This could involve measuring impact against objectives such as awareness, engagement, or attributed revenue.

Travel brands are working to optimize their marketing strategies by leveraging data from creator content. This involves analyzing performance metrics such as cost per acquisition and return on ad spend in measurable media environments.

Troy collaborates closely with Marriott's paid media teams to identify successful creative assets and pinpoint areas for improvement. By understanding what works and what doesn't, brands can refine their approach and avoid repeating mistakes.

Paid amplification allows for more concrete learning from creator content. Brands can examine metrics such as cost per acquisition, return on ad spend, and incrementality once the content enters a measurable media environment.

A key challenge in evaluating creator influence is that it may take months to convert into bookings. One participant noted that partnership ads with Booking Holdings and Tripadvisor Group had produced significant improvements in conversion rate and efficiency, but many conversions did not appear until 90 days or later.

Longer attribution windows can provide a more accurate picture of performance for travel marketers. This allows them to account for the lag between exposure to creator content and actual bookings.

Brands often conflate awareness with transaction, mistakenly assuming that the same content drives both discovery and booking. As a result, they should test content first, not just creators, to ensure optimal performance in different contexts.

To effectively scale their production models, brands need to diversify their approach by utilizing different creators, formats, and placements based on a single underlying consumer insight.

Marriott's vast portfolio provides Troy with an extensive canvas for implementing this strategy. The company operates over 30 hotel brands and has partnerships in various sectors, including sports and entertainment. This breadth enables Marriott to target diverse interests and cater to a wide range of consumers.

A key takeaway from the summit was that one-size-fits-all approaches are no longer effective. Younger consumers increasingly expect personalized content, and brands must adapt to meet their evolving needs. Smaller travel brands can leverage this by focusing on niche markets and building deeper relationships with creators who understand them.

Bhatia emphasized the importance of going narrow deliberately, identifying a specific niche and partnering with creators who possess in-depth knowledge about it. Research suggests that over 90% of people value expert knowledge when engaging with creators. By targeting a smaller audience, brands can build more meaningful connections and drive greater engagement.

Nano and micro influencers are generating significant interest among brands, with 73% now seeking them out. This trend highlights the need for brands to accumulate knowledge and adapt their strategies rather than solely focusing on accumulating reach.

As travel brands navigate the complexities of the creator economy, a key takeaway from recent roundtable discussions is the importance of building lasting relationships with creators.

These collaborations should be focused on quality over quantity, moving beyond mere follower counts and giving campaigns sufficient time to reach their full potential. Furthermore, reusing successful content across multiple channels can help maximize its impact.

By adopting this approach, brands can create a more sustainable and effective creator strategy that drives meaningful results.

Skift: https://skift.com/2026/10/27/travels-new-creator-economy-why-brands-need-smarter-systems/

According to a message on the VeYou app, users have been informed of the impending closure. In an email to Business Insider, Harper confirmed that he would continue producing series, but instead of distributing them through his own app, they would be released via TikTok's PineDrama platform, YouTube, and other partners.

Harper's decision to shut down VeYou comes as no surprise, given the rapidly changing landscape of micro dramas. These short, low-budget series have gained immense popularity in recent times, particularly in China and the US. As Big Tech companies like TikTok, Meta, and YouTube continue to invest heavily in this format, it has become increasingly difficult for smaller players like VeYou to compete.

Harper's credits include notable films such as "Star Wars" and "Top Gun: Maverick", but his efforts to bring prestige sensibility to micro dramas through VeYou ultimately fell short. The high cost of marketing often outweighs the relatively low production costs of these series, making it a challenging business model for apps like VeYou.

VeYou's strategy has focused on producing high-quality content that can be licensed to other platforms, rather than competing directly for users.

This approach was seen as a way for VeYou to establish itself as a reliable supplier of micro dramas, rather than trying to stand out in a crowded market.

The company's seed funding from S32, a venture firm backed by Google Ventures founder Bill Maris, has helped support its content creation efforts.

Harper's goal is to create original series that can be sold to other platforms, generating revenue through licensing deals.

In recent months, the micro drama landscape has undergone significant changes with the rise of AI-generated characters and free, ad-supported offerings.

A report by media consultancy Owl & Co. found that two-thirds of films released by leading apps outside China in the third quarter were created using artificial intelligence.

This shift towards AI-generated content is having a major impact on the market, as platforms like TikTok's PineDrama offer users free access to micro dramas with ads supporting the service.

The rise of micro dramas has led to a surge in competition among platforms, with tech giants like YouTube and Meta expanding their offerings to include longer-form content. In response to this trend, VeYou's producing partner RIVR Media is shifting its focus towards creating more traditional scripts, acting, and direction for its series.

VeYou's films are now being featured on TikTok as part of the platform's efforts to acquire new subscribers through ads. These ads can be up to 20 minutes long, allowing users to experience a full-fledged micro drama within the app. This strategy is part of Meta's broader push to increase engagement and drive user acquisition.

VeYou's success on TikTok has been notable, with its series performing well based on platform data and monitoring by RIVR Media. The company's CEO Lori Golden-Stryer attributes this success to the appeal of live characters in micro dramas, which she believes sets VeYou apart from AI-generated content.

Business Insider: https://www.businessinsider.com/tommy-harper-veyou-hbo-of-micro-drama-apps-shutting-down-2026-10

Three specific items currently require attention: an ottoman, an air purifier, and a humidifier. The old ottoman has become outdated and was carried over from previous apartments, making it time to replace it. In addition, living on the fifth floor of a building means that dust tends to accumulate, and with radiators burning off old particles, constant sneezing is a common occurrence.

To find second-hand deals for these items, Facebook Marketplace has become a popular platform in this area. Given its reputation, an attempt was made to utilize Meta Muse, a tool designed to assist with shopping and technical support tasks. However, previous experiences have shown that payment and account verification can be problematic.

Muse's integration with Marketplace was expected to be more seamless due to its connection to the Facebook ecosystem, but only time will tell if it can live up to expectations.

When using Meta's shopping assistant, Muse, for online purchases on Marketplace, setting up specific parameters is key to getting relevant results. By clicking on the "Marketplace prompt in the sidebar and selecting it as a recurring task, users can tailor their search according to their needs.

To do this, I specified exactly what I was looking for: an ottoman, an air purifier, and a humidifier. Additionally, I input my preferred price range for each item, which was crucial in narrowing down the options. I also mentioned that I'd be willing to travel a bit further for certain items, such as the air purifier or humidifier.

Muse quickly provided some promising results within my specified budget, and it even took into account my geographical preferences by suggesting locations within reasonable traveling distance. Notably, it found an air purifier from a brand I had in mind, which was listed just a day prior by a seller with excellent ratings.

For the humidifier, Muse suggested an option located in a town that might be harder to reach, prompting me to refine my search parameters and provide clearer geographical preferences. It's clear that Muse is designed to adapt and improve its suggestions over time, making it a useful tool for online shoppers.

The chat function proved to be incredibly helpful in my online shopping experience with Meta's Muse. By asking questions, such as which brands and models were most expensive, I was able to get instant answers along with links for further verification.

Another feature that caught my attention was the seller notes section. When searching for a humidifier in Manhattan, Muse warned me about a new seller, providing valuable insight into potential risks associated with purchasing from unestablished vendors.

I instructed Muse to continue scanning local listings as I wasn't in a hurry to make a purchase, and it promptly complied with my request. This level of adaptability made the shopping process more efficient and less overwhelming.

As I waited for a response from the seller regarding the air purifier, I provided additional context about the ottoman I was searching for, specifically, a midcentury style that could accommodate two people comfortably.

As I continued to use Meta Muse on Marketplace, I set up additional tasks to see how versatile it was. I asked Muse to monitor inventory within a 5-mile radius for any new listings that matched my search criteria.

Muse efficiently scanned the available options and notified me of any potential matches. I could also check in on the Goals tab or click on the Muse avatar to review upcoming tasks, including every scheduled search.

I assigned another task to find affordable espresso machines or plastic-free coffee brewers in my town. This was a specific model that caught my eye, but it came with a hefty price tag of $400, so I wanted to see what options Muse could uncover.

The ability to follow up on each find by asking Tell me more about this product" was incredibly useful. I instructed Muse to send another message to the seller with details about the coffee machine it found.

Muse's Marketplace sweep proved to be a dynamic experience, allowing me to narrow my search using the chat function instead of scrolling endlessly through listings.

When communicating with sellers through Meta's virtual assistant, I chose to keep my responses private by not sharing sensitive information such as phone numbers and addresses. This approach allowed me to maintain control over my personal data while still benefiting from Muse's assistance.

The integration was seamless, and I received timely notifications about price drops on the items I was interested in. However, it seemed that Muse didn't always stay ahead of the game, as I encountered situations where a seller had already responded before I received notification, prompting me to take over the conversation manually.

CNET: https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/meta-muse-facebook-marketplace-shop-online/

The outcome marks a significant upset for Bolsonaro, who had initially trailed incumbent Lula by just two percentage points in the first round on October 4, securing 47% compared to Lula's 45%.

In a dramatic turn of events, Lula's campaign gained momentum over the next three weeks, with his supporters mobilizing across social media platforms and taking to the streets in massive numbers. A key factor was the creation of a WhatsApp channel dubbed "Lula's Army", which has attracted an impressive 8.5 million subscribers.

This grassroots effort helped turn the tables for Lula, a former labour leader who sought and secured his fourth non-consecutive term as president. He has framed this election as his final battle, hinting at a desire to retire from politics after this victory.

Brazil's presidential election outcome marks a significant departure from the trend of right-wing candidates winning elections in the region over the past year. In Chile, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia, right-wing leaders had taken office with Washington's backing.

These countries have all joined the US military cooperation initiative known as the Shield of the Americas, which aims to consolidate a bloc favorable to Donald Trump's policies. However, Lula's win represents a setback for the Republican president, who had supported the Bolsonaro family and their bid for power in Brazil.

Lula's supporters are celebrating this historic victory, which is being seen as a significant step towards restoring democracy in Brazil after years of right-wing dominance.

Bolsonaro's speech was marked by a defiant tone as he refused to acknowledge the election results.

He emphasized the need for Brazil to develop its own artificial intelligence capabilities in order to reduce reliance on foreign technology, specifically citing the United States.

This stance is part of Bolsonaro's broader assertion that his country must assert its sovereignty and resist external influences.

In his words, Brazil had to overcome the interference of digital platforms, which he implied would need to be regulated.

Bolsonaro's comments come amidst a backdrop where several Latin American leaders have received support from foreign figures, including former US President Donald Trump.

Trump has publicly endorsed candidates in Colombia and Ecuador, as well as members of the Bolsonaro family during their campaign.

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed his gratitude to the Brazilian people for their support during his victory speech from São Paulo. He commended the youth who took to the streets to defend democracy and those who helped convince others of the importance of voting in protecting the country's democratic institutions.

Lula also touched on the controversy surrounding Meta, which had reached the courts, stating that his administration would need to regulate digital platforms to prevent external interference in future elections. Notably, he emphasized the significance of digital communications in his upcoming government, highlighting an area where he had doubled down on efforts during his reelection campaign.

The outcome of Brazil's election marked a departure from the recent trend in Latin America, where right-wing candidates have often emerged victorious. Leftist former presidents from across the region congratulated Lula on his win, with Chilean President Gabriel Boric praising him for continuing to fight for a more just world.

Bolivian leader Evo Morales also celebrated Lula's victory, describing it as a renewed source of hope for people fighting for social justice and dignity. Former Colombian President joined in the congratulations, acknowledging Lula's achievement.

Lula's campaign had focused on winning over new voters in the final three weeks to make up for Flavio Bolsonaro's initial lead after the first round. Securing votes from those who had abstained was crucial in this effort, and data showed that abstention rates decreased by nearly three million compared to the first round.

According to official figures, approximately 33.4 million people abstained from voting on October 4, a drop of almost four million from the runoff's 30.4 million abstentions, with Lula ultimately winning by just over four million votes.

The electoral landscape of Brazil has undergone a significant shift since the first round of voting, where President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva trailed behind right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro by a considerable margin.

However, in a stunning reversal of fortunes, Lula emerged victorious in the runoff election with a total of 51.79% of the votes, while Bolsonaro secured 48.21%.

This outcome marks a historic milestone for Brazil, as it is the first time since the country's return to democracy that a candidate who lost in the initial round has gone on to win the presidency.

As the vote count continued, Lula's lead over Bolsonaro grew steadily, with the left-wing president eventually securing 50.92% of the votes to his opponent's 49.08%.

The margin between the two candidates remained narrow throughout the count, but Lula's steady gains ultimately propelled him into a commanding position.

According to analysts, the outcome was not entirely unexpected, given the momentum that had built up in Lula's favor over the course of the election campaign.

The vote count is continuing in Brazil's presidential runoff election, with Senator Flavio Bolsonaro now leading President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva by a narrow margin of less than one percentage point. According to the latest figures from the Superior Electoral Court, Bolsonaro has 50.41% of the votes, while Lula trails behind with 49.59%.

The count shows that Bolsonaro's support is concentrated in southern Brazil, whereas Lula remains strong in northern states. This regional divide mirrors the pattern seen in the first round of voting.

As the vote count continues, it appears that Bolsonaro has overcome his initial deficit and taken the lead. His margin of victory has grown steadily as more votes are counted, with him now holding a significant advantage over Lula.

The Superior Electoral Court had suspended its count after the Supreme Court ordered an extension to voting hours by two hours. However, the court is now resuming its tally, focusing on polling stations where voting had not been completed by 5:00 p.m. Brasilia time.

In response to the Supreme Court's decision, the Workers' Party and the Liberal Party urged their supporters to continue casting their ballots. Local media reported that several polling stations had already closed when the extension was announced.

The vote count is ongoing, with both candidates still in the running for the presidency of Brazil. The outcome remains uncertain as the Superior Electoral Court continues its tally of votes from around the country.

The presidential runoff election in Brazil has taken a dramatic turn after Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Cristiano Zanin ordered an extension of voting hours on Sunday. Voting was initially set to end at 5:00 p.m. Brasilia time (8:00 p.m. GMT), but the two-hour extension, until 7:00 p.m. Brasilia time (10:00 p.m. GMT), will allow voters in certain regions more time to cast their ballots.

The decision was made in response to a request from President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's campaign, which cited concerns about delays in transportation affecting voting times in several municipalities. The Liberal Party, which supports Bolsonaro, has also raised similar complaints, attributing the delays to heavy rains and flooding that have hit some states.

However, the Superior Electoral Court has paused its vote-counting process pending further instructions from the Supreme Court on how to proceed with the extended voting period. This development adds another layer of uncertainty to an already contentious election, with Bolsonaro's campaign refusing to acknowledge any potential delay or irregularity in the electoral process.

The outcome remains uncertain as the Superior Electoral Court continues its tally of votes from around the country, leaving the future of Brazil's presidency hanging in the balance.

France 24 English: https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20261025-live-voting-under-way-across-brazil-in-tight-presidential-run-off-between-lula-and-bolsonaro

The glasses' ability to snap a photo with a tap is just one feature that requires some scrutiny. You might want to know where these photos are stored and for how long. Similarly, microphones that listen for voice commands like "Hey Meta raise concerns about data collection and storage.

When using AI-powered features in your Ray-Ban Meta glasses, it's worth considering the types of data being shared with Meta. Some data sharing is optional, but you should be aware of what's happening behind the scenes. This includes images processed by Meta AI and any other sensitive information that might be collected.

The voice assistant can be convenient, especially when you say Hey Meta to access it. However, this feature also poses a risk if you accidentally activate it during normal conversations. If you're not careful, your glasses will keep recording until the conversation ends or the assistant is explicitly turned off.

In the US, there's an added reason to be cautious about voice activation and cloud storage. Users can no longer prevent Meta from storing recordings of their AI interactions in the cloud. You'll need to manually delete these saved recordings if you want to erase them completely.

To disable voice activation on your Ray-Ban Meta glasses, ensure they're connected to your phone while wearing them. Open the Meta AI app, select your glasses from the list, and navigate to Hey Meta preferences within the app.

Disabling the Hey Meta toggle will prevent your glasses from responding to voice commands, but you can still use the touchpad on the right temple to call the assistant. The microphones remain active for making calls and recording videos.

When using the assistant intentionally, Meta will continue processing audio recordings. These interactions are stored in the Voice activity log under Glasses privacy settings, where you can also delete previous voice interactions if desired.

To manage photos and videos taken with your Ray-Ban Meta glasses, go to Cloud media settings within the app. Here, you can enable or disable cloud-based storage for up to 30 days, which is useful for features like voice-controlled photo sharing and autocapture.

When using Meta's smart glasses, it's essential to understand what data is being collected and how it's used. According to Meta, ordinary gallery captures are not utilized for training AI models or serving ads, regardless of the Cloud media setting.

However, there is a distinction between different types of data collection. Disabling Cloud media won't prevent images from being sent to Meta when you ask its assistant a visual question. This highlights the importance of understanding how each feature operates and what implications it has for your privacy.

In addition to photos, other information is also collected by Meta's smart glasses. The company makes a distinction between essential data required for device operation and optional additional data" that provides insights into usage patterns. This extra data can include analytics on which features are used most frequently.

Volunteering this type of information may not be appealing to everyone, especially if the glasses are worn throughout the day. To opt out of sharing additional data, users must navigate to the Meta AI app, select their connected glasses, and then access the Glasses privacy settings.

When users turn off additional data sharing on their Meta-enabled Ray-Ban smart glasses, they may think they're completely cutting ties with Meta's data collection practices. However, this isn't entirely accurate - Meta still collects data deemed necessary for the functioning and safety of the glasses.

This includes voice commands and AI requests made through the camera, which are governed by Meta's own guidelines. These interactions can potentially involve sensitive information that users may not be aware is being collected.

The visual data sent to Meta's servers when users ask their assistant to identify a plant or translate a menu is also still being stored, even if additional data sharing is turned off. This data was previously used for AI training and could be reviewed by human contractors.

Meta's guidelines state that images must be processed to provide answers to user queries, but this data will not be kept after users opt out of visual data collection. However, the company still needs to process these images in order to generate responses.

When opting out of visual data storage, users need to navigate to their glasses' settings within the Meta AI app and disable the option to store visual data from AI experiences while their glasses are connected to their phone.

Wearing the Meta glasses without storing visual data comes with some limitations. For instance, users may notice that their glasses are less responsive to certain visual prompts, such as reminders or requests to remember an object for later use.

Changing this setting on multiple pairs of Meta glasses requires separate adjustments for each pair. This is particularly relevant for those who own more than one pair, like the first-generation Ray-Ban Meta glasses.

Engadget: https://www.engadget.com/2293112/meta-ray-ban-settings-change-before-wearing/

These AI-powered eyewear devices, such as the Ray-Ban Meta, come equipped with speakers that direct sound straight into the user's ear. This allows users to listen to music, take phone calls, and receive alerts in real-time.

The introduction of the first Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses in October 2023 sparked a mixed reaction from consumers. On one hand, they packed an impressive amount of technology into a sleek design that closely resembles traditional sunglasses.

However, some establishments have taken issue with the camera-equipped versions of these smart glasses, which can record and livestream video. As a result, companies like MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean have banned or restricted their use on premises.

Meta has since developed AI smart glasses without cameras, such as the Ray-Ban Meta Audio, which offers similar features to its camera-enabled counterparts while prioritizing user privacy.

While AI smart glasses may not match the sound quality of dedicated headphones, they offer several advantages in terms of ease of use and portability. One key benefit is that they don't require a separate device to be carried around, making them a more convenient option for those who want to enjoy music on-the-go.

Since AI smart glasses are designed to be worn as regular eyewear, they can easily integrate into one's daily routine without drawing attention to themselves. This seamless integration makes them an attractive alternative to headphones or earbuds, especially for those who already wear glasses.

Unlike headphones that often envelop the ears and disconnect users from their surroundings, AI smart glasses leave the ears completely unobstructed. This means that users can still hear audio cues such as a car horn or someone calling out to them while wearing these devices.

AI smart glasses also offer greater flexibility in terms of how they are used. They can be worn with or without music playing, allowing users to switch seamlessly between different modes of operation.

The design of AI smart glasses prioritizes user comfort and convenience, making them a viable option for those seeking an alternative to traditional headphones.

AI-powered smart glasses offer a unique advantage in terms of multitasking and situational awareness. Unlike traditional headphones or earbuds, which can be distracting in public settings, these glasses enable users to stay informed without compromising their surroundings.

While promotional materials often depict AI assistants being used for complex tasks like accessing company financial reports, everyday usage is generally more practical and beneficial. For instance, having the AI voice read incoming messages and reminders can significantly reduce phone checks throughout the day.

This feature can be particularly useful for those trying to minimize distractions and stay focused on their tasks. By keeping smart glasses on at all times, users can receive timely notifications without needing to physically interact with their device.

One key advantage of AI-powered smart glasses is their ability to provide contextual awareness and situational information in real-time. This includes alerts about incoming messages or reminders that can be read aloud by the AI voice.

In contrast to traditional headphones or earbuds, which require users to be actively wearing them at the time of notification, smart glasses remain constantly connected and alert, making it easier for users to stay informed without interruption.

Conducting phone calls through AI glasses offers several advantages over traditional headphones or earbuds. One of the primary benefits is that it eliminates fatigue caused by holding a phone next to your ear for extended periods. This can be particularly exhausting in situations where you're on a call in a public place, such as a busy street.

Using AI glasses to make calls allows you to stay connected while also being aware of your surroundings. Unlike over-ear headphones that trap heat and can become uncomfortable, or earbuds that isolate you from the world around you, open-ear speakers through glasses provide a more practical solution. You can walk around, hear the sounds of the environment, and even watch TV without interruption.

While it's true that open-ear speakers may not offer the same level of privacy as traditional headphones, the sound bleed is minimal in most situations. For instance, if you're walking down the street or sitting on a bus or train, your conversation will likely remain private. However, if you're in a quiet room with someone nearby, they might be able to overhear parts of your conversation.

For those concerned about privacy or skeptical about wearing AI glasses, it's worth considering a pair without a camera. The open-ear speakers alone could be a worthwhile investment, especially for individuals who value convenience and practicality over sound quality. This feature may also help reduce screen time by providing an alternative way to stay connected with others.

By incorporating open-ear speakers into their design, AI glasses offer a unique solution that combines the benefits of hands-free communication with awareness of one's surroundings.

Engadget: https://www.engadget.com/2292076/when-ai-glasses-worth-headphones-replacement/

The slowdown in token spending growth is a key concern, according to Slok, who argues that most companies investing in AI have yet to see significant productivity returns. In fact, he suggests that AI is now more of a cost center than a driver of growth, with many firms struggling to justify the expense.

Slok's analysis highlights a fundamental flaw in the AI boom narrative: the marginal cost of producing compute far exceeds its marginal benefit for users. This raises questions about claims of unlimited demand for data centers and suggests that companies are reluctant to pay for AI services unless they see clear returns on investment.

The key determinant in data-center construction models is not physical capacity or power, but rather the price users are willing to pay for compute. Slok's warning comes as Wall Street retreats from the sector, sparking concerns about the sustainability of the AI boom.

The enthusiasm surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) has led many investors to believe that companies will pay top dollar for its adoption. However, this optimism is based on flawed assumptions about AI's potential to drive revenue growth and profits.

Slok warns that unless AI translates into tangible financial benefits, companies are unlikely to justify the high costs associated with it. At present, there is little evidence to suggest that AI is delivering substantial returns at scale.

The circularity of token spending in the AI sector has raised concerns about its sustainability. Companies are accused of financing deals where they provide funding or guarantee debt for other businesses, which are also major customers. This creates a web of interconnected relationships that blur the lines between investment and revenue generation.

A closer look at the venture capital landscape reveals that 80% of the top 1% of AI spenders are backed by venture capitalists. This raises questions about whether startups are using venture capital to cover their compute costs, rather than generating profits from organic earnings.

The lack of financial payoff from AI adoption is most pronounced outside of the hyperscaler companies. While these firms have seen rising profit margins and revenue per worker, the rest of the S&P 500 has not experienced similar improvements.

The AI industry's reliance on capital expenditure has been a key driver of growth in recent years, but this trend is starting to show signs of strain. The hyperscalers, which are leading the charge in AI development, plan to spend an estimated $800 billion this year, with capex next year expected to reach $1 trillion.

However, the ability of these companies to raise capital may be limited by their own financial metrics. For instance, Meta's plans to spend $135 billion-$145 billion this year have led to a significant increase in the cost of insuring its debt against default. The five-year credit default swaps for Meta touched an all-time high on Thursday, widening 7.6 basis points to 114.79 basis points.

The social media giant's financial situation is not unique, as many AI companies are struggling to justify their valuations and secure further funding. This has led some investors to doubt the sustainability of the current capital expenditure cycle, particularly in the chip sector where prices have been driven up by demand for AI-related technologies.

Meanwhile, Meta's decision to issue a new class of shares this week, partly to help CEO Mark Zuckerberg pay for a possible wealth tax in California, is another indication that the company may be facing financial headwinds. The move has added to concerns about the social media giant's ability to raise capital and meet its spending commitments.

The turmoil in the AI sector has spread to smaller companies, with CoreWeave's stock plummeting by over 30% this month and its five-year credit default swaps skyrocketing to 1,145 basis points.

This trend highlights concerns about interconnected financing structures between major players in the field, known as hyperscalers, and their data center projects or partnerships with smaller AI companies. These complex relationships can create hidden liabilities that are not always disclosed.

The opacity of these financial arrangements has raised questions about the accuracy of publicly available information, making it difficult to assess the true extent of debt within the sector.

Fortune: https://fortune.com/2026/10/24/ai-core-economic-flaw-bull-case-stock-bond-trades-credit-default-swaps-data-centers/

Among the most highly anticipated devices is Apple's iPhone Duo, a folding phone that has garnered significant attention worldwide. While initial concerns about its performance were expected, Apple's first foray into foldable technology has surprisingly exceeded expectations. The device's weight and price may be drawbacks, but it appears to have sidestepped many of the common issues associated with early foldable phones.

Despite some app compatibility issues, users who can afford the iPhone Duo will find a lot to appreciate about its unique features. Apple's experience in the tech industry has undoubtedly contributed to its success in this area, allowing the company to learn from others' mistakes and avoid common pitfalls. This strategic approach has paid off, making the iPhone Duo an impressive addition to the market.

In our upcoming review, we will delve deeper into the specifics of the iPhone Duo, exploring its design, functionality, and overall user experience. For now, it is clear that Apple's efforts have yielded a product that is more polished than expected, setting a high standard for future foldable devices.

The latest iPhone has been making waves in the tech world, but some journalists have taken a break from folding screens to test drive other innovative products. One such vehicle is the Rivian R2, a mid-sized electric SUV that has left reviewers impressed with its roomy interior and impressive power and range.

The R2's performance and design have set it apart as an attractive option for families considering switching to an electric vehicle. According to one review, this SUV feels like the "Goldilocks" model - not too big, not too small - making it a compelling choice for those who currently drive gas-powered vehicles.

While some reviewers may still be waiting for the base model to arrive next year, they have already praised the R2's style and tech features. Its electric powertrain is proving that smaller and more affordable EVs can hold their own against larger models in terms of performance and capabilities.

In other news, Ray-Ban has introduced a new audio-only version of its Meta glasses, which offer a stylish alternative to traditional headphones or earbuds. With longer battery life and comfortable wearability, these frames are designed to provide an enjoyable listening experience without the need for cameras or video recording capabilities.

The Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses have made a positive impression on our team, particularly in their ability to seamlessly integrate audio features into everyday life without drawing attention to themselves.

Their design and functionality allow users to enjoy high-quality sound through open-ear speakers without feeling self-conscious or worrying about others noticing the smart glasses. This level of subtlety is a significant advantage for those who want to enjoy music or other audio content discreetly.

James Trew's review of the A1000 over-ear headphones from Technics highlights the company's ability to deliver excellent sound quality and active noise cancellation performance, alongside a comfortable design and respectable battery life.

However, despite these impressive features, the A1000 comes with two significant drawbacks: its high price point of $450 and an unreliable magnetic fluid driver that fails to consistently impress.

The A1000 is a notable addition to Technics' product line, building on the success of their true wireless AZ100 earbuds.

The ASUS ProArt P16 laptop is an exceptional device geared towards professionals who require advanced AI capabilities.

Its high price point and specialized hardware make it less appealing to casual users or gamers, who may need more time before benefiting from the RTX Spark platform's full potential. The platform itself may take a year to mature before being widely recommended.

Engadget: https://www.engadget.com/2295366/engadget-review-recap-iphone-duo-rivian-r2-and-more/

These AI agents, such as Meta's Muse and OpenAI's dots, promise to go beyond simple chatbots by allowing users to instruct them to perform specific tasks. However, this increased functionality comes with a risk: if an agent is granted permission to access sensitive information or apps, it may be able to carry out unintended actions.

Cybersecurity experts are warning that the potential for AI agents to access and manipulate financial data is particularly concerning. According to John Strand, owner of Black Hills Information Security, granting an AI agent access to personal apps or data can have far-reaching consequences, even if the intention was simply to manage a calendar or plan a trip.

The issue arises when users unwittingly grant an AI agent more authority than intended, potentially putting their financial information at risk.

The development of AI technology is still in its early stages, and one area that's particularly concerning is the potential for these agents to be used for malicious purposes.

For instance, an AI agent might not behave as expected or follow instructions exactly, which could lead to unintended consequences. This has already been seen in recent cases where AI agents have hacked into other websites, including those of prominent companies and government agencies.

The issue of data privacy is also a significant concern when it comes to sharing information with AI agents. Even if the agent itself doesn't engage in any malicious activities, it could potentially compromise sensitive login information, leaving users vulnerable to cyber attacks.

This problem arises because banks are unable to distinguish between an authorized AI agent and a hacker using the same login credentials.

As banks become increasingly aware of the risks associated with AI agents accessing customer accounts, they are taking steps to prevent unauthorized access.

Charles Schwab's CEO Rick Wurster has highlighted the issue, stating that bots are frequently attempting to move clients' money without their permission. This problem is not limited to a single bank, as Wells Fargo has also confirmed that it has taken measures to block unauthorized agents from accessing customer accounts.

The use of AI agents in banking transactions is becoming more widespread, and banks are responding by implementing security protocols to prevent unauthorized access. However, this may only be the tip of the iceberg, as Wurster notes that the number of blocked attempts is growing rapidly.

Wells Fargo's response to the issue underscores the severity of the problem, with the bank taking proactive steps to safeguard customer accounts. This approach suggests that banks are acknowledging the potential risks associated with AI agents and are working to mitigate them.

In an effort to promote the use of their own proprietary tools, some banks are encouraging customers to use their in-house AI features instead of relying on external agents. For example, Charles Schwab recommends using Charley, its proprietary AI tool, for tasks such as gathering market insights and managing everyday financial transactions.

Monitoring your bank account activity can be an effective way to detect potential issues caused by AI bots.

To check if there's been any unusual activity, examine your login history and account activity closely. Look for patterns that don't match your typical behavior, such as multiple logins in a short period or consistent access at the same time every day. This could be a sign of unauthorized access, but it might also simply indicate an AI agent is active.

If you notice anything suspicious, contact your bank immediately to request assistance and investigate further. Two-factor authentication can also be enabled as a preventive measure to safeguard financial data, which is a good idea in any case.

Restricting the permissions granted to AI agents is crucial for maintaining control over their access to sensitive information. Check the permissions given to these tools and limit them to only what's necessary for completing specific tasks.

Requiring AI agents to ask for permission before accessing new apps, data, or features can help prevent unauthorized activity. This approach was suggested by Shang Saavedra, founder of Save My Cents, who also recommends regularly reviewing an AI agent's access to ensure it aligns with your original intentions.

When it comes to financial transactions, human oversight is still essential to prevent any potential missteps or unauthorized access. This means keeping a close eye on AI-powered tools and ensuring they don't have direct access to sensitive information like bank accounts.

In practice, this approach involves regularly monitoring the activities of AI agents and restricting their access to financial data whenever possible.

CNET: https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/please-dont-let-an-ai-bot-log-into-your-bank-account/

This remarkable figure is a far cry from the statutory rate of 21%, set by federal law. The discrepancy is largely due to a significant tax benefit that Meta recognized in its first quarter this year.

According to the company's report, it benefited from $8.03 billion in relief from the corporate alternative minimum tax, related to previously capitalized U.S. research and development costs. This move was made possible by Treasury's Notice 2026-7, issued on February 18 of this year.

The impact of this change is evident in Meta's quarterly report, which shows that it recognized a $1.03 billion tax provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2026.

Meta's effective tax rate would have been significantly higher without this relief, and indeed was as high as 87% in the third quarter of last year when the One Big Beautiful Bill Act became law.

The company now has a week to respond to senators' questions about its use of data center tax credits, which are likely to be an important factor in its future tax obligations.

The Treasury benefit granted to Meta has significantly impacted its tax rate for this year. Without it, the company's first-quarter rate would have been a staggering 14% higher, according to calculations based on its filings. This is primarily due to the effect of Treasury Notice 2026-7.

Meta's tax provision for the first nine months of the year would have been approximately $9.06 billion without the benefit. This represents roughly 17% of its pretax income, underscoring the substantial impact of the Treasury break on its financials. The company's third-quarter rate was 24%, but this was unaffected by the benefit.

A different tax-related issue is now under scrutiny from certain members of Congress. Meta has been questioned about how it classified its data centers as experimental, allowing it to receive a federal research and experimentation credit. This classification reportedly enabled the company to claim a significant tax break.

According to public records, Meta claimed that its AI data centers are "pilot models" that qualify for the federal credit. The company indicated in regulatory filings that it used this credit to reduce its federal income tax liability by $6.6 billion from 2023 through 2025.

Meta reported a total of nearly $700 million in savings for 2023, followed by $2 billion in 2024 and almost $4 billion in 2025. The company now has one week to respond to the senators' questions about its use of data center tax credits.

The senators are likely to scrutinize Meta's response closely, given the significant implications of this tax break for the company's future financial obligations.

The scrutiny of Meta's tax benefits continues as senators demand more information about its use of data center tax credits.

A letter sent by the senators questions the allocation of federal research credits to A.I. data centers, suggesting that this may not meet the standard for supporting innovation and cutting-edge research.

Meta's financial filings reveal a significant amount of unrecognized tax benefits, standing at $20.82 billion as of September 30. This figure is up from $16.45 billion at the end of last year.

The company's annual report attributes these benefits primarily to uncertainties surrounding its research tax credits and transfer pricing with foreign subsidiaries. Meta claims it will continue to accrue these benefits for recurring tax positions, stating that its current accrual is adequate.

The senators' inquiry into Meta's tax practices has sparked criticism from lawmakers who argue that A.I. companies are unfairly benefiting at the expense of American families.

Meta's significant investments in research and development (R&D) have been a notable aspect of its business strategy in recent years. According to the company, over the last five years, it has invested $200 billion in R&D, with a staggering $57 billion allocated just in the past year alone.

This substantial investment is crucial for advancing frontier research and building new technologies that support American jobs. Meta's spokesperson emphasized that AI-optimized data centers, which require extensive testing and experimentation, are inherently new and cannot be simulated to get the design and build right - a fact that underscores the need for Congress' established tax incentives, decades ago.

Fortune: https://fortune.com/2026/10/23/meta-8-billion-treasury-break-obbba-tax-rate-bill-data-centers-credit-elizabeth-warren/

The test appears to be having an impact on entities that were initially exempt from the change. Greenville, Texas, a city with a population of around 35,000, has seen one of its Facebook pages receive a notification about link posting restrictions. The city's communications manager, Daniel Starks, oversees nearly a dozen Facebook pages and recently received a message informing him that his library page could no longer post more than two links per month.

The message from Meta stated that sharing additional links would require signing up for the company's One subscription service, which costs $50 or more per month. This move has caught nonprofit leaders off guard, as they had previously been assured that their pages were exempt from such restrictions.

Nonprofit organizations have expressed concerns about the new policy, citing confusion over how it affects them despite being identified as nonprofits and verified to use Meta's fundraising tools. The impact of this change on their online presence is still being assessed by these groups, who are rethinking their use of the platform in light of these developments.

City officials are facing a dilemma due to changes in Facebook's policies that affect government and nonprofit pages. According to Starks, who oversees the city's online presence, over 50% of their activities involve linking back to information on their website.

This shift has left them scrambling for alternative solutions. To mitigate the impact, the city instructed its staff to stop posting links within Facebook posts altogether. Instead, relevant URLs will now appear in the page's comments section.

The changes have been met with frustration and concern among officials. Starks questioned Meta's claim that government-run pages are exempt from these restrictions. The library's account, which identifies it as a government building, was previously verified by the company but is still affected by the policy change.

Nonprofit organizations are also feeling the pinch of these new policies. For example, Bethany English, co-president of a small Indianapolis-based nonprofit, encountered issues while trying to create a Facebook post about an upcoming event.

The financial burden of maintaining a Facebook presence has become a significant concern for many small nonprofits and government organizations.

In addition to the issue faced by Bethany English's organization, another nonprofit was offered an alternative solution when it tried to post links on its Facebook page. The alternative involved signing up for a Meta One subscription, which would allow the organization to share up to 20 links each month for $150 a month.

The financial implications of this decision are significant for small nonprofits that rely heavily on social media to reach their audience and disseminate information about upcoming events and fundraisers.

For such organizations, social media has become an essential tool for spreading awareness and mobilizing support. The ability to share links directly in posts is a crucial feature, but it now comes with a hefty price tag.

The challenge of finding alternative solutions to this problem is already being explored by some nonprofits, who are considering workarounds like creating dedicated Facebook events rather than organic posts.

Meta has been testing paid link sharing for nearly a year, and it now appears that this feature will be part of its new Meta One subscription plans. The company's decision to charge government and nonprofit pages to post links on Facebook has raised concerns among these organizations.

The cheapest Meta One plan costs $14.99/month but does not offer any additional link-sharing privileges on Facebook. However, subscribers can add a dedicated link page to their Instagram bio. Users who opt for the more expensive plans will have access to more links: eight per month with the $49.99/month plan and 20 per month with the $149.99/month tier.

Critics of Meta's new policy argue that it is unfair to charge nonprofits to share links on Facebook. "Fifty bucks for eight links a month is crazy," said Jeff Bannister, marketing manager for SparkPoint, a small North Carolina-based nonprofit that advocates for public health and stronger social connections in Transylvania County.

SparkPoint was recently hit with Facebook's restriction on link sharing, which has forced the organization to explore alternative solutions. Bannister is now considering ways to work with other local nonprofits to mutually share information and reduce their dependence on Facebook.

The challenge of finding alternative solutions to this problem is being explored by some nonprofits, who are looking at workarounds like creating dedicated Facebook events rather than organic posts. This would allow them to share links without incurring additional costs.

The new rules implemented by Meta have left many government and nonprofit pages bewildered about what exactly is allowed on Facebook. Some of these organizations have reported that they are still able to share links in comments on their posts, while others claim this feature has been taken away from them. This inconsistent application of the rules raises more questions than answers about Meta's intentions.

Meta's own explanations and help center information do not provide clear guidance on why sharing links is being restricted. The company has stated that its new features are intended to "unlock more specialized capabilities" and AI features, but this does not explain why a basic feature like sharing links is now tied to these subscriptions. This move appears to be a significant departure from the platform's original functionality.

David Diskin, president of California Freethought Day, shares his concerns about the new link-sharing limitation. With only two links allowed per month for nonprofit organizations, spreading awareness and promoting civic engagement becomes extremely challenging. This restriction is particularly problematic for events like the one hosted by Diskin's organization in Sacramento.

Diskin was notified of the link-sharing limit just days ahead of his event, with Meta offering him lower rates than others: $40/month for eight links, $119/month for 20 links, or $399 for unlimited access. This restrictive policy has left many nonprofit pages struggling to adapt and find ways to effectively use Facebook without incurring additional costs.

Meta has reinstated its previous policy of allowing government and nonprofit pages to post links on Facebook without incurring additional costs.

The reversal comes after a brief period where these organizations were charged for posting links on the platform. The change was made abruptly and without explanation, leaving many in the affected community frustrated with Meta's handling of the situation.

Engadget: https://www.engadget.com/2295422/meta-is-charging-government-and-nonprofit-pages-to-post-links-on-facebook/

At the heart of the case is the argument that Meta is being held accountable for its online practices, with its chief legal officer describing the lawsuit as an attempt to impose a "tax on speech" to enforce new rules for what people can say online. This verdict adds to the growing list of Meta's legal troubles this year.

In another related case in New Mexico, a jury ruled that Meta should pay $375 million for violating the state's Unfair Practices Act, specifically regarding child safety. The trial had two phases, with the second resulting in an additional $567 million penalty for Meta.

A separate court has also found Meta liable for harming a user's mental health due to its app design features, and the company is being held responsible for most of the $6 million awarded to the plaintiff, a young woman.

Meta has been in hot water over its app design features that allegedly harm kids' mental health. In August, the company settled a high-profile federal case brought by most US states, which centered on addictive features in its apps.

As part of this settlement, Meta will pay the states between $17 and $18 billion over 10 years. This is a significant sum, but it's worth noting that it may not be enough to deter the company from continuing its business practices.

The recent New Mexico trial saw state attorneys seeking damages in the range of $35 to $45 billion for alleged violations. However, even if Meta was held liable for this amount, it would still face relatively minor consequences given its massive size and financial resources.

Meta's stock took a hit on Thursday, but this drop can be attributed to a combination of factors including its earnings report from the previous day, heavy investments in AI technology, and broader market trends affecting AI stocks.

Meta's troubles are not limited to its financial struggles. The company is also facing mounting criticism and scrutiny from various quarters, including juries, protesters, and even its own employees. This perception problem has been a persistent issue for Meta, with many questioning the company's internal policies and actions.

The accumulation of evidence against Meta through court cases is another significant factor that could lead to change. According to Corban Rhodes, partner at DiCello Levitt, every time Meta fails to settle a case, the evidence presented in trial can be scrutinized by the public and used in future cases. This creates a snowball effect that can ultimately hold the company accountable.

One notable example of such evidence is a 2018 email sent by then-COO Sheryl Sandberg to her colleagues shortly after the Cambridge Analytica scandal broke. In it, she revealed that there were over a million developers with access to user data. This revelation has been a major point of contention and raises questions about Meta's handling of sensitive information.

The transparency provided through court cases is particularly significant, as it allows for the public to see documents and evidence that had previously been kept secret. In this case, more than 100 exhibits were made public during the trial, shedding light on internal company policies and practices.

The ruling by a Delaware judge in March has sent shockwaves through the industry, as it suggests that private insurers may not be willing to cover the costs of Meta's legal defenses.

This development is significant because it raises questions about the long-term financial sustainability of companies like Meta, which are facing an unprecedented number of lawsuits. While there is no clear threshold at which a company becomes vulnerable to collapse, shareholders and board members may start to focus on individual directors or officers who have been making questionable decisions.

According to Brian Quinn, a law professor at Boston College Law School, this shift in perspective could lead to problems for the company. Quinn notes that under current indemnification laws, individuals within a company are not automatically liable for violating laws, even if they were found to be responsible.

Quinn suggests that companies like Meta may face difficulties if it is demonstrated that their officers or directors were acting outside of good faith when making decisions, which could lead to personal liability and potentially severe financial consequences.

The accumulation of negative results could lead to a turning point for Meta, where shareholders may demand that the corporation can no longer indemnify its directors. This change in protection could result from angry shareholders standing up and making their voices heard.

Meta's executives would likely feel less secure without this indemnification, which could prompt changes within the company. As the company continues to navigate the complex landscape of AI, its legal woes are unlikely to subside anytime soon.

Wired: https://www.wired.com/story/how-many-billions-would-it-take-to-hold-meta-accountable/

Supporters of Lula have taken to the streets, protesting outside Meta's Dublin headquarters and voicing their concerns about unfair treatment by social media giants. They claim that Meta is favoring Bolsonaro by restricting access to advertising accounts and suppressing posts from Lula's campaign.

Brazil's electoral prosecutors are also investigating these claims, stating that Meta failed to comply fully with court orders aimed at ensuring equal treatment of both candidates. This has raised concerns about the integrity of the election process.

United Nations human rights experts have weighed in on the issue, expressing concern over possible unequal treatment of the two campaigns by social media platforms. They are closely monitoring the situation and its potential impact on the election's outcome.

The use of Meta AI tools, such as WhatsApp chatbots, has been a focal point of contention, with images circulating online showing the platform refusing to generate campaign posters for Lula while instantly producing an image for "Flávio".

Brazil's presidential election has been marred by allegations of bias in Meta AI tools, which have been accused of favoring incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro over his challenger, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Screenshots submitted to the electoral court by Lula's campaign appear to show Meta AI assigning Bolsonaro's electoral number, 22, to generic, fictional politicians. The same tool is also alleged to have translated a derogatory phrase about Bolsonaro into a compliment, further fueling concerns of bias.

David Nemer at the University of Virginia notes that determining whether these discrepancies are deliberate or not is impossible due to the opacity of Meta's systems. This lack of transparency has raised suspicions among Lula's supporters and experts alike.

The comeback of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the polls has been attributed partly to his Army, an intensive online campaign that engages 8 million WhatsApp channel subscribers with daily tasks such as posting photographs on Instagram with a specific gesture. This effort appears to be paying off, with polls showing a narrowing gap between Lula and Bolsonaro.

The use of large language models in this election has been unprecedented, and experts say Brazil's experience offers a glimpse into the future of AI in politics. Fact-checking organisation Lupa identified 920 pieces of AI-generated or manipulated content ahead of the first round, mostly on Facebook and Instagram, with over half of it unlabelled.

The Brazilian presidential election has been marred by allegations of bias in Meta's AI tools, which have failed to prevent the spread of manipulated content.

Meta's independent oversight board has criticized the company's election safeguards, describing them as ineffective. Nemer, an expert on the matter, says it is a worrying development that highlights the need for better regulation of AI in politics.

The use of large language models (LLMs) in campaigning has raised concerns about their potential to spread misinformation and manipulate public opinion. A study by InternetLab found that eight major AI chatbots often refused to answer genuine questions about candidates, instead directing users to official electoral websites.

New Scientist: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2595540-brazil-presidential-election-dogged-by-alleged-bias-by-meta-ai-tools/?utm_campaign=RSS|NSNS&utm_content=home&utm_medium=RSS&utm_source=NSNS

According to economic analysts Samuel Tombs and Oliver Allen from Pantheon Macroeconomics, various sectors are experiencing significant job losses as a result of AI. While some industries such as construction are actually seeing an increase in employment, driven by the demand for data centers from tech companies, other sectors like accounting, advertising, office administration, legal services, and more are slowly disappearing.

Goldman Sachs analyst Joseph Briggs shares this concern, pointing out that despite initial media hype about imminent job losses due to AI, recent labor market data indicate some signs of AI-related hiring headwinds. Under a baseline forecast for a 15% productivity increase from AI, around 9% of workers could potentially be temporarily displaced during the transition period.

The extent of job displacement due to AI is likely to vary depending on various factors including industry and location, with some regions and sectors being more vulnerable than others. As AI continues to transform the workforce, policymakers and business leaders must work together to mitigate its negative impacts and ensure that workers are equipped with the necessary skills to adapt to this changing landscape.

The global economy is experiencing a downturn, with stocks in Asia and Europe falling in response to a poor day of trading in the US. The S&P 500 index lost 1.21% of its value, while the Nasdaq fell by a more significant 2.9%. This decline was particularly pronounced among tech stocks.

One company that felt the brunt of this downturn is AI cloud provider CoreWeave, which saw its shares drop 10.06% and now sits at a 22% loss for the year. Meta also continued to struggle, falling by another 0.33% in overnight trading after losing 6.98% the previous day.

Despite these losses, there are some signs that investors may be starting to buy into the dip. Nasdaq futures were up 0.28% before the opening of trading in New York, suggesting a possible rebound in fortunes for tech stocks. S&P futures, however, remained flat.

This mixed picture is likely to continue as traders weigh the impact of ongoing economic uncertainty on their investments. The decline in tech stocks has been particularly pronounced, with AI cloud providers like CoreWeave feeling the pinch alongside Meta and other major players in the sector.

Market volatility continues to grip global markets as various factors converge to create uncertainty.

The latest developments in the tech sector have added to concerns about AI's impact on employment, with some analysts warning that 9% of jobs are at risk due to automation.

In the midst of this turmoil, oil prices have surged to $114 per barrel, driven by reports that the US is prepared to engage in a prolonged conflict with Iran.

The situation is further complicated by France's deepening budget crisis, which has seen yields on its 10-year bonds reach a new high of 5.1% before easing back to 5.05%.

In contrast, the yield on the 10-year US Treasury fell to 4.9%, suggesting that some investors still view American debt as a safe-haven asset.

Market analysts are cautioning against overreacting to short-term market fluctuations, pointing out that many indices remain at historically high levels despite recent declines.

The Nasdaq 100 index, for example, is up nearly 30% from March and 20% from this time last year, while the Nikkei 225 has risen by a quarter since March.

Protests in France are set to continue on Saturday with a massive demonstration planned in Paris against lack of state funding for education.

The planned route for the march appears to be deliberately chosen to cause economic disruption, particularly in luxury shopping areas where widespread looting had already taken place before a curfew was imposed. The protests have seen shoplifting become a significant issue after sundown, causing concern about their potential impact on France's economy.

Analysts at Macquarie believe that the protests will have a detrimental effect on Q4 GDP growth and may also lead to a risk of deposit flight from France. This could exacerbate economic instability in the country.

Meanwhile, estimates suggest that CoreWeave faces a shortfall of $30 billion in its remaining performance obligation pipeline, as calculated by analysts at BNP Paribas.

The upcoming U2 tour has sparked a wide disparity in ticket prices, with general admission floor tickets available for as little as $100 at some venues.

This pricing strategy is not new to the band, as lead singer Bono revealed that they have been making the best seats in the house accessible to fans for their entire career.

According to Bono, this approach allows them to cater to a wide range of fans, including those who may not be able to afford the more expensive options. He also acknowledged that some fans will likely overpay for tickets.

The band's willingness to accommodate both budget-conscious and high-end ticket buyers is reflected in their VIP packages, with prices ranging from $100 to $1,150 per person.

Fortune: https://fortune.com/2026/10/23/ai-is-killing-10000-plus-jobs-per-month-and-9-of-jobs-are-at-risk/

The ruling was issued in New Mexico, where a jury trial found that Meta had violated state law by deceiving social media consumers on their data protection. The case dates back to the Cambridge Analytica scandal involving the 2016 presidential election, which highlighted concerns over online data misuse.

Under New Mexico's Unfair Practices Act, Meta has been ordered to pay penalties for nearly 44 million violations of the law. This marks a significant blow to the tech giant, with Meta having previously attempted to cap its penalties at $3.45 billion in court filings.

If Meta chooses to appeal the verdict, it could potentially avoid paying the full amount of $25 billion. However, some estimates had suggested that the company could have faced even steeper penalties, reaching as high as $219 billion.

Meta has yet to comment on the ruling, but New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez has hailed the decision as a significant victory in holding powerful corporations accountable for their actions.

The series of hefty fines and settlements slapped on Meta in recent years appears to have had little impact on its behavior. The company has been repeatedly criticized for allowing access to user data without consent, as seen in the Cambridge Analytica scandal that contributed to Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign.

Meta's social media platforms have also come under fire for their addictive nature, particularly when it comes to children and teenagers. In a separate case, the company was ordered to pay up to $18 billion to multiple US states after admitting that its platforms were intentionally designed to be harmful to young users.

These significant payouts seem to have done little to curb Meta's penchant for pushing boundaries in terms of user data collection and platform design. The company has continued to develop new features, such as the Muse agentic AI platform, which raises concerns about privacy and security.

Just this week, researchers discovered a flaw in the links generated by Muse conversations that allowed unauthorized access. In response, Meta suspended the feature, but this incident highlights the ongoing issues with user data protection at the company.

Meta's smart glasses are still a contentious issue, with ongoing concerns about their potential use of facial recognition technology. Despite reports suggesting that Meta is exploring alternatives to camera-equipped models, these versions would be in addition to those that already include cameras.

The implications of the New Mexico court case on Meta's business ventures are likely limited, despite the possibility of a significant penalty being imposed. The company's newer technologies, such as AI and AI-assisted hardware, may not be directly affected by the ruling.

According to Michael Stokes, senior vice president of emerging technologies at Veilant, it is only through court orders that companies can be forced to make changes to their products. Stokes emphasized that settlements, like the one in New Mexico, do not necessarily dictate how a company must operate.

Stokes also noted that any settlement written for 2018 would not apply to Meta's newer devices, which may include AI and AI-assisted hardware.

Meta's hefty court loss may have significant implications for its business model, but it's unlikely to prompt a drastic change of course. The $25 billion judgment is largely symbolic, and the company will likely continue to face numerous lawsuits over issues such as data collection and platform design.

The payout from this latest verdict will not be distributed to Meta users; instead, it will go towards New Mexico's public school fund. This may seem like a substantial sum for education, but experts argue that it won't have a significant impact on the company's overall business.

Despite the financial hit, Meta's stock actually rose following the judgment, indicating that investors don't see fines as a major concern for the tech giant. However, this verdict and others like it may still pose a threat to Meta's reputation and future litigation risks.

The court's decision highlights the ongoing scrutiny of tech companies' handling of user data and promises made regarding platform safety and security. As a result, any company making such claims should expect to be held accountable for its actions.

CNET: https://www.cnet.com/news/privacy/meta-25-billion-court-loss/

As we age, the stakes increase for remembering significant events in our relationships. What starts as forgetting friends' birthdays can escalate into neglecting family members' special days, including those of children and grandchildren.

To avoid these mishaps, some people turn to AI agents to automate relationship maintenance tasks. This approach leverages AI's ability to perform repetitive duties with precision. I decided to put this strategy to the test by using ChatGPT and other AI tools to manage my personal and professional connections.

However, there are potential drawbacks to relying on AI for interpersonal relationships. The technology excels at executing routine tasks but may struggle to replicate human empathy and emotional understanding. This raises questions about the suitability of AI agents for handling complex social interactions.

As I began exploring the capabilities and limitations of these tools, a significant issue came to light: the lack of clarity around their impact on copyright laws.

As I continued exploring the capabilities of these AI agents, I realized that some tools are more capable than others when it comes to automating personal relationships. ChatGPT, for instance, demonstrated its ability to access and utilize external services like Google Calendar and Gmail to identify key birthdays and develop a system to send reminders.

One tool, however, seemed to struggle with the automation aspect: Claude's capabilities were limited to drafting emails and creating birthday cards, but it couldn't actually send them. This raised questions about the effectiveness of using AI agents for tasks that require more than just generating content.

Another tool, Gemini, appeared to be restricted in its functionality, capable only of working within the chat interface to draft custom emails and generate cards, rather than interacting with external services like email clients.

The integration of AI agents in digital communication has reached new heights, allowing for seamless interaction and automation of personal relationships. ChatGPT's ability to gather data points on friends' and family members' interests enabled it to create personalized digital birthday cards that accurately reflected their personalities.

To further test the capabilities of these AI agents, I attempted to set up automated digital greetings for significant events in my life. In a surprising move, ChatGPT successfully generated a digital card and message for my dog's birthday and sent an email to my husband without any issues.

However, this experience was short-lived as the chat limit was reached, prompting an alert requesting permission to send emails on behalf of the user. This raised questions about the extent of control users have over AI agents' actions, particularly when it comes to sensitive tasks like sending personal communications.

In a separate experiment with Meta Muse, I asked the AI agent to share memes and check-ins with friends on Instagram. Unfortunately, this endeavor proved to be more trouble than it was worth, as the content selected by Muse seemed arbitrary and lacked any specific connection to the individuals involved.

The inconsistent performance of these AI agents highlights the need for further refinement and development in their capabilities, particularly when it comes to tasks that require a deep understanding of personal relationships.

Optimizing these AI agents for personal correspondence proved to be a tedious task. The amount of time required to fine-tune their responses and ensure they sent relevant messages was not justified by the end result.

When interacting with an AI agent like Dots or Muse, it's essential to be aware that they may also start to overstep in conversations. This can happen even when you've given them permission to access certain information, such as your emails or social media accounts.

In my experience, both Dots and Muse began to act autonomously, taking actions I hadn't explicitly requested. For instance, Dots unexpectedly alerted me to a scheduling conflict by scanning my emails and sending me a notification about the timing of an event I had bought tickets for.

This behavior raised questions about the limits of these AI agents' capabilities and whether they can truly be trusted to perform tasks independently without causing unintended consequences.

While using Muse and Dots' AI agents to automate my relationships, I encountered some concerning behavior from these digital assistants. Muse began sending unsolicited updates about a fire in Malibu and the weather, which raised questions about its ability to discern relevant information.

These apps also displayed relentless efforts to encourage me to utilize their features while they were active on my device. This experience left me feeling disconnected from meaningful interactions and more focused on the AI companies behind these tools.

CNET: https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/i-tried-automating-my-relationships-using-ai-agents-muse-and-dots-overstepped/

Investors are becoming increasingly risk-averse, seeking out safe-haven assets like Treasury bonds amidst the turmoil. Demand for these bonds has increased significantly, with yields on the 10-year note falling below 5% - its lowest level since late September. This trend bucks recent weeks' patterns, where investors had been showing a preference for higher-risk investments.

The US military and diplomatic personnel are being evacuated from several countries in the Middle East, in preparation for possible military action against Iran. According to reports, key targets could include Iran's energy infrastructure and nuclear sites, sparking concerns about potential retaliation from Iranian officials.

The market volatility continues as concerns about an impending war with Iran and high artificial intelligence (AI) spending weigh heavily on investor sentiment. Tech stocks are leading the declines in equity markets, with Meta and Tesla experiencing significant drops following their quarterly earnings reports.

Meta's earnings exceeded forecasts, but only after accounting for massive legal penalties paid by the company last quarter, which totaled billions of dollars. The tech giant also warned investors that it plans to increase its spending next year to accommodate growing demands for computing power. This move comes on top of a separate regulatory filing that revealed Meta intends to allocate an additional $825 billion towards contracts related to its AI infrastructure development.

Tesla's quarterly earnings report, however, fell short of investor expectations as the company announced plans to rein in capital expenditures, dampening hopes for more aggressive expansion strategies.

The technology sector's struggles continued to weigh on global markets as Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang warned that capital to finance AI investments is becoming increasingly scarce due to higher interest rates and existing spending commitments.

Meanwhile, European stocks have been declining in recent weeks, partly due to a significant sell-off in French government debt. This development has added to the overall market uncertainty, contributing to Thursday's downturn.

The S&P 500 remains near its all-time high set earlier this month despite the current market volatility, but a prolonged stumble could still impact President Donald Trump's economic argument ahead of the November midterm elections.

NBC News World: https://www.nbcnews.com/business/markets/iran-war-ai-spending-oil-prices-selloff-rcna604994

Traditional companies in this sector have not yet secured a strong hold on the market, according to Li. In contrast, newer entrants have made significant investments in model development, which has given them an edge. This trend is evident among some leading companies that did not exist just a few years ago.

Meta itself has been investing heavily in AI model development, said Li. The company's efforts have yielded increasingly competitive models that can benefit both small businesses and enterprises alike. These advancements are being leveraged to support the launch of Meta's Enterprise Platform, announced on September 28.

The platform is being built out by Chirantan "CJ Desai, former CEO of MongoDB, who has joined Meta for this purpose. By combining its AI models with business-facing products and tools such as APIs and integrated AI agents in messaging and social platforms, Meta aims to compete across parts of the enterprise software and AI markets.

Li emphasized that the company's goal is to enable businesses to adopt AI agents for a wide range of tasks including software development, productivity, sales, marketing, and customer service. This could potentially become a new diversified recurring revenue stream for Meta, supporting multiple business models.

Meta's expansion of consumer AI offerings is a clear indication that the company is taking a long-term approach to adoption and product economics.

The AI ambitions are being driven by significant demand, with more than 10 million people in the U.S. and Canada setting up Muse personal agents within six weeks of launch. This rapid uptake suggests that users are eager to integrate AI into their daily lives, providing a solid foundation for future growth. A quarter of these users are active on any given day.

Meta's advertising business is fueling its AI ambitions, with third-quarter revenue soaring 26% year over year to $64.6 billion. This exceeded analysts' expectations of $63.3 billion, indicating strong ad performance and favorable macroeconomic conditions. The global average price per ad increased by 14%, reflecting the growing demand for Meta's advertising services.

The company is also exploring innovative funding mechanisms, including a new Class C stock share class. This will enable Meta to fund its AI buildout, pay employee stock compensation, and make strategic acquisitions, providing a flexible financial framework to support its long-term growth strategy.

Meta's capital expenditures have been on a significant upward trajectory, reaching $34.9 billion in the third quarter of this year. This represents a substantial increase from the same period last year, when capex stood at $19.4 billion.

The company has revised its full-year capital expenditure forecast upwards to $135 billion, while maintaining the upper end of the estimate at $145 billion. This indicates that Meta's investment in infrastructure and other areas is accelerating, driven by growing demand for its services and products.

Total expenses have also surged, rising 68% year-over-year to $51.6 billion. This increase reflects higher spending on infrastructure, as well as costs associated with third-party AI token purchases and a significant charge related to an agreement with multiple state attorneys general in August.

Meta has provided guidance for its fourth-quarter revenue, forecasting between $73 billion and $76 billion. This range is slightly below the consensus estimate of $73.75 billion among analysts, but it remains to be seen whether the company will meet this target.

In other news, several companies have announced changes to their chief financial officer (CFO) roles. Wiser Solutions has appointed Rick Buffington as its new CFO, bringing with him experience in finance and operational leadership from his previous roles at MultiTracks.com, Accruent, and Community Brands.

A recent report by Skillsoft highlights a concerning trend in corporate America: despite acknowledging skills gaps within their organizations, many managers struggle to address them effectively.

The Workforce Readiness Report: Execution Gap Edition" surveyed over 2,000 employees, managers, and executives across the US, UK, and Germany, revealing that while 77% of managers recognize skills gaps, only a minority are taking concrete steps to rectify them. In fact, an alarming 54% admit to frequently or always assigning tasks to employees who lack the necessary skills.

This disconnect between awareness and action has serious consequences for business performance, including quality issues, delayed adoption of AI technologies, slower service delivery, employee burnout, and customer dissatisfaction. Companies must take a more proactive approach to understanding their workforce's capabilities and aligning learning and development with business priorities.

To bridge this execution gap, companies need to provide timely support and resources that enable employees to develop the skills required for success. This involves moving beyond mere training programs and focusing on delivering meaningful business outcomes through workforce readiness. By doing so, organizations can unlock the full potential of their employees and drive long-term growth.

The stakes are high: a recent wave of AI-fueled cyberattacks has highlighted the risks associated with inadequate workforce readiness. As experts warn of an increasing threat landscape, corporate America must prioritize workforce development to stay ahead of emerging challenges.

As experts warn of an increasing threat landscape, corporate America must prioritize workforce development to stay ahead of emerging challenges.

The longevity of AI models and their underlying infrastructure remains uncertain, according to Ming Lu, a senior advisory partner at KKR and former executive chairman of KKR Asia Pacific. He suggests that the process of developing long-lasting data centers, semiconductors, and AI models will take decades, rather than months or years. This implies that companies must be prepared for continuous investment in these areas. The future of AI adoption will therefore depend on sustained corporate commitment to innovation.

Fortune: https://fortune.com/2026/10/22/metas-cfo-susan-li-has-a-new-ai-customer-in-mind-corporate-america/

The company's global figures show a more robust performance, but the European slowdown is notable given that it had previously been one of Meta's strongest markets. The introduction of the Less-Personalized Ads model in Europe has been cited as a potential factor contributing to this decline.

Industry analysts are attributing the European slowdown to the EU's free, personalized advertising option, which offers users greater control over their data and ad preferences. This development may be having an impact on Meta's ability to generate revenue from targeted ads.

Meta's introduction of the Less Personalized Ad (LPA) option on Instagram and Facebook has led to a slowdown in sales growth in Europe since the start of the year. The LPA allows users to opt out of personalized ads and instead view content based on their current browsing session, along with limited demographic data.

The European Commission has deemed Meta's previous approach to be non-compliant with the Digital Markets Act, which requires companies to provide an equivalent service that uses less personal data. This led to a €200 million fine for Meta, after which the company began offering the LPA option to its users in Europe.

Meta claims that the LPA uses 90 percent less data than personalized ads, which are shown based on a user's browsing session and limited demographic information such as age, location, and gender.

Meta's ad sales are facing a significant downturn in Europe following the introduction of less personalized ads as per the EU's ruling. The company has warned that this shift leads to poorer returns for EU advertisers due to the inefficiency of these ads.

The data suggests that the number of transactions resulting from these ads is lower, and more ads are being closed due to irrelevance or repetition. Furthermore, the price advertisers in Europe are willing to pay per ad is not growing as quickly as it is in the US and Canada.

Meta's investors have been seeking clarification on how the company plans to improve its ad targeting in Europe with fewer personal data signals. The company believes that AI can play a crucial role here, especially with the launch of its personal AI agent, Muse.

Wired: https://www.wired.com/story/metas-ad-sales-suffering-now-europeans-can-pick-less-personalization/

According to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, over a quarter of Muse's engaged users are using the AI agent for shopping, with an average purchase size exceeding $200. This level of adoption is significant, especially considering that the platform has only recently gained mainstream attention.

The high demand generated by Muse users has put pressure on payment systems, prompting payment app Stripe to raise credit limits to meet the increased transaction volume. Financial services company Plaid also reported unusual activity with its connector, citing volumes it had not seen before with any other service.

Meta's success in achieving a "product-market fit for Muse is a testament to the AI agent's ability to seamlessly integrate into users' shopping habits. This milestone marks a significant step towards making personal AI agents an integral part of everyday life.

As the use of AI-powered shopping assistants continues to grow, it raises questions about the future of human interaction with businesses and services. Will we soon see a world where transactions are completed entirely through AI-to-AI communication?

Meta's vision for its AI-powered shopping assistant, Muse, is expanding rapidly. The company aims to create a network of billions of Muses that can collaborate and accomplish more tasks than individual agents. This large-scale network will enable people and businesses to tap into the collective capabilities of multiple AIs.

The ultimate goal is for the revenue generated by Muse to surpass the earnings of Meta's existing family of apps, which includes Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Threads, and Messenger. By scaling up its operations, Muse aims to become a significant contributor to Meta's bottom line.

Muse is also set to integrate with Meta's upcoming smart glasses, which are scheduled for release next month. This integration will allow users to access their personal AI assistant on the go, eliminating the need to constantly check their smartphones. The idea is to have your own personal superintelligence always at hand.

Meta's plan to gamify the experience of using a personal AI agent like Muse has been hinted at through its concept of the Muse network". This initiative is expected to make the use of these agents more engaging and interactive, but details on how it will work are still scarce.

Meta's plans for its AI agent Muse continue to take shape, with a focus on interactivity and social features that go beyond individual use.

The company's third-quarter revenue has reached $64.6 billion, marking a 26% increase from the same period last year. However, costs have surged significantly, rising by 68% to $51.6 billion due in part to Meta's agreement with 52 attorneys general to settle litigation related to teen mental health and social media.

The financials come as Meta continues to develop its AI capabilities, including the integration of shopping features into its Muse agent. This initiative is expected to make online purchases more engaging and interactive, allowing users to interact with businesses' agents in a more natural way.

CNET: https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/meta-muse-ai-agent-shopping-earnings/

The ballot proposal in question is known as Proposition 40, which aims to impose a one-time 5 percent tax on the stock and assets held by billionaires in California as of January 2026. This move has prompted some wealthy individuals, including Zuckerberg, to explore alternative living arrangements.

Zuckerberg had already made plans to sell his Palo Alto home, listing it for sale just four days after informing his board members of his potential departure. The tech entrepreneur also owns a property in Florida, which he purchased earlier this year.

The special committee of the Meta board, comprising attorney Robert Kimmitt and others, expressed concerns about the company's ability to operate smoothly if Zuckerberg were to relocate to another state.

Meta's board of directors and Mark Zuckerberg have reached a deal that ties his ability to sell certain company shares to his continued residence in California. The agreement was finalized last week and details were announced by Meta on Wednesday. As part of the arrangement, a new class of nonvoting shares will be created, which can be sold to help raise funds for the company's expensive investments in AI data centers without diluting Zuckerberg's voting power.

The creation of these nonvoting shares is aimed at allowing Meta to fund its ambitious projects while maintaining control for Zuckerberg. All existing shareholders will automatically receive these new shares in proportion to their current holdings. Under the terms of a "Founder Alignment Agreement" with Zuckerberg, he will be able to sell 20% of the new nonvoting shares to cover any potential tax liabilities.

The remaining 80% of the new shares can be sold over an eight-year period as long as Zuckerberg remains in California. However, it's worth noting that the agreement does not necessarily mean Zuckerberg must stay in California if Meta were to relocate its headquarters to another state. This could potentially allow both him and the company to move together.

The deal is seen as a key component of Meta's plans for future growth and development, particularly in areas such as AI research and data center construction. By providing a mechanism for raising funds without diluting control, the agreement aims to support Zuckerberg's vision for the company while also addressing concerns about his potential tax liabilities.

The agreement aims to keep Mark Zuckerberg at the helm of Meta, allowing him to lead the company from its California base and remain close to its research facilities in Silicon Valley. This is significant given that many tech giants have left the state in recent years, with some high-profile billionaires like Sergey Brin and Larry Page reportedly relocating due to concerns over potential tax liabilities.

However, it appears that the billionaire's exodus may not be as pressing a concern as initially thought, as recent polling suggests that the ballot measure aimed at increasing taxes on wealthy Californians is likely to fail. Despite the efforts of opponents who have spent around $129 million campaigning against Proposition 40, it seems unlikely to garner enough votes.

The agreement between Zuckerberg and Meta's board may ultimately prove unnecessary in light of this new information, but for now it remains a crucial step towards securing the company's future under its current leadership.

Wired: https://www.wired.com/story/mark-zuckerberg-agrees-to-stay-in-california-despite-billionaires-tax-ballot-measure/

The company describes Duet as a proactive agent that can handle various tasks, from simple administrative duties to more complex projects like building web applications or creating financial forecasts. According to Anthropic, users can simply hand over tasks of any size, and the agent will only reach out when something requires their attention.

In addition to its task management capabilities, Duet is also designed to provide a daily briefing with action items from connected apps. This feature aims to save users time by keeping them informed about what needs their attention on a daily basis.

To try Claude Duet, interested subscribers in the US can join a waitlist that is currently available for those who have already subscribed to Claude.

Anthropic's new AI agent, Claude Duet, is being released as a standalone app for both Android and iOS devices. Unlike some other AI tools, Duet does not require users to keep a Claude session open at all times; instead, it runs on its own virtual machine in the background.

This allows Duet to complete tasks independently of user input, making it more versatile than some other AI assistants. The agent will be available to subscribers of Anthropic's Pro plan, which costs $20 per month, when it launches in general availability.

One key feature of Duet is its ability to share usage with other Claude tools, such as Code. However, this also raises concerns about rate limits and potential overuse. To mitigate these issues, the company has implemented a system that checks connected accounts every few hours rather than continuously.

Anthropic is also testing the agent's judgment on when to send messages and will allow users to set their own preferences for how frequently Duet contacts them, as well as what topics it can discuss.

Anthropic's Duet incorporates advanced security features to prevent sensitive information from being leaked. A new classifier and system prompt have been designed to safeguard user data, ensuring that passwords and sign-in tokens are never directly visible to the agent.

However, users will still be able to share certain types of information with Duet if they choose to do so, such as health or financial details. This requires explicit permission from the user before any sensitive data is shared with the AI model.

The success of Duet ultimately depends on how much trust users are willing to place in Anthropic and its safety protections.

Engadget: https://www.engadget.com/2293646/claude-duet-is-anthropics-answer-to-meta-muse-and-openai-dots/

The upward trend is attributed to various factors, including the growing demand for Meta's core products and services. The company's recent investments in artificial intelligence (AI) have also shown promising results, with its newly released Muse agent being one of the highlights.

In a prepared statement, Mark Zuckerberg expressed confidence in the company's growth prospects, citing "velocity across the board" as a key driver of revenue expansion. His optimism was echoed by investors, who responded positively to the news by sending shares soaring over 5% in after-hours trading on Wednesday.

Meta's revenue forecast for the final quarter of the year has been set at between $73 billion and $76 billion, outpacing analyst expectations of $73.75 billion. The company's ability to meet or exceed these targets will be closely watched by investors and analysts alike.

However, Meta's operating income took a hit in the third quarter due to a significant settlement with a group of attorneys general over youth safety concerns. The company agreed to pay around $10 billion towards this settlement, which is expected to have a long-term impact on its financials.

Meta's net income for Q3 reached a staggering $9.9 billion, translating to earnings per share of $3.83. This represents a significant increase from last year's $2.7 billion and $1.05 per share.

The company is pouring massive amounts of capital into its artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure and services, joining the likes of Alphabet, OpenAI, and Microsoft in a high-stakes race to develop advanced AI models. To fuel this effort, Meta will redirect investments from its struggling virtual reality division, Reality Labs.

Meta's capital expenditures skyrocketed to $34.9 billion, surpassing $31 billion in Q2 and last year's $19.4 billion. The company has slightly adjusted its full-year capex guidance, pegging it between $135 billion and $145 billion, a modest tweak from the previous range of $130 billion to $145 billion.

Analysts are closely monitoring Meta's spending habits, with some expressing concerns about how these investments will translate into shareholder returns. According to Melissa Otto, global head of Visible Alpha research at S&P Global, consensus capex for 2026 has risen by over $14 billion since April, reaching nearly $140 billion, almost double last year's figure.

Tech infrastructure spending is expected to continue its upward trajectory in 2026, with overall capital expenditures projected to reach a staggering $790 billion. This represents a near-doubling of last year's total and sets the stage for even more dramatic increases in the years ahead.

Meta's financial woes continue to mount as the company's free cash flow took a significant hit in recent quarters, plummeting to a negative $2.1 billion from $784 million in the second quarter and a substantial $10.6 billion a year ago.

The company is also facing billions in penalties related to the Cambridge Analytica data privacy scandal, with a New Mexico judge ordering Meta to pay $25 billion just hours before its latest financial results were announced. This penalty could have been even higher, as a jury had previously found more than 43 million violations, potentially resulting in a staggering nearly $220 billion fine. Despite plans to appeal this decision, the company's financial outlook remains uncertain.

Fortune: https://fortune.com/2026/10/21/meta-q3-earnings-mark-zuckerberg-capex-muse/

The company's platform measures the visibility of its clients' products among specific shoppers and offers tailored advice to improve their online presence. This expertise has attracted significant investment, with Azoma recently securing $11.2 million in funding. A notable aspect of this round is that it included a substantial amount of Series A funding, $2 million specifically.

Azoma's platform operates within the growing field of generative engine optimization (GEO), helping brands optimize their products for AI search and chatbots. This focus has become increasingly important as more consumers delegate online purchases to AI assistants and agents.

Over the past year, numerous new AI shopping assistants from retailers have been introduced, alongside personal AI assistants that can make purchases on a user's behalf, further underscoring the potential of this technology.

Azoma's approach to commerce optimization has gained significant attention among top brands. The company's CEO, Max Sinclair, attributes this shift in focus to changing customer preferences, which now extend beyond simple answer engines to a broader range of AI-powered services.

Unilever, L'Oréal, Reckitt, and Mars are among Azoma's clients, who benefit from its agentic commerce optimization service. This technique helps make products more discoverable by large language models and increases the likelihood of recommendations. By leveraging this expertise, brands can enhance their visibility in the market.

Azoma provides actionable advice to its clients on how to improve their online presence. This includes optimizing marketplace listings, refining content on platforms like YouTube and Reddit, and honing product descriptions to better match consumer preferences. The company also employs "digital twin" technology to simulate diverse consumer demographics, enabling brands to tailor their marketing strategies to specific target groups.

To stay ahead of the competition, Azoma plans to invest in its technology to accommodate emerging agents such as Meta's Muse and TikTok's Shopping Assistant. This move will allow the company to maintain its edge in the rapidly evolving commerce space.

As part of its expansion plans, Azoma is set to increase its workforce significantly in the coming year. The company's headcount is expected to grow from around 40 employees currently to between 80 to 100 people next year.

This growth will be driven by hiring in key areas such as sales, customer success, AI research, software development, and operations. Azoma aims to bolster its capabilities in these areas to support the increasing demand for its services.

The company's technology is designed to help brands drive revenue through AI shopping agents, which are becoming increasingly popular with consumers. To further enhance its offering, Azoma plans to integrate data from Dunnhumby, a retail analytics company owned by Tesco.

This integration will enable brands to determine whether their online presence translates into increased sales at physical retailers. Azoma's partnership with Dunnhumby Ventures in the recent funding round highlights the growing importance of data-driven insights for businesses navigating the rapidly evolving commerce landscape.

As consumers increasingly turn to generative AI tools for product recommendations, a significant shift in shopping habits is underway. According to Capgemini's 2025 research, nearly six out of ten consumers have abandoned traditional search engines in favor of AI-powered suggestions.

This trend has not gone unnoticed by major e-commerce platforms, which are investing heavily in AI-driven shopping experiences. Shopify President Harley Finkelstein noted on the company's August earnings call that traffic and orders from AI channels to Shopify stores had tripled over the past year.

Meanwhile, Amazon's AI-powered shopping assistant, Alexa for Shopping, has gained significant traction, with more than 350 million customers using it over the past 12 months. According to CEO Andy Jassy, US customers who utilize Alexa for Shopping spend 40% more per order compared to those who don't.

Walmart is also leveraging AI in its shopping experience, with its Sparky assistant seeing a significant uptake in usage, up 70% year-on-year according to CEO John Furner. Like Amazon, Walmart reports that customers using Sparky for shopping increase their average order value by 40%.

As Azoma continues to navigate the competitive landscape of AI-driven shopping experiences, its pitch deck highlights the challenges faced by brands in this space. The presentation emphasizes that as artificial intelligence adoption increases, brand control over channels and content is dwindling.

Agentic commerce, a key area where Azoma specializes, involves agents gathering information from multiple sources to assist customers with their purchasing decisions. This can include online forums, editorial content, reviews, and even brands' own websites. By optimizing agentic commerce, Azoma aims to help brands regain control over these interactions.

In one notable example, Azoma claims to have helped drive a significant revenue uplift for Mars through its optimization efforts. According to the presentation, this resulted in a 43% increase in revenue compared to a control group. This achievement underscores the potential of Azoma's expertise in agentic commerce optimization.

By leveraging AI and machine learning, Azoma enables brands to better engage with customers and ultimately drive sales. As the e-commerce landscape continues to evolve, companies like Azoma are poised to play a crucial role in helping brands adapt and thrive in this new environment.

Business Insider: https://www.businessinsider.com/azoma-raises-millions-optimize-brands-ai-shopping-agents-2026-10

Court documents obtained from an ongoing multistate trial reveal that internal warnings about child safety were repeatedly ignored by TikTok's top brass despite being brought to their attention by employees. The documents show that some underage users were exploiting features meant for adults, including Live video streaming, and engaging in disturbing behavior such as sexually exploitative acts.

Internal documents suggest that some minors were accessing monetized live video, a feature intended for adult users only, with kids aged 13-15 being able to access it. This raises serious questions about TikTok's ability to protect its young users from harm.

The revelations have been met with a dismissive response from TikTok, which claims the information was selectively presented and misrepresents their commitment to youth safety.

TikTok's defense against allegations of neglecting internal warnings about child safety on its platform has been met with skepticism by many experts.

The company claims that it has invested heavily in implementing measures to protect young users, introducing over 50 default protections as part of its efforts to ensure their well-being. These safeguards include Family Pairing tools for parents to monitor and control their children's online activities.

As the debate surrounding TikTok's safety record continues, other major tech companies are facing similar scrutiny. Platforms such as Roblox, OpenAI, YouTube, and Meta have all been targeted in lawsuits over their handling of younger users' data and online experiences.

Some of these cases focus on the potentially damaging effects of technology addiction on children, with several states in the US taking action against companies like Meta for allegedly contributing to this issue. In August, a landmark lawsuit led to an $18 billion settlement between Meta and multiple US states over its handling of young users' safety.

TikTok itself has faced significant financial penalties in recent years, including a $400 million settlement with the Department of Justice over violations of child privacy laws in 2024. The company also settled a $100 million lawsuit in Alabama last month, agreeing to limit daily child usage in the state as part of its agreement.

TikTok's internal child-safety warnings were ignored by executives, according to a recent report. The company was aware of its own staff's concerns about these issues and failed to address them. This has raised serious questions about the platform's commitment to protecting minors from online harm.

Child-safety advocates are speaking out against TikTok's alleged failures in this area. According to Michael Medoro, chief operating officer of Childhelp, a leading organization focused on online safety, the recent court documents reveal disturbing patterns of behavior by the company. These revelations are not surprising, but they are deeply troubling nonetheless.

The allegations against TikTok suggest that the platform may have profited from the exploitation of minors. This is particularly concerning given reports that youth were rewarded with gifts that could be converted to cash, with TikTok taking a cut of these profits. The implications of this practice are far-reaching and demand immediate attention.

Experts emphasize that stronger age verification measures, active monitoring, and the elimination of safety loopholes are essential for protecting minors online. Cooperation between tech leaders, advocates, and law enforcement is crucial in addressing these issues, according to Shanna Marzilli, CEO of Plan USA.

Young people's trust in social media companies to protect them from harm is alarmingly low, according to a recent study that surveyed US youth aged 10 to 19. Only about one in seven respondents expressed confidence that these platforms take sexual harassment and assault seriously.

The ineffectiveness of parental controls and self-reported age limits on social media becomes clear when structural loopholes remain unaddressed, allowing exploitation to continue unchecked.

CNET: https://www.cnet.com/news/social-media/tiktok-trial-child-safety-warning/

The grounds for this request are serious allegations of interference by US tech giant Meta. According to Lula's campaign, Meta's algorithms have been manipulating social media content to suppress Lula's campaign messages and boost those of his opponent. This claim is central to their petition, which will be presented on Tuesday.

Flavio Bolsonaro has been a formidable contender throughout the election process, having secured 47 percent of the vote in the first round earlier this month. His father, Jair Bolsonaro, the former president, was a key figure in his campaign.

The allegations against Meta have led Lula's campaign to submit a petition to Brazil's top electoral court, arguing that the social media giant is interfering in the election through alleged "algorithmic manipulation".

This claim stems from information first revealed by Brazilian newspaper Folha de S. Paulo on Monday, which suggested that Meta may be intentionally suppressing Lula's online content and boosting Bolsonaro's.

The Superior Electoral Court has given Meta 24 hours to prove it is complying with an order to treat both campaigns equally, warning of a daily fine of approximately $200,000 if the company fails to do so.

A meeting between Meta and lawyers from both campaigns is scheduled for Tuesday at the Superior Electoral Court, where the social media giant will be expected to address these concerns.

Dozens of supporters of Brazilian presidential candidate Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva gathered outside Meta's offices in São Paulo on Monday, holding placards and chanting slogans that criticized the social media giant's alleged interference in the election.

Lula has accused not only Meta but also the US government of attempting to influence the outcome of the vote in favor of his opponent, Flávio Bolsonaro. This claim comes as no surprise, given the close ties between Flávio and his father, Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence under house arrest for his role in a failed coup attempt after Lula's victory in 2022.

The runoff election will determine whether Brazil remains a left-wing stronghold in Latin America or shifts towards the right, potentially becoming another country aligned with US President Donald Trump. The first-round results have energized the left, prompting massive rallies and a renewed focus on social media by Lula's campaign, which is now seeking to address concerns about Meta's alleged bias.

France 24 English: https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20261020-lula-campaign-seeks-disqualify-bolsonoro-from-brazil-presidential-vote-over-meta-interference

The crisis meeting aimed to remind the platforms of their responsibility to moderate content on their sites, particularly live video streams, to prevent the spread of violent or incendiary material that could encourage individuals to disregard the imposed curfew.

A review of TikTok's search functionality revealed a concerning trend: when searching for "blocus, French for blockade, users are presented with potentially manipulated or AI-generated content, including viral images of protesters dressed in a Pink Panther costume.

This disturbing phenomenon is being leveraged to promote further action, specifically Act II of the protests scheduled for October 24.

The French government has been holding emergency meetings with major online reselling platforms in response to the protests and looting that took place over the weekend. According to Serge Papin, minister for small and medium-size enterprises, a meeting was held on Monday where an agreement was reached to tackle the resale of stolen goods.

Vinted, eBay, Amazon, LeBonCoin, Meta, and TikTok were among the platforms present at the meeting, which aimed to crack down on the sale of looted items. As part of the agreement, these platforms have pledged to forward reports to investigators, monitor advertisements for specific types of stolen goods, and submit regular updates to the government.

The protests, which began as peaceful demonstrations against high living costs and strained public services, turned violent over the weekend with rioting and looting reported in several cities. Authorities have since arrested more than 2,400 people, while Interior minister Laurent Nuñez admitted that police lost control" in some areas.

Under French penal law, individuals found guilty of concealing or transferring stolen goods can face a five-year sentence and a €375,000 fine. As part of their agreement with the government, online platforms have committed to sending reports on their actions within 48 hours.

Online marketplaces in France are taking steps to monitor ads that resell stolen goods from recent protests. According to a press release from the French Alliance of Marketplaces, member companies such as Back Market and eBay rely on user reports to identify suspicious activity.

These companies use human oversight and tech tools to review reported ads and take action when necessary. For example, if an ad is found to be reselling stolen goods, it will be removed and measures may be taken against the seller's account, including permanent suspension.

The time it takes for these marketplaces to take action can vary depending on the nature of the report and the verification process required.

Wired: https://www.wired.com/story/french-government-calls-emergency-meetings-with-platforms-over-protests/

Huang, who has built a vast fortune through his leadership of Nvidia, one of the world's largest chip companies, says he is happy to contribute to the system that enabled his success. In a recent interview, he expressed no qualms about his wealth and the tax burden it would bring. "I don't mind paying taxes," he said.

The proposed tax hike, part of Proposition 40, aims to raise tens of billions of dollars in revenue over several years through a one-time 5% levy on assets worth more than $1 billion. The funds generated are intended for healthcare and education initiatives. However, tech billionaires such as Sergey Brin and Eric Schmidt have been actively campaigning against the proposition.

These high-profile opponents have raised over $340 million to date in their efforts to defeat Prop 40. They are joined by other prominent figures who have already left California due to its relatively high tax environment. Among them are Peter Thiel, co-founder of Palantir, and Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta.

Huang's stance on the issue is at odds with his peers but reflects a personal conviction that has been shaped by his own experiences in America. He attributes his success to the opportunities he was afforded during his time in the US, which enabled him to pursue higher education, create a new company, and meet like-minded individuals.

The contrast between Huang's willingness to pay up and the opposition from other billionaires will undoubtedly be closely watched as the debate over Prop 40 continues.

Huang's willingness to pay $8 billion in taxes over five years has been seen as a privilege rather than a burden by the Nvidia co-founder.

He emphasized that his concern is not about paying taxes but being unable to afford them due to financial constraints. This stance stands out from other billionaires who are vehemently opposing Prop 40, which aims to make billionaires pay their fair share of taxes.

The introduction of the "Make Billionaires Pay Their Fair Share Act" by Congressman Ro Khanna and Senator Bernie Sanders has been followed by a mass exodus of billionaires leaving California ahead of its January 2026 residency cutoff. Google co-founders Larry Page and Brin have relocated their business entities to Florida and Nevada, while Travis Kalanick, former CEO of Uber, has moved his residence to Austin, Texas.

Despite the reluctance of some billionaires to pay higher taxes, Huang remains unphased by the prospect. He has repeatedly expressed his enthusiasm for living in California, despite its high tax rates, citing the state's great weather and innovative spirit as key attractions.

Huang's office is located in Santa Clara, at the heart of Silicon Valley, where he believes access to top talent is unparalleled. According to him, it's a choice to set up shop in this tech hub, and whatever taxes come with operating there are simply a cost of doing business.

Jensen Huang has expressed reservations about taxing certain business tools. He is particularly skeptical of proposals that would tax company robots and AI tokens, a concept championed by Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates.

Gates argued that exempting these tools from taxation while still requiring payroll taxes on employee earnings creates an incentive for companies to replace human workers with machines. Huang has suggested alternative approaches to addressing this issue, but did not elaborate.

Huang views taxes as a positive contribution to society and the economy, stating that they provide a way for productive individuals and businesses to give back.

Fortune: https://fortune.com/2026/10/20/as-billionaires-fight-tax-hike-jensen-huang-paying-8-billion-is-privilidge-just-afraid-of-being-poor/