Close to the end of the year, the tech world is heating up. During the weekend, parents sued Google over their daughter’s alleged AI-related suicide; Europeans are protesting against large data centers and increasing concerns over energy use, and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang was caught up in a reported Chinese espionage investigation. Further, check out the top tech events of the past week.
This week’s tech highlights: new AI models, cyber threats, humanoid robots, and unexpected innovations.
Jensen Huang’s personal scandal became a $7.5 billion chip controversy
New reports claim that Huang’s relationship with Alice Huang, a Chinese businesswoman also suspected of spying for Beijing, helped facilitate $7.5 billion in Nvidia chip shipments to Chinese companies. A network of businesses reportedly moved around 240,000 chips, including models restricted under US export controls. Nvidia’s board has initiated an independent investigation, and the FBI is currently examining whether its CEO was targeted by a foreign intelligence operation. Nvidia says it has no reason to believe company secrets or national security information were compromised.
The news caused a $430 billion drop in Nvidia’s market value. Check out the Reuters article for more details.
Google has released its most powerful Gemini 4 Carbon model
Subscribers of AI Ultra are updated with 4 Carbon in the Gemini app, a new model designed for complex tasks, deeper reasoning, multi-step coding, debugging, scientific research, and detailed data analysis. After the release, Gemini removed the 3.1 Pro model, leaving four models. 4 Carbon has shown exceptional results in engineering tasks with multi-agent collaboration. In legal, enterprise, and financial work, the model performs with higher-precision knowledge work, following strict schemas. 4 Carbon will be available at $2 per million input tokens and $10 per million output tokens. Read more at 9to5Google.
A new update will turn Adobe Creative Cloud into an AI-powered creative studio
At Adobe MAX 2026, the company presented a major update on its AI tools for Photoshop, Premiere, Lightroom, and Firefly. The biggest news is that Adobe is opening its Creative Cloud desktop apps to third-party AI assistants, allowing ChatGPT, Claude, and other assistants to edit content directly in Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere, and After Effects. This is a smart move to keep its users amid the increasing danger of AI tools surpassing the platforms we were using for years.
The new integration uses the Model Context Protocol (MCP), whose private beta model will be available in 2027. Adobe is also developing always-on AI agents for Firefly that can organize footage, remove duplicate clips, and flag production issues in the background. More about Adobe Max and the updates: check on Computerworld.
GTA VI is available for pre-load, and it is already breaking records
Available for pre-order from 10 November, Grand Theft Auto VI has become the most pre-ordered game in PlayStation Store history. PS5 players can start preloading the game 9 days before its November 19 release and wait patiently (if it is even possible). The download requires up to 212 GB of storage, so players may need to clear some space before launch. The game will also make full use of PS5 features, including the DualSense wireless controller’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, as well as in-game sounds from Tempest 3D audio and enhanced visuals.
The wait was too long; a few more days to go, so while waiting, check out more on the PlayStation Blog.
OpenAI acquires an AI travel agent
Odessia, a startup that used AI agents to plan and book flights, hotels, and entire travel itineraries through a single conversation, has already shut down to join the OpenAI team and build the future of travel. The startup had previously raised $6 million from investors, including Sequoia Capital. Odessia claimed that tens of thousands of early users planned more than $60 million worth of annualized travel through its platform. However, the service is no longer available for users. For OpenAI, this acquisition will help it compete with online travel agencies by offering tours and online booking in the ChatGPT app.
Read more about the future of travel and bookings on The Next Web.
Home appliances are the next target of hackers
Cyberattacks are becoming automated. After the massive attack on supermarket fridges, the EU Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) now warns that AI is accelerating the discovery and exploitation of software vulnerabilities. Organizations will have little to no time to respond. What happens when routers and home appliances are attacked?
The operational gaps that may have existed for decades have now become more visible, and such systems and platforms should be the first to fix security issues. AI is once again taking center stage, helping hackers automate vulnerability scans, create convincing phishing messages, and generate deepfake audio and video. However, the same frontier AI can become a powerful tool for protecting systems and discovering vulnerabilities. More details at Euronews.
A new waste plant could turn CO₂ emissions into battery materials
Waste and CO₂ emissions are global problems, but a German waste plant in Eschbach may soon turn captured CO₂ into solid carbon for batteries and construction materials. The project, called NECOC 2.0, uses hydrogen and liquid tin to break down captured CO₂ into carbon powder, while recycling the hydrogen. The project got €5 million from government funding, and it will test the technology using emissions from a plant that processes around 175,000 tonnes of waste annually. The technology has been tested since 2020 and successfully converted CO₂ into microgranular carbon. See the full story here.
Chinese AI companies are already securing Nvidia chips before Washington closes the loophole
While the US and Nvidia are dealing with the scandal, Chinese AI firms are scrambling to reserve Nvidia chips at Southeast Asia’s data centers. The rush follows growing concerns that the scandal surrounding Jensen Huang could push Washington to tighten restrictions on remote access to advanced processors. A proposed US bill, the Remote Access Security Act, would give the Commerce Department authority to regulate such access. The bill is waiting for Senate action.
Meanwhile, China’s gray market is stockpiling restricted Nvidia chips and preparing for tougher measures. Read the full article on Reuters.
Google’s AI-powered humanoid robots are 96% closer to replacing you
Google DeepMind has introduced the Gemini Robotics 2.5 model to help robots handle complex physical tasks. In a factory trial with Mercedes-Benz and robotics company Apptronik, Apollo 2 humanoid robots sorted automotive parts with a 96% success rate. They managed to handle physical tasks faster even when working with delicate objects. Robots with Google Gemini Robotics 2.5 performed over 200 tasks, even served food, and tied bows. Google has also introduced the ASIMOV-Jailbreak benchmark to test whether robots perform unsafe instructions or can resist them. We are one step closer to handling our jobs, even tying bows for robots. More on Interesting Engineering.
The AI industry has lost its most recognizable leader
While we were discussing Jensen Huang, his affair, the stock price drop, and hundreds of thousands of chips in the Chinese market, we got another striking piece of news (predicted). Nvidia co-founder Jensen Huang has resigned as CEO, ending more than three decades at the helm of the chipmaker. His resignation was accepted on Wednesday, and while the board searches for a permanent successor, CFO Colette Kress will take over as interim CEO. Huang had admitted to an extramarital affair, and the board had launched an independent investigation. Nvidia has not announced a permanent replacement. Before the announcement, Elon Musk wrote on X that he would hire Jensen Huang if the board removed the CEO; it would be an honor to hire him. Read the update on TechCrunch.
In case you’ve missed the past week’s startup news, check out this article to see which companies are thriving and which got acquired.
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