The Trump administration has initiated its US Tech Force program, aimed at attracting engineers from major tech companies to help modernize government operations. This move follows a trend of significant shifts within IT departments in various organizations.
Lawmakers are probing the impact of AI data centers on electricity costs, examining whether these expenses are being transferred to consumers. They are also exploring the complexities of AI’s water consumption and its overall influence on the electrical grid.
In the automotive sector, Ford has announced that it will not produce a large all-electric truck as planned, responding to a decline in government support for electric vehicles. Instead, the F-150 Lightning pickup will transition to a plug-in hybrid model. This decision raises questions about consumer readiness for smaller vehicles and the market for affordable electric trucks.
PayPal is pursuing a banking license in the United States, reflecting a broader trend of non-traditional financial companies gaining favorable conditions under the current administration.
A technology trade agreement between the US and the UK is reportedly stalled due to dissatisfaction with the UK’s progress in negotiations, marking a potential setback in bilateral economic relations.
In healthcare, a promising antiviral pill for dengue has been developed but its further development faces abandonment, highlighting challenges in incentivizing the creation of treatments for certain diseases.
Additionally, a forecast indicates that most of the world’s glaciers may vanish by 2100, with an estimated loss of 3,000 glaciers annually.
In the entertainment industry, there is a division over AI’s growing influence; while some filmmakers embrace its potential, many actors express concern about its implications.
Corporate America is also showing a heightened interest in hiring “storytellers,” a role redefined in light of advancements in artificial intelligence.
Finally, historical perspectives reveal that the concept of hacking originated prior to the internet, as evidenced by accounts from early “teenage geeks.”
Source: https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/12/16/1129944/the-download-why-2025-has-been-the-year-of-ai-hype-correction-and-fighting-gps-jamming/