WSJ Tech News Briefing

Powerful artificial intelligence systems require huge amounts of data. But some researchers and executives say the need for high-quality text data could exceed the supply within two years. WSJ reporter Deepa Seetharaman tells Alex Ossola how AI companies are preparing for the potential data shortage. Plus, the race is on to build new chip-making facilities. WSJ reporter Belle Lin explains why one Brooklyn-based startup is betting on smaller, modular chip plants that are designed to be shipped anywhere. Julie Chang hosts. Listening on Google Podcasts? Here's our guide for switching to a different podcast player. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: Hackers gained access to 576,000 Roku accounts. And Elon Musk meets with Argentina’s president. Julie Chang hosts. Listening on Google Podcasts? Here's our guide for switching to a different podcast player. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SpaceX's Starlink provides internet access to thousands of locations around the globe, including battlefields in Ukraine and Sudan. But there’s a black market that's delivering Starlink devices into the hands of American adversaries. WSJ correspondent Thomas Grove tells host Alex Ossola about how that black market works, and what it means for geopolitics. Plus, many teens are looking to foster a healthier relationship with social media. WSJ reporter Georgia Wells talks about a nonprofit called Half the Story that is teaching teens the tools while also pushing for policy change. Listening on Google Podcasts? Here's our guide for switching to a different podcast player. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: Instagram will automatically detect and blur nude photos in an effort to protect teens. And Amazon’s CEO calls generative AI one of the largest technological transformations in decades. Danny Lewis hosts. Listening on Google Podcasts? Here's our guide for switching to a different podcast player. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Online actors linked to the Chinese government are targeting voters in the U.S. and elsewhere with disinformation. Now, new research from Microsoft shows they’re using artificial intelligence tools in their campaigns. WSJ reporter Dustin Volz joins host Alex Ossola to discuss the operations and their goals. Plus, online-entertainment company Roblox is adding video advertising to its platform. WSJ reporter Sarah Needleman talks about what those new ads may look like and what they mean for the company’s future. Listening on Google Podcasts? Here's our guide for switching to a different podcast player. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: Bang & Olufsen adjusts its investments in Europe and China. And Blizzard plans to bring its videogames back to China. Alex Ossola hosts. Listening on Google Podcasts? Here's our guide for switching to a different podcast player. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From YouTube to search, Google operates some powerful tools. And the company needs powerful chips to make them work. Now, as the AI race heats up, Google is expanding its in-house chip making efforts to cut its reliance on outside vendors. WSJ reporter Miles Kruppa tells host Alex Ossola what this could mean for the future of Google’s business. Plus, if you feel unsafe walking around a city, technology could help. WSJ personal tech news editor Shara Tibken talks about the apps and tools to turn to. Listening on Google Podcasts? Here's our guide for switching to a different podcast player. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: French IT company Atos strikes an interim financing deal. And China’s car sales rose in March. Alex Ossola hosts. Listening on Google Podcasts? Here's our guide for switching t o a different podcast player. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just days before Tesla was slated to head to court for one of the biggest tests of its driver-assistant Autopilot, the company settled with the family of a driver who died in a 2018 crash. WSJ reporter Ryan Felton tells host Alex Ossola what the outcome could mean for Tesla, and its Autopilot technology. Plus, three years ago, Tesla was on top of the world; now the picture is more complicated. WSJ reporter Rebecca Elliott talks about what happened, and why investors are divided about the company’s long term prospects. Listening on Google Podcasts? Here's our guide for switching to a different podcast player. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: TSMC is getting up to $6.6 billion from the U.S. government to expand its Arizona chip factory. And Elon Musk vows to defy orders from a Brazilian judge to block some accounts on X. Alex Ossola hosts. Listening on Google Podcasts? Here's our guide for switching to a different podcast player. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As U.S. tech companies seek to reduce their reliance on China, they’re pushing overseas partners, who make the technology that powers artificial intelligence, to shift more manufacturing to Mexico. WSJ deputy editor for Latin America Santiago Pérez tells host Alex Ossola which companies are making the move, and what impact that could have on Mexico. Plus, the batteries in electric vehicles could get much better in the next five years. WSJ technology columnist Christopher Mims talks about the game-changing battery tech that could make EVs more attractive for consumers. Listening on Google Podcasts? Here's our guide for switching to a different podcast player. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: Foxconn reported higher March revenue. And Samsung plans to double its investment in Texas. Alex Ossola hosts. Listening on Google Podcasts? Here's our guide for switching to a different podcast player. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two years ago, carmaker Stellantis set out an ambitious goal: to make half of the company's U.S. sales volume all-electric by 2030. But while competitors have dialed back their EV ambitious, the company behind brands like Jeep, Chrysler and Dodge remains all-in. WSJ reporter Ryan Felton speaks with host Alex Ossola about Stellantis’ big EV bet. Plus, Amazon merchants say they regularly receive junk instead of returned purchases. WSJ reporter Sebastian Herrera explains how return fraud became a big problem for online retailers.  Listening on Google Podcasts? Here's our guide for switching to a different podcast player. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: Ford delays the launch of its latest electric vehicle. And Disney plans a crackdown on password sharing. Alex Ossola hosts. Listening on Google Podcasts? Here's our guide for switching to a different podcast player. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apple is facing growing scrutiny from regulators and rivals over its integrated “walled garden” of hardware and services. Phil Schiller, an Apple executive, has become the face of the company in those fights. WSJ reporter Aaron Tilley tells host Alex Ossola what his leadership shows about where Apple’s legal battles might be headed. Plus, generative artificial intelligence is being used in white-collar jobs. WSJ reporter Chip Cutter tells Cordilia James how it’s fitting into the workplace. Listening on Google Podcasts? Here's our guide for switching to a different podcast player. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: Ford reports a surge in electric vehicle sales. And Spotify plans to hike subscription prices. Danny Lewis hosts.  Listening on Google Podcasts? Here's our guide for switching to a different podcast player. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ex-workers say PDD, Temu’s Chinese parent company, is enforcing noncompete clauses in their contracts, bringing them to court and forcing them to pay exorbitant penalties. WSJ reporter Shen Lu tells host Alex Ossola what this reveals about China’s competitive e-commerce business. Plus, Yum Brands, the company behind popular fast-food chains like KFC and Pizza Hut, is going ‘AI-first.’ WSJ reporter Belle Lin tells us what that means for customers and the company’s operations. Listening on Google Podcasts? Here's our guide for switching to a different podcast player. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: Chinese tech company Xiaomi unveils its first electric vehicle. And X names a new head of safety. Alex Ossola hosts.  Listening on Google Podcasts? Here's our guide for switching to a different podcast player. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As lobbyists have sought new ways to exert influence on politics, they’ve found a route that relies on voters doing the influencing for them. WSJ investigative reporter Brody Mullins tells host Alex Ossola why this strategy is particularly effective for big tech companies like Google. Plus, venture capital firms have funded artificial intelligence startups, but now, they’re finding new uses for it internally. WSJ Pro reporter Marc Vartabedian shares how AI could affect the future of VC investing. Listening on Google Podcasts? Here's our guide for switching to a different podcast player. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices