US Puts £31B UK Tech Deal on Ice, Straining “Special Relationship”
A major US-UK tech deal announced last year has been paused by Washington. The move halts billions in planned investment and raises tensions over the UK’s digital services tax.
Author: Darren Holt
Darren Holt brings a distinctive perspective to technology journalism through his specialized background in industrial computing and automation systems, where he deciphers complex technical developments into accessible insights for both enterprise leaders and engineering professionals. His analytical approach particularly illuminates how IoT architectures and edge computing solutions are reshaping manufacturing and infrastructure sectors, often drawing from hands-on experience with operational technology deployments. Darren maintains a forward-looking focus on emerging industrial technologies while contextualizing their practical implementation challenges and business implications, establishing him as a trusted voice for readers navigating the convergence of physical and digital systems.
Scientists Turn Internet Cables Into a Giant Ocean Earthquake Detector
Researchers have transformed a major undersea internet cable into a massive seismic sensor network. This breakthrough could revolutionize how we monitor the ocean floor and understand Earth’s interior, all using existing infrastructure.
Stack Overflow’s AI bot is telling users to post, then mods delete them
Stack Overflow’s new AI Assist is creating a surreal user experience. According to a user, the bot suggested posting a question to the human community, only for moderators to delete it and redirect them back to the AI.
Reddit sues Australia, says it’s not social media
Reddit has filed a lawsuit in Australia’s High Court challenging a new law that bans users under 16 from social media. The company argues it’s not a social media platform but a “collection of public fora,” and that the law infringes on political communication.
Building an AI Factory? Your Datacenter Isn’t Ready
AI workloads are forcing a complete rethink of datacenter strategy. It’s not just about faster chips, but power, heat, and operational design. Here’s what needs to change.
Big Brands Are Creating a Stablecoin Mess
Major corporations from Sony to Klarna are launching their own stablecoins, converging on the tech as a new financial rail. But this explosion is creating a familiar headache: fragmentation. The real challenge now is making all these different coins work together seamlessly.
Open Source Won. Now What?
According to The How-To Geek, open source has moved from a fringe idea to the bedrock of modern tech, powering everything from phones to cars. The article, citing posts from Sydney Butler in August and November 2025, argues its economic model and global developer community make it unbeatable. Howeve
Intel’s AI pivot: Forget training, they’re going all-in on custom chips
Intel is making a major strategic turn in AI. Instead of chasing NVIDIA in training, they’re focusing on custom ASICs for inference and leveraging their foundry to offer a one-stop shop. It’s a pragmatic, but risky, bet.
Google’s Disco Browser Turns Your Searches Into Mini-Apps
Google’s Chrome division is experimenting with a new browser called Disco that uses Gemini AI to create custom, interactive mini-apps from user prompts. The project, born from a hackathon, isn’t meant to replace Chrome but to explore a more task-driven web. It’s currently just a prototype in Google
Dell’s AI-Driven Price Hikes Are Just the Beginning
Dell is hiking prices on its commercial laptops and desktops starting December 17, with some configurations costing over $700 more. An internal document shows the increases are directly tied to soaring costs for DRAM and NAND chips, driven by massive AI infrastructure demand. This isn’t just a Dell