WSJ Tech News Briefing

New U.S. rules are designed to screen investments in Chinese tech firms, with officials stating it's necessary for national security. In response, China criticizes these measures as excessive and harmful to investment. BioMarin Pharmaceutical is set to acquire Amicus Therapeutics for $4.8 billion, enhancing its capabilities in treating rare diseases. Meanwhile, high-speed trading firm Jump Trading faces a $4 billion lawsuit, accused of secretly supporting the collapse of Terraform Labs, a saga that dramatically impacted the crypto market.

In this discussion, Katie Pizzolatto, Vice President at IBM Quantum Platform, shares her insights on exciting potential applications of quantum computing. The conversation also covers OpenAI's ambitious plan to raise up to $100 billion, hinting at a whopping $830 billion valuation. Additionally, TikTok is making waves with a new U.S. joint venture alongside Oracle, and Meta is launching innovative models for images and videos called Mango and Avocado, set to debut next year.

Dan Gallagher, a Heard on the Street columnist at The Wall Street Journal, and Corrie Driebusch, a finance reporter covering IPOs, dive into the bustling IPO landscape expected in 2026. They analyze Micron's record performance and its implications for consumer tech prices. Gallagher highlights how AI demand is squeezing memory supplies, likely pushing up costs for phones and PCs. Driebusch shares insights on why major tech companies are choosing to go public now and the potential risks of a lukewarm IPO market.

The FTC has ordered Instacart to pay $60 million over deceptive delivery claims, although the company denies wrongdoing. An Iran-linked hacker group has compromised the personal chats of former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, raising security concerns. In a significant move for defense, Rheinmetall has partnered with ICEYE for a $2 billion deal to provide satellite reconnaissance for German armed forces and NATO forces. Join the discussion on these critical tech and security developments!

Trump Media is merging with TAE Technologies to dive into fusion energy, aiming to launch a 50-megawatt power plant. Meanwhile, Accenture is seeing a surge in sales thanks to advanced AI bookings, totaling $2.2 billion. In another tech twist, DoorDash teams up with OpenAI, allowing users to shop for groceries via ChatGPT. Exciting innovations and partnerships are reshaping the landscape!

A major investment from Blackstone of $400 million in the cybersecurity firm Syara highlights the rising importance of AI in security. In other news, Caroline Ellison, a key figure in the FTX case, is released early to community confinement. Plus, the Oscars are making a groundbreaking move to YouTube starting in 2029, ushering in a new era for live broadcasts. Tune in for the latest tech developments!

Warner Bros. has officially rejected a hostile bid from Paramount, shaking up the industry dynamics. Shares of Chinese AI chip startup MetaX soar impressively on their trading debut, making headlines. Meanwhile, California challenges Tesla, giving the company 90 days to revise its Autopilot advertising. Expect lively discussions as these developments unfold!

Tensions rise as the U.S. hints at trade actions against the EU over tech fines, sparking discussions on international tech regulations. Meanwhile, the booming data-center industry is having a positive impact on the labor market, particularly in construction jobs. On the flip side, AI-linked bonds are struggling as investor concerns mount, leading to pressure on companies like CoreWeave. Join Julie Chang for the latest insights on these pressing tech issues!

Databricks has made waves by raising over $4 billion, boosting its valuation to an impressive $134 billion. Meanwhile, Invictus Growth Partners is acquiring the AI-based fraud detection firm Informed.IQ for $63 million, expanding its reach into mortgage and consumer lending. In a bold move, PayPal has applied to create its own bank to streamline small-business lending, aiming to reduce reliance on third parties. This trend highlights a growing shift among payments and crypto firms toward establishing banking operations.

Lisa Ward, a cybersecurity expert, highlights a Carnegie Mellon study revealing that 80% of unsafe URL requests come from PCs, suggesting safer browsing on mobile devices. She emphasizes the need for automatic cyber habits to protect users. Julie Jargon, a family and tech columnist, dives into the tragic Stein-Erik Solberg case, discussing the wrongful-death lawsuit against OpenAI linked to ChatGPT's alleged influence on his actions. She shares insights on the mental-health risks of AI and the family's experience with escalating paranoia.