Chatbots offer emotional ties that bind

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Tech Across the Globe

Alibaba disappoints: The company's quarterly revenue increased 7%, reflecting a stubborn Chinese consumer malaise. The results were in contrast to the fastest top-line growth in years from rivals Tencent and JD.com.

Coinbase cyberattack: Hackers had access to some of Coinbase's most valuable customer data since January, after bribing employees of the influential US cryptocurrency company to steal the information.

Meta antitrust trial: The US Federal Trade Commission rested its case in its effort to paint the company as an illegal social-media monopoly. Meta gets the next several weeks to present its argument to a federal judge to counter the regulators.

Revalued

Whalar Group, which represents more than 300 TikTok, Instagram and YouTube creators, raised money from a group of investors, including Salesforce Chief Executive Officer Marc Benioff and e-commerce company Shopify, at a valuation of $400 million. The company operates six businesses, including a talent-management firm, a video-game studio, and one that helps influencers launch their brands and products.

Must Read

Researchers are increasingly concerned that our emotional entanglements are growing too tight with chatbots, Ellen Huet reports in today's Tech In Depth. Experts are exploring how our emotional and mental health is affected by the presence of always-available, emotionally potent AI companions, she writes.

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This Week in Q&AI

President Donald Trump is demonstrating his intent to boost US dominance in artificial intelligence, Shirin Ghaffary reports in this week's Q&AI. From deals to send powerful chips to the Mideast, to a relaxation of strict regulations, Trump and his allies are paving the way for more unrestrained AI growth, she writes.

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