Microsoft has saved $500 million over the past year through AI-powered efficiencies in its call center operations, according to a top executive. The announcement follows the company’s third wave of layoffs, totaling around 15,000 employees. AI integration has boosted productivity across sales, customer service, and engineering. While it’s unclear if AI directly replaced laid-off staff, the move comes amid record profits and a planned $80 billion investment in AI. The timing of the layoffs has sparked criticism despite Microsoft’s strong financial performance.

Text-based social network X saw a nearly 10% drop in daily active users in Q2 2025 compared to last year, as competition from Meta’s Threads intensifies. While X still leads with significantly more users than Threads and Bluesky, Threads’ rapid growth—up 127.8% year-over-year—raises doubts about X’s long-term dominance. Despite this, X users spend four times longer daily on the platform than Threads users. Bluesky gained users last year amid U.S. election protests but has slowed since early 2025.

A growing number of children aged 12–15 are voluntarily taking breaks from smartphones, computers, and social media due to concerns about mental health, attention, and safety, according to a global study. Experts say kids are learning to manage their online time independently. UK data shows many now mute notifications or use “Do Not Disturb” mode. Parents are also becoming stricter about screen time, especially after watching the Netflix documentary Adolescence, which highlights the effects of digital overuse on youth.

Digital scams are affecting over 600 million people globally each year, with nearly 1.67 million falling victim daily. A report by Exploding Topics highlights the growing threat of online fraud, especially via phones, texts, emails, social media, and AI-driven voice scams. Scammers often use fake links and online marketplaces to steal personal data or money. Developing nations like Pakistan, Kenya, and South Africa are losing over 3% of their GDP. In 2024 alone, global scam-related losses totaled $1.03 trillion—most of it unrecoverable.

OpenAI is set to introduce a new AI-powered web browser within the coming months, aiming to compete with the widely used Google Chrome. According to sources, this browser will incorporate an AI agent named ‘Operator’ to enhance browsing by keeping some user interactions within ChatGPT. The move reflects OpenAI’s strategy to offer a browsing experience less dependent on Google’s control, similar to other AI browsers like Perplexity’s Comet. The launch is planned for 2024, marking a significant step in AI-driven web technology.

Scientists from University College London and the University of Cambridge have developed a new type of electric skin that enables robots to feel touch, temperature changes, and even pain. Made from a soft gelatin-based material, this artificial skin uses a single multi-modal sensor to detect various external stimuli. Although not yet as perfect as human skin, researchers say it's more advanced than any existing technology. The innovation could lead to more sensitive and interactive robots in the future.

Icelandic architects from S APP Architecture envision a revolutionary project to build sustainable cities by harnessing volcanic lava. Their “Lava Forming” concept involves controlling lava flow and cooling processes to create building materials like walls, pillars, and insulation. Inspired by Iceland’s active volcanoes, the project explores methods including lava channels, future 3D printing robots, and underground magma chambers. Though still experimental, this approach could reduce carbon emissions and transform hazardous lava into a renewable resource for construction in volcanic regions worldwide.

Researchers in China’s Yunnan Province have identified 20 new viruses in bats, including two genetically similar to deadly Hendra and Nipah viruses. The study, published in PLOS Pathogens, analyzed kidney samples from 142 bats collected between 2017 and 2021. Finding viruses in bat kidneys raises concerns about contamination of nearby fruit and water sources through bat urine. Scientists stress the importance of vaccine development and ongoing research to prevent future outbreaks, although no immediate threat is currently expected.

A UN report reveals that global tech companies increased their carbon emissions by an average of 150% between 2020 and 2023, driven by rapid growth in artificial intelligence and data center energy use. Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, and Alphabet saw emissions spike by over 130%. Experts warn that AI systems alone could soon emit over 100 million tons of CO₂ annually. Data centers now consume 1.5% of global electricity, with usage projected to surpass Japan’s annual demand by 2030 if unchecked.

OpenAI's annual revenue has reached $10 billion as global demand for AI surges, doubling from $5.5 billion just six months ago. The company is on track to meet its 2025 revenue target of $12.7 billion, excluding Microsoft licensing fees. Despite a $5 billion loss in 2023, revenue growth has helped OpenAI bounce back. With 500 million weekly active users and plans to launch an AI-powered hardware device by 2027, OpenAI is poised to become a dominant force in the tech industry.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella emphasized that despite AI transforming coding, core skills like computational thinking and system design remain vital. In a talk with tech YouTuber Sajjad Khan, he advised youth to think like software architects. Microsoft now uses AI for up to 30% of its coding tasks, but humans still design the structure. Partnering with India’s IT ministry, Microsoft plans to train 500,000 individuals in AI skills by 2026 through initiatives like “AI Catalysts” and specialized training in AI labs.

Chinese scientists have developed a breakthrough technology to generate electricity on Mars using its atmosphere. The newly invented "Mars Battery" uses carbon dioxide from the Martian air to produce and store energy, eliminating the need for Earth-based fuel transport. Tested under simulated Mars conditions, the battery functions effectively even at sub-zero temperatures. This innovation could support long-term research missions and future human settlements on the Red Planet, marking a major advancement in space exploration and showcasing China's growing technological capabilities.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX faced a third failure with its Starship test flight on May 27, despite reaching orbit for the first time. The spacecraft lost control and broke apart during re-entry. While the mission outperformed previous attempts, key issues like payload door malfunction and loss of orientation remain. Experts warn more setbacks may follow but note progress. SpaceX views failure as a learning step and remains committed to its Mars and Moon goals. NASA plans to use Starship for its Artemis lunar mission.

WhatsApp is introducing a new feature that allows users to copy specific parts of messages, such as a word or a sentence, instead of the entire text. This enhancement aims to make the app more user-friendly and efficient, especially during work. The feature works through a simple tap-and-hold gesture, followed by selecting the desired text and using the copy option. It will be available across personal chats, group chats, and channels. iOS users have already started receiving the update.

Dr. A.F.M. Shahen Shah, a Bangladeshi-Turkish researcher at Yildiz Technical University, has developed a multi-drone communication system that can restore mobile networks during natural disasters. These AI-powered drones act as mobile base stations in the sky, reconnecting people even when ground towers fail. His invention, praised internationally and published in the Drones Journal, aims to accelerate rescue operations and save lives. Dr. Shahen hopes to implement the technology in Bangladesh, a country prone to frequent floods and cyclones.