Good morning, tech fam! Here are some quick technology updates to keep up with the latest developments!
What’s New Today: UC San Diego and Qualcomm have launched an AI-driven chip design research initiative backed by a USD 500,000 contribution to improve semiconductor performance and energy efficiency.
Fast-Track Insights: OpenAI is reportedly targeting up to USD 20 billion in fresh funding at a massive USD 1.25 trillion pre-money valuation as it expands its AI infrastructure.
Here’s a quick rundown of the biggest tech headlines making waves today. Let's dive into the latest developments, from AI chip research and OpenAI's funding plans to banking recruitment, deepfake apps and crypto security.
UC San Diego has launched the AI in Microelectronic Systems (AIMS) initiative with a USD 500,000 contribution from Qualcomm Technologies. The research programme will use artificial intelligence to improve semiconductor and system-on-chip design. It will focus on processing performance, energy efficiency, memory systems and advanced computing architectures.
OpenAI is reportedly targeting up to USD 20 billion in fresh funding at a USD 1.25 trillion pre-money valuation. The funding discussions come as the company expands its AI infrastructure and faces growing competition. The proposed investment could strengthen its financial position ahead of potential public-market developments and further large-scale AI expansion.
South Korea's four major banks are increasingly rehiring retired employees as entry-level recruitment declines. Retiree rehiring reached 1,013 in 2025, rising 18.3% from 2024. Meanwhile, graduate hiring dropped 31.9% over two years. AI-powered automation and shrinking branch networks are reducing demand for fresh banking employees.
A WIRED investigation has exposed more than 400 AI apps and linked domains hiding abusive deepfake tools on Apple's App Store and Google Play. The apps disguised their functions as ordinary utilities before enabling non-consensual sexual images and violent videos. Apple removed 19 apps, while Meta blocked 11,600 advertising accounts linked to the network.
South Korea's Financial Services Commission has urged cryptocurrency exchanges to strengthen cold-wallet reserves following Binance's reported USD 6.3 billion hot-wallet security incident. Regulators are calling for additional reserves, continuous transaction monitoring and stronger access controls. The country already requires exchanges to keep at least 80% of customer assets in offline storage.