Canva launches a foundational design model that generates editable layered designs, expands Canva AI, makes Affinity free for all users, and more (Ivan Mehta/TechCrunch)

Meta's stock has taken a significant hit as investors express their alarm over CEO Mark Zuckerberg's substantial spending on artificial intelligence projects that have not yielded the expected results. This situation raises concerns about the company's financial health and strategic direction, highlighting the risks associated with heavy investments in emerging technologies that may not deliver immediate returns.

Canva has just launched a new free desktop app that merges its Affinity suite into one unified platform, making it easier for users to access powerful design tools. This move is significant as it simplifies the design process for both professionals and amateurs, allowing for a more streamlined workflow. By combining the previously separate applications, Canva is enhancing user experience and accessibility, which could attract more users to their platform.

Nvidia is making headlines by reportedly investing up to $1 billion in Poolside, an AI company where it has already shown support by participating in a $500 million Series A round in 2024. This significant investment highlights Nvidia's commitment to advancing AI technologies and could potentially lead to groundbreaking innovations in the field, making it an exciting development for tech enthusiasts and investors alike.

Affinity has made a significant comeback as a versatile all-in-one app for illustration, photo editing, and layout design. This is exciting news for creatives looking for a comprehensive tool that combines multiple functionalities in one platform, making their workflow more efficient and streamlined. With its user-friendly interface and powerful features, Affinity is set to empower artists and designers to bring their visions to life.

In the evolving landscape of software development, the integration of vibe coding and deep AI in Cursor is revolutionizing how developers work. This approach addresses the common frustrations of switching between coding environments and AI tools, streamlining the process of incorporating AI-generated code into projects. By enhancing productivity and reducing the disconnect between different coding tasks, this innovation not only empowers developers but also signifies a shift towards more intuitive coding practices, making it a significant advancement in the tech industry.

Scientists have unveiled a groundbreaking method called quantization-enhanced reinforcement learning that allows large language models to operate more efficiently. This innovation enables chatbots to process information faster and tackle complex problems without the need for supercomputers. By compressing the model's knowledge into a more compact format, the researchers have significantly reduced memory requirements and accelerated the learning process. This advancement not only enhances the performance of AI systems but also makes them more accessible, paving the way for smarter and quicker interactions in various applications.

Veeam has unveiled an innovative semantic search engine powered by Azure Cosmos DB, enabling rapid AI-driven data discovery across billions of backup items. This advancement is significant as it enhances the efficiency of data retrieval, making it easier for businesses to manage and access their critical information, ultimately improving operational productivity.

In a recent incident, college students caught cheating attempted to apologize using AI-generated messages, which has sparked outrage among professors. This situation highlights the growing concerns about academic integrity and the misuse of technology in education. It serves as a reminder that genuine accountability is crucial in learning environments.

In a shocking incident, over 1,000 artifacts, including a rare historical daguerreotype, were stolen from the Oakland Museum. This theft not only robs the community of its cultural heritage but also raises concerns about the security of museums nationwide. The loss of such significant pieces highlights the ongoing challenges museums face in protecting their collections, making it crucial for institutions to enhance their security measures to prevent future incidents.

Meta is making headlines with its plan to raise up to $30 billion through bond offerings, signaling a significant increase in its capital expenditures for the upcoming year compared to 2025. This move is noteworthy as it reflects Meta's confidence in its growth strategy and its commitment to investing in future projects, which could have a positive impact on its market position and innovation efforts.

Apple is optimistic about its upcoming Q1 revenue, projecting a growth of 10% to 12% year-over-year, driven by strong iPhone sales expected to rise by double digits. This positive outlook comes despite a 4% decline in Q4 revenue from China, which fell to $14.5 billion, slightly below estimates. The company's ability to forecast growth amidst challenges highlights its resilience and the continued demand for its products, making it a key player in the tech industry.

The evolution of form management in Angular is making waves, especially with the introduction of signal-based forms. This update simplifies how developers handle custom validation errors by allowing them to use plain JavaScript objects instead of relying on the previous customError utility function. This change not only enhances the ergonomics of form handling but also significantly improves the overall developer experience, making it easier and more efficient to create robust forms.

Navan's initial public offering (IPO) faced a significant setback, plummeting 20% on its first day of trading. The company ended the day with a valuation of approximately $4.7 billion, which is nearly half of its previous private valuation of $9.2 billion. This decline highlights the challenges companies face in the current market environment, especially under the constraints of regulatory changes like the SEC shutdown workaround.

Conduent, a major player in business services that separated from Xerox in 2017, has confirmed a significant data breach affecting over 10.5 million individuals in 2024. This incident raises serious concerns about data security and the potential risks to personal information, highlighting the ongoing challenges companies face in protecting sensitive data. As breaches become more common, the implications for consumer trust and corporate responsibility are profound.