Amazon's Zoox opens waitlist for free robotaxi rides in San Francisco

Amazon's Zoox is launching a robotaxi service in San Francisco, providing free rides in select neighborhoods to compete with Waymo's lead in the self-driving taxi market. The service is available to individuals who signed up on a waiting list and features gondola-shaped vehicles without steering wheels. This launch follows Zoox's recent introduction of its ride-hailing service in Las Vegas, marking a significant step in Amazon's efforts to establish a foothold in autonomous transportation.

The European Union (EU) has identified Amazon and Google as 'critical' technology providers for the finance industry. This designation reflects the significant role these companies play in providing essential services and infrastructure to financial institutions across Europe. The EU's recognition underscores the increasing reliance on major tech firms in the financial sector, particularly as digital transformation accelerates.

Saudi Arabia's Humain is set to announce technology deals with major US companies, including Amazon and AMD. This development is part of Saudi Arabia's broader strategy to enhance its technological capabilities and diversify its economy. The announcement is expected to take place on November 18, 2025, and reflects the kingdom's ongoing efforts to attract foreign investment and foster innovation within its borders.

Major tech stocks, including Amazon and Microsoft, have seen significant declines as fears of an AI bubble contribute to a sell-off in the market. This marks the fourth consecutive trading session of losses for these companies, reflecting growing concerns among investors about inflated valuations in the artificial intelligence sector. The downturn has raised questions about the sustainability of the recent AI boom and its impact on the broader tech market.

Redburn analyst Alexander Haissl has downgraded his ratings for Microsoft and Amazon to neutral, suggesting that the generative AI boom may not replicate the success of cloud computing. He cites weak economic fundamentals, high infrastructure costs, and rapidly depreciating hardware as factors contributing to the risk of overbuilding in the industry. Haissl discussed his views during an appearance on Bloomberg Open Interest.

Analyst Alexander Haissl from Redburn has downgraded his ratings for Microsoft and Amazon to neutral, indicating that the generative AI boom may not replicate the success of the cloud computing sector. He cites weak economic fundamentals, high infrastructure costs, and rapidly depreciating hardware as factors that could lead to an oversupply in the industry. Haissl discussed his analysis during an appearance on Bloomberg Open Interest.

Amazon's robotaxi unit, Zoox, has launched its electric vehicles in San Francisco, notable for lacking traditional driving controls such as steering wheels, mirrors, or pedals. Currently, the company is not charging passengers for rides. Co-founder Jesse Levinson expressed optimism about the imminent approval from regulators, which could pave the way for wider deployment of their autonomous vehicles in urban settings.

Cloudflare, a San Francisco-based online security group, experienced a significant outage that impacted several major platforms, including ChatGPT and X. The company attributed the incident to a spike in unusual traffic directed at one of its services. This disruption led to widespread service interruptions for users, causing frustration and highlighting vulnerabilities in the infrastructure of these platforms.