Why AI is forcing an invisible shift in risk management

Alibaba and Meituan, two of China's biggest tech giants, have pledged to stop undercutting each other with price wars after receiving warnings from Beijing. The companies acknowledged their aggressive competition was hurting profits and agreed to focus on "orderly" market practices instead.

Editor’s Note: This signals China's ongoing crackdown on cutthroat competition in its tech sector, where companies often burn cash to dominate markets. For consumers, it might mean fewer steep discounts, but for businesses, it could lead to more stable (if less cutthroat) growth under tighter government oversight.

China has accused the United States of hacking into its defense sector by exploiting an old vulnerability in Microsoft's email servers, allegedly stealing military data and carrying out cyberattacks.

Editor’s Note: This story highlights escalating tensions between the US and China in the digital realm, where accusations of cyber espionage are becoming increasingly common. If true, it underscores the risks of relying on outdated software—especially for sensitive sectors like defense—and raises concerns about how nation-states weaponize tech vulnerabilities against each other. For everyday readers, it’s a reminder of how cyber conflicts between major powers can have real-world consequences.

Apple has hit a massive milestone by shipping its 3 billionth iPhone, cementing its position as a dominant player in the smartphone market. This achievement highlights the company's enduring popularity and the widespread adoption of its flagship product since its launch in 2007.

Editor’s Note: This isn't just a big number—it's a testament to how deeply iPhones have integrated into daily life worldwide. For Apple, it reinforces their market strength, and for consumers, it shows how a single product can shape an entire industry over nearly two decades. Whether you're an Apple fan or not, this milestone reflects the tech giant's lasting influence.

Microsoft is stepping back from password and passkey management in its Authenticator app, now only supporting device-bound passkeys that can't be synced across devices. This change could disrupt users' credential management strategies, especially those relying on Microsoft's ecosystem for seamless access.

Editor’s Note: If you're using Microsoft Authenticator to handle passwords or sync passkeys, this shift might force you to rethink your login workflow. It highlights the growing complexity of digital security as companies adjust their approaches to authentication—so you may need to explore other password managers or adapt to Microsoft's narrower focus.

The article discusses a leaderboard comparing large language models (LLMs) from major players like OpenAI, Google, and DeepSeek, among others. It highlights how these models stack up against each other in terms of performance, capabilities, and possibly usability, based on community feedback and technical benchmarks.

Editor’s Note: With AI models evolving rapidly, this comparison helps developers, businesses, and tech enthusiasts understand which models might best suit their needs—whether for coding, content generation, or research. It’s a snapshot of the competitive AI landscape, showing who’s leading and where innovation is heading.