At a casual meetup in a Beijing hotel lobby earlier this year, DeepSeek’s founder Liang Wenfeng threw a curveball at serial entrepreneur Luo Yonghao—best known for his charisma and public speaking chops. Liang asked why someone with Luo’s gift for persuasion would dive into the tech startup world instead of leveraging his natural strengths. Luo shared the story at a recent tech event, offering a glimpse into the self-reflection that shapes entrepreneurial journeys—just as DeepSeek’s AI models started gaining global buzz for their efficiency.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just a quirky anecdote—it’s a reminder that even successful founders wrestle with doubts about their path. The conversation highlights how self-awareness (or lack thereof) can steer careers, especially in fast-moving fields like AI. For aspiring entrepreneurs, it’s a nudge to ask: Am I playing to my strengths, or just following the hype? Plus, it’s a rare peek behind the curtain of China’s tech scene, where personal stories often take a backseat to product launches.

Tesla just rolled out its new Robotaxi service in Austin, Texas—Elon Musk’s latest move in the self-driving car race. But how does it stack up against Baidu’s Apollo Go, China’s leading autonomous taxi service? Baidu has been testing its tech since 2019 and went commercial in 2022, giving it a head start. Musk, meanwhile, is framing Tesla’s launch as the payoff of ten years of effort. The piece digs into how these two tech giants compare in the fast-evolving world of driverless rides.

Editor’s Note: The battle for dominance in self-driving taxis is heating up, and this isn’t just about tech—it’s about who sets the global standard. Tesla’s push into robotaxis could reshape urban mobility in the U.S., while Baidu’s early lead in China shows how regulations and market readiness vary wildly by region. For consumers, it’s a peek at the future of transportation; for investors, it’s a high-stakes race between two very different approaches.

OpenAI has scrubbed references to its partnership with Jony Ive's design firm, "io," after a legal spat with another company called iyO—yes, spelled differently—that makes earbuds. It’s a classic trademark tussle: one company claims the name is too close for comfort, and OpenAI decided to play it safe by pulling the mentions rather than risk a messy fight.

Editor’s Note: Trademark disputes like this might seem like corporate nitpicking, but they matter because names are valuable real estate in tech. If OpenAI ignored this, it could’ve led to confusion (or lawsuits) down the line. Plus, it’s a reminder that even big players like OpenAI have to navigate legal headaches when branding collides.

AI therapy chatbots are popping up everywhere, promising instant mental health support whenever you need it. But here’s the big question: Can a bot really "get" you the way a human therapist does? While these tools are handy—especially when waiting lists for therapists are long—experts wonder if their programmed empathy can ever replace the real deal.

Editor’s Note: Mental health care is in high demand, and AI chatbots are stepping in to fill the gap. They’re accessible and affordable, but this story digs into whether they’re a Band-Aid or a real solution. It matters because, as tech reshapes therapy, we need to figure out where it helps—and where it falls short.

Hong Kong's airport has temporarily pulled its driverless buses off the road after two of them crashed in a restricted area. Officials are now inspecting the vehicles, and an expert is urging authorities to rethink the technology behind these buses and improve safety measures like obstacle detection. A photo of the aftermath is making the rounds online, adding fuel to the conversation about the reliability of autonomous transport.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just a hiccup for Hong Kong’s airport—it’s a red flag for the broader push toward driverless tech. If even restricted, controlled environments can’t prevent collisions, it raises tough questions about how ready these systems really are for wider use. For travelers and tech watchers alike, it’s a reminder that the road to full autonomy might still have a few bumps.

Social media is buzzing over footage that seems to show China’s new HQ-29 ballistic missile defense system being transported, sparking rumors it might debut at an upcoming military parade in Beijing. While officials haven’t confirmed its existence yet, analysts suggest the HQ-29 could be a significant upgrade over China’s current systems, like the HQ-19, and may even rival the US THAAD system in capability.

Editor’s Note: If the HQ-29 is real and as advanced as speculated, it could signal a major step in China’s missile defense capabilities, potentially shifting regional military dynamics. This kind of tech doesn’t just sit in a lab—it affects global security calculations, especially in hotspots like the Indo-Pacific. Whether it’s a show of strength or just routine modernization, the world (and especially neighboring countries) will be watching closely.

Chinese researchers have discovered that cosmic rays—specifically subatomic particles called muons—can mess with the delicate operations of quantum computers. By monitoring superconducting quantum chips alongside these cosmic particles, they found that muons and gamma-ray-induced disturbances (known as quasiparticle bursts) can throw a wrench into error-correction techniques, which are crucial for making quantum computing reliable. This is the first direct evidence linking cosmic interference to quantum computing hiccups.

Editor’s Note: Quantum computers are insanely powerful but also incredibly finicky—even tiny disruptions can cause errors. Now, scientists have proof that cosmic rays, which constantly rain down from space, might be part of the problem. This isn’t doom and gloom, though—it’s a clue. If we know cosmic rays are meddling, we can design better shielding or error-correction methods to keep quantum computers on track. It’s like realizing your Wi-Fi keeps cutting out because of a neighbor’s microwave—once you know the cause, you can fix it.

A key Honda supplier, Daido Steel, is reevaluating its reliance on China for rare earth materials due to the ongoing trade war. The company is actively seeking alternative supply routes to reduce its dependence on Chinese sources, signaling a broader shift in global supply chain strategies.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about one company—it’s a sign of how trade tensions are forcing businesses to rethink long-standing supply chains. If more suppliers follow Daido’s lead, it could reshape global trade dynamics, potentially raising costs and complicating production for automakers and other industries reliant on rare earth materials.

Europe is scrambling to secure lithium—a critical mineral for batteries and clean energy tech—but it’s hitting two big roadblocks: China’s dominance in the market and a lack of funding for local projects. Without solving these issues, the EU’s ambitious climate and energy security plans could stall.

Editor’s Note: Lithium isn’t just about fancy gadgets—it’s the backbone of Europe’s push for greener energy and less reliance on unpredictable suppliers. If they can’t break China’s grip or drum up enough investment, those shiny climate goals might stay out of reach. It’s a high-stakes game with real consequences for everything from electric cars to renewable power storage.