• Zero Shot Ventures has made a splash with its debut fundraising effort, securing commitments for its ambitious $100 million goal. What's notable about this new VC player is the pedigree of its founding team, which includes three OpenAI alumni: Evan Morikawa, Andrew Mayne, and Shawn Jain. This insider knowledge is likely to serve them well as they invest in AI-centric startups.

• Imagine being able to dictate notes, emails, or messages without needing an internet connection. Google's AI Edge Eloquent makes this possible with its offline-first approach. The app leverages Gemma-based automatic speech recognition (ASR) models to deliver accurate transcriptions, even when you're not connected to the cloud. With features like live transcription and text transformation options, this app is a must-try for anyone looking to streamline their workflow.

• After reviewing millions of Summon sessions, the NHTSA concluded that the risk of accidents was extremely low. While some incidents did occur, they typically involved minor property damage, such as hitting gates or parked cars. The agency's investigation highlights the challenges of relying on camera-based systems for autonomous parking features.

• The use of remote operators in autonomous vehicles has come under scrutiny after a recent investigation by Sen. Ed Markey's office. The probe found that companies like Waymo and Tesla rely on overseas workers to control their self-driving cars, sparking concerns over safety and regulatory oversight. While the companies claim that remote assistance is only used as a last resort, incidents in Austin, Texas, have raised questions about the effectiveness of this system.

• The ongoing conflict between Iran and the US has taken a worrying turn, with Iran threatening to strike back at US energy and tech infrastructure in the region. A recent video released by Iran appears to single out the Stargate data center in the UAE, a massive joint venture between OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle worth $500 billion. The project, announced just last year, aims to build AI data centers globally but has faced funding troubles and tariff-related costs.

• Sanctions against North Korea have led to a surge in fake IT workers applying for remote jobs at Western companies. To root out these impostors, some companies are using a simple yet effective test: asking the applicant to insult Kim Jong Un. This tactic takes advantage of the fact that criticizing the North Korean leader is punishable by law in the country.

• In a brazen display of cyber espionage, North Korean hackers infiltrated the Axios project by building trust with their target over several weeks. By creating a convincing Slack workspace and fake employee profiles, they successfully tricked their mark into downloading malware disguised as a necessary update. This attack is just the latest in a string of sophisticated social engineering attacks attributed to the Kim Jong Un regime.

• Tensions between the US and Iran have escalated, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issuing a stark warning to OpenAI: back off or face the consequences. In a video published on an Iranian state-backed news outlet's X account, the IRGC vowed to carry out the 'complete and utter annihilation' of US-linked energy and technology companies in the region if the US attacks its power plants. The threat is specifically aimed at OpenAI's planned data center in Abu Dhabi, which is part of a massive $500 billion project backed by tech giants like Oracle and Nvidia.

• In a surprising turn of events, Bryan Fleming, the creator of pcTattletale, a notorious 'stalkerware' app, has dodged prison time despite his guilty plea. The US Department of Justice's lenient sentence raises questions about the severity of punishments for cybercrimes. Fleming's spyware allowed customers to secretly plant surveillance software on unsuspecting victims' devices, exposing millions of sensitive files and messages.

• Apple's iPads have evolved into powerful tools for personal, work, and school use. While built-in apps like Notes, Calendar, and Reminders offer basic productivity features, there are many more apps available to help you maximize your iPad's potential. From visual workspace organizers to AI-powered note-taking assistants, these top iPad apps can help you stay focused, organized, and productive.

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