ChatGPT is rolling out a new task-scheduling feature that allows paying users to set reminders and recurring requests directly with the AI assistant. Available to ChatGPT Plus, Team, and Pro users, the feature can handle practical tasks like sending reminders about passport expirations or offering personalised weekend plans based on the weather.
The task system represents OpenAI’s early venture into AI agents that can perform autonomous actions. Users can set tasks through ChatGPT’s web app by selecting the scheduling option from a dropdown menu. Once enabled, the assistant can deliver reminders or perform regular check-ins, such as providing daily news briefings or checking for concert tickets monthly.
While the feature currently offers limited independence, OpenAI sees it as a foundational step towards more capable AI systems. CEO Sam Altman hinted that 2025 will be a significant year for AI agents that may begin to handle more complex tasks, like booking travel or writing code. For now, ChatGPT’s task feature remains in beta, with plans to refine it based on user feedback.
The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk, accusing him of delaying the disclosure of his 2022 Twitter stake, which violated federal securities laws. According to the complaint, Musk waited 11 days beyond the required 10-day window to reveal his 5% ownership of Twitter, enabling him to purchase over $500 million worth of shares at lower prices before disclosing his 9.2% stake on April 4, 2022. Twitter’s stock price surged by more than 27% following the announcement.
The SEC seeks civil penalties and a repayment of profits it claims Musk gained unfairly. Musk’s attorney, Alex Spiro, dismissed the lawsuit as a ‘sham,’ arguing it stems from a minor administrative oversight. Musk has previously clashed with the SEC, including a 2018 settlement over misleading tweets about taking Tesla private, which resulted in a $20 million fine and other conditions.
This lawsuit is the latest in a series of legal challenges Musk faces over his $44 billion purchase of Twitter, now rebranded as X. Musk, who is worth $417 billion, according to Forbes, has also been sued by former Twitter shareholders in Manhattan federal court for the delayed disclosure, which they claim caused them financial harm. The SEC’s action comes just days before Chair Gary Gensler’s scheduled departure, marking another chapter in Musk’s contentious history with the regulatory body.
The Bank of England (BoE) has announced plans to launch a new initiative called the “Digital Pound Lab” in 2025, aimed at testing the potential for a central bank digital currency (CBDC), commonly known as a digital pound. This sandbox project will focus on developing blockchain-powered payment systems and exploring use cases and business models for a digital currency. The BoE aims to collaborate with both local and international financial players to address challenges in the current payment ecosystem.
Despite the initiative, no final decision has been made regarding the introduction of a digital pound. The BoE’s report clarified that the central bank and HM Treasury will first work on developing a detailed policy and technology framework, based on feedback gathered during the design phase. The process could take several years before any conclusions are drawn.
The BoE has closed its previous Technology Forum to make way for the Digital Pound Lab, which will take a more active, hands-on approach to consulting with industry participants. However, even if the lab progresses, the digital pound would still require approval from the UK Parliament, followed by public consultation and legislation before any official rollout.
TikTok plans to disable its app for all US users on Sunday if the Supreme Court does not block a federal ban, according to a report by The Information. This action would go beyond the law’s requirement, which mandates a ban only on new downloads from Apple and Google app stores while allowing existing users to continue using the app temporarily.
Under TikTok’s plan, users attempting to access the app will be redirected to a website explaining the ban. The company also intends to allow users to download their data for future use. TikTok and its parent company ByteDance have yet to comment on these developments.
The ban stems from a law signed by President Joe Biden in April 2024, requiring ByteDance to sell its US assets by January 19, 2025, or face a nationwide ban. TikTok has challenged the law, arguing that it violates First Amendment protections. In a recent court filing, the company warned that a month-long ban could result in one-third of its 170 million US users leaving the platform permanently.
This potential shutdown reflects the escalating tensions surrounding TikTok’s operations in the United States, as debates over data security and free speech continue.
Indian space startup Pixxel is set to launch three of its six hyperspectral imaging satellites aboard a SpaceX rocket from California. The launch, scheduled from Vandenberg Space Force Base, marks a milestone for India‘s private space sector. The satellites will enter a sun-synchronous orbit at 550 km, with three more to follow later this year. Pixxel aims to expand its constellation to 24 satellites, targeting a share of the growing satellite imaging market, expected to reach $19 billion by 2029.
Hyperspectral imaging captures highly detailed data across hundreds of light bands, allowing better monitoring of agriculture, mining, environmental changes, and defence applications. Pixxel has already secured contracts with companies like Rio Tinto and British Petroleum, as well as India’s Ministry of Agriculture. The startup expects to begin full commercial imaging operations by mid-March, with government and defence agencies closely watching its progress before committing to long-term contracts.
India holds just 2% of the global commercial space market, far behind the United States and China. The government hopes private companies like Pixxel will help grow the sector from $8 billion to $44 billion by 2030. The Firefly constellation, with a 5-meter resolution and 40-km swathe width, is expected to outperform competitors such as Finland‘s Kuva Space and the US-based Orbital Sidekick. Experts believe a successful deployment would mark a significant breakthrough for India’s space industry.
A Russian court has imposed an 8 billion rouble ($78 million) fine on Google for failing to comply with previous penalties related to administrative offences, according to the Moscow courts’ press service. The fine marks a sharp increase from the usual smaller penalties issued to foreign tech companies operating in Russia.
Russia has repeatedly demanded that foreign platforms, including YouTube, remove content it deems illegal. Critics argue that the government’s pressure on YouTube, once a major platform in Russia, is aimed at limiting access to dissenting voices. YouTube’s daily users in Russia have plummeted from 50 million to 12 million amid growing restrictions and alleged speed disruptions.
The Kremlin denies any deliberate interference with YouTube, instead blaming Google for failing to upgrade its infrastructure in the country, a claim the tech giant disputes. Meanwhile, President Vladimir Putin has accused Google of acting as a tool for US political influence, further straining relations.
Microsoft has created a new internal division, CoreAI Platform and Tools, to accelerate its development of AI technologies. The restructuring brings together its developer teams and AI platform under one unit, aimed at making AI a central pillar of the company’s software strategy.
Jay Parikh, a former engineering leader at Meta and CEO of cloud security startup Lacework, will head the new organisation. Reporting directly to CEO Satya Nadella, Parikh will oversee various teams focused on AI infrastructure and tools. His appointment signals Microsoft’s continued push to lead in the fast-evolving AI space.
CoreAI’s formation reflects Microsoft’s increasing emphasis on “model-forward” applications, which Nadella described as reshaping software development across all categories. The company’s recent efforts include embedding AI tools across its productivity suite and cloud services, solidifying its place in the growing AI market.
This latest move builds on Microsoft’s broader strategy to remain a leader in AI innovation, following its high-profile partnership with OpenAI and ongoing investments in cloud-based AI solutions.
AI chip startup Blaize has announced plans to go public through a SPAC deal, which will see the company listed on Nasdaq with a valuation of $1.2 billion. Founded in 2011 by former Intel engineers, Blaize specialises in AI chips for edge devices such as drones, security cameras, and industrial robots. Unlike traditional data centre chips, its products are designed for real-world applications that prioritise low latency, power efficiency, and privacy.
The company has raised $335 million from prominent investors, including Samsung and Mercedes-Benz, and claims to have $400 million worth of deals in the pipeline. CEO Dinakar Munagala, who spent over a decade at Intel, emphasised that Blaize’s approach focuses on practical AI solutions for physical environments, differentiating the company from competitors like Nvidia, which primarily targets large-scale data centres.
Despite facing financial challenges, including a loss of $87.5 million in 2023, Blaize is betting on a future where AI chips are embedded into everyday devices. The startup is also involved in defence-related contracts, with one major deal involving AI systems capable of identifying troops and detecting drones, further highlighting its niche in edge computing.
Blaize’s IPO marks a significant shift in the AI chip industry, signalling investor interest in decentralised AI technologies that extend beyond traditional data centre applications.
With the potential TikTok ban in the US drawing near, thousands of users are migrating to the Chinese app RedNote, making it the most downloaded app on Apple’s US App Store. Dubbed ‘TikTok refugees,’ these users are rapidly building new communities on the platform, which combines features of TikTok and Instagram to share lifestyle content.
RedNote, known as Xiaohongshu in China, has around 300 million monthly users and is popular among young urban women for sharing tips on fashion, travel, and more. The app has welcomed its new users from the US with open arms, with thousands of posts guiding them on navigating the platform and even learning basic Mandarin phrases.
While TikTok continues to resist demands to sell its US operations, RedNote has seen a surge of interest from users looking to preserve their online presence. Many users, like school canteen worker Sarah Fotheringham and fashion designer Marcus Robinson, say the platform is giving them fresh opportunities to connect and grow their followings.
Despite security concerns surrounding Chinese apps, RedNote’s growing popularity shows that TikTok’s future may face challenges even without a formal ban. Some users report spending more time on RedNote than on TikTok and plan to continue building their presence there regardless of the outcome.
The European Commission is reassessing its investigations into major tech companies, including Apple, Meta, and Google, under its landmark Digital Markets Act (DMA), according to the Financial Times. The review, which covers cases initiated since March 2024, comes as tech giants urge President-elect Donald Trump to push back against EU regulatory scrutiny. Sources suggest Trump’s presidency has influenced the review, though it was not the direct trigger.
The DMA, implemented in 2022, seeks to curb the dominance of Big Tech by imposing strict rules on their practices and fines of up to 10% of annual revenue for violations. The review may lead to narrowing or altering the scope of current probes, with all decisions and potential fines paused during this process. Technical work on the cases, however, will continue.
This development coincides with Meta’s recent overhaul of its US fact-checking program and CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s signals of a more conciliatory stance toward the Trump administration. Meanwhile, EU regulators are also examining whether Elon Musk’s social media platform X has violated content moderation rules, further highlighting the tech industry’s complex regulatory challenges.
