US Archives | Page 6 of 90 | Digital Watch Observatory

Smartphone reliance grows amid uneven broadband access

Most Americans now use the internet daily and own smartphones, according to new Pew Research Center data. Around four in ten adults describe their internet use as almost constant.

Broadband access remains widespread, yet sharp income gaps persist across the US. Just over half of households earning under $30,000 subscribe, compared with almost all higher earners.

Smartphone ownership is nearly universal, even among older age groups. Many lower-income and younger adults increasingly rely on phones as their primary internet connection.

Researchers say digital inequality remains a defining challenge despite technological progress. Policymakers face pressure to address affordability, access, and long-term digital inclusion nationwide.

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ChatGPT reaches 40 million daily users for health advice

More than 40 million people worldwide now use ChatGPT daily for health-related advice, according to OpenAI.

Over 5 percent of all messages sent to the chatbot relate to healthcare, with three in five US adults reporting use in the past three months. Many interactions occur outside clinic hours, highlighting the demand for AI guidance in navigating complex medical systems.

Users primarily turn to AI to check symptoms, understand medical terms, and explore treatment options.

OpenAI emphasises that ChatGPT helps patients gain agency over their health, particularly in rural areas where hospitals and specialised services are scarce.

The technology also supports healthcare professionals by reducing administrative burdens and providing timely information.

Despite growing adoption, regulatory oversight remains limited. Some US states have attempted to regulate AI in healthcare, and lawsuits have emerged over cases where AI-generated advice has caused harm.

OpenAI argues that ChatGPT supplements rather than replaces medical services, helping patients interpret information, prepare for care, and navigate gaps in access.

Healthcare workers are also increasingly using AI. Surveys show that two in five US professionals, including nurses and pharmacists, use generative AI weekly to draft notes, summarise research, and streamline workflows.

OpenAI plans to release healthcare policy recommendations to guide the responsible adoption of AI in clinical settings.

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Social Security move to digital payments

The US Social Security Administration has ended the routine issuance of paper benefit cheques in favour of electronic payments after a 30 September federal deadline. Electronic methods such as direct deposit or prepaid cards are now standard for most beneficiaries.

US officials say the shift speeds up payment delivery and strengthens security since electronic payments are less likely to be lost or stolen than mailed cheques. The move also aims to help reduce federal costs and fraud risks.

A small number of recipients can still receive paper cheques if they qualify for an exemption by showing they lack access to banking services or digital payment systems. People must contact Treasury to request a waiver.

SSA urges beneficiaries to set up or confirm direct deposit details through their online account or use a prepaid card to avoid delays. Recipients without bank accounts are encouraged to enrol for secure electronic options.

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Sedgwick breach linked to TridentLocker ransomware attack

Sedgwick has confirmed a data breach at its government-focused subsidiary after the TridentLocker ransomware group claimed responsibility for stealing 3.4 gigabytes of data. The incident underscores growing threats to federal contractors handling sensitive US agency information.

The company said the breach affected only an isolated file transfer system used by Sedgwick Government Solutions, which serves agencies such as DHS, ICE, and CISA. Segmentation reportedly prevented any impact on wider corporate systems or ongoing client operations.

TridentLocker, a ransomware-as-a-service group that appeared in late 2025, listed Sedgwick Government Solutions on its dark web leak site and posted samples of stolen documents. The gang is known for double-extortion tactics, combining data encryption and public exposure threats.

Sedgwick has informed US law enforcement and affected clients while continuing to investigate with external cybersecurity experts. The firm emphasised operational continuity and noted no evidence of intrusion into its claims management servers.

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Meta pauses global launch of Ray-Ban Display glasses

The US tech company, Meta, has paused the international launch of its Ray-Ban Display smart glasses after seeing higher-than-expected demand in the US.

Meta had planned to begin selling the glasses in the UK, France, Italy and Canada in early 2026, but will now prioritise fulfilling US orders instead of expanding availability.

These smart glasses work with the Meta Neural Band wrist device, which interprets small hand movements.

Meta demonstrated new tools at CES in La s Vegas, including a teleprompter mode for delivering prepared remarks and a feature that lets users write messages by moving a finger across any surface while wearing the Neural Band. Pedestrian navigation support is also being extended to additional US cities.

Meta says demand has created waiting lists stretching well into 2026, prompting the pause while it reassesses global rollout plans.

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AI platforms reshape everyday online behaviour

AI is rapidly becoming the starting point for many everyday activities, from planning and learning to shopping and decision-making. A new report by PYMNTS Intelligence suggests that AI is no longer just an added digital tool, but is increasingly replacing traditional entry points such as search engines and mobile apps.

The study shows that AI use in the United States has moved firmly into the mainstream, with more than 60 per cent of consumers using dedicated AI platforms over the past year. Younger users and frequent AI users are leading the shift, increasingly turning to AI first rather than using it to support existing online habits.

Researchers found that how people use AI matters as much as how often they use it. Heavy users rely on AI across many aspects of daily life, treating it as a general-purpose system, while lighter users remain cautious and limit AI to lower-risk tasks. Trust plays a decisive role, especially when it comes to sensitive areas such as finances and banking.

The report also points to changing patterns in online discovery. Consumers who use standalone AI platforms are more likely to abandon older methods entirely, while those encountering AI through search engines tend to blend it with familiar tools. That difference suggests that the design and context of AI services strongly influence user behaviour.

Looking ahead, the findings hint at how AI could reshape digital commerce. Many consumers say they would prefer to connect digital wallets directly to AI platforms for payments, signalling a potential shift in how intent turns into transactions. As AI becomes a common entry point to the digital world, businesses and financial institutions face growing pressure to adapt their systems to this new starting line.

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High-profile AI acquisition puts Manus back in focus

Manus has returned to the spotlight after agreeing to be acquired by Meta in a deal reportedly worth more than $2 billion. The transaction is one of the most high-profile acquisitions of an Asian AI startup by a US technology company and reflects Meta’s push to expand agentic AI capabilities across its platforms.

The startup drew attention in March after unveiling an autonomous AI agent designed to execute tasks such as résumé screening and stock analysis. Founded in China, Manus later moved its headquarters to Singapore and was developed by the AI product studio Butterfly Effect.

Since launch, Manus has expanded its features to include design work, slide creation, and browser-based task completion. The company reported surpassing $100 million in annual recurring revenue and raised $75 million earlier this year at a valuation of about $500 million.

Meta said the acquisition would allow it to integrate the Singapore-based company’s technology into its wider AI strategy while keeping the product running as a standalone service. Manus said subscriptions would continue uninterrupted and that operations would remain based in Singapore.

The deal has drawn political scrutiny in the US due to Manus’s origins and past links to China. Meta said the transaction would sever remaining ties to China, as debate intensifies over investment, data security, and competition in advanced AI systems.

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Small businesses battle rising cyber attacks in the US

Many small businesses in the US are facing a sharp rise in cyber attacks, yet large numbers still try to manage the risk on their own.

A recent survey by Guardz found that more than four in ten SMBs have already experienced a cyber incident, while most owners believe the overall threat level is continuing to increase.

Rather than relying on specialist teams, over half of small businesses still leave critical cybersecurity tasks to untrained staff or the owner. Only a minority have a formal incident response plan created with a cybersecurity professional, and more than a quarter do not carry cyber insurance.

Phishing, ransomware and simple employee mistakes remain the most common dangers, with negligence seen as the biggest internal risk.

Recovery times are improving, with most affected firms able to return to normal operations quickly and very few suffering lasting damage.

However, many still fail to conduct routine security assessments, and outdated technology remains a widespread concern. Some SMBs are increasing cybersecurity budgets, yet a significant share still spend very little or do not know how much is being invested.

More small firms are now turning to managed service providers instead of trying to cope alone.

The findings suggest that preparation, professional support and clearly defined response plans can greatly improve resilience, helping organisations reduce disruption and maintain business continuity when an attack occurs.

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Deutsche Bank warns on scale of AI spending

Deutsche Bank has warned that surging AI investment is helping to prop up US economic growth. Analysts say that broader spending would have stalled without the heavy outlays on technology.

The bank estimates hyperscalers could spend $4 trillion on AI data centres by 2030. Analysts cautioned returns remain uncertain despite the scale of investment.

Official data showed US GDP grew at a 4.3% annualised rate in the third quarter. Economists linked much of the momentum to AI-driven capital expenditure.

Market experts remain divided on risks, although many reject fears of a bubble. Corporate cash flows, rather than excessive borrowing, are funding the majority of AI infrastructure.

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ByteDance prepares major AI investment for 2026

ByteDance plans a major jump in AI spending next year as global chip access remains uncertain. The firm is preparing heavier investment in processors and infrastructure to support demanding models across its apps and cloud platforms.

The company is budgeting nearly nine billion pounds for AI chips despite strict US export rules. A potential trial purchase of Nvidia H200 hardware could expand its computing capacity if wider access is approved for Chinese firms.

Rivals in the US continue to outspend ByteDance, with large tech groups pouring hundreds of billions into data centres. Chinese platforms face tighter limits and are developing models that run efficiently with fewer resources.

ByteDance’s consumer AI ecosystem keeps accelerating, led by its Doubao chatbot and growing cloud business. Private ownership gives the firm flexibility to invest aggressively while placing AI at the heart of its long-term strategy.

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