Tech

Air Force secretary to fly in AI-operated F-16 fighter jet

Published

2 years ago

April 11, 2024

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall announced his intention to ride in the cockpit of an aircraft operated by artificial intelligence later this spring.

Speaking before the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee’s defense panel, Kendall said the pivotal role of autonomously operated drones in shaping the future of the Air Force’s fleet.

During the committee hearing, Kendall revealed plans to board an F-16 aircraft that has been converted for drone flight, highlighting the Air Force’s commitment to integrating AI technologies into its operations.

This move comes as part of Kendall’s push to acquire over 1,000 AI-operated drones, marking a significant step toward modernizing the military branch’s capabilities.

Kendall expressed confidence in the autonomous technology, stating, “There will be a pilot with me who will just be watching, as I will be, as the autonomous technology works. Hopefully neither he nor I will be needed to fly the airplane.”

US, Philippines to announce new sites for U.S. military as soon as …

AI-guided planes

The announcement follows the Pentagon’s initiative to develop new AI-guided planes, with contracts awarded to several private companies to compete in the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) project. This $6 billion program aims to bolster the Air Force’s drone fleet, providing support for human-piloted jets and enhancing overall operational capabilities.

Among the companies competing for the CCA project are industry giants such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman, underscoring the significant investment and interest in AI-enabled defense technologies.

The adoption of AI-driven drones represents a strategic effort by the Pentagon to enhance military innovation and cost-efficiency.

By deploying AI-enabled autonomous vehicles, the military aims to achieve greater flexibility and effectiveness in combat scenarios while minimizing risks to manned aircraft.

While details regarding the appearance and capabilities of the AI-operated drones remain undisclosed, Kendall emphasized their potential to disrupt and counter sophisticated air defense systems, ultimately safeguarding national security interests.

Tech

Apple set to unveil budget iPhone 17e, new iPads and low-cost MacBook

Apple’s Tim Cook announces major product reveals this week, highlighting budget iPhone 17e, new iPads, and low-cost MacBook.

Published

15 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Apple’s Tim Cook announces major product reveals this week, highlighting budget iPhone 17e, new iPads, and low-cost MacBook.

Apple Inc. CEO Tim Cook has confirmed a major week of product announcements kicking off Monday morning, building momentum toward a global “Apple Experience” event across New York, London and Shanghai. The tech giant is expected to spread its reveals across three days, fuelling speculation about its biggest refresh cycle yet.

Leading the buzz is the rumoured budget-friendly iPhone 17e, signalling Apple’s push to capture more price-conscious consumers without sacrificing performance. Two new iPads powered by advanced chips are also tipped to headline the lineup, pointing to stronger AI capabilities and faster processing speeds.

Rounding out the expected reveals is a low-cost 12.9-inch MacBook that’s already generating serious interest, alongside updated MacBook Pro models and a refreshed Mac Studio. It’s shaping up to be one of Apple’s most significant multi-product launches in recent years.

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#Apple #TimCook #iPhone17e #AppleEvent #TechNews #iPad #MacBook #Innovation

Tech

Nvidia posts record revenue as AI fears shake investors

Nvidia’s £68.1 billion revenue, up 73%, raises investor concerns about AI’s impact and tech customers’ financial health.

Published

16 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Nvidia’s £68.1 billion revenue, up 73%, raises investor concerns about AI’s impact and tech customers’ financial health.

Nvidia posted strong quarterly earnings, but Wall Street remained unimpressed, causing shares to fall 5%. Analysts point to investor concerns over AI dominance and a stalled $100 billion deal with OpenAI.

Experts discuss what factors in the earnings report failed to meet market expectations, including revenue projections and details around the Vera Rubin chip architecture. Competition from alternative chipmakers and scrutiny of hyperscaler cash flows are also shaping investor sentiment.

Despite recent setbacks, analysts remain cautiously bullish on Nvidia, highlighting long-term AI potential and the company’s dominant position in the chip market.

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Tech

Meta launches lawsuits over alleged scam advertising operations

Meta targets scam advertising networks in Brazil, China, and Vietnam, intensifying its crackdown on scams across its platforms.

Published

17 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Meta targets scam advertising networks in Brazil, China, and Vietnam, intensifying its crackdown on scams across its platforms.

Social media giant Meta has launched aggressive legal action targeting alleged scam operations using its platforms. The company has filed lawsuits against four advertising networks based in Brazil, China and Vietnam.

Meta has also issued cease and desist letters to eight marketing consultants accused of helping clients bypass the platform’s enforcement systems. The move signals a tougher stance on organised scam activity operating at scale.

While no criminal charges have been laid, Meta says it is doubling down on efforts to protect users and restore trust across its platforms as scam activity continues to rise globally.

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