Weekly Tech Digest | 31 Jul 2025

Weekly Tech Digest – 31-07-2025

Welcome to this week’s tech digest, where we explore the latest discussions and trends shaping the technology landscape. From shifts in employment attitudes towards big tech to groundbreaking advancements in AI and water filtration, there’s plenty to unpack.

Delve into these topics and see how they reflect broader societal implications and ethical considerations in the tech world.

Big Tech and Employment Trends

This topic discusses the shifting attitudes of graduates towards traditional tech giants like Google and Meta, highlighting a significant trend where many are opting out of pursuing careers in these companies.

• No longer a dream job: 75% of American graduates are walking away from Google, Meta and Big Tech ambitions75% of American graduates are reportedly moving away from aspirations to work in major tech companies.

Political Influence of Tech Companies

This category covers the interactions between tech executives and political figures, particularly focusing on the influence of Trump and the role of Big Tech in political events.

• Tech CEOs who grinned behind Trump at inauguration lose billions in wake of tariffsThe impact of tariffs on tech CEOs who previously supported Trump.
• Tech Execs Are Pushing Trump to Build ‘Freedom Cities’ Run by CorporationsA pro-corporate libertarian movement is attempting to take over the U.S. with Trump’s help.
• Big Tech quietly sponsors Trump’s military parade partyAn exploration of Big Tech’s sponsorship of Trump’s events.

Social Media and Manipulation

This topic addresses the concerns about social media’s role in spreading misinformation and its manipulation of public perception.

• President Joe Biden Warns of Big Tech and Social Media Manipulation in Final AddressBiden’s warnings about the manipulation of truth by social media platforms.

Corporate Practices and Ethics

This category critiques the ethical implications of corporate practices within tech companies, including employee treatment and advertising strategies.

• Laid-off Meta employees blast Zuckerberg in forums for running the ‘cruelest tech company out there’Former employees express their grievances regarding Meta’s corporate practices.
• Perplexity CEO says its browser will track everything users do online to sell ‘hyper personalized’ adsThe ethical concerns surrounding user tracking for advertising purposes.

Education and Technology

Discussions in this category focus on the impact of technology on education and the responsibilities of tech companies in shaping educational outcomes.

• ‘Kids Don’t Care, Can’t Read’: 10th Grade Teacher Quits, Blames Tech And ParentsA teacher resigns, citing technology’s negative impact on student engagement and reading skills.

Google’s Shift on AI Ethics

Google has officially abandoned its longstanding “do no harm” principle regarding AI, raising concerns about the potential development of military applications. This shift indicates a significant change in the company’s approach to artificial intelligence and its ethical implications.

• Google abandons ‘do no harm’ AI stance, opens door to military weaponsGoogle is likely to work on deploying technology that can kill people.

Affordable AI Technology Recreation

Researchers have successfully recreated the core technology of DeepSeek for just $30, showcasing the potential for lower-cost alternatives in advanced AI applications. This breakthrough could democratize access to powerful AI tools.

• Researchers recreated DeepSeek’s core technology for just $30A significant achievement in making advanced AI technology more accessible.

Car Manufacturing and Technology

As automakers increasingly focus on integrating technology into their vehicles, there are growing concerns about the decline in car quality. This post discusses how the shift towards tech-centric designs may be compromising traditional manufacturing standards.

• Car quality is suffering as automakers shift focus to technologyThey don’t make them like they used to.

AI and Mental Health Concerns

Researchers warn that using AI to resurrect deceased loved ones could lead to mental health issues and societal dependence on technology. This discussion raises ethical questions about the implications of such technologies on human relationships and grief.

• Resurrecting deceased loved ones using artificial intelligence could harm mental healthConcerns about the psychological impact of AI technology on grieving individuals.

Tesla’s Charging Technology

Tesla’s charging technology is being fast-tracked to become the U.S. standard, which could significantly influence the electric vehicle market and infrastructure. This post discusses the implications of this move for the industry.

• Tesla charging technology put on fast track to become US standardA major step towards standardizing EV charging technology.

AI Mimicking Deceased Individuals

A man used AI to recreate conversations with his late fiancé, raising alarms from the technology’s creators about potential misuse for misinformation. This discussion highlights the ethical dilemmas surrounding AI applications in personal contexts.

• A man used artificial intelligence (AI) to mimic speaking to his late fiancéThe creators warn that this technology could be dangerous.

Biometric Data Security Issues

Reports reveal that biometric devices sold on eBay contained sensitive U.S. military data, raising serious concerns about data security and the handling of high-risk technology. This post discusses the implications for privacy and national security.

• Biometric devices sold on eBay reportedly contained sensitive US military dataThe irresponsible handling of this high-risk technology is unbelievable.

CHIPS Act Funding for Semiconductor Manufacturing

The U.S. Department of Commerce has finalized $6.6 billion in funding for TSMC’s Arizona site under the CHIPS Act. This funding aims to boost semiconductor manufacturing in the U.S., addressing supply chain challenges.

• U.S Department of Commerce finalizes $6.6 billion CHIPS Act funding for TSMC Fab 21 Arizona siteThe site will build chips on TSMC’s advanced process technologies.

Breakthrough in Water Filtration Technology

A new water filtration technology using modified graphene oxide has been developed to eliminate “forever chemicals.” This breakthrough could lead to customizable water purification solutions, significantly impacting environmental health.

• Breakthrough water filter eliminates forever chemicals using modified graphene oxideThe new filtration technology sets the stage for customizable water purification solutions.

AI in Education

A private school in London is set to open the UK’s first classroom taught entirely by AI, sparking debate about the future of education and the role of technology in learning environments. Critics argue this could lead to a “soulless, bleak future.”

• A private school in London is opening the UK’s first classroom taught by artificial intelligenceCritics argue AI teaching will lead to a soulless, bleak future.

Thank you for reading this week’s tech digest! We hope you found these discussions insightful. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.