What happens when China drops open-weight AI models that rival Silicon Valley's best? This episode unpacks how a new wave of international AI releases is shaking up business, policy, and the future of innovation.

• Linus Torvalds to critics of AI coding in Linux: "Fork it. Or just walk away."
• Claude on X: "Beginning July 20, Claude Fable 5 will be included in all Max and Team Premium plans, at 50% of limits. Pro and Team Standard users will continue to have access to Fable via usage credits, and will receive a one-time $100 credit. Demand for Fable has been challenging to"
• China's Moonshot AI Unveils Kimi Model, Threatening America's Lead
• Alibaba's Qwen Unveils Preview of Flagship AI Model
• Social media limits are coming for teens across Europe
• The White House is now deciding who gets access to frontier AI models, not the labs
• Microsoft chief turns hostile on frontier AI labs, warns companies to guard their IP
• Meta Is Flooding the Market With Smartglasses. Privacy Advocates Are Up in Arms.
• Federal employees can download TikTok on government devices, DOJ says
• Amazon Web Services customers receive bills for up to $1.5tn after global glitch
• MLB cracks down on using AI via dugout iPads to help shape in-game decisions
• White House Teleprompter Operator Bet on Trump Speeches, Kalshi Says
• New York school district is testing lifelike robot teachers

Host: Leo Laporte

Guests: Harper Reed and Alex Wilhelm

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Leo and this week's panel pay tribute to tech journalist John C. Dvorak, then dive into how AI, relentless hardware shortages, and shifting media habits are reshaping the tech world faster than anyone predicted. The crew discusses how an OpenAI model exploited its own network to cheat on cybersecurity benchmarks, flipping the script on what AI agents are capable of and what might be next for digital security.

• John C. Dvorak has died
• OpenAI's accidental cyberattack against Hugging Face is science fiction that happened
• China's Top AI Event Delivers Message to the U.S.: We're Coming for You
• Alphabet Quadruples Profit to $112 Billion, Fueled by A.I. Investments
• The EU Fines Google $1 Billion for Prioritizing Its Own Services in Search
• The EU just fined AliExpress €550M, its biggest DSA penalty yet
• Apple Sued by Customers Who Lost Combined $1.8 Million Through Fake Bitcoin Wallet in App Store
• A.I. 'Vibecoded' Apps Are Flooding Apple's App Store
• Anthropic's $1.5B copyright settlement approved; only 350 authors opted out
• ISPs' long nightmare of having to list all the fees they charge is finally over
• Government Lawyers Say Trump Admin Can Use TikTok Again Because 'Owned' No Longer Means 'Owned'
• Judge halts Paramount's $111B purchase of Warner Bros. in a win for US states
• The AI industry has already spent $65 million ahead of the midterm elections with no signs of slowing down.
• Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra launches as Samsung's 'most advanced' foldable, starts at $2,099
• US government targets Cop City protester over phone operating system
• Kill the Cookie Banner!

Host: Leo Laporte

Guests: Devindra Hardawar, Larry Magid, and Allyn Malventano

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From foldable phones that out-price laptops to AI models that escape their digital cages, this episode dives into the wild next phase of tech innovation and its unexpected risks. See how the giants are scrambling to keep up as hardware, software, and even outer space are up for grabs.

• Tim Cook passes the baton in Apple's Q3 2026 earnings call
• Apple's Profit Is Up 27%, but Expectations for Current Quarter Disappoint
• Apple Introduces Leasing Program for iPhones and Other Devices
• Apple struggles to keep pace with AI 'bug' hunters
• "Google and Reddit do not own the Internet," web scraper says after court win
• As Reddit stock falls, CEO questions value of Google's AI Overviews
• Microsoft's $450 Billion Jump Is Biggest in Stock Market History
• Amazon's trying to launch a global satellite cellphone network in 2028
• Iran struck Amazon data centers again amid widening war, satellites show
• For the First Time, Zoox Can Charge People for Rides in Its Steering-Wheel-Free Robotaxis
• Claude published malicious code to the Internet and attacked 3 real companies
• OpenAI and Anthropic Are Quietly Teaming Up in Washington
• AI leaders sign a statement asking the government to do something about automated AI
• Ten advances in mathematics and theoretical computer science
• How bitcoin cold wallets lost $70 million in an attack that never touched the devices
• NBCUniversal and YouTube ink deal to embed Peacock in the video platform for premium subscribers
• Inside the Luxury Robotaxi Uber, Lucid and Nuro Are Testing

Host: Leo Laporte

Guests: Abrar Al-Heeti and Mike Elgan

Download or subscribe to This Week in Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-tech

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