European Commission unveils “tech sovereignty” strategy, Microsoft unveils 7 new in-house AI models, Plex adds new social features before Pass price hike.

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Show Notes

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) will require Google to let publishers opt out of AI-generated search results while remaining in traditional rankings, a move intended to give publishers more leverage over how their content is used as concerns grow about traffic loss from AI Overviews. The regulator will also require clearer attribution and direct links to original sources in AI results, and Google says it is already testing new opt-out controls in the UK amid ongoing publisher complaints.

The European Commission separately unveiled a “tech sovereignty” strategy aimed at reducing reliance on U.S. technology providers by strengthening European cloud, AI, chip, and digital infrastructure industries. The plan includes directing public funding toward domestic tech, accelerating data center development, expanding semiconductor and AI initiatives, and increasing scrutiny of foreign-controlled digital services, while officials emphasize competitiveness and resilience rather than full decoupling.

Microsoft introduced seven new proprietary AI models at Build 2026, including MAI-Thinking-1, its first advanced reasoning model trained entirely without third-party model outputs. The lineup also includes MAI-Image 2.5, MAI-Transcribe-1.5, MAI-Voice-2, and MAI-Code-1, with the coding model integrated into GitHub Copilot and Visual Studio Code as the company continues reducing reliance on OpenAI.

Microsoft also revealed Project Solara, an Android-based enterprise platform for AI-first devices designed to replace traditional apps with agent-based workflows. The company demonstrated a desktop hub and wearable badge that handle authentication, transcription, and task automation across local hardware and Azure, with pilot deployments planned with companies including AccuWeather, Best Buy, CVS Health, Levi’s, and Target.

University of Toronto researchers demonstrated a prototype AI-powered worm capable of autonomously exploiting known vulnerabilities across Windows, Linux, and IoT systems, adapting its behavior, stealing credentials, and using infected machines to improve propagation. While it cannot yet discover new vulnerabilities, researchers warn that more advanced systems could eventually combine exploitation and discovery, creating self-propagating malware capable of spreading at internet scale.

Google said it will replenish more water than its global data centers consume by 2030, expanding its water stewardship program to 165 projects across 97 watersheds expected to restore about 19 billion gallons annually. The effort includes $17 million in new conservation projects across several U.S. states, a $500 million investment in public water infrastructure, and expanded use of air cooling and wastewater reuse in water-stressed regions.

Plex is expanding beyond streaming with new social tools including discussion forums for movies and TV shows, shareable lists with reactions, and a recommendation system based on viewing behavior. The rollout comes alongside a major price increase for its lifetime Plex Pass subscription, which will rise to $749.99 on July 1.

Pokémon Champions will launch on iOS and Android on June 17 after debuting on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 in April. The mobile version supports full cross-platform play and shared save data via Nintendo accounts, along with competitive battle modes, progression systems tied to Victory Points, and a launch bonus offering a free Raichu with Mega Evolution options.