Is it a good idea to give robots traditionally male or female names and voices? Some researchers say that reinforces stereotypes. But a new paper explains there could be an upside to doing it.  Chris Kornelis, who wrote about this for WSJ’s Journal Reports, joins host Zoe Thomas to explain the pros and cons of gendering machines. 

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Should Digital Devices Be Given Genders?

Tech News Briefing is your guide to what people in tech are talking about. Every weekday, we’ll bring you breaking tech news and scoops from the pros at the Wall Street Journal, insight into new innovations and policy debates, tips from our personal tech team, and exclusive interviews with movers and shakers in the industry. Hosted by Zoe Thomas

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Social media platforms are full of posts by influencers talking up the latest generation of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic. And it’s causing people to seek out the drugs, in some cases displacing doctors as the trusted authorities on whether to take one of the medicines. WSJ special writer Peter Loftus tells host Alex Ossola about what happens when social media and weight loss drugs overlap. Plus, a hack into healthcare technology company Change Healthcare has been called  the most serious incident of its kind to strike the industry. Now, its parent company is digging into what happened. WSJ Pro Deputy Bureau Chief Kim Nash talks about the attack.



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What Social Media May Not Tell You About Weight-Loss Drugs

Plus: Microsoft’s profits rose in the first quarter. And Micron receives up to $6.1 billion to build three chip-making facilities. Alex Ossola hosts.



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TNB Tech Minute: Google Sales Accelerate

This week, companies that make artificial intelligence tools including Open AI, Google and Meta agreed to incorporate new safety measures to protect children from exploitation and plug holes in their current defenses. A new alliance, led by a nonprofit called Thorn, is leading the charge. WSJ tech reporter Deepa Seetharaman tells host Alex Ossola about the problem, and how technology might help solve it. Plus, have you noticed that those online Captcha prompts to prove you’re human are getting harder? WSJ reporter Katie Deighton tells us how they’re trying to stay ahead of the bots.



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OpenAI, Meta and Google Agree to New Measures to Protect Children

Plus: Meta reports record first-quarter sales. And Google has delayed its timeline for eliminating cookies. Alex Ossola hosts.



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TNB Tech Minute: New Law Will Force Sale or Ban of TikTok

As the demand for artificial intelligence grows, so does the need for more facilities to power it—namely, data centers. Data centers can take years to build because they require particular conditions, including cooling centers, ample electricity and real estate. Now, because of the AI boom, there’s a shortage of some of the key elements that data centers need. WSJ reporter Tom Dotan tells host Alex Ossola about what this means for the future of AI. Plus, startup Exowatt was created to power data centers via solar energy, and it’s already raised millions from investors. WSJ climate finance reporter Amrith Ramkumar talks about how the technology works.



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Should Digital Devices Be Given Genders?

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