Today, January 23, 2026, tech news is dominated by major shifts in the AI landscape, supply chain volatility, and a landmark ownership change for one of the world’s largest social platforms.
Big Tech & Market Moves
- Apple’s Siri Overhaul: Reports have surfaced that Apple is planning a massive revamp of Siri, codenamed "Campos." The new version is expected to transform Siri into a full-scale AI chatbot powered by Google’s Gemini model. While a standalone app has been tested internally, the chatbot features are slated for deep integration into iOS 27 and macOS 27 later next year.
- Intel Stock Plunge: Intel shares fell 12% today as the company struggles to meet soaring demand for AI data-center chips. Despite a 47% rally earlier this month, CFO David Zinsner warned that supply chain "snarls" and a global memory chip shortage are hampering the company's turnaround efforts.
- Big Tech’s Debt Binge: A new report highlights that major tech firms (including Meta, Alphabet, and Oracle) issued a record $108.7 billion in bonds in the last quarter to fund the massive energy and infrastructure needs of the AI boom.
Artificial Intelligence
- AI Swarm Warning: Researchers at ETH Zurich and other institutions published a warning in the journal Science regarding "AI swarms." These are coordinated networks of thousands of AI-controlled personas designed to infiltrate social networks and influence public opinion, posing a new threat to democratic processes.
- Davos AI Clash: At the World Economic Forum, industry luminaries including Yann LeCun and Demis Hassabis clashed over the timeline for AGI (Artificial General Intelligence). While some predict breakthroughs within two years, others argue current LLM architectures will never reach human-level reasoning without a fundamental shift in technology.
- Personalized AI: Google is reportedly expanding its "Personal Intelligence" mode, allowing users to "star" in their own personalized memes and content by pulling data from their Google Photos and Gmail.
Gadgets & Hardware
- Samsung’s Tri-Fold US Launch: Samsung confirmed that the Galaxy Z TriFold—a 10-inch foldable that debuted in South Korea last month—is coming to the U.S. with a limited initial run of 30,000 units. It is currently available for hands-on demos at Samsung Experience Stores.
- Memory Chip Crunch: A global shortage of memory chips is driving up costs for smartphones and PCs. Analysts now forecast a 2% decline in global smartphone shipments for 2026, the first such drop since 2023, as manufacturers prioritize AI data centers over consumer electronics.
- Privacy Displays: Leaks regarding the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra suggest a new "Privacy Display" technology that automatically blocks screen visibility from side angles without requiring a separate screen protector.
Transportation & Future Tech
- Tesla Robotaxis & Humanoids: Tesla has officially launched a limited fleet of robotaxi rides without safety monitors in Austin, Texas. Additionally, Elon Musk stated at Davos that Tesla expects to begin selling its Optimus humanoid robots as early as next year.
- TikTok Ownership Shift: TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, has reportedly finalized a deal to sell a majority stake in its U.S. entity to a group of non-Chinese investors, potentially ending years of regulatory uncertainty in North America.
- Quantum Progress: ZenaTech announced progress on a five-qubit quantum computer prototype for defense applications, while Coinbase has formed an advisory board to assess "Quantum Day" (Q-Day) risks to blockchain security.