Breaking AI & Tech News Analyzed

A California jury has ruled that Meta and Google are liable for $3m in damages in a landmark social media addiction lawsuit. The case, which began over a month ago, accused the companies of designing features intended to hook young users, including notifications and autoplay features.The plaintiff, a 20-year-old woman referred to as KGM or Kaley, claimed that she became addicted to social media at a young age, which exacerbated her mental health issues. She began using YouTube at age six and Meta-owned Instagram at age nine.The jury deliberated for over 40 hours across nine days before reaching a verdict. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri testified in the case, although YouTube chief executive Neal Mohan was not called to testify.The verdict is the latest in a wave of lawsuits targeting social media companies. There is a looming federal social media addiction case slated to begin in June in Oakland, California. On Tuesday in New Mexico, a jury found that Meta violated state law by misleading users about the safety of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, and by enabling child sexual exploitation on those platforms.Legal experts say the verdict will shape future litigation. 'The fact the jury found Meta and Google liable represents that these cases have real exposure to the social media giants, and are going to frame how future litigation will proceed,' entertainment lawyer Tre Lovell told Al Jazeera.

A recent jury verdict in California has held Meta and YouTube liable for the harm caused to a young woman, KGM, due to the addictive nature of their platforms. The plaintiff claimed that her social media use, which began at the age of six, led to injuries including body dysmorphia and thoughts of self-harm.The jury's decision marks a significant milestone in the ongoing debate about the impact of social media on young people. The verdict suggests that companies like Meta and YouTube, which have been accused of designing features to keep users engaged, can be held accountable for the harm caused by their platforms.Critics of the judgment argue that it could lead to a flood of lawsuits against social media companies, while others see it as a necessary step to protect young people from the potential dangers of social media. The verdict may also prompt regulatory changes and increased scrutiny of social media companies' practices.According to a report from Brown University, social media can be addictive due to its ability to activate the brain's reward system, releasing feel-good hormones such as dopamine. This can lead to a vicious cycle of use and addiction, particularly among young people who spend many hours a day on social media.In response to growing concerns, some countries have taken action to protect young people. Australia, for example, has banned children under 16 from using social media. In the US, there have been calls for social media companies to be required to put warning labels on their sites, but such proposals have yet to gain traction.The verdict is also significant given the close ties between the tech industry and the US administration. The appointment of Mark Zuckerberg to the president's council of advisers on science and technology has raised concerns about the influence of tech companies on policy decisions.Ultimately, the jury verdict sends a clear message to tech titans that they will be held accountable for the impact of their platforms on young people. As the debate about social media regulation continues, this verdict is likely to have far-reaching implications for the industry and for the protection of young people online.

US markets witnessed a significant downturn on Thursday, marking their biggest slump since the onset of the US-Israel war with Iran. The Dow closed 450 points down, while the S&P 500 dipped 1.7%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq fell 2.3%, plunging into correction territory, which occurs when an index falls at least 10% below its most recent peak. The conflict has led to a surge in oil prices, reaching levels not seen since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. At the end of the day on Thursday, Brent crude oil, the global benchmark, was about $107 a barrel, while US crude hit $93 a barrel. Average US gas prices at the pump reached $3.98 a gallon, according to AAA. Despite the soaring prices, Donald Trump said that oil prices “have not gone up as much as I thought” during a cabinet meeting on Thursday. He predicted that prices would “come back down to where it was, and probably lower,” and that the impact on the stock market would reverse once the conflict ends. Markets have been growing weary of Trump's mixed signals on the US's stance in negotiations with Iran. Stocks dipped on Thursday morning after Trump posted a warning to Iranian negotiators that they “better get serious, before it’s too late.” However, later in the morning, Trump said that there were “very substantial talks” happening with Iran and that the country allowed 10 oil tankers to pass the blocked strait of Hormuz. The White House announced it will extend a pause on Iranian energy infrastructure strikes by 10 days, until 6 April. A new report estimates US inflation will average 4.2% this year, compared with an average of about 2.6% in 2025, according to the Organization for Economic and Cooperation and Development (OECD). The increase in inflation reverses what was expected to be strong growth for the global economy before the conflict began.

The Republic of Ireland's hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup were cruelly extinguished in Prague as they suffered a penalty shootout defeat to the Czech Republic. Despite leading 2-0 and 3-2 in the shootout, Heimir Hallgrímsson's team failed to capitalize on their advantages and ultimately fell to a Ladislav Krejci equalizer in the 86th minute, forcing a shootout.Ireland had started brightly, with Troy Parrott scoring a penalty and an own goal by Czech goalkeeper Matej Kovar doubling their lead. However, a needless penalty conceded by Ryan Manning allowed the Czechs back into the contest. The Czech Republic, led by captain Ladislav Krejci, equalized in the 86th minute, sending the match into extra time and eventually a shootout.In the shootout, Caoimhín Kelleher made a crucial save but Finn Azaz and Alan Browne failed to convert their spot kicks, allowing the Czech Republic to advance. Jan Kliment converted the fifth and final spot-kick to send the Czech Republic into a home final against Denmark on Tuesday.The Republic of Ireland have now lost five of their last six World Cup playoff fixtures, and the pain of this latest defeat will be heightened by the realization that it was largely unnecessary. As Heimir Hallgrímsson said, 'Just pain, we all feel pain. When you go this far it's a flip of a coin. Just pain we feel being that close.'

The US-Israel war on Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route for materials used in the production of various everyday products. As the conflict enters its fifth week, global oil shortages are forcing countries to take severe measures to conserve their reserves. While US gas prices have surged to their highest level in years, the impact of rising oil prices extends far beyond drivers. Oil is a crucial component in the supply chain, powering machines that manufacture goods and fueling trucks that transport them to stores. The price increases come at a time when many Americans are already strained by rising housing costs, grocery bills, and electricity statements. A recent Gallup poll found that a third of Americans have had to skip meals and forego other needs to afford their healthcare. Oil and Gas The average cost of gas in the US has jumped about 30% over the last month, with the national average hitting $3.97, the highest since 2023. Diesel, which fuels many trucks transporting goods, has increased by about 50%, or $1.69 more than it did a year ago. Higher diesel costs could soon affect transportation costs and grocery prices, as roughly 85% of agricultural goods are transported by trucks. The impact of oil and gas shortages on the supply chain can be categorized as first-order effects, such as higher prices at the gas pump, and second-order effects, including potential price increases for crops, semiconductor chips, and medical devices. Fertilizer Farmers are struggling as the spring growing season approaches, facing higher fertilizer costs and falling commodity prices. A third of global urea trade, a solid nitrogen fertilizer, passes through the Middle East region, with about 20% of imported fertilizer to the US coming from Qatar. Nitrogen fertilizer is critical to grow corn, which is cultivated by about 500,000 farmers in the US. The White House has promised to minimize disruptions to the US economy, with alternative sources of fertilizer being sought from around the world. Helium The conflict has disrupted the global helium supply after Iranian attacks in Qatar, the second-largest producer of helium after the United States. Helium is a key import used in aerospace, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and semiconductor chips that power AI. Jet Fuel Increases in oil prices could result in higher airfare and shipping costs. The price of jet fuel has doubled since the start of the war, according to the International Air Transport Association. United Airlines announced last Friday that it would have to cut flights due to the surging cost of fuel. < h2>Mortgage Rates Just as US mortgages were starting to fall in February, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate ticked up to its highest level in months, reaching 6.22%. Mortgage rates are closely tied to the overall state of the economy, and the US Federal Reserve's decision to leave rates unchanged last week cited uncertainty in the economy, particularly with conflict in the Middle East.

The United States has announced plans to deploy thousands of soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East. This significant military move comes at a time of heightened tensions in the region. The deployment, as reported, involves a substantial number of troops, indicating a major escalation of US military presence in the area. The 82nd Airborne Division, known for its rapid deployment capabilities, will likely play a critical role in the region's security dynamics. While specific details about the deployment, such as the exact number of soldiers and the mission objectives, have not been disclosed, the move is expected to have far-reaching implications for regional stability and international relations.

Europe is bracing for a potential energy crisis, with fuel rationing possible as early as April if the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for oil and gas supplies, remains closed. Shell's CEO, Wael Sawan, issued this stark warning at a major oil industry conference in Texas, highlighting the escalating risks to global energy supplies.The crisis, now in its fourth week, has already led to energy rationing in Asian countries and significant price hikes for jet fuel, which has doubled in price since the start of the conflict. Sawan predicts that diesel and petrol will come under pressure next, particularly as the summer driving season begins in the US and Europe.Oil prices have fluctuated, dipping back to about $100 a barrel on Wednesday after reaching highs of around $114 earlier in the week. These developments have raised concerns about the potential for a prolonged global economic recession if oil prices continue to rise, with some predictions suggesting they could hit $150 a barrel.Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, warned of profound implications for the world economy if the conflict continues to drive up oil prices. He outlined two possible scenarios: one where the conflict resolves quickly, allowing oil prices to return to pre-crisis levels of about $70 a barrel, and another where prices remain high for years, potentially leading to a stark and steep recession.Germany's economy minister, Katherina Reiche, also spoke at the conference, cautioning that energy supply scarcity could occur in late April or May if the conflict continues. She criticized Germany's decision to phase out nuclear energy and emphasized the need for greater imports of gas via super-chilled tankers from overseas.

The ongoing conflict in Iran has sent shockwaves through global energy markets, with economies in Asia being hit particularly hard. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for oil and gas shipments, has led to a 90% collapse in traffic through its waters. This has resulted in energy prices surging, affecting countries such as India, Nepal, and the Philippines.India has redirected liquefied gas supplies to households, limiting them to the plastics industry, while Nepal has rationed gas and the Philippines has trimmed the government workweek to four days. Bangladesh has closed universities and rationed fuel, highlighting the widespread impact of the conflict.The US economy has shown relative resilience, with the S&P; 500 index losing only 5% since the start of the conflict. This is attributed to the country's abundance of domestic natural gas, which satisfies about 36% of its energy needs and insulates it from international price fluctuations.However, this has led to accusations that the US is recklessly spreading havoc globally while suffering relatively little harm itself. The tariffs imposed by the US have also had far-reaching consequences, with economists concluding that US consumers and businesses are paying the majority of the costs.The International Monetary Fund has revised its growth forecasts, noting that the US economy has emerged largely unscathed, while prospects for economic growth in other countries have weakened. The World Trade Organization has warned that persistently high energy prices will slow merchandise trade growth and have a lopsided impact on growth, with North America potentially seeing a boost, while Europe and Asia are likely to be negatively affected.The conflict has also disrupted the oil and gas economy, with countries like Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan facing a drop in remittances from their citizens working in Gulf countries. Furthermore, the environmental impact of the conflict has been significant, with interest in coal being reinvigorated in Asia as a result of the energy crisis.The US's actions have raised concerns about its reliability as a partner in maintaining international stability, with erstwhile allies forced to accept that Trump's America is now a source of global uncertainty. The US's belligerence is unlikely to end soon, with tens of millions of Americans motivated by contempt for the rest of the world and a desire to assert US dominance.

The escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are creating substantial uncertainty for energy markets across Asia, with analysts increasingly concerned about potential supply chain disruptions that could trigger widespread energy shortages.Regional instability in the Middle East has traditionally had far-reaching consequences for global energy markets, given the region's status as a primary source of oil and natural gas exports. Asian nations, which are among the world's largest energy importers, are particularly vulnerable to any disruptions in supply routes or production facilities.Energy security experts warn that prolonged conflict could lead to significant price volatility and potential shortages, particularly affecting countries with heavy industrial sectors and rapidly growing energy demands. The situation underscores the delicate balance between geopolitical stability and economic prosperity in the region.