Why Software Updates Are Suddenly More Urgent

WSJ Tech News Briefing

The Wall Street Journal

News, Tech News

4.3 • 1.7K Ratings

🗓️ 21 April 2026

⏱️ 12 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

A new AI tool found thousands of cybersecurity risks and developers are racing to patch them up. WSJ personal-tech columnist Nicole Nguyen explains why those software updates are more critical than ever. Plus, Big Tech’s AI ambitions are colliding with its climate pledges. WSJ sustainability reporter Yusuf Khan breaks down how Silicon Valley is offsetting rising emissions in the age of AI. Imani Moise hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Access to affordable credit helps me pay my employees, but I don't really need it.
0:05.0	Infliction is killing me!
0:08.0	But who cares? Big retailers are making record profits!
0:12.0	That's why we support the Durban Marshall Credit Card Bill!
0:15.0	See? Banks and credit unions help small businesses make payroll.
0:18.0	This bill would cut the vital resources they need.
0:25.1	While increasing megastore profits, they deserve it. Don't they?
0:29.1	Tell Congress, stop the Durban Marshall money grab for corporate megastores.
0:31.2	Paid for it by the Electronic Payments Coalition.
0:40.8	Welcome to Tech News Briefing. It's Tuesday, April 21st. I'm Imani-Mauese for the Wall Street Journal.
0:46.3	As big tech companies go all in on AI, what will become of their sustainability plans?
0:52.1	Companies like Meta and Amazon are turning back to fossil fuels to power their AI expansions,
0:55.2	which means they have to find new ways to offset the damage.
1:02.2	From burying human waste to covering farms with volcanic rocks, we'll look at what net zero means in the age of AI.
1:06.8	And you know that Remind Me Later button you keep hitting on your software updates?
1:09.2	Well, you might want to stop doing that.
1:14.7	Cybersecurity experts say Anthropics Mythos will force many companies to roll out critical software updates.
1:15.7	We're diving into why ignoring is no longer an option.
1:22.8	But first, for years, companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Alphabet have made ambitious climate pledges,
1:29.9	committing to offset their carbon emissions and working towards net zero.
1:33.7	But the new AI arms race is changing all of that.
1:37.4	Big technology companies need to invest in AI to stay competitive, but AI uses a lot of energy.
	...

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