KoBold Metals closed a $537 million Series C round on Wednesday to help build a multi-billion-dollar mine to exploit a copper deposit it found using AI.The new funding round, which was led by Durable Capital Partners and T. Rowe Price, will be used to expand the companys exploration efforts on five continents and develop a massive copper deposit in Zambia. The funding round pushed KoBolds valuation to $2.96 billion, according to the Financial Times.The final close of the round netted the company $10 million more than it initially expected to raise. TechCrunch exclusively reported on the fundraise in October.Few industries are as ripe for technological disruption as mining. The business is famously risky: only about three in every 1,000 potential deposits are commercially viable.KoBold, which was founded in 2018, uses AI to comb through massive geological datasets in an attempt to improve the success rate. The companys decision to develop the Zambia resource, which it estimates is among the largest found, suggests that approach could pay off handsomely.Critical minerals have grown in importance in recent years as the U.S. and China have clashed over supplies. China has already banned shipments of antimony, gallium, and germanium to the U.S., and today it proposed restricting technologies for processing lithium and gallium.Andreessen Horowitz, Bond, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Earthshot VC, Equinor, July Fund, Mitsubishi, Standard Investments, StepStone, and WCM Investment Management also participated in the round. Previous investors include Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, and Jack Ma.

Previously slated to swoop into theaters in 2025 then in 2026 Matt Reeves film will now premiere October 1, 2027; an untitled Alejandro G. Irritu and Tom Cruise flick will take the vacated October 2, 2026 slot.

Raise even more money, and Ill make the architecture disappearthese were Yoshio Taniguchis famous words addressed to MoMAs Board of Trustees, according to Hal Foster. Taniguchi expanded MoMA between 1997 and 2004, a whopping $850 million project. His only other U.S. work was Houstons Asia Society Texas Center, completed in 2011. Taniguchi died on December 16 after battling pneumonia. News of Taniguchis passing was confirmed by his company, Taniguchi & Associates. The modernist from Japan was 87.The late architect often described architecture as a process of synthesizing many needs and structural considerations into one unifying theme.MoMA Courtyard (Alsandro/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 2.5)Taniguchi was born in 1937. His father, Yoshiro Taniguchi, was also an architect, a famous one at that. Taniguchi the younger studied mechanical engineering in Tokyo and then architecture at Harvard GSD. After leaving Harvard, Taniguchi worked for Walter Gropius and later Kenzo Tange. In 1975, he opened his office in Tokyo. One of his first major commissions, Shiseido Museum of Art, opened in 1978.Others followed, including the Toyota Municipal Museum of Art, Ken Domon Museum of Photography Tokyo Sea Life Park, Marugame Genichiro-Inokuma Museum of Contemporary Art, and others. He partnered with Isamu Noguchi, Peter Walker, and other luminaries on high-profile projects.Toyota Municipal Museum of Art (Nopira/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain)MoMA director Glenn Lowry said Taniguchi beat out nine other architects for the expansion which made the Japanese modernist famous in the U.S. Those names included Toyo Ito, Steven Holl, Rem Koolhaas, Herzog & de Meuron, and others.At first, Taniguchi rejected the offer from Riley and Lowry to participate in the competition. It was a friend who convinced Taniguchi over dinner one evening in Tokyo to enter. I was surprised to get the invitation from Terry Riley and Glenn, Taniguchi told Charlie Rose in 2001. I had never been in a competition before.Museum of Architecture Kanazawa (Araisyohei/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 4.0)In 2004, a retrospective opened at MoMA curated by the late Terrence Riley, Yoshio Taniguchi: Nine Museums. As the name suggests, the show featured nine museum projects designed by Taniguchi. Overtime, Taniguchi got teaching appointments at University of Cape Town and UCLA. His second project in the U.S. finished in 2011.These days, we have many different ways of presenting ourselves, using computer graphics, models, and perspective drawings, Taniguchi said. But my type of architecture is very difficult to present through this media, because my architecture isnt based on structure or form. Rather, I try to create an environment for people to meet works of art. Its very subtle.

close Psychologist weighs in on kids social media ban: Its about time Social psychologist and NYU professor Jonathan Haidt joins 'Fox & Friends Weekend to discuss banning social media for children in the United States. The internet is a treasure chest of information if you know where to look. Whether youre trying to verify a website, learn more about your neighborhood or dig up whats floating around online about you, a little tech know-how goes a long way.Here are some simple, powerful tricks to level up your sleuthing skills.THE BIGGEST WI-FI MISTAKE YOU DIDNT KNOW YOU WERE MAKINGWin a pair of $329 Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses.Enter here, no purchase necessary!See the details of any websiteYouve come across a website that offers an incredible promise of a free trip to Hawaii. Aloha! All the site needs is your personal info and a credit card. Before you take the plunge, make sure youre not getting screwed over.A WHOIS lookup search checks a database that contains information about domain names and their registrants so you can find out who owns the website and see if they have a real business address and contact information. A woman is seen holding a credit card while using a laptop. (iStock)How do you get this done?Head to a WHOIS lookup website. There are plenty of them on the web. I usewho.is.Plug the sites URL into the search bar. Youll see who owns the site and their contact information, including address and phone number.Next time you think a friend is getting scammed, pull out this awesome tech party trick. You could save them some cash and embarrassment!RELATED:Your IP address: What it is and why you need to protect yours if you care about privacyRun a free background checkSCAMMERS ARE TARGETING TEENS WITH THESE NASTY TRICKSYour online business is everyones business, like it or not. How can you check what the internets got on you? Heres a quick and easy way:Head to Google and type in your first and last name in quotes. See what pops up. People are usually interested in the organizations you're affiliated with, your social profiles and any photos of you floating around the web.Next up, your credit score. You can get a free credit report from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion once a year.Go here to get yours online.Check thefourth credit bureau, Innovis, too.What about family tree sites? They can be fun and informative and incredibly invasive. Look yourself up at FamilyTreeNow.com. Youll be shocked.Find out who your neighbor isGo introduce yourself. If thats not possible, you can find out online in most cases through a countys assessor site. These government-run sites use data from assessors to estimate the value of real property within a county, city, town or village. A close-up of the hands of a person using a laptop. (iStock)Once you get there, you can see where your person of interest lives, get details on their home or any other properties they own, and much more. You can even view signed documents, like the deed to their home. Yes, really.The easiest way to find your county assessors site is a quick Google search. Just type in the county youre looking for, along with "assessor." You can also go toPublicrecords.netronline.com. This directory includes official state and county websites you can search for by ZIP code.Every county assessors site works a little differently, but heres an overview of how to search on the Maricopa County site here in Arizona.20 TECH TRICKS TO MAKE LIFE BETTER, SAFER OR EASIERClick on the Go to Data Online button next to the County Assessor option, then search by name or address. Click the magnifying glass icon to search and youll see the address, owner, parcel number and other information. Then click on the parcel numberand to get even more detailed information and access any related documents.PRIVACY 101:How to get photos of your home off Zillow, Redfin and Realtor.comA picture is worth a thousand wordsWords and profiles are one thing, but what about pictures of you? All these sites areworth checking to see what pops up.Pimeyes: This site allows you to upload an image of yourself (or anyone) to find that image across the internet. This is particularly useful for tracking down where your photos appear online. Beware: You may get back blurred-out images from adult content.TinEye: Another excellent reverse image search tool that may turn up additional results. Google Maps is pictured on a phone. (Nikolas Kokovlis/NurPhoto via Getty Images)RELATED:Think of Google Lens as the smarter version of Google Images.Go down memory laneNot all online sleuthing is of the sneaky variety. This one is fun to try with all the places youve lived or a home youre considering buying.Pop into old Street View photos onGoogle Maps. Youre able to see what a place looked like going back as long as Google has captured photos there. Ive spotted pictures going back over a decade. Talk about a hit of virtual nostalgia.Open Google Maps on a browser, type in an address and click the photo that pops up.Choose See more dates to scroll through the photos.Now, share this article and impress your friends with your tech savvy or save them from falling for a scam. Either way, youll look like the smartest person in the room.Get tech-smarter on your scheduleAward-winning host Kim Komando is your secret weapon for navigating tech.National radio:Airing on 500+ stations across the US -Find yours or get the free podcast.Daily newsletter:Join 600,000 people who read the Current (free!)Watch: OnKims YouTube channelPodcast: "Kim Komando Today" - Listen wherever you get podcastsCopyright 2025, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved. Related Topics

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Children under 14 in Florida are no longer allowed to use social media after a new law went into ... [+] effect on WednesdaygettyChildren under 14 in Florida are no longer allowed to use social media after a new law went into effect on Wednesday. It will require social media sites to delete existing accounts for those under 14 years of age within 90 days, or the platforms could face fines of up to $50,000 for each violation.The Sunshine State does allow minors aged 14 and 15 to still use social media, but only with parental consent.House Bill 3, the "Online Protections for Minors," had received overwhelming, bi-partisan support from state legislators, and Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis signed the bill into law last year. However, the state's Attorney General Ashley Moody has said she will delay enforcing the law until late February, pending a judge's ruling on a motion for a preliminary injunction.Depending on how the court rules, social media companies could face significant challenges in abiding by the law."It's very possible they will be enforced, though there will be several interesting variables to watch as the process unfolds," said Dr. Cliff Lampe, professor of information and associate dean of academic affairs at the University of Michigan.It is unclear how many minors in Florida are now on the various social media apps, and as a result, there may be no easy solution to ensure compliance."In terms of enforcement, the easiest thing to do is to put pressure on the Apple and Android platforms to 'de-platform' the application, and then combine that with IP blocks so that enforcement becomes almost automatic," suggested Lampe. "Socially, it will be interesting to see how people who actively use TikTok adapt, and if they raise a protest over their restricted options."Read More: Pro-Russian Blogger Released Video Of Kremlin Shooting Down SantaFlorida BanDoes It Go Too Far?Supporters of the ban have said it is necessary to protect children online, but opponents have countered that a complete ban goes too far. However, any middle ground has not been found."We all want to protect our children, keep them safe, and avoid harassment, bullying, and the other darkness that permeates social media these days. But, is banning minors from social media platforms realistic," pondered technology analyst Susan Schreiner of C4 Trends. "Until now, safety has fallen on the parents of childrenbut in an online world, what's the shared responsibility of the platforms, or do they not care?"Can we realistically expect social media platforms to act responsibly, and not hide behind their repeated stance of "free speech?" So far at least, the tech companies haven't done enough to protect kids online. Lawmakers have clearly taken the view that more needs to be done, and if the platforms won't act, it will be necessary to use legislation to keep the companies in line."Just consider the recent defeat of the Kids Online Safety Act in the U.S. which had broad bi-partisan support," said Schreiner. "In the past, it was relatively easy to enforce a ban on cigarettes for minors. It was relatively straightforward since it involved transferring something physical."The same isn't true with social mediawhich exists in a digital environment.Yet, even after the Florida law went into effect on Wednesdaywhich now bans children under 14 from having social media accounts and limits 14 and 15-year-olds to accounts authorized by their parentssocial media companies may not immediately kick those kids off their platforms.The companies will still likely have their day in court."Furthermore, the Florida Attorney General agreed in November not to enforce the law while litigation is ongoing," Schreiner explained. "In October, parties filed a lawsuit against the Florida law saying that some states have 'taken it upon themselves to restrict minors' access to constitutionally protected speech.'"If the ban is upheld, it could lead to other states following suit, and it could finally change the way social media operates in the future. This also comes as a nationwide ban on TikTok is still looming."The U.S. has not banned a very popular application before, though there is a history of shutting down individual smaller sites for a variety of reasons," added Lampe. "Typically, people have adapted pretty quickly to those instances. If the concern is national security, it seems there are more effective solutions than total blocksbut people often look for the largest visibility in a solution."

AI-powered tools are giving publicly traded companies the opportunity to fight against malicious ... [+] actors. (Photo Illustration by Budrul Chukrut/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesCapital markets have always been defined by risks and rewards. But in recent years, these risks have increased at an alarming rate. From AI-powered disinformation campaigns designed to tank stock prices to algorithmic manipulations triggering sell-offs, public companies now face threats they couldn't have imagined a decade ago.Take the example of pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly. A fake tweet from an impersonators account announced insulin was now free. Amplified by bots and viral social media sharing, the misinformation wiped 4.5% off the companys stock price within hours. Though the disinformation was corrected, the damage to both investor confidence and market perception had already been done. Another great example is the GameStop saga, where coordinated action by an online community led to massive stock price inflation, exposing institutional investors to billions in lossesCybersecurity today isnt just about protecting servers or data centers; its about safeguarding trust, said Yehuda Leibler, president and CTO of the capital markets intelligence firm Arx. Whether its a fake news campaign targeting a companys reputation or the hijacking of a ticker symbol for manipulative purposes, the attack surface has grown exponentially for publicly traded companies.The good news, however, is that with AI-powered tools, publicly traded companies now have an opportunity to fight back.AI-powered Threats In Capital MarketsThe Eli Lilly and GameStop incidents reflect a growing trend, where malicious actors use AI, social media and other digital tools to manipulate market dynamics, effectively crashing markets in some instances. And when capital markets collapse, theres often a telling effect on the economy, ushering in devastating consequences for both businesses and individuals.MORE FOR YOUAnother particularly troubling trend is what Leibler terms ticker hijacking. In these attacks, malicious actors flood social media platforms with posts using a legitimate companys ticker symbol like $AAPL to drive users toward fraudulent schemes or spread disinformation. Sometimes, these campaigns artificially inflate another stocks prices. Other times, they erode trust in the companys brand, creating reputational and financial fallout.Legal experts around the world are also noting the tectonic shifts that AI is causing in the market. The purpose of the securities law is to ensure a fair and equitable marketplace. However, we are currently witnessing a disruption of this balance as AI increasingly influences traditional market dynamics of supply and demand, said Gary Emmanuel, a shareholder at Greenberg Traurigs Capital Markets Practice whose expertise is in corporate securities. Both public companies and regulators should consider whether there are tools available that may be able to detect potential AI-driven market manipulation in order to develop both safeguards and plans for countering different types of threats, he added.The Value Of AI In Capital MarketsWhile theres much discussion on the value of AI across industries, publicly traded companies that invest in AI-powered security tools are seeing real results in using AI to protect their critical assets. Unlike traditional cybersecurity measures, which often react to breaches after they occur, AI-powered solutions proactively monitor and analyze vast amounts of data in real time.For instance, Arx uses AI to detect unusual patterns in market activity and social media sentiment. In one case, the firm identified signs of a digital-first hostile takeover before any SEC filings were made. By analyzing narrative shifts on social platforms alongside trading anomalies, it was able to alert the affected company and help them take steps to mitigate the threat before it escalated.Beyond defending against risks, these AI-powered tools can also help to optimize investor relations, capital raising and growth, all while closing critical information gaps. When you go public, you dont just manage your core business anymore, noted Rotem Gantz, CEO of Arx. Youre managing an additional product your stock. And like any product, it needs cyber protection, data-based product management and market analytics to succeed. But public companies that arent Apple or Berkshire Hathaway arent exactly equipped to manage a completely new operation this is uniquely true given the speed things move in todays capital markets.A Call to Action for Public CompaniesAs the lines between AI, cybersecurity, market strategy and corporate reputation continue to blur, public companies must rethink their approach to managing risks. The stakes are no longer confined to IT systems they encompass valuation, shareholder trust and long-term growth.Capital markets have become a battleground, said Gantz. But with the right tools and strategies, companies can protect themselves and get a real chance to thrive. The key is recognizing that the threats have evolved, and so must the solutions.

WTF?! EditThisCookie was a popular Chrome extension designed to edit cookie data stored in the browser's local database. Once used by over three million users, the extension has now been replaced by a counterfeit copycat that has no connection to cookies or browser security. On the contrary, it appears to undermine both. The original EditThisCookie extension is no longer available, giving way to a similarly named browser add-on, EditThisCookie. Google appears to have removed the original extension from the Chrome Web Store, yet the counterfeit add-on remains accessible for download. Unfortunately for Chrome users, the fake EditThisCookie is malicious and should never have been allowed on the Web Store in the first place.Before Google's removal, the malicious add-on had approximately 30,000 users. Now, the EditThisCookie page claims 50,000 users, promoting itself as a legitimate cookie manager. However, reviews are overwhelmingly negative, with users criticizing the extension for its malicious behavior and its status as a clone of the original.Malware analyst Eric Parker recently shared a YouTube video exposing the fake add-on, detailing its many hidden threats. The extension links to a fraudulent website, contains obfuscated code, and is capable of stealing sensitive information particularly when users visit Facebook. Additionally, it includes phishing routines and mechanisms for distributing advertisements.While there are no official explanations for the disappearance of the original EditThisCookie tool, the most plausible reason is its incompatibility with Google's Manifest V3 adoption. Google is determined to phase out the older Manifest V2 extension technology in favor of Manifest V3, which is claimed to offer improved security.The widely popular uBlock Origin was the first high-profile casualty of this migration, and EditThisCookie appears to be the next. Meanwhile, the cybercriminals behind the fake EditThisCookie extension have been resourceful or opportunistic enough to update their code to comply with Manifest V3 requirements. In contrast, the original developer may have chosen to focus on other priorities. // Related StoriesThe case of EditThisCookie highlights the glaring shortcomings of Manifest V3 in enhancing browser security. Despite Google's intentions, the new standard seems ineffective, and the situation could worsen as other popular Manifest V2 extensions vanish from the Chrome Web Store. Digital criminals are likely exploiting these gaps, keeping a close eye on the ongoing transition.In response, third-party browsers like Mozilla Firefox are offering a superior extension experience, supporting both Manifest V2 and V3 frameworks. This flexibility could attract users seeking a more secure and functional browsing environment.

RIGIf you just purchased a new gaming system from the PlayStation 5 deals, Xbox Series X and Series S deals, Nintendo Switch deals, gaming PC deals, or gaming laptop deals of the holiday season, we highly recommend investing in a gaming headset. Heres an offer from Best Buy that you shouldnt miss: the RIG 900 Max HX at half-price, so youll only have to pay $125 instead of $250. Were not sure how much time is remaining before the $125 discount disappears, so if youre interested, you should go ahead and buy it right now.The RIG 900 Max HX gaming headset is featured in our roundup of the best PS5 headsets, but it works for all of the major gaming platforms. Its actually designed for the Xbox, but its compatible with the PlayStation 5, gaming PCs, and gaming laptops through its USB-A 2.4GHz wireless adapter, and with the Nintendo Switch and mobile devices through Bluetooth. With 40mm audio drivers, youll fully enjoy the audio of your favorite video games.With its lightweight headband and earcups with breathable fabric, the RIG 900 Max HX gaming headset is comfortable to wear, but its also durable as its made of reinforced steel. Its got a battery life of up to 50 hours on a single charge, and once your gaming session is done, just set it on its charging stand so its ready for the next time you play. The gaming headset has an omni-directional microphone with noise rejection technology, so youll sound loud and clear during online multiplayer matches, and you can access features such as microphone sensitivity and equalizer settings through the 900 Max Navigator app.RelatedGamers who are on the hunt for gaming headset deals should set their sights on the RIG 900 Max HX, which is on sale from Best Buy with a 50% discount that slashes its price from $250 to a more affordable $125. Its an excellent purchase for any platform, but you need to act fast because theres no telling when this bargain ends. If you want to get the RIG 900 Max HX gaming headset at $125 off, you should add it to your cart and finish the checkout process as soon as you can.Editors Recommendations