r/technology spent the day grappling with AI power plays, platform governance, and the physics of real-world tech. From Disney’s bold moves to regulators’ scrutiny and user backlash, the conversation revealed how control over content and computing is shifting fast.
AI realignment: IP, regulation, and user backlash
Disney’s strategic pivot was front and center, from the sweeping licensing and investment with OpenAI enabling Sora to feature iconic characters through a landmark arrangement to companion coverage of the $1 billion stake, while in parallel the company issued a cease-and-desist to Google over alleged massive-scale infringement—signaling a two-track approach that embraces sanctioned AI partnerships while challenging unlicensed use.
"Invests in OpenAI. Immediately sues their main competitor." - u/A_Pointy_Rock (2871 points)
That clash lands amid intensifying scrutiny of AI data practices, as EU regulators probe whether Google gained an unfair edge through web and YouTube scraping, and a wider mood of skepticism toward AI features, epitomized by frustration with Microsoft Copilot’s intrusive rollout that many say adds friction rather than productivity.
Trust and governance under strain
Reliability in civic tech took a spotlight when a local recount reversed what voting machines had reported in Stephentown, exposing how ballot design and printing misalignment can blunt the accuracy of systems people expect to be infallible.
"This is why every election should have an auditable paper trail. And it should be audited." - u/happyscrappy (213 points)
Questions of control extended to repair and speech: Congress quietly halted military right-to-repair reforms, keeping maintenance monopolies intact, while Meta’s enforcement removed and restricted accounts tied to abortion advice and queer content across regions—leaving legal organizations tangled in opaque processes, limited recourse, and sporadic reinstatements.
Reality checks in autonomy and PC gaming
In mobility, Rivian signaled a pragmatic path by adding lidar in 2026 and building custom silicon, arguing that camera-only stacks fall short in low light and adverse weather—prioritizing redundancy and 3D sensing over purist simplicity and betting that falling lidar costs now justify the capability boost.
"Lidars are much more better than cameras at telling if a wall is real or not. Good for Rivian to use a more superior tech." - u/theassassintherapist (1197 points)
On the desktop, competitive pressure is finally forcing Windows to improve its gaming experience as Valve’s SteamOS and Proton make Linux viable—especially on handhelds—even as incumbency and anti-cheat compatibility continue to anchor most players on Windows 11.