Drone maker DJI loses lawsuit to exit Pentagon's list of firms with Chinese military ties A U.S. judge on Friday rejected a bid by China-based DJI, the world's largest drone maker, to be removed from the U.S. Defense Department's list of companies allegedly working with Beijing's military. In his ruling, U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman in Washington, D.C., said the Defense Department had substantial evidence supporting its finding that DJI, which sells more than half of all U.S. commercial drones, contributes to the Chinese defense industrial base." DJI had urged the court to order its removal from the Pentagon list designating it as a Chinese military company, saying it is neither owned nor controlled by the Chinese military. The judge rejected some of the government's other justifications for listing DJI. In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.

Though artificial intelligence is fueling a surge in synthetic child abuse images, it's also being tested as a way to stop harm to real victims. Generative AI has enabled the production of child sexual abuse images to skyrocket. Now the leading investigator of child exploitation in the US is experimenting with using AI to distinguish AI-generated images from material depicting real victims, according to a new government filing. The Department of Homeland Security's Cyber Crimes Center, which investigates child exploitation across international borders, has awarded a $150,000 contract to San Francisco-based Hive AI for its software, which can identify whether a piece of content was AI-generated. The filing, posted on September 19, is heavily redacted and Hive cofounder and CEO Kevin Guo told that he could not discuss the details of the contract, but confirmed it involves use of the company's AI detection algorithms for child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The filing quotes data from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that reported a 1,325% increase in incidents involving generative AI in 2024.

Is Silicon Valley Still the Tech Capital? On this special episode of recorded in front of a live audience in San Francisco, our hosts discuss Silicon Valley's history and future. All products featured on WIRED are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links. Earlier this month, we took the show to San Francisco for a live recording in front of a great audience at KQED's The Commons. WIRED's Lauren Goode, Katie Drummond, and Jason Kehe asked themselves and answered a perennial question: Is Silicon Valley still the tech capital of the world? Plus, they put themselves to the test with a new game and some questions from the audience. Write to us at uncannyvalley@wired.com . You can always listen to this week's podcast through the audio player on this page, but if you want to subscribe for free to get every episode, here's how: If you're on an iPhone or iPad, open the app called Podcasts, or just tap this link . This week, we wanted to share with you the live show that we hosted in partnership with KQED earlier this month. Our global editorial director, Katie Drummond, had a really fun and sharp conversation with Jack Conte, the CEO of Patreon, about what it takes to make authentic work in the era of AI and influencers. Then my cohosts, WIRED's Lauren Goode and Jason Kehe, joined the stage for a special roundtable discussion. I sadly couldn't make it, but I feel very thankful for everyone who came through that night. I hope you enjoy it. I just want to say before we officially get started, Michael Colore, who a lot of you know and love, our beloved "Snackfight," could not be here tonight because he is weathering Covid. He said we can share that, but we are so glad to have Jason here in his stead. Actually, how do we say that? I suppose you could say that in Mike's stead-- I forced Jason to come do it tonight. Bully was the word I was using. It's going to be great. We're so thrilled, and he's going to have plenty of spicy takes. So without any further ado, welcome again everyone to our first live edition of the Roundtable here in San Francisco with our partners, KQED.

Oregon authorities recaptured Ty Anthony Sage after he was accidentally freed on bail despite a judge's order denying bail in the 2021 killing of Lowgunn Ivey.

Can Ukraine restore its pre-war borders? Is Russia testing NATO with aerial incursions in Europe? EU to develop'drone wall' amid regional airspace violations European Union defence ministers have agreed to develop a "drone wall" along their borders with Russia and Ukraine to detect, track and intercept violations of their airspace, according to the bloc's defence chief. Friday's announcement comes after rogue drones entered Polish airspace on September 10, rattling eastern EU members. Although Danish authorities have not concluded their investigations, Frederiksen stressed that Russia was currently the primary threat to European security. The Kremlin has denied any involvement in the drone incidents in Poland and Denmark.

From Montenegro to northern California, the tech elite dream of building cities where they make the rules. Is this, finally, their moment? The shirtless man in the golden mask and cape has plans to lead his own country one day. There is no location yet, but it will be a crypto-and AI-powered paradise of medical experimentation, filled with people who want to "make death optional," he says. For now, though, he's leading a sparsely attended rave on the second floor of a San Francisco office building. A DJ is spinning at one end of an open room. A handful of people sway and jump on the space cleared out as a dance floor. At a nearby table, coffee is available with many alternative milks.

The Take Ahmed al-Sharaa's high-stakes bid to remake Syria For the first time in nearly 60 years, a Syrian leader speaks at the United Nations. It was a symbolic moment for a nation long-isolated from the international stage. President Ahmed al-Sharaa says he can rebuild Syria through private investment and a deal with Israel. But how much can he concede in the name of progress, without losing Syrian public support? What is the future of US dissent in the post-Charlie Kirk era? The White House Peace Vigil is dismantled - why? How is China using AI in the classroom?

Military veteran Travis Decker's remains were found in Washington wilderness, ending a three-month manhunt after he murdered his daughters Paityn, Evelyn and Olivia.

Broadcast TV Is a'Melting Ice Cube.' Kimmel Just Turned Up the Heat After Sinclair and Nexstar pulled Jimmy Kimmel off air, the old affiliate model looks shakier than ever. Even Disney might do better without broadcast. Jimmy Kimmel returned to ABC this week. About a quarter of ABC's usual audience couldn't see the talk show host this week after two major owners of ABC affiliates, Sinclair and Nexstar, refused to carry the show. Those right-leaning companies apparently felt that Kimmel's joke--which included some disputed facts--was so unpardonable that they couldn't expose their viewers to the comedian.

The UN's AI warnings grow louder Welcome back to In the Loop, new twice-weekly newsletter about AI. It was a busy week for our team: Tharin Pillay was on site during the UN General Assembly in New York, while Harry Booth and Nikita Ostrovsky were at the "All In AI" event in Montreal. If you're reading this in your browser, why not subscribe to have the next one delivered straight to your inbox? The United Nations General Assembly met this week in New York. While the assembly members spent much of their time on the crises in Palestine and Sudan, they also devoted a good chunk to AI.