HeyWhatsNew: Microsoft Lays Off 3% of Its Workforce and CryptoPunks Sold to New Non-Profit
Hey there, Heyuppers, welcome back to all things tech and trending. Let’s take a look at everything in the week beginning 12/05/2025.
Google Supercharges Android Messages with On-Device AI to Fight Scammers
Google is ramping up its battle against digital fraud with a major update to its Scam Detection feature in the Google Messages app. As scams become more sophisticated, especially those involving cryptocurrency, fake financial institutions, and support hoaxes, Google is leaning on on-device AI to spot suspicious texts in real time. Running entirely on your phone without sending data to the cloud, this enhanced AI system now detects roughly 2 billion scam messages per month. The technology even tracks long-term scam patterns, such as “pig butchering” scams, which manipulate victims over time through romance or fake investment schemes.
This move puts Google in line with other tech giants trying to curb the rising tide of fraud, which cost Americans $16.6 billion last year. Companies like Meta and cybersecurity firms like F-Secure are also rolling out features to warn users about sketchy payment requests and shady contacts. Google is already testing scam detection for voice calls and may eventually expand the technology beyond its messaging apps.
Microsoft to Cut 6,500+ Jobs Despite Strong Earnings
Microsoft is laying off 3% of its global workforce, affecting over 6,500 employees, according to CNBC. This move marks one of the tech giant’s largest job cuts since 2023, when it laid off 10,000 workers. The layoffs will span across various teams, roles, and regions, not tied to individual performance. A spokesperson explained the cuts are part of broader “organizational changes” to help the company stay agile in a rapidly evolving market.
The announcement comes on the heels of a strong financial quarter. In April, Microsoft reported $70.1 billion in revenue (up 13%) and $25.8 billion in profit (up 18%), beating Wall Street expectations. Despite these gains, Microsoft is following the trend of other major tech players like Amazon and Meta, who also trimmed their workforces earlier this year.
Elon Musk’s Copyright Power Grab Backfires
What seemed like a strategic move by Elon Musk and David Sacks to clear the way for AI-friendly copyright policies has quickly blown up in their faces. After pushing for the removal of Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden and Copyright Register Shira Perlmutter, both critical of AI companies using copyrighted content for training, Trump's replacements turned out to be anti-tech hardliners, not Silicon Valley allies. Though the Copyright Office’s recent AI report doesn't carry legal weight, it delivered a clear warning: using copyrighted works at scale for commercial AI output likely exceeds fair use.
Waymo Recalls Over 1,200 Self-Driving Cars After Barrier Crashes
Waymo, Alphabet’s self-driving car company, is recalling over 1,200 vehicles after a software glitch caused some of them to crash into things like chains and gates. While no one was hurt, the problem affected cars using an older version of Waymo’s self-driving system. The company says the issue is now fixed and that all its vehicles are running on a newer, safer version of the software. This is Waymo’s second major recall in a year and comes as self-driving cars face increased government scrutiny over safety concerns.
CryptoPunks Find a New (Nonprofit) Home as IP Moves from Yuga Labs to Infinite Node Foundation
The iconic Ethereum NFT collection CryptoPunks has officially been handed off to a newly formed nonprofit, The Infinite Node Foundation (NODE), by Yuga Labs, the creators of Bored Ape Yacht Club. NODE will now oversee the legendary 10,000-piece collection with a mission focused on preservation, community, and expansion. Yuga, which acquired CryptoPunks from Larva Labs in 2022, says it always envisioned a permanent cultural home for the Punks. Original creators Matt Hall and John Watkinson are also returning as advisors, alongside Art Blocks’ Erick Calderon and Yuga’s co-founder Wylie Aronow.
As NODE takes charge, it plans a major exhibition in Palo Alto and a long-term vision to treat CryptoPunks as digital fine art. The announcement comes amid a booming NFT market: CryptoPunks’ floor price surged 74% in a week to over $123,000, fueled by a spike in Ethereum’s value. Though financial terms weren’t disclosed, the move is widely seen as a step toward cementing CryptoPunks’ legacy as one of the most culturally significant NFT projects ever created.
Quantum AI Powers First-Ever Commercial Song Release, “Recurse”
British electronic artist ILĀ has released “Recurse,” the first commercial song created using both artificial intelligence and quantum computing. In partnership with tech startup Moth and Finnish quantum computing firm IQM, the track blends human creativity with cutting-edge tech. ILĀ composed the initial melody, which was used to train a generative AI model. The draft was then finalized with quantum computing power, resulting in a dynamic, evolving audio experience. Released as an interactive stream, the song comes amid growing debates about AI’s role in music and copyright. While critics warn of creative erosion, ILĀ views the technology as a collaborative tool, not a replacement.
That’s all for this week, catch up with us next week for even more exciting tech news, Heyuppers!
