US Closes Tesla Probe on Remote Driving Feature

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U.S. regulators have ended an investigation into Tesla’s remote driving feature after determining it posed limited safety risk following software improvements.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reviewed the company’s “Actually Smart Summon” system, which allows users to move vehicles short distances via a smartphone, typically in parking environments. The probe covered approximately 2.6 million vehicles.

Authorities identified around 100 reported incidents linked to the feature. These cases largely involved low-speed collisions with stationary objects such as parked cars, garage doors or gates. No injuries, fatalities, airbag deployments or major crashes were recorded.

Regulators concluded that the frequency and severity of these incidents did not justify further enforcement action. Tesla had already deployed software updates to address identified issues, including enhancements to obstacle detection, environmental awareness and system response to dynamic conditions.

The updates also targeted limitations caused by camera obstruction factors such as snow or condensation, which had contributed to early-stage errors during feature activation.

Despite the closure of this probe, Tesla’s broader autonomous driving systems remain under scrutiny. The NHTSA recently escalated its investigation into the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology to an engineering analysis stage, covering more than 3 million vehicles and examining reports of traffic violations and crashes.

The decision underscores a regulatory approach that differentiates between low-risk driver-assistance features and more complex autonomous systems, which continue to face heightened oversight.

Taiwan Warns China Targeting Chip Industry Talent

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Taiwan’s government has warned that China is intensifying efforts to acquire advanced semiconductor technology and talent from the island as part of a broader strategy to overcome global restrictions on its tech sector.

According to a report by Taiwan’s National Security Bureau, Beijing is using indirect methods—including recruitment networks and corporate channels—to access sensitive expertise in artificial intelligence and chip manufacturing. The goal is to secure capabilities such as advanced-process semiconductors and reduce reliance on foreign technology.

Taiwan is home to TSMC, the world’s leading contract chipmaker and a critical supplier to companies like Nvidia and Apple. This makes the island a strategic focal point in the global semiconductor supply chain.

Authorities in Taipei say they have repeatedly uncovered attempts by Chinese entities to recruit engineers and access restricted technologies, prompting strict legal controls to prevent technology transfer. The report also highlights concerns about cyber activity, noting that Taiwan’s government networks faced more than 170 million intrusion attempts in the first quarter alone.

Beyond industrial targeting, the report warns of broader hybrid tactics, including disinformation campaigns, deepfakes and election interference ahead of Taiwan’s upcoming local elections. Military pressure also remains elevated, with hundreds of Chinese aircraft and naval operations recorded near the island in recent months.

The developments reflect the intensifying technological and geopolitical rivalry between China and Western-aligned economies, where semiconductors have become a central battleground. Taiwan maintains that its future will be determined solely by its population, rejecting Beijing’s sovereignty claims.

Oracle Names New CFO Amid Rising AI Investment Pressure

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Oracle has appointed Hilary Maxson as its new chief financial officer, signaling a strategic shift as the company accelerates spending on artificial intelligence and cloud infrastructure.

Maxson joins from Schneider Electric, where she served as group CFO and helped guide the firm’s transformation into a digital energy and technology-focused business. Her appointment restores a formal CFO role at Oracle for the first time since 2014, when Safra Catz assumed expanded leadership responsibilities.

The move comes at a time when investors are closely monitoring Oracle’s aggressive capital expenditures tied to AI. The company expects to spend around $50 billion in its current fiscal year—more than double the previous year—as it builds out infrastructure to support growing demand for AI-driven services.

This expansion has put pressure on Oracle’s financials. The company reported a negative free cash flow of $394 million in fiscal 2025, a sharp contrast to the $25.3 billion it generated between 2022 and 2024. It has also indicated plans to raise up to $50 billion through a mix of debt and equity to fund continued growth.

Maxson’s experience in energy and infrastructure is seen as particularly relevant, given the increasing overlap between AI computing and power-intensive data center operations. Analysts suggest her appointment may help reinforce financial discipline as Oracle balances rapid expansion with profitability concerns.

The leadership change also aligns Oracle more closely with industry peers, many of whom maintain dedicated CFO roles amid escalating AI investment cycles. Meanwhile, the company has also implemented workforce reductions as part of broader cost realignment efforts.