Tech Report: Meta, Microsoft stocks soar

Meta delivered blowout earnings this quarter, sending its stock up 12% as the company reported stronger-than-expected results.

(LILAMAX)- Meta delivered blowout earnings this quarter, sending its stock up 12% as the company reported stronger-than-expected results. A key factor: aggressive investment in artificial intelligence. Company executives say the cost of attracting top AI talent is soaring, now ranking as Meta’s second-largest expense. The company has reportedly spent millions to recruit the industry’s best engineers.

Microsoft has officially joined Nvidia in the elite $4 trillion market cap club. The company’s stock surged in after-hours trading following strong financial results. CEO Satya Nadella credited the company’s continued growth to its investments in cloud computing and AI, calling them “major drivers” of performance.

A new survey shows students are increasingly aware of AI’s importance. In a poll of 2,000 college students conducted by Grammarly and Talker Research, half said learning to use AI is the most important skill they’ll gain in college. Nearly two-thirds said learning to use AI responsibly is critical to future success. Encouragingly, only 28% felt their schools were lagging behind in tech adoption, and nearly 75% said their institutions have AI policies already in place.

As families prepare for the back-to-school season, many parents are seeking entertainment options for kids that don’t involve screens. Tech expert Jennifer Jolly recommends the Yoto Player and Yoto Mini—interactive audio devices where kids can pop in cards to play music, stories, and other audio content without internet access or a touchscreen.