Technology

• The FDA granted accelerated approval to a CRISPR-based gene therapy for severe sickle cell disease on April 20, marking the first approved genetic treatment editing patient blood cells to produce functional hemoglobin. • Clinical trials demonstrated 95% of treated patients experienced elimination or near-elimination of vaso-occlusive crises within 12 months, with durable responses observed for over two years post-treatment. • The therapy addresses a disease affecting approximately 100,000 Americans, primarily of African descent, offering potential cure for patients previously reliant on pain management and blood transfusions.

• Fraud incidents continue climbing at US banks even with substantial spending on advanced detection tools and analytics. • The gap highlights limitations in current tech defenses against evolving fraudster tactics. • This trend matters as it pressures financial institutions to innovate faster, amid rising economic impacts from cyber fraud.

• JPMorgan Chase announced Thursday the acquisition of a fintech startup specializing in regional bank digitalization for $5.2 billion in cash, marking one of 2026's largest financial services M&A deals. • The acquisition will expand JPMorgan's capabilities in serving mid-sized regional banks, addressing a strategic gap as community lenders face increased competition from digital-native competitors. • JPMorgan executives stated the deal is expected to generate $200 million in annual cost synergies by 2028 and will close in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approval.

• Scientists warn that rapid advances in artificial intelligence and neurotechnology are advancing faster than our scientific understanding of consciousness, creating serious ethical risks. • The acceleration of AI capabilities and brain-computer interface technologies raises urgent questions about the nature of consciousness and ethical implications. • Researchers emphasize the need for parallel development of ethical frameworks to accompany technological progress.

• Researchers at Binghamton University, State University of New York, along with colleagues at the University of Virginia, published a study in Science Advances mapping innovation landscapes to identify disruptive studies and patents that challenge existing scientific paradigms. • The method, developed by Sadamori Kojaku and colleagues, helps pinpoint discoveries that reshape the course of science, such as the theory of evolution, atomic splitting, and antibiotic development. • The robust measure of disruptiveness provides a systematic way to identify simultaneous breakthroughs across scientific fields and could accelerate recognition of transformative research.

• Autozi Internet Technology (Global) Ltd. (AZI) received a Nasdaq notification on March 29, 2026, for failing to meet the minimum market value of listed securities requirement. • The company has been given 180 days to regain compliance by achieving a market value of listed securities of at least $35 million for 10 consecutive trading days. • This compliance issue highlights ongoing challenges for smaller Nasdaq-listed firms amid market volatility and economic pressures.

• Companies in the US are spending 93% of their AI budgets on technology and only 7% on preparing their workforce, leading to implementation bottlenecks. • Among executives surveyed, 78% report greater benefits from AI in revenue growth than cost-cutting, with experts predicting revenue gains will dwarf efficiency improvements. • Firms treating workforce as an afterthought risk failure despite advanced AI tools, as highlighted by insights from Deloitte, Wharton, and Harvard experts.

• The United States is broadening national security restrictions beyond telecommunications infrastructure to encompass consumer technology products such as routers and drones. • This expansion reflects growing concerns about foreign influence and vulnerabilities in consumer-grade technology that could pose risks to national security infrastructure. • The move represents an escalation in regulatory oversight of the tech sector as the government seeks to protect critical systems and supply chains from potential threats.

• Taiwan-based DRAM chipmaker Nanya Technology secured NT$78.72 billion (US$2.47 billion) through private share placements from SK Hynix subsidiary Solidigm, Japan's Kioxia, and U.S. companies Cisco Systems and SanDisk Technologies. • Following the investment, SK Hynix will hold a 2 percent stake, Kioxia 2 percent, SanDisk 4 percent, and Cisco 2 percent in Nanya Technology, positioning the company strategically amid the AI boom. • The capital will be directed toward investing in advanced memory manufacturing facilities and production equipment, strengthening Nanya's competitive position in the high-demand semiconductor market.

• President Donald J. Trump appointed the first members to the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) on March 25, 2026. • Co-chaired by David Sacks and Michael Kratsios, the council includes Marc Andreessen, Sergey Brin, Safra Catz, Michael Dell, Jacob DeWitte, Fred Ehrsam, Larry Ellison, David Friedberg, Jensen Huang, John Martinis, Bob Mumgaard, Lisa Su, and Mark Zuckerberg. • Established by Executive Order, PCAST will advise on emerging technologies' impact on the American workforce and strengthening U.S. leadership in innovation.

• Seagate Technology (STX.US) will go ex-dividend on March 25, 2026, with shareholders of record receiving a cash dividend of $0.74 per share payable on April 8, 2026. • The ex-dividend date marks the deadline for investors to hold shares to qualify for the upcoming dividend distribution, a common corporate action in the technology hardware sector. • Cash dividends provide shareholders periodic income distributions, though they may trigger tax consequences and can cause temporary share price adjustments equivalent to the dividend amount.

• Forrester Research forecasts global technology spending will grow 7.8% in 2026 to $5.6 trillion, up from $5.2 trillion in 2025, driven primarily by continued AI investment across defense, financial services, healthcare, industry, and retail sectors. • Computer equipment will see the highest growth at 16.8% due to rising AI server demand, with AI-specialized computers expected to capture more than 80% of computer equipment spending by 2030, up from 43% in 2024. • Financial services and healthcare sectors will see robust technology spending in 2026, driven by investments in cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, AI, data storage, and AI literacy training despite broader economic volatility.

Glasses use verbal cues and floating text to assist wearers and are expected to be available in early 2027AI software that can be embedded into smart glasses has won a £1m prize for technology to help people with dementia.Built into chunky, black-rimmed frames that have a camera, microphone and speakers, the tech – known as CrossSense – guides wearers through everyday life by means of a chatty assistant called Wispy. Continue reading...

• DUG Technology Ltd announced settlement of legal proceedings in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas involving its subsidiary DownUnder GeoSolutions (America) LLC, reducing the court judgment from approximately $2.1 million to $1.5 million. • The dispute centered on a contested supplier invoice under an energy management services agreement, with both parties agreeing to a settlement and release agreement that resolves all claims including DUG US's counterclaim. • The settlement stipulates that neither party will pursue further legal action and includes a confidentiality provision regarding remaining details, with the supplier required to file a release of judgment upon payment.

• The U.S. Department of Defense designated Quantum and Battlefield Information Dominance (Q-BID) as one of six critical technology areas in November 2025, with the Quantum Applications Program receiving $59.5 million in the FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act. • Quantum computing, sensing, and networking have advanced at the research level, but substantial gaps remain between laboratory demonstrations and industrial deployment, particularly in miniaturization, durability, and production cost reduction for quantum sensors. • The United States maintains classical computing leadership but faces gaps in quantum-supercomputer deployment compared to international competitors, with Europe and Japan reaching operational quantum-supercomputer deployment stages that U.S. initiatives have not yet achieved.

• Micron Technology (MU) is set to report earnings this week as investors monitor semiconductor sector performance amid broader concerns about AI-driven disruption and competitive dynamics in memory chip markets. • Morningstar research highlights which tech companies possess durable economic moats resistant to AI disruption, with analysis suggesting Microsoft maintains strong competitive advantages while others like Adobe and Salesforce face pressure. • The earnings season context reveals downward revisions to profit estimates across sectors, particularly for companies exposed to elevated energy costs and consumer spending weakness tied to oil price shocks.

Micron Technology closed at $426 on March 13, 2026, up significantly year-to-date by about 50%, following analysts' reiteration of an outperform rating and price target increase to $500 from $320. The upgrade highlights Micron's strong positioning in memory chips despite broader market declines driven by oil surges and geopolitical tensions. This move underscores investor optimism in semiconductors even as the Nasdaq fell 0.9% and S&P 500 dropped 0.6% on Friday. Upcoming earnings could test sustained momentum amid sector volatility.

Micron Technology shares rose 2.6% on March 13, 2026, closing at $426 after analysts reiterated an outperform rating and raised the price target to $500 from $320 amid strong year-to-date gains of 50%. The semiconductor firm benefited from positive momentum in the chip sector despite broader market declines, with investors eyeing its upcoming earnings report. This upgrade highlights Micron's robust growth prospects in memory chips, potentially signaling sector recovery amid volatility. Analysts anticipate further upside if quarterly results exceed expectations next week.

Micron Technology closed at $426 on March 13, 2026, after analysts reiterated an outperform rating and raised the price target to $500 from $320 amid robust semiconductor demand. The stock has climbed about 50% year-to-date, outperforming broader market declines driven by oil surges and geopolitical tensions. This upgrade highlights Micron's potential in memory chips despite upcoming earnings risks, positioning it as a key watch for investors amid sector volatility. Analysts expect continued momentum if AI-driven demand persists.

Superconducting computing circuits were briefly heralded as the future of computing in the 1980s. Columnist Karmela Padavic-Callaghan visits a quantum chip foundry where one company is betting this technology’s second act will revolutionise quantum computers