Technology 24h: Apple invests in titanium, OpenAI deeply penetrates the pharmaceutical industry
Apple is investing more money in titanium production in the United States. OpenAI has bought an AI startup that works on drug research. Meanwhile, Australia is preparing to take legal action against major social media platforms.
Apple invests $100 million in titanium production
According to CNBC, Apple said it will invest up to $100 million over the next three years in Perryman Company, based in Houston, Pennsylvania. The company will produce titanium for iPhones, including the folding iPhone Duo.
Under the agreement, Perryman will melt, shape and roll titanium at its factory. At least 80% of the material will be recycled. Apple said that more than 100 parts used in the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo are made by US companies. These suppliers are based in more than 10 states.
Since President Donald Trump began his second term, Apple has repeatedly talked about its efforts to invest more in the United States. However, most iPhone models are still finally assembled in other countries.
In August last year, Apple launched the American Manufacturing Program (AMP) and increased its plan for spending in the United States by $100 billion. This was part of the company's promise to invest $600 billion in US manufacturing over four years.
OpenAI expands its work in biotechnology
According to TechCrunch, OpenAI has bought Orchestra Bio, a four-year-old startup that makes AI software for biotechnology. The companies have not revealed the terms of the deal. Reports say that by 2025, Orchestra Bio had raised about $20 million from investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, Atria and 8VC.
Orchestra makes AI agents that help biotechnology companies manage the many steps involved in finding new drugs. These tools can help with tasks such as tracking money and solving scheduling problems during clinical trials.
OpenAI said it will bring Orchestra's team and technology into its Rosalind AI model for life science research and its Rosalind Workbench tool. The tool helps researchers plan experiments and study their results. OpenAI has already had success with major pharmaceutical companies such as Moderna and Novo Nordisk as customers.
Australia prepares legal action against TikTok and Facebook over social media ban
According to AFP, the Australian government is preparing to sue Facebook, TikTok and other major digital platforms. The government says these companies may not be following the nationwide ban on social media use by children under 16.
The law requires companies to take reasonable steps to stop children below the age limit from using social media accounts. One goal is to protect children from harmful content online.
Australia's ban, the first of its kind in the world, took effect nearly a year ago. Since then, the government has doubled the maximum fine for breaking the law to $76 million.
The Australian government has also given Network Security Commissioner Julie Inman Grant more legal powers. These include requiring social media platforms to provide documents and calling current or former employees to answer questions as part of investigations.