Here are the major technology developments making headlines on Friday, January 23. From Ireland’s plan to grant police access to spyware, to serious allegations against Nvidia over AI training data, and Apple’s renewed push to transform Siri into a full-fledged AI chatbot—these stories highlight how fast the global tech landscape is evolving.
Apple Set to Turn Siri into an AI Chatbot
Apple is reportedly preparing a major overhaul of its voice assistant Siri, aiming to transform it into a conversational AI chatbot. While Apple has long led the industry in hardware and software design, it has lagged behind rivals such as Google, OpenAI, and xAI in artificial intelligence.
According to a Bloomberg report, Apple is working on a project codenamed “Campos”, under which Siri will gain advanced AI capabilities. The new version of Siri is expected to roll out in the second half of 2026 and will be integrated across iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
Key features expected in the new Siri include:
- Natural, one-to-one conversational interactions
- Support for both voice and text input
- AI-powered image generation
- Ability to analyze and answer questions about images shown on screen
- Smarter photo search within the user’s gallery based on minimal prompts
- More human-like, conversational responses
This move signals Apple’s intent to re-enter the AI race more aggressively.
Ireland May Allow Police to Use Spyware
Ireland is preparing to introduce new legislation that could allow police to use spyware and lawful interception software. According to a TechCrunch report, the Irish government believes such tools are necessary to combat serious crimes and national security threats.
The government has stated that strict safeguards will be put in place and that spyware will be used only in exceptional circumstances. However, privacy advocates remain concerned, as the use of surveillance software has increased across Europe in recent years. Countries such as Greece, Hungary, Poland, and Italy have already faced scrutiny over similar practices.
Nvidia Accused of Training AI on Pirated Books
US-based chip giant Nvidia is facing serious allegations that it trained its AI models using stolen and copyrighted books sourced from online shadow libraries. The matter is currently under legal scrutiny.
According to a TorrentFreak report, the shadow library allegedly used is known as “Anna’s Archive”, a platform associated with large-scale digital piracy. Court documents suggest that senior executives at Nvidia approved the use of this data. The lawsuit has reportedly been filed by writers.
While other tech companies such as Meta and Anthropic have faced similar accusations in the past, Nvidia’s case stands out due to the explicit link to a piracy-associated library.
YouTube Plans Photo Posts in Shorts
YouTube is working on several new features with a focus on creators, artificial intelligence, and the TV viewing experience. CEO Neal Mohan recently described YouTube as a “cultural hub,” highlighting how creators now operate like full-fledged production studios.
Shorts on YouTube are reportedly generating over 200 billion views daily. In the coming weeks, creators may get the option to post photos directly in Shorts. Additionally, YouTube is pushing to strengthen its position as a primary app on smart TVs.
Microsoft 365 Suffers Global Outage
Microsoft 365 services were disrupted on Thursday, affecting thousands of users worldwide. Users reported issues accessing multiple services. Microsoft acknowledged the outage and said teams were working to restore services at the earliest.
Motorola Signature Smartphone Launch in India
Motorola is set to launch its first Signature smartphone in India on Friday. The device has already been introduced in Europe and is aimed at premium smartphone buyers. Whether it will resonate with Indian consumers remains to be seen.
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