Daily Recap: Tech — 1 October 2026

Today’s tech news is led by how companies and governments are reshaping the systems around AI and digital products, from a multibillion-dollar infrastructure deal and new workplace rules to changes in how public-facing chatbots behave. At the same time, consumer tech and corporat...

Tencent strikes a roughly $7 billion deal to lease 100,000 AI chips from Oracle, underscoring the scale of demand for computing power as major companies expand their artificial intelligence efforts. The arrangement gives Tencent access to Oracle’s infrastructure over multiple years rather than transferring ownership of the chips themselves.

California enacts a new law requiring human oversight when employers make decisions about firing or disciplining workers with AI systems. The measure bars companies from relying solely on automated tools for those actions and marks an early U.S. attempt to set boundaries on so-called robo-boss management.

A newly launched U.S. government chatbot stops answering some political questions after early responses drew attention for contradicting claims made by President Donald Trump. The change highlights the pressure on public-sector AI tools as agencies try to manage accuracy, political sensitivity and trust in automated responses.

Ryan Roslansky is set to leave Microsoft at the end of 2026, ending a long run that included leading LinkedIn and holding a senior role in Microsoft’s productivity business around Office and Teams. His departure, announced by Satya Nadella in a staff memo, closes nearly 18 years across the two companies.

HP launches the OmniBook 5 14 at a starting price of about $699, pitching it as a Windows alternative to Apple’s MacBook Neo. The laptop stands out for offering an OLED display in the base model, while HP also emphasizes thinner, lighter hardware, longer battery claims and a practical port selection.

Walmart expands its “Shop to Light” feature, letting customers use the Walmart app to trigger glowing digital shelf labels that mark an item’s location in stores. The tool builds on the retailer’s electronic shelf-label system and is designed to make in-store product searches faster and easier.

Kotak Mahindra Bank names Anup Kumar Saha as its next managing director and chief executive after receiving Reserve Bank of India approval. He is due to take over on January 1, 2027, for a three-year term, succeeding Ashok Vaswani when Vaswani’s current tenure ends.