📰 AI Blog Daily Digest — 2026-01-26

AI-curated Top 10 from 92 leading tech blogs

Today’s Highlights

Today’s tech landscape highlights the growing dominance of AI and machine learning, with Nvidia poised to overtake Apple as TSMC’s largest customer, signaling the increasing demand for AI hardware. Cybersecurity remains a critical focus, as investigations into botnets like Badbox 2.0 and advancements like SOC 2 Type II compliance underscore the evolving threat landscape and the need for robust defenses. Additionally, debates around data ethics and governance are gaining traction, with calls for decentralized approaches to AI regulation and a critical look at society’s over-reliance on data.

Editor’s Top Picks

🥇 Who Operates the Badbox 2.0 Botnet?

Who Operates the Badbox 2.0 Botnet? — krebsonsecurity.com · 2026-01-26 · 🔒 Security

The article investigates the operators behind Badbox 2.0, a large-scale botnet originating from China that has infected over 2 million devices. Badbox 2.0 is powered by malware pre-installed on Android TV streaming boxes, and recent leaks from the Kimwolf botnet operators suggest they may have compromised Badbox 2.0’s control panel. Both the FBI and Google are actively pursuing the individuals responsible, with new evidence potentially narrowing the search. The piece highlights the interconnected nature of botnet ecosystems and the ongoing efforts to dismantle them.

💡 Why read this: This article provides critical insights into the operations of a major botnet, offering a glimpse into the challenges of cybersecurity and the global effort to combat malicious actors.

🏷️ botnet, cybersecurity, malware

🥈 Nvidia Set to Supplant Apple as TSMC’s Largest Customer

Nvidia Set to Supplant Apple as TSMC’s Largest Customer — daringfireball.net · 2026-01-26 · 🤖 AI / ML

Nvidia is projected to overtake Apple as TSMC’s largest customer in 2026, reflecting a significant shift in the semiconductor industry. This change is driven by Nvidia’s growing demand for advanced chips to support AI infrastructure, outpacing Apple’s requirements for A-series and M-series chips. Analysts view this as a milestone in Nvidia’s rise as a dominant player in the tech ecosystem. The transition underscores the increasing importance of AI in shaping the priorities of leading semiconductor manufacturers.

💡 Why read this: Understanding this shift highlights the evolving dynamics of the tech industry and the pivotal role of AI in reshaping market leadership.

🏷️ Nvidia, TSMC, semiconductors

🥉 Keygen is now SOC 2 Type II compliant

Keygen is now SOC 2 Type II compliant — keygen.sh · 2026-01-26 · 🔒 Security

Keygen announces its achievement of SOC 2 Type II compliance, a critical milestone for ensuring robust security and data protection standards. This certification demonstrates that Keygen’s systems meet stringent requirements for managing customer data securely over time. The compliance covers areas such as availability, confidentiality, and integrity of systems. This development strengthens trust with customers and positions Keygen as a reliable partner for secure software licensing solutions.

💡 Why read this: This update is essential for businesses seeking secure and compliant software licensing providers, ensuring data safety and regulatory adherence.

🏷️ SOC 2, compliance, Keygen, cloud security

Data Overview

Category Distribution

Top Keywords

💡 Opinion

1. The Importance of Diversity

The Importance of Diversity — geohot.github.io · 2026-01-26 · ⭐ 23/30

The author critiques the prevailing top-down approach to AI governance, which assumes centralized control by a few ‘adults in the room.’ Referencing works like ‘The Adolescence of Technology,’ the piece argues that such perspectives frame human problems narrowly and risk imposing limited worldviews on AI’s potential. Instead, the author advocates for a more diverse and decentralized approach to AI development, emphasizing the need for broader participation and varied perspectives. The conclusion calls for rethinking how society approaches AI to avoid reinforcing existing inequalities.

🏷️ AI, ethics, diversity

2. Why We Speak

Why We Speak — anildash.com · 2026-01-26 · ⭐ 18/30

The author reflects on their decades-long journey in the tech industry, exploring the motivations behind speaking out on issues that matter. They argue that once financial stability is achieved, the focus shifts to contributing meaningfully to the community and addressing systemic problems. The piece emphasizes the importance of using one’s platform to advocate for change and challenge the status quo. It concludes with a call to action for individuals to find their voice and engage in meaningful discourse.

🏷️ tech industry, career, personal reflection

3. You Can Just Say No to the Data

You Can Just Say No to the Data — blog.jim-nielsen.com · 2026-01-26 · ⭐ 15/30

The author critiques the over-reliance on data as an unquestionable authority, arguing that demand can be artificially engineered through algorithms, dark patterns, and growth hacking. They draw parallels to historical examples, like the tobacco industry, to illustrate how data can be used to justify harmful practices. The piece calls for a more critical approach to interpreting data, emphasizing the need to consider the ethical implications of how it is generated and used. It concludes by advocating for intentional decision-making that prioritizes human values over raw metrics.

🏷️ data ethics, demand engineering, consumer behavior

🔒 Security

4. Who Operates the Badbox 2.0 Botnet?

Who Operates the Badbox 2.0 Botnet? — krebsonsecurity.com · 2026-01-26 · ⭐ 26/30

The article investigates the operators behind Badbox 2.0, a large-scale botnet originating from China that has infected over 2 million devices. Badbox 2.0 is powered by malware pre-installed on Android TV streaming boxes, and recent leaks from the Kimwolf botnet operators suggest they may have compromised Badbox 2.0’s control panel. Both the FBI and Google are actively pursuing the individuals responsible, with new evidence potentially narrowing the search. The piece highlights the interconnected nature of botnet ecosystems and the ongoing efforts to dismantle them.

🏷️ botnet, cybersecurity, malware

5. Keygen is now SOC 2 Type II compliant

Keygen is now SOC 2 Type II compliant — keygen.sh · 2026-01-26 · ⭐ 24/30

Keygen announces its achievement of SOC 2 Type II compliance, a critical milestone for ensuring robust security and data protection standards. This certification demonstrates that Keygen’s systems meet stringent requirements for managing customer data securely over time. The compliance covers areas such as availability, confidentiality, and integrity of systems. This development strengthens trust with customers and positions Keygen as a reliable partner for secure software licensing solutions.

🏷️ SOC 2, compliance, Keygen, cloud security

🤖 AI / ML

6. Nvidia Set to Supplant Apple as TSMC’s Largest Customer

Nvidia Set to Supplant Apple as TSMC’s Largest Customer — daringfireball.net · 2026-01-26 · ⭐ 24/30

Nvidia is projected to overtake Apple as TSMC’s largest customer in 2026, reflecting a significant shift in the semiconductor industry. This change is driven by Nvidia’s growing demand for advanced chips to support AI infrastructure, outpacing Apple’s requirements for A-series and M-series chips. Analysts view this as a milestone in Nvidia’s rise as a dominant player in the tech ecosystem. The transition underscores the increasing importance of AI in shaping the priorities of leading semiconductor manufacturers.

🏷️ Nvidia, TSMC, semiconductors

7. App Store 2025 Top iPhone Apps in the U.S.

★ App Store 2025 Top iPhone Apps in the U.S. — daringfireball.net · 2026-01-26 · ⭐ 21/30

The top iPhone apps in the U.S. App Store for 2025 reveal a dominance by Google and Meta, with only two exceptions: ChatGPT at #1 and TikTok at #4. This ranking highlights the sustained influence of major tech players in shaping app usage trends. ChatGPT’s top position underscores the growing demand for AI-driven tools, while TikTok’s presence reflects its continued popularity in social media. The list provides a snapshot of consumer preferences and the competitive landscape in the app ecosystem.

🏷️ App Store, ChatGPT, TikTok

🛠 Tools / OSS

8. Airlines That Support Shared Item Location for Luggage With AirTags

Airlines That Support Shared Item Location for Luggage With AirTags — daringfireball.net · 2026-01-26 · ⭐ 19/30

Apple’s Share Item Location feature in the Find My app now allows travelers to share the location of AirTag-equipped luggage with participating airlines. This functionality enables airline staff to assist passengers in locating lost or delayed bags more effectively. Currently, 36 airlines support this feature, enhancing the travel experience by reducing the frustration of misplaced luggage. The feature represents a practical application of Apple’s ecosystem to address common travel challenges.

🏷️ AirTags, luggage, tracking

9. There’s a Hidden Preference to Auto-Resize Columns in the Finder on MacOS 14 and 15

There’s a Hidden Preference to Auto-Resize Columns in the Finder on MacOS 14 and 15 — daringfireball.net · 2026-01-26 · ⭐ 17/30

macOS 14 and 15 include a hidden preference to auto-resize columns in Finder’s Column View, improving usability for users managing large file directories. While macOS Tahoe 26.1 introduces an official option, a workaround exists for earlier versions like Sequoia via a Terminal command. This tip enables users to customize their Finder experience without upgrading to the latest macOS version. The article provides practical guidance for accessing and enabling this feature.

🏷️ macOS, Finder, usability

📝 Other

10. You Gotta Think Outside the Hypercube

You gotta think outside the hypercube — lcamtuf.substack.com · 2026-01-26 · ⭐ 14/30

The article delves into the concept of the tesseract, a four-dimensional geometric shape, and explores methods for rendering it visually on a screen. It discusses the mathematical principles behind the tesseract and the challenges of representing higher-dimensional objects in three-dimensional space. The author provides insights into various visualization techniques and their implications for understanding complex geometries. The piece concludes by encouraging creative thinking in approaching multidimensional problems.

🏷️ tesseract, geometry, visualization

Generated at 2026-01-26 12:00 | 92 sources → 13 articles → 10 articles TechBytes — The Signal in the Noise 💡