Tech
Chris Rogers Named Instacart CEO as Fidji Simo Departs for Key Role at OpenAI
Amid strategic shifts and competitive pressure in the grocery tech sector, Instacart appoints long-time executive Chris Rogers as its next CEO.

In a high-profile leadership shakeup, Instacart has named Chris Rogers as its new Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Fidji Simo, who is set to join OpenAI as its Head of Applications. The transition will take effect on August 15, with Simo continuing as Chair of the Board to ensure a smooth handover.
Rogers, who joined the grocery tech firm in 2019 after an 11-year stint at Apple, currently serves as Instacart’s Chief Business Officer. He has been instrumental in scaling the company’s commercial operations, managing partnerships, advertising, and expansion into retail tech and health initiatives. His appointment signals a strategic continuity — but also raises new questions about the company’s direction as it navigates mounting industry pressure.
“Instacart sits at the center of how people shop, eat, and care for their families,” Rogers said. “We’re transforming the future of grocery shopping, and I’m honored to lead this next chapter with our world-class team and partners.”
Simo, who led Instacart through its 2023 IPO and helped the company transition from a pandemic-era delivery service to a multi-faceted retail tech platform, praised Rogers as the right leader for Instacart’s future. Under her leadership, Instacart expanded beyond delivery to embrace in-store technology, retail media, and AI-driven innovation. Her new role at OpenAI suggests she remains at the forefront of the technology conversation, now shifting her focus toward scaling AI applications globally.
Despite its transformation, Instacart faces a pivotal moment. Industry analysts point to growing tension between the platform and grocery retailers who now view the company as both a technology partner and a data competitor. David Croushore of AlixPartners noted, “Instacart’s model as a middleman is reaching its limits. Retailers are questioning whether to partner or compete.” He suggests that the leadership change could be a signal that the company may need to pivot — either doubling down as a tech enabler or becoming a direct-to-consumer retailer itself.
The competitive landscape is heating up, with rivals like DoorDash and Uber aggressively expanding their grocery delivery operations. Meanwhile, Instacart’s push into health, retail media, and in-store solutions suggests it is eyeing a more diversified future. Rogers’ experience — which spans leadership roles at Apple and board positions with Spins and the Ad Council — positions him to steer Instacart through this crossroads.
The change in leadership comes at a time when the grocery tech industry is under the microscope. As the sector matures post-Covid, profitability, innovation, and long-term alignment with retailers will be key to surviving — and thriving. With its next chapter now in Rogers’ hands, Instacart’s future hinges on balancing its tech ambitions with the realities of tight grocery margins and evolving consumer habits.
Tech
OpenAI’s new Sora app flooded with terrifying Sam Altman deepfakes and bizarre AI videos…
From pigs scrolling TikTok to Pokémon lawsuits, OpenAI’s Sora turns into a surreal deepfake playground less than 24 hours after launch.

When OpenAI unveiled its new social media app Sora, it promised a bold new way to experience AI-generated video. What early users received, however, feels more like a nightmarish fever dream starring none other than Sam Altman himself.
Within hours of launch, the invite-only app was overrun with uncanny deepfakes of the OpenAI CEO. In one viral clip, Altman appears inside a factory farm packed with pink pigs, each pen equipped with a smartphone streaming vertical videos. Staring directly at the camera, the AI-generated Altman asks chillingly: “Are my piggies enjoying their slop?”
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Moments later, the feed shifts to another surreal scene — Altman standing in a field of Pokémon, from Pikachu to Bulbasaur, casually remarking: “I hope Nintendo doesn’t sue us.”
The internet’s new obsession: Altman everywhere
The bizarre trend didn’t stop there. Users generated videos of “Altman” pouring Starbucks lattes for Pikachu and Eric Cartman, yelling at customers behind a McDonald’s counter, or even running away from police after stealing Nvidia GPUs from a Target store.
The app itself cheekily acknowledges the chaos. In some clips, Altman’s AI double announces, “This content may violate our guardrails concerning third-party likeness,” before bursting into hysterical laughter — as if mocking the very warnings the app is designed to enforce.

Copyright chaos on display
Sora is already under fire for how it handles copyright. Unlike most platforms where creators must opt in to allow their content to be used, OpenAI has flipped the model: copyright holders must opt out to prevent their works from appearing. Legal experts say this raises troubling questions, especially when videos depict characters like Naruto, Mario, or even Pikachu performing adult or absurd actions.
“People are pushing Sora’s boundaries just to see how far it will go,” one user posted on X, pointing to clips of Mario smoking weed or Pikachu performing ASMR.
Why Sora feels different
What sets Sora apart from other AI apps, including the Meta AI feed, is the realism. OpenAI has fine-tuned its video generator to obey the laws of physics more convincingly, making scenes look disturbingly authentic. The more convincing these deepfakes become, the greater the risk they’ll be used for misinformation, bullying, or worse.
Sora is, at its core, a deepfake generator with social features. Upon joining, users are prompted to create a “cameo” by recording biometric data — turning their heads, reading numbers aloud, and effectively handing the app a digital replica of their likeness. Users can then choose who’s allowed to generate content with their cameo: “only me,” “people I approve,” “mutuals,” or “everyone.”
A glimpse into the future?
The frenzy around Altman deepfakes highlights both the allure and the dangers of this technology. On one hand, it showcases Sora’s jaw-dropping realism and creative potential. On the other, it raises urgent ethical questions: What happens when hyper-realistic AI versions of public figures — or private individuals — flood the internet without consent?
For now, Sora is invite-only, but if this is the preview, the public launch could be even more chaotic. Whether it becomes the next TikTok of AI or collapses under controversy, one thing is certain: Sam Altman will never look at a Target store the same way again.
Tech
Google celebrates 27th birthday as a spelling mistake turns into the world’s biggest search engine

Almost every internet user around the globe interacts with Google daily — searching, mapping, emailing, or watching videos on YouTube, another Google-owned platform. But on its 27th birthday, celebrated on September 27, many still wonder: what does the name “Google” really mean, and how did it come to define the digital age?
The meaning behind Google
The name “Google” is actually derived from the mathematical term Googol — the number 1 followed by 100 zeros (10¹⁰⁰). The word was first coined by Milton Sirotta, the young nephew of American mathematician Edward Kasner, as a playful way to describe unimaginably large numbers.

For founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, two Stanford University Ph.D. students in the late 1990s, the term reflected their ambition: to organize a seemingly infinite amount of information on the internet and make it accessible to everyone.
From BackRub to Google
Google wasn’t always Google. In 1996, Brin and Page created a search engine prototype and named it BackRub, referencing the system’s ability to analyze “backlinks” on web pages. But by 1997, the pair realized the name lacked the ambition and gravitas their project deserved.
Brainstorming led them to consider “Googolplex” — a number that is 1 followed by a Googol of zeros. Eventually, they settled on the shorter Googol. But fate, and a small spelling error, had other plans.
A typo that changed the internet
During the process of registering the website, graduate student Sean Anderson accidentally typed “Google” instead of “Googol” while checking domain availability. To everyone’s surprise, google.com was available. Larry Page immediately approved, and within hours the domain was officially registered.

What was once a typo became one of the most recognizable names — and companies — in human history.
The rise of a global giant
Google officially incorporated on September 4, 1998, though the company celebrates its birthday on September 27, marking key internal milestones. What started in a garage in Menlo Park, California, grew into a powerhouse that now dominates global search, advertising, cloud computing, and mobile operating systems through Android.
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In 2015, Google restructured under a new parent company, Alphabet Inc., with Indian-born executive Sundar Pichai appointed as CEO of both Google and Alphabet. Brin and Page remain influential insiders with significant voting power.

Today, Google processes over 8.5 billion searches per day, owns a portfolio of services including Gmail, Maps, and Drive, and is at the forefront of artificial intelligence with products like Gemini.
A name that became a verb
The misspelled name did more than build a brand — it became a verb. To “Google” something is now synonymous with searching for information online, a linguistic achievement that underscores its cultural dominance.
From a typo on a university campus to the backbone of the digital age, Google’s story shows how small accidents can shape history. On its 27th birthday, the company remains a giant not just of technology, but of modern language and daily life.
Tech
iPhone 17 Air Launch Shocks Fans with 10 Powerful Features and Stunning Price in USA
Apple’s thinnest smartphone ever brings a 48MP Fusion camera, A19 Pro chip, recycled titanium body, and a major focus on Apple Intelligence.

The iPhone 17 Air has finally arrived, and it is already being called one of the most stylish yet powerful smartphones ever designed by Apple. Launched as part of the 2025 lineup, this device combines ultra-slim design with groundbreaking technology, promising to redefine how users experience photography, performance, and intelligence on a phone.
With a 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR display, 48MP Fusion camera system, and the all-new A19 Pro chip, the iPhone 17 Air has been engineered for speed, durability, and creativity. Apple has also doubled down on sustainability, using 80% recycled titanium in its construction while still delivering premium aesthetics in four beautiful colors.

1. Camera: A True Photographer’s Dream
The iPhone 17 Air comes with a 48MP Fusion camera system, capable of shooting 24MP photos by default. Apple has packed in multiple focal lengths (26mm, 28mm, 35mm, and 52mm), effectively giving users “four lenses in their pocket.”
Other highlights include:
- 2x Telephoto zoom for professional close-ups.
- Next-generation portraits powered by Apple’s AI algorithms.
- Action Mode for sports and fast movement.
- Dolby Vision 4K60 recording with cinematic quality.
Selfie lovers aren’t left behind either—thanks to the Center Stage front camera, video calls and vlogs are smarter and more dynamic.
2. Performance: A19 Pro Chip
At the heart of the device lies the new A19 Pro chip, designed for blazing speed and efficiency. Combined with Apple Intelligence (AI), it promises smarter photography, faster multitasking, and seamless app handling.

3. Durability Redefined
Apple claims the Ceramic Shield 2 offers 3x better scratch resistance on the front and 4x stronger crack resistance on the back compared to older iPhones. This makes the iPhone 17 Air one of the most durable premium smartphones on the market.
4. Display & Battery
The 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR display now supports ProMotion up to 120Hz, delivering smooth scrolling and vivid detail. Paired with all-day battery life, the phone ensures power users can enjoy high-performance tasks without constant charging.
5. Audio & Video Experience
The device also features Audio Mix with Spatial Audio, turning movies, music, and calls into immersive experiences. Content creators will especially appreciate dual capture recording, letting them film from front and back cameras simultaneously.

6. Sustainability with Style
For the first time, the iPhone 17 Air uses 80% recycled titanium, aligning with Apple’s environmental goals without compromising design.
iPhone 17 Air Price in USA
The iPhone 17 Air is expected to start around $899 for the base model (128GB) and may go up to $1,199 for higher storage variants. Apple aims to position this device between the standard iPhone 17 and the iPhone 17 Pro models.
Final Verdict
The iPhone 17 Air isn’t just thinner—it’s smarter, stronger, and more creative. With the perfect balance of design, performance, and eco-friendly innovation, this phone is likely to be one of the biggest upgrades in recent iPhone history.
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