Tech World in Flux: AI Concerns, Epstein Ties, and Affordable Upgrades

The tech world is abuzz with news, from concerns over AI spending to revelations about tech titans' ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Meanwhile, Microsoft is offering a discounted upgrade to Windows 11 Pro, and a new app is turning screen time into hands-on learning for kids. On Friday, tech stocks took a hit on Wall Street, with investors spooked by record AI infrastructure spending. According to CNBC, the sell-off resulted in a $1 trillion loss for Big Tech stocks, with companies like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft seeing significant declines. The spark for the sell-off was Amazon's fourth-quarter earnings report, which projected a $200 billion capital expenditure in 2026, $50 billion higher than expected. The concerns over AI spending are not unfounded. Big tech companies have been furiously ramping up their investments in AI, with Amazon and Google shifting focus to AI products and services. However, this increased spending has raised concerns about the potential for an AI bubble. As GAM Investments' investment director Paul Markham told CNBC, "AI is a very exciting space, but it's also a very crowded space." In other news, a review of the Department of Justice's latest release of Jeffrey Epstein files has revealed that the deceased sex offender had ties to several tech titans, including Bill Gates, Reid Hoffman, Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos. While none of these individuals have been accused of participating in Epstein's abuse and trafficking of minors, the revelations have raised questions about the tech industry's connections to Epstein. In more positive news, Microsoft is offering a discounted upgrade to Windows 11 Pro, available for $12.97 through March 22. This is a significant discount from the usual price of $199, and offers a wallet-friendly way to upgrade to the latest operating system. With support for Office apps on Windows 10 set to end in October, this is a timely opportunity for users to upgrade to a more secure and modern operating system. Finally, a new app is turning screen time into hands-on learning for kids. Pok Pok is a Montessori-inspired app that offers a range of entertaining activities for children aged 2-8, in a calm and non-addictive format. The app is designed to inspire learning without feeling like a chore, and is available for a lifetime subscription of just $44.97 with code PLAY through February 15. In other entertainment news, Wordle fans can find today's answer and hints for February 7, 2026, online. The popular word game, created by engineer Josh Wardle, has become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people playing every day. Overall, the tech world is in a state of flux, with concerns over AI spending, revelations about tech titans' ties to Jeffrey Epstein, and opportunities for affordable upgrades and hands-on learning. As the industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these stories play out in the coming months. Sources: * CNBC: "AI bubble watch: Spooked market sparks $1 trillion Friday tech sell-off" * Mashable: "The tech titans who show up in the Epstein files" * Microsoft: "Upgrade to Windows 11 Pro for $12.97" * Pok Pok: "Turn screen time into hands-on learning with Pok Pok" * Wordle: "Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 7, 2026"