As of 07:19 (UTC+7), 9 November 2026
Tech news for November 9, 2026: Nvidia’s board opened an independent investigation after reports that CEO Jensen Huang was the target of a foreign intelligence effort. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple could make Siri more like an agent as early as next year (unconfirmed), and UK minister Lisa Nandy said the government is looking seriously at banning under-16s from Vinted and eBay. CNBC reported that Amazon is building a new home-robot team, and NASA opened a $1 million Moon Base Student Challenge.
Nvidia board opens independent investigation over reports Jensen Huang was a foreign intelligence target
What happened
In a statement dated 8 November, Nvidia’s board said it is “initiating an independent investigation in light of recent reporting that founder and CEO Jensen Huang has been the target of a foreign intelligence effort.” A committee of independent directors, assisted by outside independent counsel, will oversee it. The board said it has “no reason to believe that either national security or NVIDIA secrets were compromised,” but that the inquiry will examine all available information, and that Huang fully supports the review and has committed to cooperating.
In a staff email published by CNBC, Huang wrote: “I was unfaithful to my wife” and “There is no excuse for what I did. I am deeply sorry.” Nvidia told CNBC: “Today’s news will not slow NVIDIA. Jensen is committed to continuing to lead NVIDIA as CEO without interruption.” CNBC also reported that three House Republican committee chairs asked Huang to attend a closed-door briefing with lawmakers on 18 November, a day after Nvidia is scheduled to report third-quarter earnings.
Why it matters
Nvidia is one of the most closely watched companies in AI, and Huang is its best-known face. A board-led review and a request from lawmakers put that leadership in the spotlight right before an earnings report.
Source: NVIDIA Newsroom, 8 Nov; CNBC, 8 Nov; CNBC, 8 Nov
Bloomberg: Apple could make Siri more like an AI agent as early as next year (unconfirmed report)
What happened
In his Power On newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman wrote that “Ternus pushed his software chief to accelerate the company’s road map and move quickly beyond merely making necessary improvements to Siri,” as quoted by 9to5Mac. Gurman added: “I believe the company could make Siri more like an agent as early as next year.”
He also reported a change to how Apple builds software. For the M1 milestone of the current cycle (the first iOS 28 cycle, according to 9to5Mac), “Instead of the normal split between two four-week efforts, Apple engineers were tasked with six weeks of coding, exploration and feature development, and then only two weeks of convergence.” Treat all of this as unconfirmed: it is a report, not an Apple announcement.
Why it matters
An agent-style Siri would take on multi-step tasks for iPhone users instead of answering one request at a time. If the report is right, the shift in Apple’s schedule is meant to give engineers more room to build that kind of feature.
Source: 9to5Mac, 8 Nov; 9to5Mac, 8 Nov; The Verge, 8 Nov, all citing Bloomberg
UK minister Lisa Nandy says government is “looking seriously” at banning under-16s from Vinted and eBay
What happened
Asked on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme whether the government wanted to ban under-16s from Vinted and eBay, Lisa Nandy said: “We are looking seriously at doing so in order to keep children safe,” the BBC reported. The UK’s social media ban for under-16s is set to take effect in March next year and will bar children from platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat, according to the BBC.
eBay said it was looking forward to “understanding more and continuing to work constructively with the government,” while Vinted said it welcomed “open dialogue” with ministers and the regulator. The BBC noted that eBay’s website already says members must be over 18, and that Vinted has grown to 17 million UK users.
Why it matters
Adding resale marketplaces would push the UK’s age rules beyond classic social apps to any site where strangers can message each other. Families who buy and sell second-hand goods online should watch for the final list of covered platforms.
Source: BBC News, 8 Nov
Amazon builds a new home-robot team after Astro, CNBC reports
What happened
According to a CNBC analysis of job posts, Amazon has assembled a new team over the past several months that is working on a “new-to-world robot product.” One recent engineering listing, since removed, stated: “Robots are about to step out of the movies and into our homes.” CNBC reported that in March Amazon bought New York-based Fauna Robotics, which built a 3.5-foot-tall humanoid called Sprout, and said Fauna would join a new Personal Robotics Group.
CNBC said Amazon’s earlier $1,450 Astro robot never moved beyond an invite-only product and shipped to just a few thousand customers. Amazon spokesperson Brad Glasser told CNBC: “We’re optimistic about a future where personal robots are helping people in meaningful ways in everyday life, and we intend to play an important role in making that future a reality.”
Why it matters
Home robots are one of the next big bets for AI hardware. A second Amazon attempt, built on a humanoid start-up it already owns, signals the company still sees a mass market after Astro stayed niche.
Source: CNBC, 8 Nov
NASA opens $1 million Moon Base Student Challenge for U.S. high school and post-secondary teams
What happened
On Sunday, 8 November, NASA announced the opening of its $1 million Moon Base Student Challenge during a MAX POWER event at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. The competition invites student teams at U.S. high schools and post-secondary schools to contribute designs for the Moon Base across six categories: power generation and storage, construction, life-support systems, surface mobility, communications networks, and astronaut safety.
NASA said deliverables such as trade studies, concept proposals and stakeholder briefings do not require prior specialized engineering or technical experience. Teams register through the NASA STEM Gateway, and registration is open until 25 January 2027. The Institute of Competition Sciences administers the challenge. “You do not have to wait until graduation to contribute,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman.
Why it matters
The challenge opens part of NASA’s Moon Base planning to students, and the topics match real problems crews will face, from power to communications. The registration deadline is the date for school teams to plan around.
Source: NASA RELEASE 26-096, 8 Nov
Frequently asked questions
Why is Nvidia investigating Jensen Huang?
Nvidia’s board said it is initiating an independent investigation in light of recent reporting that Huang has been the target of a foreign intelligence effort. A committee of independent directors, assisted by outside independent counsel, will oversee it. The board said it has no reason to believe national security or Nvidia secrets were compromised, and that Huang supports the review.
Is Apple making Siri an AI agent?
Not officially. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman wrote that he believes Apple could make Siri more like an agent as early as next year. That is an unconfirmed report, not an Apple announcement.
Will under-16s be banned from Vinted and eBay in the UK?
No decision has been announced. Lisa Nandy told the BBC the government is “looking seriously” at it. The UK’s wider under-16 social media ban is set to take effect in March next year, according to the BBC.
How can students enter NASA’s Moon Base Student Challenge?
NASA said U.S. high school and post-secondary student teams register through the NASA STEM Gateway, with registration open until 25 January 2027.
Sources checked on 9 November 2026 (UTC+7). Each story links to its official source or names the outlet that reported it.
TravelyData summarises public announcements and reports for general information. Details can change. Check the linked sources before you act.
