DNS News Today — September 17, 2026

The rapid evolution of technology is creating both opportunities and challenges for companies and individuals alike. As AI continues to advance, concerns around data centers and their environmental impact are coming to the forefront, with Al Gore offering a measured perspective on the backlash. Meanwhile, companies like Anthropic and OpenAI are taking steps to prioritize safety by embedding evaluators, but questions remain about their independence. The growing importance of AI is also leading to a re-evaluation of legacy IT assets, as enterprises look to invest in new technologies and shed outdated systems.

In other developments, tech giants like Microsoft are facing increased scrutiny, with a recent court order requiring the company to disclose internal documents and examine executive communications in a secondhand licensing case. Cybersecurity is also a top concern, with Google revealing that some Pixel phone owners were hacked in zero-day attacks. As the tech landscape continues to shift, some are predicting a significant change in the way we interact with technology, with Science Corp CEO Max Hodak suggesting that the screen era is coming to an end. These stories and more are driving the conversation in the world of AI, agents, and technology, and we'll be exploring them in more depth throughout today's edition of DNSNews.

Today's signal:
• Judge orders Microsoft to spill internal docs and scour execs' comms in secondhand licensing case (theregister.com)
• Al Gore has a surprisingly calm take on the AI data center backlash (techcrunch.com)
• Anthropic and OpenAI want to embed safety evaluators. Will they really be independent? (techcrunch.com)
• Hear why Science Corp CEO Max Hodak says the screen era is ending at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 (techcrunch.com)
• Enterprises are sweating legacy IT assets as AI investment grows (theregister.com)
• Google says some Pixel phone owners were hacked in zero-day attacks (techcrunch.com)