WSJ Tech News Briefing

Episode: TNB Tech Minute: AWS Unveils AI Agents It Says Can Work for Days at a Time
Date: December 2, 2025
Host: Julie Chang

Episode Overview

This Tech Minute covers major announcements from Amazon Web Services (AWS) about breakthroughs in generative AI, as well as updates on tech regulation in Europe and U.S. government investments in semiconductor manufacturing. The episode’s central theme is the rapid evolution and enterprise adoption of AI—including AWS’s new “AI agents” that promise to work for companies autonomously for extended periods.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. AWS Announces Long-Running Generative AI Agents

• AWS reveals new AI agents: Designed to complete complex tasks autonomously for hours or even days without frequent human intervention.
• According to AWS, these agents are a significant leap from existing generative AI solutions that often stall or ask for help during extended or complex workflows.

Notable Quote:

"This change is going to have as much impact on your business as the Internet or the cloud. I believe that in the future there's going to be billions of agents inside of every company and across every imaginable field."
— Matt Garman, AWS CEO [00:44]

2. AWS Unveils Novaforge

• Private training of foundation models: Companies can now use Novaforge to train proprietary instances of Amazon’s Nov Nova models on their own internal data.
• The goal is to enable highly customized AI that’s secure and fine-tuned for an organization’s specific needs and use cases.

3. Apple Faces Antitrust Lawsuits in the Netherlands

• EU court ruling: The European Union’s top court allows Apple to face antitrust lawsuits in the Netherlands regarding the App Store’s terms and developer fees.
• Case centers on accusations of Apple abusing its dominant market position, hurting both developers and consumers with high fees.

Details:

• Two Dutch foundations filed claims in Amsterdam, focusing on Apple’s control over app distribution and associated costs.
• Apple argued lack of jurisdiction, but the court disagreed, highlighting Apple’s market-specific App Store tailored for Dutch users.

4. U.S. Government Invests in Semiconductor Startup XLite

• Chip innovation drive: The Commerce Department announces a potential $150 million investment in XLite—a U.S. startup aiming to advance EUV (extreme ultraviolet) lithography for semiconductor manufacturing.
• In exchange for the investment, the government would become XLite’s largest shareholder.
• XLite, led by former Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger (now executive chairman), aims to produce its first silicon wafers by 2028.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:16] Julie Chang introduces major AWS AI updates
• [00:44] Matt Garman’s quote on the sweeping business impact of AI agents
• [00:55] Details on AWS Novaforge service
• [01:10] European Union court allows Dutch lawsuit against Apple
• [01:45] U.S. government's $150 million investment in XLite, new chipmaking startup

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Matt Garman, AWS CEO [00:44]:

  "This change is going to have as much impact on your business as the Internet or the cloud. I believe that in the future there's going to be billions of agents inside of every company and across every imaginable field."

• Host Julie Chang on EU Ruling [01:10]:

  "The foundations said that the fees that Apple charges developers for setting up shop on the App Store are unfair and harm consumers. Apple argued that judges in the Netherlands don't have jurisdiction to hear the legal challenge, but the court dismissed that argument..."

Summary & Takeaway

This episode delivers a rapid-fire overview of the latest in tech:

• AWS is doubling down on durable, proactive AI agents with broad enterprise ambitions.
• Novaforge promises the tools to make these AI solutions company-specific and data-secure.
• European regulators are pushing back on Big Tech's business models, with Apple now facing legal challenges in the Netherlands.
• The U.S. is ramping up efforts to domesticate advanced chip manufacturing with major investments in startups like XLite.

For listeners, it’s a concise look at how AI, regulation, and industrial strategy are colliding to shape the next chapter of the tech landscape.