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Tech Pulse Daily - December 14, 2025 (Weekend Edition)

Dillip Chowdary

Dillip Chowdary

Tech Entrepreneur & Innovator

December 14, 2025 | 5 min read

Weekend Top Highlights

  • ANALYSIS: MIT Technology Review declares 2025 "a year of reckoning" for AI, marking the start of hype correction
  • MEGA ROUND: Databricks secures $4B+ Series L at $134B valuation, surpasses $4.8B ARR
  • SECURITY: React2Shell CVE-2025-55182 CISA deadline Dec 26 - 12 days to patch
  • Microsoft React2Shell defense guide published with recommended mitigations
  • AI safety concerns intensify as labs acknowledge next-gen cyberthreats

MIT Technology Review: 2025 is AI's Year of Reckoning

In a comprehensive analysis, MIT Technology Review has declared 2025 "a year of reckoning" for artificial intelligence, marking the beginning of a much-needed correction to inflated AI expectations.

  • Key Finding: July 2025 MIT study found 95% of businesses that tried AI found zero value
  • Reality Check: Enterprise AI deployments facing significant ROI challenges
  • Industry Response: Companies reassessing AI investment timelines and expectations
  • Developer Impact: Increased focus on practical, measurable AI applications

Read MIT Technology Review's full analysis →

Databricks Raises $4B+ at $134 Billion Valuation

Data and AI platform Databricks has secured over $4 billion in a Series L funding round, valuing the company at $134 billion as it continues its rapid growth trajectory.

  • Funding Amount: Over $4 billion in Series L round
  • Valuation: $134 billion, making it one of the most valuable private tech companies
  • Revenue: Surpassed $4.8 billion annual revenue run rate
  • Growth Rate: More than 55% year-over-year revenue growth

Read funding details on TechStartups →

CRITICAL: React2Shell Patching Deadline - 12 Days Remaining

The CISA deadline for patching CVE-2025-55182 (React2Shell) is December 26, 2025 - just 12 days away. Microsoft has published a comprehensive defense guide for organizations using React Server Components.

  • CVE: CVE-2025-55182 - CVSS 10.0 (Maximum Severity)
  • CISA Deadline: December 26, 2025 (12 days remaining)
  • Affected: React Server Components, Next.js, and related frameworks
  • Fix: No workaround - upgrade to patched versions required

Developer Action Required:

  • Update React to latest patched version immediately
  • Update Next.js to 15.1.0+ or latest in your major version
  • Audit all server component implementations
  • Review Microsoft's defense guide for additional mitigations

Read Microsoft's React2Shell Defense Guide →

Week Ahead: What to Watch

Key events and deadlines developers should prepare for in the coming week:

  • Dec 15 (Mon): Expected ChatGPT Images major update announcement
  • Dec 17 (Wed): Google Gemini 3 Flash expected general availability
  • Dec 18 (Thu): Node.js security releases (v25.x, v24.x, v22.x, v20.x)
  • Dec 26 (Thu): React2Shell CVE-2025-55182 CISA patching deadline

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