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Microsoft considered buying Cursor but didn't pull the trigger before SpaceX's deal. Microsoft launches its first-ever voluntary retirement program, Anthropic's secondary market valuation hits $1T on Forge Global, and SpaceX's S-1 reveals plans to manufacture its own GPUs. Sources: Microsoft considered buying Cursor in recent weeks but didn't make an offer; Microsoft has been working to boost GitHub Copilot's popularity (CNBC) Microsoft announces the first voluntary retirement program in its 50-year history, for US staffers whose combined years of service added to their age totals 70+ (The Verge) Kalshi suspends and fines congressional candidates Mark Moran of Virginia, Matt Klein of Minnesota, and Ezekiel Enriquez of Texas for political insider trading (CNBC) Anthropic's valuation has hit $1T on Forge Global, a leading private marketplace exchange, surpassing OpenAI's valuation on the platform of $880B (Business Insider) A poll of 4,000 workers in the US and the UK finds that the highest

SpaceX struck a deal giving it the option to acquire Cursor for $60B or pay $10B, as xAI scrambles to catch up in AI coding. Google unveiled new TPUs and an agent platform, OpenAI shipped ChatGPT Images 2.0, and Mythos got accessed by unauthorized users. SpaceX says it's working with Cursor to build "the world's most useful models" and it has the right to acquire Cursor for $60B or pay $10B for the partnership (NYT) Google unveils a new TPU lineup consisting of the TPU 8t for AI training and the TPU 8i for inference, with general availability scheduled for later in 2026 (Bloomberg) OpenAI releases ChatGPT Images 2.0 with new "thinking capabilities", allowing it to search the web to help it create multiple images from a single prompt (The Verge) Source: a handful of unauthorized users in a private Discord channel have been accessing Anthropic's Mythos model since the day the company announced it (Bloomberg) Meta is installing tracking software on US staffers' computers to capture mouse mov

Apple named John Ternus as its next CEO, with Tim Cook stepping up to executive chairman on September 1. Amazon agrees to invest up to $25B more in Anthropic, Bezos' Project Prometheus nears a $10B raise, and SpaceX's IPO prospectus reveals Musk's power moves. John Ternus, senior VP of Hardware Engineering, will become Apple's next CEO on September 1; Tim Cook will become executive chairman of Apple's board (CNBC) Amazon agrees to invest up to $25B in Anthropic, on top of the $8B that it has already invested; Anthropic commits to spend $100B+ on AWS over the next 10 years (CNBC) Sources: Jeff Bezos' Project Prometheus is close to a $10B fundraising deal, which includes an initial $6.2B raise in November, at a $38B post-money valuation (FT) Draft of SpaceX's confidential IPO prospectus: Elon Musk increased his stake in SpaceX last year by purchasing $1.4B of stock from current and former employees (The Information) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vercel confirmed a breach traced to an AI platform's compromised OAuth app. The NSA is using Anthropic's Mythos despite the Pentagon blacklist. Mac Minis face 12-week wait times from AI agent demand, and humanoid robots crushed the Beijing half-marathon. Vercel says its internal systems were accessed after a Vercel employee's Google Workspace account was compromised via a breach at the AI platform Context.ai (BleepingComputer) Sources: the US NSA is using Mythos Preview; one source says Mythos is also being widely used within the DoD, despite Anthropic's supply chain risk designation (Axios) Adobe introduces CX Enterprise, an AI agent-based platform that aims to help corporate customers automate digital marketing and other functions (WSJ) Some Mac Mini and Mac Studio models are unavailable or facing up to 12-week wait times in the US, with analysts citing strong demand from AI agent power users (WSJ) Deezer says AI-generated tracks now account for 44% of daily uploads, totaling ~75K track

Netflix beat on revenue and income but dropped 10%+ on weak Q2 guidance as Reed Hastings exits the board. Anthropic launches Claude Design, OpenAI overhauls Codex Desktop with computer control, and DeepSeek seeks its first outside funding at $10B+. Netflix reports Q1 revenue up 16% YoY to $12.25B, vs. $12.2B est., net income up 83% YoY to $5.28B, and forecasts Q2 EPS and revenue below est.; NFLX drops 10%+ (Bloomberg) Anthropic launches Claude Design, a new experimental product that lets users create visuals like prototypes, slides, one-pagers, and more using Claude (TechCrunch) Sources: Dario Amodei is set to meet with WH Chief of Staff Susie Wiles on Friday, a breakthrough in Anthropic's effort to resolve its fight with the Pentagon (Axios) OpenAI updates its Codex desktop app with features like computer control, an in-app browser, image generation, automation memory, plugin support, and more (ZDNet) Sources: DeepSeek is in talks to raise outside capital for the first time, seeking at l

Anthropic drops Claude Opus 4.7 for coding and rolls out government ID verification for some users. TSMC beats earnings, raises forecasts on strong AI demand. X launches Cashtags, and Google's SpaceX stake could hit $100 billion at IPO. Anthropic releases Claude Opus 4.7, a "notable improvement" in advanced software engineering with a new "xhigh" effort level (Anthropic) TSMC CEO C.C. Wei says AI demand still strong amid Iran war, raises revenue forecasts (WSJ) Anthropic rolls out identity verification requiring government-issued photo ID and live selfie for "certain capabilities" (Decrypt) X launches Cashtags, showing real-time financial data on stocks and crypto, starting with iOS in the US and Canada (The Block) Google owns ~5% SpaceX stake; at a $2T IPO valuation, that's worth $100B (Bloomberg) Learn more at liquid.trade/techbrew. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Snap is cutting 16% of its workforce—about 1,000 people—as Spiegel blames AI for making everyone more efficient (read: expendable). Allbirds, the shoe company that sold for $39M, is pivoting its shell to become an AI compute provider called NewBird AI. OpenAI drops a cybersecurity-specific model, Google launches a desktop search app and Chrome AI Skills, and law firms say AI-generated client docs are actually creating MORE work, not less. Snap CEO Evan Spiegel says the company plans to lay off ~1,000 full-time employees, or 16% of its global workforce (Bloomberg) Allbirds, sold last week for $39M, says it aims to become an AI compute provider; BIRD jumps 350%+ (FT) OpenAI rolls out GPT-5.4-Cyber, a fine-tuned variant for defensive cybersecurity (Bloomberg) Google launches a Windows desktop app with a Spotlight-like search box (9to5Google) Google launches Skills, repeatable AI prompts that Chrome users can run with a keyboard shortcut (Wired) Law firms say lawyers are spending more tim

Amazon's dropping $10.8 billion on Globalstar to beef up its Leo satellite network and challenge Starlink — and Apple's along for the ride. Plus, federal charges for the Sam Altman attacker, OpenAI acqui-hires a fintech startup, Google declares war on back button hijacking, data labeling startups are printing money, and Missouri voters revolt over a data center. Amazon agrees to acquire satellite operator Globalstar for $10.8B to expand Leo satellite network; Amazon and Apple say Leo will power some iPhone and Watch services (Amazon) Amazon to Acquire Globalstar in Satellite Cellular-Connection Push (WSJ) US DOJ charges Daniel Moreno-Gama, accused of throwing a Molotov cocktail at Sam Altman's home, with attempted murder and arson (CNN) Man who attacked OpenAI CEO's home had list of other AI executives (NYT) OpenAI acquires personal finance startup Hiro Finance (TechCrunch) Google designates "back button hijacking" as malicious, sites could be demoted in Search from June 15 (9to5Googl

Sam Altman's home has been targeted twice in three days, first a Molotov cocktail, then a shooting from a passing car. Apple is testing four designs for AI smart glasses. OpenAI is touting its Amazon partnership while publicly distancing from Microsoft. GPU prices are surging as an agentic AI compute crunch threatens the whole industry. And Mark Zuckerberg is still keen on photorealistic Metaverse avatars. Sam Altman's home targeted in second attack; two suspects arrested (SF Standard) Apple AI Smart Glasses Features, Styles, Colors, Cameras; Giannandrea Leaving (Bloomberg) OpenAI touts Amazon alliance in memo, says Microsoft has 'limited our ability' to reach clients (CNBC) AI Is Using So Much Energy That Computing Firepower Is Running Out (WSJ) Meta builds AI version of Mark Zuckerberg to interact with staff (FT) Learn more at liquid.trade/techbrew. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The US government is taking the Anthropic warning seriously. Google is showing prediction markets alongside various search results. Europeans ARE beginning to decouple from US tech. Kicking the tires on SpaceX’s actual business. And, of course, the Weekend Longreads Suggestions. Anthropic Model Scare Sparks Urgent Bessent, Powell Warning to Bank CEOs (Bloomberg) Google rolls out Gmail end-to-end encryption on mobile devices (Bleeping Computer) Google News Now Prominently Featuring Polymarket Bets (Futurism) France to ditch Windows for Linux to reduce reliance on US tech (TechCrunch) YouTube Premium is getting pricier (The Verge) OpenAI Backs Bill That Would Limit Liability for AI-Enabled Mass Deaths or Financial Disasters (Wired) SpaceX Posted Nearly $5 Billion Loss Last Year from AI Spending (The Information) Weekend Longreads Suggestion: An Internet of Checkpoints (Longreads) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meta releases its first model in the great AI horserace catchup race. OpenAI is expecting to make as much money from ads as the biggest social media companies. Meta doesn’t want you to see ads encouraging you to join lawsuits against them. And Amazon’s big Starlink competitor is coming as soon as this summer. Meta releases first AI model since Zuckerberg’s spending spree (FT) AI Horserace Thread (@emollick) Anthropic Completes Tender Offer, But Employees Hold Onto Shares (Bloomberg) OpenAI Forecasts Advertising to Hit $102 billion by 2030 (The Information) Scoop: Meta removes ads for social media addiction litigation (Axios) Amazon’s Starlink competitor Leo gets a new date (The Verge) Deere settles US right-to-repair lawsuit with $99 million fund, repair commitments (Reuters) Gen Z Is Using A.I., but Doesn’t Feel Great About It (NYTimes) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I’ve got another potential tipping point day for you. Anthropic is making yet more shockwaves across the industry by NOT releasing a model. Why? Because it could potentially break everything software related. Does that matter if the Chinese AI companies will just release everything open source? And Elon says he personally doesn’t want a dime from Sam Altman. Anthropic says its most powerful AI cyber model is too dangerous to release publicly — so it built Project Glasswing (VentureBeat) AI joins the 8-hour work day as GLM ships 5.1 open source LLM, beating Opus 4.6 and GPT-5.4 on SWE-Bench Pro (VentureBeat) Elon Musk Asks for OpenAI’s Nonprofit to Get Any Damages From His Lawsuit (WSJ) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anthropic’s new deal with Google and Broadcom (and some newly released numbers) might be the tipping point in a couple of AI Horse Races. The gold rush/landgrab in the world model space. The dubious goldrush for SEO in the AI era. And an urgent wakeup call in the quantum computing will break cryptography space. Anthropic Tops $30 Billion Run Rate, Seals Deal With Broadcom (Bloomberg) Jeff Bezos’s new lab hires xAI co-founder from OpenAI (FT) How Accurate Are Google’s A.I. Overviews? (NYTimes) Can AI responses be influenced? The SEO industry is trying (The Verge) A Cryptography Engineer’s Perspective on Quantum Computing Timelines (Filippo Valsorda) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There might be... and I know this is going to shock you... some drama going on over at OpenAI. Why is Anthropic cutting off Claude access to OpenClaw? Why are VCs covering the rent for founders who drop out of college? And maybe that two person unicorn I shared with you in the longreads is not what it was cracked up to be. OpenAI CEO and CFO Diverge on IPO Timing (The Information) Anthropic essentially bans OpenClaw from Claude by making subscribers pay extra (The Verge) Samsung Messages will be discontinued in July as part of Google Messages upgrade (9to5Google) Software job openings surge this year, defying AI fears (Business Insider) These AI Whiz Kids Dropped Out of College and Got Investors to Pay Their Bills (WSJ) The back story behind the first “$1.8 Billion” dollar “AI Company” (Marcus on AI) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode explores the fascinating journey of Demis Hesabis and the development of AI through the lens of Sebastian Malaby's book, The Infinity Machine. We delve into the minds of AI pioneers, their motivations, and the race to achieve superintelligence, offering insights into the future of technology and humanity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SpaceX is officially kicking off the year of the biggest IPOs ever. More job cuts and more signs AI is the cause, in one way or another. Microsoft makes its first public moves to divorce itself from OpenAI when it comes to AI models. And a billion-dollar company with only two employees? You guessed it: AI is why. SpaceX Has Filed Confidentially for IPO Ahead of AI Rivals (Bloomberg) Larry Ellison’s Oracle cuts thousands of jobs after AI push (The Times of London) US Job-Cut Announcements in Tech Keep Rising With AI Adoption (Bloomberg) Cloudflare launches EmDash — the 'spiritual successor' that wants to take on WordPress (Tech Radar) Alibaba Unveils Third Closed-Source AI Model in Focus on Profit (Bloomberg) Microsoft launches 3 new AI models in direct shot at OpenAI and Google (VentureBeat) Weekend Longreads Suggestions: How A.I. Helped One Man (and His Brother) Build a $1.8 Billion Company (NYTimes) AI Perfected Chess. Humans Made It Unpredictable Again (Bloomberg) Lear

OpenAI closes a monster round, but does Anthropic continue to steal their thunder? Is that Anthropic code leak from yesterday a bigger deal for them than I thought it was? What can happen when all the self-driving cars shut down at once. And you are finally able to change that embarrassing Gmail account you’ve been living with. OpenAI closes record-breaking $122 billion funding round as anticipation builds for IPO (CNBC) OpenAI raises $3bn from retail investors as part of record funding haul (FT) OpenAI Is Falling Out of Favor With Secondary Buyers (Bloomberg) Anthropic Races to Contain Leak of Code Behind Claude AI Agent (WSJ) Claude Code Leak Reveals Always-On ‘Kairos’ Agent (The Information) Robotaxi Outage in China Leaves Passengers Stranded on Highways (Wired) You can finally replace your embarrassing Gmail username (The Verge) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is the Iran war coming for US tech companies specifically? Meta unveils new smartglasses. A leak gives us a look at how Claude Code works. SpaceX is losing contact with satellites for reasons we don’t know yet. And Whoop is the big wearable player I guess we don’t talk about enough. Iran says it will target US tech companies in Middle East (The Hill) Iran’s hackers go to war (FT) The latest Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are more customizable and expensive (Engadget) Claude Code's source code appears to have leaked: here's what we know (VentureBeat) Google commits to video generation, announces Veo 3.1 Lite (9to5Google) Another Starlink satellite has inexplicably exploded (The Verge) Whoop, a Wearable Health Device Maker, Raises $575 Million (NYTimes) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With everyone suddenly chasing Anthropic, are we getting strong signals AI is about to get more expensive? The dream of pairing AI models against each other and asking them to fight. We really are getting datacenters in space startups, aren’t we? And Project Hail Mary is Amazon’s biggest movie win ever. The Sudden Fall of OpenAI’s Most Hyped Product Since ChatGPT (WSJ) Andrew Curran X Post Claude is limiting usage more aggressively during peak hours — here’s what changed (TechRadar) Microsoft’s Researcher AI Agent Can Now Make GPT and Claude Models Work Together (Thurrott) Starcloud raises $170 million Series A to build data centers in space (TechCrunch) ‘Project Hail Mary’ becomes Amazon MGM’s biggest box office hit (TechCrunch) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Anthropic about to release an AI model that will be a true step change? Is Apple about to open Siri up to everyone, not just ChatGPT? Is OpenAI already making serious bank from Ads? Is Elon trying to open the SpaceX IPO to normies? And of course, the Weekend Longreads Suggestions. Anthropic wins preliminary injunction in DOD fight as judge cites ‘First Amendment retaliation’ (CNBC) Exclusive: Anthropic acknowledges testing new AI model representing ‘step change’ in capabilities, after accidental data leak reveals its existence (Fortune) Apple Plans to Open Up Siri to Rival AI Assistants in iOS 27 Update (Bloomberg) Sony is raising PS5 prices by $100 in April (The Verge) OpenAI Surpasses $100 Million Annualized Revenue From Ads Pilot (The Information) Exclusive: Musk rewrites IPO playbook with large slice of SpaceX stock for retail investors, source says (Reuters) Weekend Longreads Suggestions: Gemini task automation is slow, clunky, and super impressive (The Verge) How A