The field of artificial intelligence sees significant AI research funding and continued development in Grok's features and **gen-AI powered Alexa+ access, while also facing AI policy debates on state laws, concerns over ChatGPT logs as potential mass surveillance, and fanfiction writers battling AI scraping**.

• Databricks, Perplexity co-founder pledges $100M on new fund for AI researchers — TechCrunch -
• Ted Cruz can’t get all Republicans to back his fight against state AI laws — Ars Technica -
• Leak reveals Grok might soon edit your spreadsheets — TechCrunch -

• Four months after a $3B valuation, Harvey AI grows to $5B — TechCrunch -
• Over a million people now have access to the gen-AI powered Alexa+ — TechCrunch -
• Judge denies creating “mass surveillance program” harming all ChatGPT users — Ars Technica -
• Google brings new Gemini features to Chromebooks, debuts first on-device AI — Ars Technica -
• Hinge CEO Justin McLeod says dating AI chatbots is ‘playing with fire’ — The Verge -
• Google adds AI features to Chromebook Plus devices — TechCrunch -
• Chromebook Plus laptops like Lenovo’s sleek, new 14-incher are getting free Gemini AI features — The Verge -
• Fanfiction writers battle AI, one scrape at a time — The Verge -

Apple's software updates are fixing user interface issues in macOS Tahoe 26 and iOS 26 Liquid Glass, while the company also continues to offer deals on Apple Watch and USB-C EarPods, despite facing scrutiny over its ad campaigns.

• Phew: Apple fixed the Finder icon in macOS Tahoe 26 — The Verge -
• Apple heard your complaints about the Liquid Glass Control Center — The Verge -
• Apple’s Liquid Glass interface improves with release of iOS 26 Beta 2 — TechCrunch -

• Apple releases new beta builds of all its flashy new Liquid Glass-ified OS updates — Ars Technica -
• Apple’s USB-C EarPods are an even better buy at just $15.99 — The Verge -
• Here are the best Apple Watch deals available right now — The Verge -
• Apple keeps pulling its own ads — The Verge -

Gaming hardware sees renewed availability for the Nintendo GameCube controller for Switch 2 and Steam Deck OLED, while Microsoft is updating Xbox UI and integrating Steam games into its PC app, alongside new HP Omen gaming laptops and a major Civilization VII update.

• Nintendo’s GameCube controller for the Switch 2 is available once again — The Verge -
• The Steam Deck OLED is back in stock — The Verge -
• With 1.2.2 update, Civilization VII tries to win back traditionalists — Ars Technica -

• Microsoft surprises MS-DOS fans with remake of ancient text editor that works on Linux — Ars Technica -
• Microsoft’s Xbox UI update lets you pin games and customize your homescreen — The Verge -
• The Nintendo Switch 2 is available online at Best Buy (update: sold out) — The Verge -
• $1,400 can get you a powerful (and huge) HP Omen laptop with an RTX 5070 — The Verge -
• Microsoft adds Steam games to its Xbox PC app on Windows — The Verge -
• Death Stranding 2 is much more approachable, if you’re prepared — The Verge -

Business mergers and tech industry policies are under the spotlight, with the FTC approving an ad merger and senators investigating Spotify's bundled subscription, while Hinge plans its own payment system to bypass App Store fees, and ByteDance shuts down its book publisher, alongside significant funding for fintech startups and electrical engineering platforms.

• Trump’s FTC will approve an ad merger — with a gift to Elon Musk’s X — The Verge -
• AllSpice’s platform is the GitHub for electrical engineering teams — TechCrunch -
• Senators urge FTC to investigate Spotify’s higher-priced bundled subscription — TechCrunch -

• TikTok parent ByteDance is shutting down its short-lived book publisher — TechCrunch -
• Hinge is planning its own mobile payment system to avoid App Store fees — The Verge -
• Japanese shipping firm NYK acquires Kadmos, a salary payment platform for seafarers — TechCrunch -
• SMB-focused Finom closes €115M as European fintech heats up — TechCrunch -

Cybersecurity threats and regulatory oversight are prominent, as Canadian telcos face China-linked espionage hacks, Aflac reports a customer data breach, and Tesla's robotaxi launch immediately draws federal safety regulators' attention, while the House bans WhatsApp for staffers due to security concerns.

• Tesla’s robotaxis have already caught the attention of federal safety regulators — TechCrunch -
• Canada says telcos were breached in China-linked espionage hacks — TechCrunch -
• Canadian telecom hacked by suspected China state group — Ars Technica -

• House staffers can’t have WhatsApp on their devices — The Verge -
• Tesla launches robotaxi service in Austin — Ars Technica -
• US insurance giant Aflac says customers’ personal data stolen during cyberattack — TechCrunch -

Energy infrastructure is a growing focus, with New York State planning a new nuclear power plant, while environmental discussions highlight new misinformation trends about climate change affecting renewable energy solutions.

• New York’s getting a new nuclear power plant — The Verge -
• New York State wants more nuclear power in a big way — TechCrunch -
• The new lies spreading about climate change — The Verge -

Upcoming device launches include Samsung's Unpacked event expected to feature foldable phones and the Nothing Headphone 1 leaks, while T-Mobile's satellite service officially launches for messaging, and Hue's new smart button and JLab's party speaker are introduced.

• Samsung confirms Unpacked for early July — The Verge -
• T-Mobile’s satellite service officially launches in July — The Verge -
• Hue’s new smart button is bigger and more expensive — The Verge -

• JLab’s new party speaker puts a light show in your pocket — The Verge -
• Nothing Headphone 1 leaks show quirky translucent design — The Verge -

Scientific research breakthroughs include viable mice created by editing DNA from two sperm and a new approach for LHC data to play nice with quantum interference, alongside archaeological insights into Viking sailing.

• Researchers get viable mice by editing DNA from two sperm — Ars Technica -
• Sailing the fjords like the Vikings yields unexpected insights — Ars Technica -
• How a grad student got LHC data to play nice with quantum interference — Ars Technica -

Upcoming tech industry events like TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 are shaping their Builders Stage agenda, offering founders insights into where VCs are investing next.

• TechCrunch Disrupt 2025: The Builders Stage agenda is now live and taking shape — TechCrunch -
• Want to know where VCs are investing next? Be in the room at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 — TechCrunch -

Space logistics are nearing a critical phase, as it's crunch time for Amazon's launch providers to demonstrate their capabilities.

• Crunch time—we’ll soon find out if Amazon’s launch providers are up to the job — Ars Technica -