Today's AI news highlights OpenAI's acquisition for deeper OS integration and its new AI interface for Mac, research on LLM 'brain rot' from junk data, and Meta AI editing tools now in Instagram Stories.

• With new acquisition, OpenAI signals plans to integrate deeper into the OS — Ars Technica -
• Researchers show that training on “junk data” can lead to LLM “brain rot” — Ars Technica -
• OpenAI buys Sky, an AI interface for Mac — TechCrunch -

• 20-year-old dropouts built AI notetaker Turbo AI to 5 million users — TechCrunch -
• Instagram users can now use Meta AI editing tools directly in IG Stories — TechCrunch -
• Microsoft makes Copilot “human-centered” with a ‘90s-style animated assistant — Ars Technica -
• Two days after OpenAI’s Atlas, Microsoft relaunches a nearly identical AI browser — TechCrunch -
• Microsoft’s Mico is a ‘Clippy’ for the AI era — TechCrunch -
• Tensormesh raises $4.5M to squeeze more inference out of AI server loads — TechCrunch -
• Palantir enters $200M partnership with telco Lumen to offer enterprise AI services — TechCrunch -
• Sora update to bring AI videos of your pets, new social features, and soon, an Android version — TechCrunch -
• Wonder Studios, backed by OpenAI, DeepMind execs, raised $12M to bring AI content to Hollywood — TechCrunch -
• Amazon’s new AI shopping tool tells you why you should buy a recommended product — TechCrunch -
• We let OpenAI’s “Agent Mode” surf the web for us—here’s what happened — Ars Technica -

The automotive sector sees Ford halting F-150 Lightning production to prioritize gas and hybrid models, Rivian's CEO taking a new marketing role amidst layoffs, and Porsche making a U-turn to focus on gas engines.

• Ford isn’t going to make more F-150 Lightnings for a while — TechCrunch -
• Rivian CEO takes top marketing role in shakeup ahead of R2 launch — TechCrunch -
• Great hybrid V6, lousy HMI: Three days with a Ferrari 296 GTB — Ars Technica -

• Rivian reportedly cutting 600 workers in third layoff of the year — TechCrunch -
• Porsche does U-turn on electric vehicles, will focus on gas engines — Ars Technica -

Headlines report on Reddit suing Perplexity for alleged data theft, Trump crediting tech leaders for a decision regarding San Francisco troops, and his pardon of Binance founder Changpeng Zhao.

• Lawsuit: Reddit caught Perplexity “red-handed” stealing data from Google results — Ars Technica -
• Trump credits Benioff, Huang for decision not to ‘surge’ Fed troops into San Francisco — TechCrunch -
• Trump pardons Binance founder Changpeng Zhao — TechCrunch -

• US accuses former L3Harris cyber boss of stealing and selling secrets to Russian buyer — TechCrunch -
• Trump eyes government control of quantum computing firms with Intel-like deals — Ars Technica -
• Texas lawmakers double down on Discovery, call for DOJ investigation into Smithsonian — Ars Technica -
• As China’s 996 culture spreads, South Korea’s tech sector grapples with 52-hour limit — TechCrunch -

The startup world is buzzing with TechCrunch's new podcast 'Build Mode' for founders, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie's upcoming appearance at Disrupt 2025, and announcements for Startup Battlefield 200 judges.

• Introducing Build Mode: TechCrunch’s new podcast for founders — TechCrunch -
• San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie is coming to TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 — TechCrunch -
• Made in space: Varda’s William Bruey shares plan to build the next great supply chain at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 — TechCrunch -

• Cluely’s Roy Lee joins TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 to show how rage-baiting cuts through the AI noise — TechCrunch -
• Announcing the top judges for the final round of Startup Battlefield 200, only at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 — TechCrunch -
• Get hands-on: The full lineup of interactive roundtables at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 — TechCrunch -
• Only 4 days until TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 kicks off in San Francisco and ticket rates increase — TechCrunch -

Science and innovation feature new insights into dinosaur flourishing before extinction, Google's investments in carbon capture power plants, and **Redwood Materials raising $350M for energy storage**.

• Dinosaurs may have flourished right up to when the asteroid hit — Ars Technica -
• An NIH director joins MAHA, gets replaced by JD Vance’s close friend — Ars Technica -
• The first people to set foot in Australia were fossil hunters — Ars Technica -

• Google’s bets on carbon capture power plants, which have a mixed record — TechCrunch -
• Redwood Materials raises another $350M to power up its energy storage business — TechCrunch -
• California startup to demonstrate space weapon on its own dime — Ars Technica -

Key developments include **YouTube's $8B payout to the music industry, Apple reportedly scaling back on the iPhone Air, and the CS2 item market losing significant value**.

• YouTube paid out $8B to the music industry in 12 months — TechCrunch -
• CS2 item market loses nearly $2B in value overnight due to “trade up” update — Ars Technica -
• Reports suggest Apple is already pulling back on the iPhone Air — Ars Technica -

• Amazon launches revamped Luna game streaming service — TechCrunch -
• An outcast faces a deadly alien world in Predator: Badlands trailer — Ars Technica -