The AI sector is buzzing with **Voice AI engine LiveKit hitting a $1B valuation and inference startup Inferact landing $150M to commercialize vLLM, while Google introduces Gemini-powered free SAT practice tests and integrates Gmail and Photos into AI Mode for Personal Intelligence. Apple is reportedly developing an AI-powered wearable pin device, although AI agents face doubts for workplace readiness and cURL scraps bug bounties due to AI 'slop', prompting eBay to ban illicit automated shopping by AI agents**.
Major concerns include Meta seeking to limit evidence in a child safety case and the potential legal challenges for victims of fake nudes generated by Grok, while Under Armour confirms a data breach affecting 72 million customers. Ireland proposes a new law allowing police to use spyware, Ring introduces a content verification feature for videos, Snapchat enhances parental insights into teen screen time, and a hacker who stole 120,000 bitcoins seeks a second chance in the security field.
The automotive industry is seeing shifts as GM ends Chevy Bolt EV production and moves China-made Buick manufacturing to the U.S., while Tesla launches robotaxi rides in Austin without human safety drivers and Waymo expands its driverless service to the public in Miami.
Capital One acquires Brex at a steep discount, reflecting a complex market, as **Neurophos secures $110 million for optical AI processors and General Fusion plans to go public via a $1 billion reverse merger. Tiger Global and Microsoft are set to fully exit PhonePe through an IPO, and discussions continue around the potential US TikTok deal, with a new fund backing wellness companies**.
Blue Origin is making impressive strides in rocket reuse with its next launch set to refly a booster, though its third New Glenn launch is not headed to the moon as previously suggested, while Artemis II will carry commemorative items to the Moon. Meanwhile, struggling fusion power company General Fusion is going public through a reverse merger.
Microsoft 365 experienced an hours-long outage, preventing access to emails and files, while Substack expands its reach by launching a new TV app.
The United States has officially withdrawn from the World Health Organization, leaving hundreds of millions of dollars in unpaid dues.
A new controller aims to solve the Switch 2's "flat Joy-Con" problem, and the first trailer for 'Masters of the Universe' has been released.