The AI sector saw OpenAI fire an employee for confidential info use and **raise a massive $110 billion, while Anthropic faced Pentagon scrutiny over supply-chain risks, triggering employee support amidst broader discussions about AI's societal impact and Musk's criticism of OpenAI. ChatGPT's user growth and Suno's commercial success highlight rapid adoption as Block adjusted its workforce with a significant shift towards AI tools**.

• OpenAI fires employee for using confidential info on prediction markets — TechCrunch -
• Pentagon moves to designate Anthropic as a supply-chain risk — TechCrunch -
• Musk bashes OpenAI in deposition, saying ‘nobody committed suicide because of Grok’ — TechCrunch -

• Anthropic vs. the Pentagon: What’s actually at stake? — TechCrunch -
• The AI apocalypse is nigh in Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die — Ars Technica -
• ChatGPT reaches 900M weekly active users — TechCrunch -
• AI music generator Suno hits 2M paid subscribers and $300M in annual recurring revenue — TechCrunch -
• Perplexity’s new Computer is another bet that users need many AI models — TechCrunch -
• Employees at Google and OpenAI support Anthropic’s Pentagon stand in open letter — TechCrunch -
• Block lays off 40% of workforce as it goes all-in on AI tools — Ars Technica -
• OpenAI raises $110B in one of the largest private funding rounds in history — TechCrunch -

The tech landscape is shifting with potential media giant mergers between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, while Netflix's strategic retreat from a WBD acquisition signals evolving market plays. **Plaid secured an $8 billion valuation and Deepinder Goyal launched a new brain-monitoring startup, against a backdrop of global smartphone shipment declines due to memory shortages and Google Maps' full entry into South Korea**.

• Under a Paramount-WBD merger, two struggling media giants would unite — Ars Technica -
• Netflix cedes Warner Bros. Discovery to Paramount: “No longer financially attractive” — Ars Technica -
• Last 24 hours to get TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 tickets at the lowest rates of the year — TechCrunch -

• After Zomato, Deepinder Goyal returns with a $54M brain-monitoring bet — TechCrunch -
• Memory shortage could cause the biggest dip in smartphone shipments in over a decade — TechCrunch -
• South Korea opens the door to let Google Maps operate fully — TechCrunch -
• Plaid valued at $8B in employee share sale — TechCrunch -

Nintendo Switch 2 is set to launch new Pokémon titles in 2027, while Apple prepares for a big week of hardware announcements and macOS 26 Tahoe users consider downgrades. Toyota's 2026 bZ EV received significant improvements, and Ultrahuman unveiled a redesigned smart ring aimed at re-entering the US market.

• Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves are coming to the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2027 — TechCrunch -
• And the award for the most improved EV goes to... the 2026 Toyota bZ — Ars Technica -
• How to downgrade from macOS 26 Tahoe on a new Mac — Ars Technica -

• Apple says it has "a big week ahead." Here's what we expect to see. — Ars Technica -
• Ultrahuman bets on redesigned smart ring to win back US market after Oura dispute — TechCrunch -

A US military laser strike accidentally took down a CBP drone near the Mexican border, while New York pursued a contentious illegal gambling case against Valve's loot boxes. The CISA agency replaced its acting director following a year of leadership challenges.

• Whoops: US military laser strike takes down CBP drone near Mexican border — Ars Technica -
• How strong is New York's "illegal gambling" case against Valve's loot boxes? — Ars Technica -
• CISA replaces acting director after a bumbling year on the job — TechCrunch -

Apple and Netflix teamed up to air the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix, showcasing Netflix's expanding live sports push. Spotify introduced new Audiobook Charts, further diversifying its audio content offerings.

• Apple and Netflix team up to air Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix — TechCrunch -
• Spotify is rolling out Audiobook Charts — TechCrunch -

Virtual photons were found to influence superconductivity in new research, while NASA restructured its Artemis program to accelerate lunar return missions. The latest Rocket Report detailed ongoing developments in space launch capabilities.

• Photons that aren't actually there influence superconductivity — Ars Technica -
• NASA shakes up its Artemis program to speed up lunar return — Ars Technica -
• Rocket Report: Vulcan "many months" from flying; Falcon 9 extends reuse milestone — Ars Technica -

Dan Simmons, the acclaimed author of Hyperion, sadly passed away at 77 from a stroke, leaving behind a significant literary legacy.

• Hyperion author Dan Simmons dies from stroke at 77 — Ars Technica -