The AI sector sees **Factory hit a $1.5B valuation for enterprise coding, Luma launch an AI-powered production studio, and OpenAI offer a biology-tuned LLM, alongside Mozilla releasing an AI client, Upscale AI raising at a $2B valuation, and Physical Intelligence demonstrating a novel robot brain, with OpenAI's beefed-up Codex expanding desktop power, Microsoft and Stellantis integrating AI for car owners, Google introducing AI Mode for web exploration and personalized AI image generation via Gemini, InsightFinder raising capital for AI agent error diagnosis, AI traffic boosting retail revenue, Roblox's AI assistant gaining agentic tools, Runway's CEO forecasting AI's film industry impact, Canva's AI assistant offering design automation, Antioch developing physical AI simulation tools, and DeepL expanding into voice translation**.

• Factory hits $1.5B valuation to build AI coding for enterprises — TechCrunch -
• Luma launches AI-powered production studio with faith-focused Wonder Project — TechCrunch -
• OpenAI starts offering a biology-tuned LLM — Ars Technica -

• Mozilla launches Thunderbolt AI client with focus on self-hosted infrastructure — Ars Technica -
• Upscale AI in talks to raise at $2B valuation, says report — TechCrunch -
• Physical Intelligence, a hot robotics startup, says its new robot brain can figure out tasks it was never taught — TechCrunch -
• OpenAI takes aim at Anthropic with beefed-up Codex that gives it more power over your desktop — TechCrunch -
• New Codex features include the ability to use your computer in the background — Ars Technica -
• Microsoft and Stellantis want to use AI to help car owners — Ars Technica -
• Google now lets you explore the web side-by-side with AI Mode — TechCrunch -
• Gemini can now create personalized AI images by digging around in Google Photos — Ars Technica -
• InsightFinder raises $15M to help companies figure out where AI agents go wrong — TechCrunch -
• AI traffic to US retailers rose 393% in Q1, and it’s boosting their revenue too — TechCrunch -
• Google adds Nano Banana-powered image generation to Gemini’s Personal Intelligence — TechCrunch -
• Roblox’s AI assistant gets new agentic tools to plan, build, and test games — TechCrunch -
• Runway CEO says AI could help Hollywood make 50 films instead of one $100M blockbuster — TechCrunch -
• Canva’s AI assistant can now call various tools to make designs for you — TechCrunch -
• This simulation startup wants to be the Cursor for physical AI — TechCrunch -
• DeepL, known for text translation, now wants to translate your voice — TechCrunch -

Ad firms settled with the Trump FTC regarding conservative media boycotts, European police emailed 75,000 people to cease DDoS attacks, while a new undersea cable cutter risks the Internet's backbone, two Americans were sentenced for aiding a North Korean IT worker scheme, Google is now targeting bad ads over bad actors, and fashion retailer Express exposed customer personal data.

• Ad firms settle with Trump FTC over claims they boycotted conservative media — Ars Technica -
• European police email 75,000 people asking them to stop DDoS attacks — TechCrunch -
• New undersea cable cutter risks Internet’s backbone — Ars Technica -

• Two Americans sentenced for helping North Korea steal $5 million in fake IT worker scheme — TechCrunch -
• Google is now targeting bad ads over bad actors — TechCrunch -
• Fashion retailer Express left customers’ personal data and order details exposed to the internet — TechCrunch -

Intel refreshed non-Ultra Core CPUs with new silicon, Artemis II astronauts expressed eagerness to land on the Moon, geCKo Materials built a sticky product for the International Space Station, Also previewed an e-bike disconnecting pedals and wheels, Meta raised Quest 3 and 3S prices due to RAM shortages, and the race to Shackleton Crater intensified between Jeff Bezos and China.

• Intel refreshes non-Ultra Core CPUs with new silicon for the first time — Ars Technica -
• As they got close to the Moon, Artemis II astronauts were eager to land — Ars Technica -
• From the Startup Battlefield stage to the International Space Station: geCKo Materials built a sticky product — TechCrunch -

• First look: Also's upcoming e-bike disconnects the pedals and wheels — Ars Technica -
• Meta raises Quest 3 and Quest 3S prices due to RAM shortage — TechCrunch -
• The race to Shackleton Crater is on—will Jeff Bezos or China get there first? — Ars Technica -

Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings decided to leave the board, **Slash, a Ramp competitor, raised $100M at a $1.4B valuation, and Anthropic CPO departed Figma's board amid rumors of a competing product**.

• Netflix co-founder and chair Reed Hastings to leave board — TechCrunch -
• Slash, a Ramp competitor founded by teenagers, raises $100M at $1.4B valuation — TechCrunch -
• Anthropic CPO leaves Figma’s board after reports he will offer a competing product — TechCrunch -

RFK Jr. influenced the FDA to reconsider unproven peptides, NOC Energy showcased a hybrid cement plant innovation, and a nine-year-old launched 'The Quantum Kid' podcast to explore quantum technologies.

• RFK Jr. forces FDA to reconsider 12 unproven peptides after 2023 ban — Ars Technica -
• You’ve heard of hybrid cars. Now meet a hybrid cement plant. — TechCrunch -
• Meet the Quantum Kid — Ars Technica -

Bluesky experienced ongoing service disruptions, and the phenomenon of culture being shaped by algorithmic feeds was explored as a potential 'psyop'.

• It’s not just you — Bluesky is (sorta) down — TechCrunch -
• Everything we like is a psyop — TechCrunch -

The Ukraine war's deep impact on Metro 2039's development and story was highlighted, reflecting geopolitical influence on game narratives.

• The Ukraine war's deep impact on Metro 2039’s development, story — Ars Technica -