News reporting focused on AI and machine learning, covering the companies behind these technologies, their real-world applications, and the ethical concerns they raise. This includes areas like generative AI (large language models, text-to-image and video), speech tech, and predictive analytics.
Apple filed a trade secrets lawsuit against OpenAI last Friday, alleging misconduct involving the chief hardware officer and over 400 former Apple employees now working at OpenAI. The timing is critical as OpenAI reportedly plans an IPO later this year. TechCrunch's Equity podcast discusses the potential impact on OpenAI's hardware ambitions and IPO timeline.
Apple has sued OpenAI, accusing the company of stealing hardware secrets through former employees, including chief hardware officer Tang Tan. Meanwhile, New York became the first state to impose a moratorium on large-scale data centers, drawing criticism from Donald Trump. The episode also covers OpenAI employees funding a rival super PAC for AI guardrails, DOGE's use of AI at HUD facing FOIA stonewalling, and a cyclosporiasis outbreak spreading across over 30 states.
Justin Ernest deployed nearly $400 million into high-profile startups like Anthropic, Anduril, and SpaceX over the past year without launching a traditional venture fund. Instead, he used special purpose vehicles (SPVs) to offer family offices and smaller institutions access to coveted later-stage allocations. His firm Sabertooth VC has already scored a major exit from chipmaker Groq, acquired by Nvidia for $20 billion.
A senior OpenAI employee told the Financial Times that "chat is dead" as the company shifts from chatbots to autonomous agents. ChatGPT will undergo its biggest overhaul since launch, becoming a superapp that bundles coding tools, AI agents, and integrations with partners like Canva and Booking. Chief product officer Thibault Sottiaux outlined a vision for a personal agent that helps users across work and life. The redesign will roll out in the coming weeks.
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the first executive order by a U.S. governor aimed at shielding workers from AI-driven job displacement. The order directs state agencies to work with researchers, unions, and the AI industry on strategies including subsidies for companies that keep employees, expanded retraining for office workers, and a review of universal basic capital. Newsom cited predictions that half of all office jobs could vanish within five years and criticized the tax system for rewarding automation over hiring.
Microsoft begins rolling out Agent Mode, previously called 'vibe working,' in its Office applications Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. This upgrade makes Copilot more active in handling commands and edits. It becomes the default for Microsoft 365 Copilot and Premium subscribers, with real-time visibility into AI actions.
Google revealed several AI-driven enhancements to its Workspace productivity suite during Google Cloud Next. Key additions include Workspace Intelligence for task automation, Gemini-powered Google Sheets building and filling, and AI writing aids in Google Docs. These tools use user data from apps like Gmail and Drive to speed up common office work.
Apple has selected John Ternus, its senior vice president of hardware engineering, as the new chief executive officer starting September 1. Tim Cook, who has led the company since 2011, will step into the role of executive chairman after guiding the transition. Ternus, with 25 years at Apple, has contributed to key products like iPads, iPhones, AirPods, Apple Watch, and the shift to Apple silicon chips.
Kevin Weil, OpenAI's former chief product officer, is departing the company after leading its OpenAI for Science initiative. OpenAI is shutting down the Prism web app and moving its 10-person team under the head of Codex. The changes come amid executive shakeups and a company refocus on key areas like enterprise and coding ahead of an IPO.
Mike Krieger, chief product officer at Anthropic, stepped down from Figma's board on April 14. The move came the same day reports surfaced about Anthropic's Opus 4.7 model featuring design tools that rival Figma's core product. Figma disclosed the resignation to the SEC amid its collaboration with Anthropic on AI integrations.
Anthropic has secured a 158,000 square foot office in London capable of housing 800 employees, four times its current 200-person team there. The move comes amid rising conflicts with the US government over AI use in surveillance and weapons. The company plans to grow its research and business operations in Europe while strengthening ties with UK institutions focused on AI safety.