Elections and the US AI backlash
Opposition to AI data centres became an election issue, although restrictions may spare already permitted projects and local water and electricity concerns could be addressed through planning. OpenAI responded with promises of more accountable, community-focused infrastructure development. source
Anthropic’s IPO rolls on
Anthropic’s revised IPO filing suggests slower revenue growth, but rounded run-rate figures make precise comparisons unreliable. Investors are questioning its hoped-for valuation as OpenAI reports a rebound in revenue. source
China
The newsletter reports allegations concerning Nvidia’s chief executive and a Chinese intelligence connection, alongside a board investigation. Separately, Nvidia is reportedly limiting Chinese customers’ share of overseas cloud capacity, while Oracle has cancelled a Tencent data-centre deal under US pressure. source
Cyber
OpenAI says its automated security project has fixed more than a thousand Linux privilege-escalation paths. Attacks on unpatched refrigeration systems, a recruitment-based Binance intrusion and an AI voice-cloning bank fraud illustrate how patch deployment and organisational controls remain critical. source
Cybertruck
Tesla is shutting down Cybertruck production and redirecting resources towards Cybercab robotaxis after the pickup failed to meet buyers’ needs. Whether its autonomy ambitions will now deliver remains disputed. source
The week in AI
Anthropic is reportedly buying gas turbines for its own infrastructure, while Microsoft questions outside suppliers’ ability to deliver promised capacity and Google faces criticism over AI controls in schools. Other developments include research into AI-directed model-weight editing and Canva cutting 22% of staff as it adapts to AI. source
Drones
Commercial drone applications are gaining traction beyond consumer video and battlefield use. Zipline has reached a reported $20 billion valuation as it expands into US ecommerce deliveries, and Axon has taken a stake in Skydio.
Retail media
Amazon generated $75 billion in advertising revenue over the past year as retail media grew into a much larger market. It is now connecting its advertisers to other retailers’ advertising inventory. source