Sep 07, 2026Twila Rosenbaum
DeepSeek, the Chinese AI startup known for cost-efficient models, is finalizing its first external funding round of more than $7.4 billion at a valuation near $60 billion. Tencent, NetEase, JD.com, and CATL are among the expected investors, while founder Liang Wenfeng is contributing significant personal capital. The round represents a six-fold jump from DeepSeek's recent $10 billion valuation and is designed to help retain top talent.
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Sep 06, 2026Twila Rosenbaum
OpenAI has launched GPT-6 Astra, its first model to hit the Critical threshold for cybersecurity risk under its Preparedness Framework. The model scored 100% on ExploitBench in tests without safeguards and found two zero-day vulnerabilities before launch. Astra will reach ChatGPT Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise and API customers in phases, while OpenAI restricts its most dangerous offensive capabilities.
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Sep 05, 2026Twila Rosenbaum
Microsoft told a New York federal court that its Copilot assistant produced only 24 matching book passages across 8.2 million conversations, arguing training on books is fair use. Two days earlier, the company began selling GPT-6 Astra, OpenAI's most capable model, which OpenAI classifies as Critical for cybersecurity. The juxtaposition highlights a widening gap between U.S. fair use arguments and European AI law, where capability and memorization are judged differently.
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Sep 01, 2026Twila Rosenbaum
Google has raised the price of its 4K streaming device to $149, a $50 increase from the original $99 launch price. The new price is live at the Google Store and Best Buy, but Amazon appears to still offer the old price. The hike follows a similar $100 increase on the Pixel 11 lineup and comes amid broader component shortages affecting streaming hardware from Apple and Amazon.
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Sep 01, 2026Twila Rosenbaum
YouTuber Mark 'Markiplier' Fischbach has invested enough in GoPro to become its single largest shareholder, with an 8.5% stake in the company. He told Bloomberg that GoPro 'seems undervalued' and sees the investment as part of a larger mission to make filmmaking more accessible. The news comes after he posted a video praising GoPro's new Mission 1 ILS camera, though he did not disclose his financial involvement. Fellow YouTuber Marques Brownlee noted the unusual crossover between content creation and corporate ownership.
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Aug 29, 2026Twila Rosenbaum
Coinkite has released a critical firmware update for Coldcard hardware wallets after a randomness flaw enabled the theft of over $114 million in bitcoin. The update fixes the vulnerability and several other bugs found through AI-assisted auditing. Users whose wallets may have been exposed must generate new seeds and move funds to fresh addresses. The incident underscores the growing role of AI in bitcoin security.
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Aug 29, 2026Twila Rosenbaum
Bitcoin pulled back to around $77,000 after briefly challenging $80,000 overnight, holding gains of more than 6% over 24 hours. The rally lifted crypto-related stocks and altcoins, while ETF inflows surged for a second day. Meanwhile, bond yields rose on Fed rate hike bets, and Ray Dalio suggested buying bitcoin and gold over bonds.
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Aug 13, 2026Twila Rosenbaum
Google has confirmed it will begin shutting down Google Assistant on Android phones starting September 4. The move forces users to switch to Gemini, with the transition expected to take several weeks. Smartwatches, headphones, and Android Auto will also be affected, though some devices like Android TVs get a temporary reprieve. Older devices and unsupported regions may retain Assistant for a bit longer.
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Aug 12, 2026Twila Rosenbaum
Google's upcoming Pixel 11 Pro features a notification light built into its camera bar, a clear nod to power users. Meanwhile, the Made by Google 2026 launch event is set to be a celebrity-filled show hosted by Trevor Noah, with leaks revealing most details ahead of time. This mix of old-school hardware and new-age marketing highlights Google's balancing act between diehard fans and a broader audience.
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Aug 10, 2026Twila Rosenbaum
OpenAI has paused internal activities on its upcoming Astra model over potential cybersecurity risks. Internal evaluations showed Astra may reach a critical threshold in cyber capabilities under OpenAI's Preparedness Framework. The company is now enforcing stricter security controls and isolated testing environments. The move follows earlier claims about Astra's strong performance in math and computer science.
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Aug 04, 2026Twila Rosenbaum
The White House says it has completed a voluntary framework for evaluating advanced AI models, but it refuses to disclose the contents. Benchmarks and model thresholds are classified, leaving companies and the public in the dark. OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic reviewed a draft, and a staff-level meeting is planned for Tuesday. The secrecy raises questions about the transparency promised in the June executive order.
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Aug 01, 2026Twila Rosenbaum
Enterprises are pouring money into AI without seeing proportional returns, often because they are applying new tools to old processes. The key to unlocking AI's potential lies in redesigning how software teams work, not just adding AI to existing workflows. Younger developers bring a willingness to question inherited assumptions, while experienced engineers provide the judgment needed to avoid costly mistakes. The most effective teams will deliberately combine both perspectives.
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