Microsoft is laying off approximately 4,800 employees (2.1% of its global workforce), with a significant impact on Xbox, which will see nearly 20% of its staff depart by fiscal year 2027. This move is part of a broader cost-cutting strategy driven by rapid AI advancements and market headwinds. The company is also spinning out four gaming studios. These reductions follow previous large-scale layoffs and occur as some business segments, like Windows and Xbox, face revenue contraction.

SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell is donating a significant amount of SpaceX stock to the Trump Accounts program, which provides investment accounts for children under 18. Her gift will benefit approximately 2 million young recipients, with a slight preference for those near her Texas home. This philanthropic act follows former President Trump’s belief that Elon Musk would also contribute SpaceX stock, potentially sparking broader support for youth investment from the tech sector.

Markets anticipate a mixed open as investors weigh President Trump’s economic priorities: boosting chip manufacturing to 40-60% domestic, recognizing AI’s immense potential, and aiming for 12-13% GDP growth. The World Cup is driving a surge in prediction markets. Meanwhile, the Museum of American Finance unveils an AI-powered Alexander Hamilton, and travel trends show a rise in off-season getaways. Key economic data and corporate earnings are set for release this week.

China is implementing new regulations for AI companions, targeting services designed for emotional interaction. These rules, effective July 15th, mandate anti-addiction systems, usage notifications, and real-time monitoring. Major platforms like Doubao and Qwen have proactively disabled companion features due to design challenges and potential non-compliance. The regulations aim to protect users, especially minors, from emotional manipulation and addiction, while also allowing Beijing to influence AI-generated content.

Even Realities, a Chinese smart-glasses startup founded by an ex-Apple executive, has achieved unicorn status by securing $150 million in funding, valuing the company at $1 billion. The investment, backed by Tencent and Meituan, will accelerate AI integration, global expansion, and product innovation for its privacy-focused smart glasses. This positions Even Realities to compete in the rapidly growing AI wearable market.

India has issued a stern warning to Meta, demanding action against WhatsApp and Instagram within a week regarding child sexual abuse material in paid ads and a new username feature on WhatsApp. This highlights India’s growing regulatory assertiveness in a critical market for Meta, which boasts massive user bases in the country. The government’s stance signals an increased focus on tech giants’ compliance and control.

Nvidia’s next-gen Kyber rack-scale AI architecture, vital for its 2027 Rubin Ultra chips, faces delays until 2028 due to manufacturing challenges with its PCB midplane. This setback could create opportunities for rivals like AMD and Google, who are investing in custom AI chips. Despite these issues, current-gen Rubin systems are in full production and demand remains strong.

World leaders like Macron and Modi are personally engaging tech executives for AI investments. France, leveraging nuclear power, secured significant data center commitments. India is aggressively seeking foreign investment for AI and chip manufacturing, aiming to become an AI hub despite current dependencies. Both leaders’ personalized diplomacy highlights a global trend in shaping national AI strategies.

Two members of Congress, Rep. Dan Meuser and Rep. Gil Cisneros, or their family members, have disclosed purchases of SpaceX stock following its record-breaking IPO. These investments, made in compliance with disclosure laws, highlight the significant market interest in the aerospace giant. While lawmakers are permitted to trade stocks, the committee assignments of Meuser and Cisneros add a layer of political sensitivity to their holdings. Ethics watchdogs anticipate more such disclosures as SpaceX’s public debut continues to generate widespread investment.

Wall Street experienced a mixed start to Q3, despite a strong first half. Cybersecurity stocks surged as AI advancements spurred demand for solutions. Meta Platforms announced a cloud venture to monetize its AI investments, potentially competing with major cloud providers. The portfolio saw adjustments, with gains realized in high-performing stocks like Palo Alto Networks and Corning, while capital was redeployed into FedEx, benefiting from AI-driven logistics demand.