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Amodei on Anthropic’s Plan to “Slow the Pace” of AI Advancement
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei proposed a three-step plan for AI companies to cautiously advance model capabilities, gaining support from Elon Musk and Sam Altman. The plan involves third-party safety evaluations, collaborative safety standards among democratic nations, and government coordination. Amodei emphasized pacing, not halting progress, to ensure models are aligned and safeguarded, aiming to mitigate existential risks while pursuing AI’s benefits.
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Larry Ellison Scraps Plan to Sell Up to $7.5 Billion in Oracle Stock
Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison has canceled plans to sell up to 50 million shares, valued at $7.5 billion. No shares were traded under the original 10b5-1 plan, and Ellison has no current intentions to sell more. This move is seen as a strong vote of confidence in Oracle’s future, particularly its AI ambitions, despite the company’s increased debt and stock decline. Ellison’s influence also extends to Skydance Media’s media acquisition pursuits.
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AI-Powered Practice for Performance Reviews
AI tools are emerging to help managers navigate difficult workplace conversations like performance feedback and layoffs. These platforms offer simulations, tailored scripts, and real-time coaching to improve tone, delivery, and message refinement. While human interaction is irreplaceable, AI provides accessible, 24/7 practice, offering specific feedback to enhance communication skills. However, managers must be mindful of privacy and encourage AI to provide constructive criticism, ideally using a blended approach with human oversight.
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Stocks Dip on Inflation Worries, but Two Names Spark Optimism
Markets ended lower due to rising oil prices and bond yields, fueling inflation and Fed rate hike concerns. Despite a Friday rally, major indices saw weekly declines. Geopolitical tensions pushed oil above $100, while Treasury yields hit multi-month highs. Inflation data reinforced expectations for a Fed rate increase. However, Meta and Apple showed promise with AI advancements, offering long-term optimism.
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Construction Robots Tackle America’s Housing Shortage
The U.S. housing industry faces a critical labor shortage and productivity lag. While on-site robotics show limited impact due to construction’s dynamic nature, targeted automation like robotic layout systems and factory prefabrication offer immediate efficiency gains. Japan leads in factory-based construction, a model expected to drive U.S. advancements. These technologies improve precision, reduce errors, and shorten timelines, particularly for standardized projects, though skilled human labor will remain essential.
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Catastrophe Bonds: A New Frontier for Data Centers
The booming hyperscale data center market’s massive physical assets necessitate innovative insurance solutions. Traditional markets struggle with concentrated risks from natural disasters. Catastrophe bonds (CAT bonds) offer a way to transfer this risk to capital markets. While a dedicated data center CAT bond market is nascent, experts predict its emergence within 12-18 months due to the enormous insurable values involved. CAT bonds provide attractive returns and diversifying capacity, addressing the limitations of traditional insurance for these critical digital infrastructure hubs.
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Larry Ellison to Sell Up to 50 Million Oracle Shares
Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison plans to sell up to 50 million shares, potentially worth $7.5 billion, between June and October. Despite this sale, he will retain over a billion shares. Ellison has been a key figure in Oracle’s AI pivot, which drove strong cloud revenue growth, though this came with significant debt. He also financed his son’s company merger. The market is watching how this divestment, alongside Oracle’s debt and AI investments, impacts investor sentiment.
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Dell Stock Surges After RBC Upgrade, Reaching Near 350% Gain in 2026
Dell Technologies’ stock surged 10% following RBC Capital Markets’ “outperform” rating and $640 price target. The company’s shares have quadrupled year-to-date, driven by its strong position supplying Nvidia-powered servers for the AI boom. RBC estimates a $95 billion server order backlog and highlights Dell’s strategic advantage in AI infrastructure, robust supply chain, and comprehensive product portfolio. Dell’s recent earnings surpassed expectations, leading to an upward revision of its full-year revenue forecast.
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Gerstner Slams AI Extinction Alarmists
Altimeter Capital CEO Brad Gerstner criticizes AI doomsday prophecies as unrealistic and politically motivated, arguing that current safety measures far exceed those for past technologies. He highlights significant resource allocation to AI safety, contradicting claims of reckless acceleration. This comes amid heightened anxieties following a researcher’s departure from Anthropic and concerns about AI’s rapid, potentially uncontrollable trajectory, with some experts predicting AI systems capable of independent research and self-improvement within years.
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5 Things to Know Before the Market Opens Friday
AI risks are a growing concern, with researchers and President Trump highlighting potential dangers. Inflation persists, with CPI and PPI data indicating continued price pressures, leading to increased odds of a Fed rate hike. Oracle’s cloud revenue surges, but at a high cost of investment and debt. Campaign promises face scrutiny over cost and legality. OpenAI’s AI targets finance roles, raising questions about junior banker training. Security measures ease post-9/11, but new threats like drones and AI emerge.