Tech

A federal judge in Fort Worth, Texas, will hear X and xAI’s antitrust suit against Apple and OpenAI despite the companies’ minimal ties to the region. Judge Pittman’s decision, laden with irony, highlights concerns about forum shopping, where plaintiffs strategically choose venues. He noted that the 5th Circuit’s high bar for venue transfers limited his options. The lawsuit alleges Apple unfairly favors OpenAI’s ChatGPT, disadvantaging xAI’s Grok, reflecting broader concerns about AI market dominance. The outcome could set precedents for future AI antitrust cases.

AI startup Anthropic faces increased scrutiny from the U.S. government amidst competition with OpenAI. David Sacks, Trump’s AI czar, accuses Anthropic of promoting a regulatory framework aligned with “the Left’s vision,” criticizing their safety-focused approach as “fear-mongering.” This contrasts with OpenAI’s close ties to the White House. Anthropic, founded by former OpenAI employees prioritizing AI safety, advocates for stricter regulation, differing from OpenAI’s lighter touch preference. Despite tensions, Anthropic holds government contracts and maintains its commitment to safety.

Major corporations are announcing AI-driven layoffs, but critics argue AI is a convenient scapegoat for downsizing due to broader economic pressures. Examples include Accenture, Lufthansa, Salesforce and Klarna integrating AI to enhance efficiency. Some experts suggest companies are using AI to mask other strategic imperatives, while others find little evidence of widespread job losses due to AI, citing pandemic-era overhiring as a factor. Concerns are raised about transparency and the need for companies to address employee anxieties surrounding AI.

Kalshi, a $5 billion event-contracts marketplace, experienced user-reported glitches and delays during peak trading during college football games. Users reported issues with order processing and account balance visibility, affecting less than half the user base, according to Kalshi. A spokesperson stated the exchange “never stopped functioning properly,” and issues were being fixed. The incident occurred after a $300M Series D funding round, raising questions about scalability as Kalshi aims for institutional investors and market expansion. Its success relies on technology and risk management, highlighting challenges in a high-growth exchange environment.

AI headshots are gaining popularity, offering an affordable alternative to professional photography for LinkedIn profiles. Services like InstaHeadshots and Canva enable users to generate polished images by uploading selfies. While a professional-looking headshot enhances visibility and attracts recruiters, concerns arise regarding authenticity and potential deception. Recruiters are wary of artificial-looking images, urging users to maintain a genuine representation. LinkedIn permits AI-enhanced photos, emphasizing likeness accuracy. AI headshot usage is prevalent among younger job seekers, and AI is being leveraged across the entire job application process.

Credo, a semiconductor company specializing in high-speed connectivity, has seen its stock surge due to increasing demand for its active electrical cables (AECs) in AI infrastructure. Its AECs are crucial for connecting AI servers in data centers, with major clients like Amazon and Microsoft utilizing Credo’s signature purple cables. The company’s revenue doubled in fiscal year 2025, driven by the AI boom and hyperscalers’ data center expansions. While facing competition, Credo is expanding its product portfolio and collaborating with hyperscalers to meet the insatiable demand for AI connectivity solutions.

ISS recommends Tesla shareholders vote against Elon Musk’s proposed compensation package, a “mega performance equity award” valued near $1 trillion but raising concerns about its magnitude and alignment with long-term shareholder interests. Tesla’s board defends the package as crucial for retaining Musk and incentivizing growth. The firm also suggests voting against investing in xAI and reinstating a board member due to governance concerns. Musk, owning a substantial stake, could still secure approval despite the recommendations. The vote is pivotal for Tesla’s future leadership and governance.

AI is transforming healthcare by improving efficiency and alleviating burdens on professionals. While AI enhances diagnostics and drug discovery, a major focus is administrative streamlining through systems like Epic and startups like Abridge, reducing paperwork and documentation time. Venture capital strongly supports AI solutions for efficiency. However, a skills gap exists, prompting initiatives like Adtalem’s AI credentials program to equip clinicians. The goal is not replacement, but to empower clinicians to focus on patient care.

Oracle’s stock fell 7% Friday after unveiling ambitious long-term, AI-driven financial projections at its AI World conference. While initial reactions were positive, analysts are scrutinizing the plausibility of Oracle’s forecast of $166B in cloud infrastructure revenue by fiscal year 2030. Despite securing significant AI chip deals, including with OpenAI, and reporting strong RPO growth, concerns remain about concentrating business and scaling infrastructure. Analysts are weighing the potential reward against risks, with some suggesting a “wait-and-see” approach.

Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff apologized after suggesting the National Guard for San Francisco security, a proposal sparked by concerns raised by President Trump and amplified by a *New York Times* article. The initial comments drew criticism from local officials, Governor Newsom, and led to Ron Conway’s resignation from the Salesforce Foundation board, citing value misalignment. This ignited debate about federal intervention and San Francisco’s progressive values, intensified by comments from David Sacks and Elon Musk, highlighting Silicon Valley’s intersection with national politics. Benioff now affirms safety is the city’s responsibility.