Tech

OpenAI is entering the recruitment market with an AI-powered platform, aiming to connect talent with companies seeking AI expertise. Launching in mid-2026, it will prioritize local businesses and government entities. Simultaneously, OpenAI is expanding its “OpenAI Academy” with a certification program designed to validate AI fluency and challenge LinkedIn Learning. Walmart is already integrating the program into its internal training. OpenAI aims to certify 10 million Americans by 2030, addressing the skills gap and focusing on AI literacy programs while navigating complex relationships with competitors like Microsoft.

Following a favorable antitrust ruling that boosted Alphabet’s market capitalization by $230 billion, CEO Sundar Pichai was congratulated by President Trump at a White House dinner. The discussion also covered AI, with Pichai emphasizing its transformative potential and praising the administration’s AI action plan, which aims to prioritize American competitiveness and exclude “Woke AI.” Google remains engaged in a lawsuit with Trump’s legal team regarding YouTube’s suspension of his accounts. Earlier, Pichai attended the White House “AI Education Taskforce” event.

President Trump reiterated his intention to impose tariffs on semiconductor imports from companies not establishing or expanding U.S. manufacturing. At a White House dinner with tech leaders like Apple’s Tim Cook and Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, Trump indicated companies investing domestically, like Apple, might be exempt. This follows previous tariff threats and aligns with the U.S. push to onshore semiconductor production, incentivized by the CHIPS Act. While details remain unclear, the event highlights the role of tech in shaping economic policy, with AI also a key discussion point.

OpenAI is aggressively expanding in India, its second-largest market, driven by ChatGPT’s popularity with over 111 million downloads. While downloads are high, monetization lags U.S. figures, prompting OpenAI to introduce a cheaper subscription plan. The company is also planning a data center and local office, while launching education programs. Challenges include competition from local AI startups, geopolitical factors, and copyright disputes. Success depends on localization, navigating regulations, and fostering mutually beneficial partnerships.

Waymo is expanding its robotaxi service, partnering with Uber in Atlanta and Austin and initiating testing at San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC) with plans for paid rides. This move marks Waymo’s first California airport operation and builds upon its existing presence at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Waymo is also extending its ride-hailing service in other U.S. metropolitan areas and broadening its San Francisco Bay Area service. Analysts are monitoring regulatory hurdles and public perception as Waymo scales its autonomous vehicle technology.

Bret Taylor’s AI startup, Sierra, achieved unicorn status with a $350 million funding round, valuing it at $10 billion. Sierra joins a select group of AI companies exceeding this valuation, fueled by investor enthusiasm. Founded in 2023, Sierra focuses on AI agents for customer service, claiming to assist millions with diverse tasks. The funding, led by Greenoaks, will support platform development, infrastructure scaling, and R&D. This follows Anthropic’s recent funding and highlights the intense AI investment landscape, emphasizing ethical AI development for long-term success.

Figma’s stock plummeted nearly 20% after its first earnings report as a public company, despite revenue of $249.6 million, a 41% year-over-year increase. Analysts noted the report as a “non-event,” highlighting the stock’s volatility since its IPO. Figma’s value has dropped over 50% from its initial trading day, with a market cap now around $27 billion. Q3 revenue is projected at $263-$265 million, a 33% growth. The company’s net retention rate decreased slightly from 132% to 129%, requiring a clear strategy for sustained growth.

Salesforce (CRM) shares tumbled 8% after a tepid revenue forecast, extending its year-to-date slump to 28%. While Q2 revenue beat expectations with a 10% increase to $10.24 billion, forward guidance fell short. Despite AI investments and SaaS offerings, Salesforce hasn’t capitalized on the AI boom like competitors. Concerns persist about AI disrupting the software sector. Salesforce acknowledges challenges in marketing and commerce product sales, but highlights success with Agentforce. The company maintains full-year revenue outlook but raised earnings guidance, prioritizing profitability.

Broadcom (AVGO) is expected to release its fiscal third-quarter earnings, with investors focused on its AI sector performance. Revenue is projected to reach $15.83 billion, a 21% increase year-over-year, driven by custom silicon for cloud giants and networking solutions. Analysts anticipate continued growth due to escalating demand for AI infrastructure. Broadcom’s accelerator chips (XPUs) are gaining traction as cost-effective alternatives to GPUs. Cantor Fitzgerald projects significant revenue from custom silicon, potentially exceeding $40 billion by 2027. Stock has climbed 30% YTD. AI revenue reached $4.4 billion in Q2, and the VMware acquisition further strengthens Broadcom’s position.

JetBlue Airways will partner with Amazon’s Project Kuiper to enhance its in-flight Wi-Fi experience, integrating the LEO satellite service into approximately 25% of its fleet starting in 2027. This marks Amazon’s first airline customer for Kuiper, challenging Starlink’s dominance in the satellite internet market. JetBlue will continue its existing partnership with Viasat. The deployment is driven by increasing demand for faster, more reliable in-flight connectivity and follows similar initiatives by other airlines like Delta, Hawaiian, United, and American.