The evening briefing.
Today across AI and tech: Google insider trading on Polymarket, Snowflake's $6 billion AWS deal, and Meta's new AI subscription services.
AI Infrastructure. Major investments are shaping the future of AI compute and supply chains. Snowflake committed $6 billion to AWS over five years for Graviton compute and AI infrastructure, signaling a deepening reliance on cloud providers. Concurrently, Nvidia plans a massive $150 billion investment in Taiwan, aiming to make the island an AI "epicenter" despite US efforts to localize chip production. These moves underscore the global competition for AI hardware dominance.
AI Monetization. Tech giants are exploring new revenue streams for AI, alongside evolving narratives about its societal impact. Meta is launching AI subscription services, with plans starting at $7.99 a month for enhanced features across its platforms. Meanwhile, OpenAI's Sam Altman has revised his stance on AI's job displacement potential, now suggesting it won't take jobs, a shift from previous warnings. This comes as a Google employee was charged with fraud for using internal data to win $1.2 million on AI-related prediction markets.
AI Ethics. Growing concerns about AI's environmental footprint and data privacy are prompting public and regulatory scrutiny. Environmental activist Erin Brockovich is launching a platform to track new data centers across the US, inviting public participation to monitor their environmental impact. Separately, new research reveals that websites can now spy on visitors by analyzing their SSD activity, raising fresh privacy alarms in the digital landscape. These developments highlight the increasing need for transparency and accountability in AI deployment.
Corporate Actions. Significant corporate developments include major government contracts and ongoing legal challenges. Dell secured a $9.7 billion Pentagon software deal, following its engagement with the Trump administration. California successfully defeated Tesla's attempt to dismiss a racial discrimination lawsuit, paving the way for a trial. Salesforce reported a beat on earnings and revenue but provided light full-year guidance, reflecting investor concerns about AI disruption. Amazon's top health executive also announced their departure.
Google employee charged with fraud for $1.2 million Polymarket win
Federal prosecutors charged a Google employee with fraud after he allegedly made $1.2 million on Polymarket bets related to Search-related trends in 2025. The employee, Michele Spagnuolo, was arrested in New York and released on a $2.25 million bond.
Salesforce beats on earnings and revenue but full-year guidance comes in light
Salesforce exceeded earnings and revenue expectations but provided a light full-year guidance. Investors have been concerned that AI models and services could disrupt traditional software products.
Snowflake rockets 36% on earnings beat and plans $6 billion Amazon cloud spend
Snowflake's stock surged 36% after beating earnings estimates and announcing a plan to spend $6 billion on Amazon's Web Services over five years. This deal includes using Amazon's Arm-based Graviton chips for AI infrastructure.
Amazon's top health executive steps down, Amwell co-founder to replace
Amazon's top health executive, Lindsay, is stepping down and will be replaced by Dr. Roy Schoenberg, a co-founder of telemedicine provider Amwell. This leadership change impacts Amazon's health initiatives.
Crypto’s most powerful PAC warns politicians: resistance is futile
Crypto's most powerful PAC issued a warning to politicians, stating that anti-crypto hostility carries real electoral consequences. This follows the defeat of Rep. Green, which the PAC attributes to his stance on crypto.
Sam Altman now says AI will not take your job, despite previous statements
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has clarified his position, stating that AI will not take people's jobs, a shift from his earlier warnings about job displacement. This change in rhetoric comes amid ongoing discussions about AI's impact on the workforce.
Erin Brockovich launches platform to track new data centers across the US
Environmental activist Erin Brockovich is leading a new initiative to track the environmental concerns surrounding AI data centers across the US. She is launching a public reporting platform and seeking community help to gather information.
Elon Musk claims US kamikaze drones used wrong Starlink subscription
Elon Musk stated that America's kamikaze drones used the wrong Starlink subscription during the Iran war. SpaceX and the Pentagon reportedly had disagreements over pricing for Starlink services.
Dell wins $9.7 billion Pentagon software deal after courting Trump
Dell secured a $9.7 billion Pentagon software deal after actively engaging with the White House. This contract follows President Trump's encouragement for purchases of Dell's computers.
Triomics raises $22M to bring oncology-specific AI to cancer centers
Triomics secured $22 million in a Series B funding round led by Battery Ventures. The startup aims to deploy oncology-specific AI solutions in cancer treatment centers.
California defeats Tesla's attempt to throw out racial discrimination lawsuit
California's civil rights agency successfully defeated Tesla's attempt to dismiss a racial discrimination lawsuit. The agency anticipates the trial will proceed in July.
Meta to test AI subscription services, starting at $7.99 a month
Meta confirmed it will begin testing two subscription plans for its AI offerings, with the cheapest plan priced at $7.99 a month. This move aims to monetize its AI investments.
Websites can now spy on visitors by analyzing their SSD activity
Researchers have discovered that websites can now monitor visitors by measuring telltale SSD activity in the browser using simple JavaScript. This new method raises significant privacy concerns.
Nvidia bets $150 billion on Taiwan as US AI hub plan backfires
Nvidia plans to invest $150 billion annually to establish Taiwan as an AI "epicenter." This move contrasts with the Trump administration's efforts to make the US a central hub for AI development.