The evening briefing.
Today across AI and tech: Microsoft and Chevron partner on a massive gas-powered data center, AI-driven cyber threats escalate, and Groq secures $650M in funding.
AI Infrastructure. Microsoft and Chevron are partnering on one of the largest gas-powered data center projects in the US, locking in decades of carbon emissions. This significant infrastructure deal highlights the immense energy demands of AI and the ongoing reliance on fossil fuels. Meanwhile, SpaceX is expanding its role as a compute provider, securing a deal with an open-source model developer.
AI Security. Top intelligence agencies from the 'Five Eyes' alliance warn that AI-driven cyber catastrophes are imminent, with a timeline measured in months. They stress that current cyber risk assumptions are rapidly becoming outdated due to the accelerating pace of AI threats. This urgent warning underscores the need for immediate action to counter sophisticated AI-borne attacks.
Market Dynamics. The AI chipmaker Groq has confirmed a substantial $650 million funding round, signaling continued investor confidence in specialized AI hardware. This comes as the new smartphone market is projected to crash by 15% in 2026, leading to a dramatic rise in used smartphone prices due to memory shortages. Valve also highlighted brutal RAM negotiations impacting the high price of its Steam Machine.
Corporate Scrutiny. Tesla faces a federal probe after a Model 3 crash in Texas, where the driver claimed to be using partially automated driving systems. Separately, Meta internally exposed data from its employee-tracking program, raising privacy concerns. Additionally, Alphabet experienced its worst day in over a year amid high-profile AI researcher departures, indicating internal challenges in the competitive AI landscape.
Microsoft and Chevron plan large gas-powered data center in US
Microsoft has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement with Chevron for a new natural gas power plant, enabling one of the largest gas-powered data center projects in the US. This deal locks in decades of carbon emissions, raising environmental concerns.
SpaceX is becoming a data center company, signs compute deal
SpaceX has signed a compute deal with open-source model provider Reflection, indicating the company's move to become a significant compute provider. This agreement highlights the growing importance of compute infrastructure for AI model development.
AI chipmaker Groq confirms $650M raise, re-staffs after Nvidia deal
AI chipmaker Groq has confirmed a $650 million funding round and is re-staffing after a significant deal with Nvidia. The company is now leaning into its neocloud business and hiring new executives.
Top Intel Agencies Say AI-Driven Cyber Catastrophes Are Imminent
Top intelligence agencies warn that AI-driven cyber catastrophes are imminent, with a timeline of months, not years. The 'Five Eyes' alliance emphasizes that cyber risk assumptions are rapidly becoming outdated.
Tesla faces federal probe after Model 3 slams into Texas home, killing 76-year-old
Tesla is under federal investigation after a Model 3 crashed into a Texas home, killing a 76-year-old. The driver claimed to have been using Tesla's partially automated driving systems at the time of the incident.
Meta exposed internal data from its controversial employee-tracking program
Meta accidentally allowed employees to access each other's keystroke data from its controversial employee-tracking program. This internal data exposure raises significant privacy concerns.
GM installs robots at flagship EV factory after laying off 1,300 workers
GM is installing robots at its flagship EV factory after laying off 1,300 workers, prompting warnings from the US autoworkers union about robot automation. This move highlights the growing trend towards 'dark factories'.
Used smartphone prices set to rise dramatically as new market expected to crash by 15%
Memory shortages are driving up smartphone prices worldwide, pushing consumers toward refurbished devices. The new smartphone market is expected to crash by 15% in 2026, creating new supply challenges.
Valve describes just how brutal RAM negotiations are in 2026 for Steam Machine
Valve's Steam Machine is priced at $1,049 for the 512GB configuration, with engineers describing brutal RAM negotiations in 2026. The company is not subsidizing the hardware, contributing to the high cost.
Tata Electronics, a major tech supplier to Apple and Tesla, confirms data breach
Tata Electronics, a key supplier to Apple and Tesla, has confirmed a cyberattack where hackers claim to have stolen and leaked confidential documents. This incident comes as Tata expands its role in global technology supply chains.
Alphabet has its worst day in over a year on AI concerns after high-profile exits
Google parent Alphabet experienced its worst day in over a year due to concerns over high-profile artificial intelligence researcher departures. This trend has raised questions about the company's AI strategy.
AMD reinstates memory encryption in consumer CPUs after user outcry
AMD has reinstated memory encryption in its consumer CPUs following user outcry, after critics viewed its removal as a tactic to steer users toward more costly chips. This move addresses consumer rights and security concerns.
AI is cursing renters with the promise of impossible homes
AI-generated virtual staging in real estate listings is creating a 'hell' for renters by showcasing non-existent or misleading dream apartments. This practice leads to disappointment and wasted time for apartment seekers.
Unsloth GLM-5.2 – How to Run Locally
Unsloth has released instructions on how to run its GLM-5.2 model locally, making advanced AI capabilities more accessible to individual users and developers. This promotes wider experimentation and development in the open-source AI community.