Databricks, Perplexity co-founder pledges $100M on new fund for AI researchers
Andy Konwinski is pledging $100 million of his own money for a new kind of institute to fund researchers. It’s already backed Ion Stoica’s new lab.
Apple’s Liquid Glass interface improves with release of iOS 26 Beta 2
These are not likely the final adjustments, given that iOS 26 doesn’t launch publicly until the fall. However, they are indications that Apple is actively listening to early user feedback and making tweaks
Canada says telcos were breached in China-linked espionage hacks
Salt Typhoon previously hacked phone and telco giants across the United States.
Leak reveals Grok might soon edit your spreadsheets
Leaked code suggests xAI is developing an advanced file editor for Grok with spreadsheet support, signaling the company’s push to compete with OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft by embedding AI copilots into productivity
Over a million people now have access to the gen-AI powered Alexa+
Alexa+ is available for free during Early Access and will later be free for Prime customers. Non-Prime users will be able to use the service for $19.99 per month after it publicly launches.
Four months after a $3B valuation, Harvey AI grows to $5B
The round, which comes just four months after $300 million Series D, was co-led by Kleiner Perkins and Coatue.
AllSpice’s platform is the GitHub for electrical engineering teams
AllSpice’s platform has landed customers including Blue Origin and Bose and just raised a $15 million Series A round.
New York State wants more nuclear power in a big way
Gov. Kathy Hochul is directing the New York Power Authority to develop the new power plant.
TikTok parent ByteDance is shutting down its short-lived book publisher
The TikTok parent company ByteDance started a book publisher in 2023, but it’s already shutting it down.
US insurance giant Aflac says customers’ personal data stolen during cyberattack
The U.S. insurance giant provides supplemental insurance to around 50 million customers.