From CNBC Technology · 40 stories
US Lifts Export Restrictions on Anthropic's AI Models After Cybersecurity Concerns
The US government has lifted export restrictions on Anthropic's Claude Fable 5 and Mythos 5 AI models after originally imposing them over cybersecurity concerns. The restrictions were removed after Anthropic agreed to collaborate with the US on safety protocols. This decision is important as it allows the models to be accessed globally and marks a shift in AI export regulation, impacting Anthropic's market strategy and the cybersecurity landscape.
Wall Street Banks Increase AI Job Postings by 49%, Demand for AI Agent Skills Jumps 1,721%
Job postings for AI-related roles at major banks like JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, and Capital One increased by 49% this year, totaling 139,819 listings. The demand for skills in AI agent orchestration saw a 1,721% rise, indicating banks are moving beyond chatbots to integrate AI agents into core business operations.
Mistral Secures €3 Billion Funding Round, Reaching €21 Billion Valuation
Mistral, a French AI startup, raised €3 billion (approximately $3.5 billion) in a Series D funding round led by Samsung Electronics, increasing its post-money valuation to over €21 billion. This funding will be used to expand infrastructure, including data centers, increase compute capacity, and train larger AI models, positioning Mistral as a European alternative in the AI sector.
Electronic Arts goes private in $55 billion Saudi-led leveraged buyout
Electronic Arts (EA) has finalized its $55 billion acquisition by a consortium led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners. The deal, which includes $20 billion in debt financing, marks the end of EA's 35-year run as a publicly traded company and is considered the largest leveraged buyout in history. EA's stock has ceased trading and will be delisted from Nasdaq.
Hugging Face Reportedly in Acquisition Talks Valuing Company at $13 Billion
Hugging Face, a platform for AI model sharing and deployment, is reportedly in discussions for an acquisition at a valuation of $13 billion or more. This development highlights increasing interest in core AI infrastructure companies, following its last funding round in 2023 at a $4.5 billion valuation.
California Governor Newsom Issues Executive Order for AI Safety and Oversight
California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order to establish state-level AI oversight, citing a lack of federal action. The order directs a group of experts to provide recommendations within two months for strengthening AI safety laws, potentially including requirements for independent safety plans and "kill switches" for frontier AI companies. This initiative positions California to lead in AI regulation.
Teen drops social media addiction lawsuit against Meta after settlements with other platforms
A Florida teenager, identified as R.K.C., dropped his social media addiction lawsuit against Meta just days before a Los Angeles jury trial was set to begin. This decision followed R.K.C.'s settlements with TikTok, Snap, and YouTube, leaving Meta to avoid a trial without making a payment in this specific case. The lawsuit was part of a larger legal trend accusing social media companies of designing addictive platforms harmful to young users.
Bank of England Governor Warns Advanced AI Poses Threat to Global Financial Stability
Andrew Bailey, Governor of the Bank of England and chair of the Financial Stability Board (FSB), warned international finance ministers and central bank governors that advanced AI models threaten global financial stability through cyber-disruption. He highlighted that many jurisdictions lack protocols to manage the development and deployment of these models, increasing risks for the financial sector. This warning emphasizes the need for international cooperation to address the potential for AI to alter the speed, scale, and economics of cyber-risk, which could undermine market confidence.
SpaceX Plans $100 Billion Starship Spaceport in Louisiana
SpaceX announced plans to invest $100 billion in a new Starship spaceport in Louisiana, named Starbase, Louisiana. This facility, located in Vermilion Parish, will include factories and launch pads, aiming to support thousands of Starship launches annually to expand the Starlink network, launch orbital data centers, and potentially aid Mars colonization.
Trump Threatens EU with Tariffs Over Fines on US Tech Giants
Donald Trump announced his administration will launch a trade probe into the European Union, threatening substantial tariffs in response to EU fines against US tech companies like Google, Apple, Meta, and Amazon. This action follows a recent $1 billion fine against Google for alleged non-compliance with the EU's Digital Markets Act, which scrutinizes Big Tech practices.
Meta's Muse Image AI Faces Privacy Backlash, Feature Disabled
Meta launched Muse Image, an AI tool allowing users to create images from public Instagram photos, leading to privacy concerns. Following user backlash, Meta disabled the feature, which had allowed images to be generated using others' Instagram posts without their consent.
AMD to Invest Up to $5 Billion in Partnership with Anthropic
AMD announced a strategic partnership with Anthropic, committing up to $5 billion. This includes deploying up to 2 gigawatts of AMD GPUs in Anthropic's infrastructure. The initiative, starting with the first gigawatt in the first half of 2024, aims to enhance Anthropic's AI capabilities.
Meta Releases Muse Code AI Coding Agent and Open-Source Muse Glimmer Model
Meta has launched Muse Code, a terminal-based AI coding agent for macOS and Linux, powered by its new Muse Spark 1.2 model. Concurrently, Meta released Muse Glimmer, a 30-billion-parameter open-weight model designed for local execution of AI agents on consumer hardware. These releases mark Meta's entry into the AI coding agent market and its renewed focus on open-weight models for on-device AI.
Microsoft Announces Major Layoffs and Restructuring in Xbox Division
Microsoft is laying off 4,800 employees, including 3,200 within Xbox, to enhance profitability and adapt to industry shifts. The company is spinning off four game studios as part of this restructuring, reacting to declining profits and the changing technology landscape influenced by AI.
Sony to Halt Physical PlayStation Disc Production by 2028, Embracing Digital Shift
Sony announced plans to discontinue physical game disc production for PlayStation starting January 2028. New games will be available only digitally, reflecting a consumer trend as digital game sales grow. Concerns arise over ownership, game preservation, and the impact on the resale market.
Anthropic Releases Claude Opus 5, Offering Near Fable 5 Performance at Half the Cost
Anthropic has released Claude Opus 5, a new AI model that approaches the intelligence of its flagship Fable 5 model but at half the price. Opus 5 is now the default model for Claude Max subscribers and the strongest available for Claude Pro users, offering improved performance in coding and knowledge work while maintaining the token cost of its predecessor, Opus 4.8.
Microsoft Executive Ryan Roslansky to Depart, Leading to Leadership Reorganization
Ryan Roslansky, who previously led LinkedIn and most recently oversaw Microsoft Office and Teams, will leave Microsoft at the end of 2026. His departure triggers a leadership reorganization, with the Office and Microsoft Teams groups now reporting to Charles Lamanna within the Copilot, Agents, and Platform (CAP) organization. This change follows Roslansky's recent comments on AI-generated documents and Microsoft's Copilot announcement.
Trump Administration Supports OpenAI in NYT Copyright Lawsuit, Citing Fair Use for AI Training
The Trump administration has filed a statement of interest in The New York Times' copyright lawsuit against OpenAI, arguing that training AI models on copyrighted text constitutes fair use. This intervention supports OpenAI's defense, stating that restricting AI development based on a narrow interpretation of fair use would hinder scientific progress and American economic prosperity. The lawsuit, filed in December 2023, alleges OpenAI unlawfully trained its AI systems on NYT articles and seeks billions in damages.
Samsung Unveils Galaxy Z Fold 8 Series and Watch 9 at Unpacked Event
Samsung announced its latest devices at the Galaxy Unpacked event held on July 22 in London. The event debuted the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series, including a new Ultra model, and the Galaxy Watch 9. The Z Fold 8 series introduces wider designs and improved displays featuring 'Flex Titanium' technology to reduce crease visibility. Samsung also announced preorder incentives and pricing, reflecting higher component costs and competition from Apple's potential foldable devices.
Apple to Launch Redesigned Entry-Level MacBook Pro with Touchscreen in 2027
Apple is reportedly planning to redesign its entry-level MacBook Pro, targeting a release in the first half of 2027. The update will align the model with higher-end versions by introducing a touchscreen and potentially a thinner form factor. The move is part of a broader strategy to integrate advanced features and chips across Apple's device lineup.
Apple Plans 'Apple Upgrade' Device Leasing Program Launch on July 28
Apple is reportedly launching 'Apple Upgrade,' a new leasing program for iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches, starting July 28. Partnering with Klarna, the program offers 24- to 36-month leases with lower monthly payments but excludes certain budget-friendly models. Existing programs like the iPhone Upgrade Program will be phased out.
Google Launches Gemini 3.6 Flash Models; Gemini 3.5 Pro Delayed
Google launched the Gemini 3.6 Flash, 3.5 Flash-Lite, and 3.5 Flash Cyber models, focusing on efficiency and cost savings. However, the anticipated Gemini 3.5 Pro has been delayed due to a need to improve coding capabilities. This matters as it impacts Google's competitive position amid rapid advancements by rivals.
Trump Dismisses AI Regulation Calls as 'Sick Conspiracy' Amid Industry Warnings
Donald Trump rejected calls for increased AI controls, labeling them a "sick conspiracy" and stating that a strong president is the only necessary "guardrail." This stance followed appeals from AI leaders like Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Google DeepMind chief Demis Hassabis, and SpaceX boss Elon Musk for slower AI development, which contributed to a market downturn for AI-related tech stocks.
Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1 Rocket Successfully Achieves Orbit on First Launch
Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1 rocket has successfully reached orbit on its inaugural launch from Sriharikota, marking India's entry into the private satellite launcher market. This represents a significant milestone in India's space capabilities, allowing it to compete in the commercial space sector.
Alibaba Releases Qwen3.8-Max and Qwen3.8-27B AI Models, Including Open Weights
Alibaba has released its Qwen3.8-Max and Qwen3.8-27B AI models. Qwen3.8-Max is a multimodal model with 2.4 trillion parameters and a 1 million token context window, while Qwen3.8-27B is a 27-billion-parameter version with native vision-language understanding. The company plans to release open weights for both models, making Qwen-Max-class capabilities available to the open-source community.
Xbox Cloud Gaming Introduces Monthly Time Limits and Pay-As-You-Go Option
Microsoft's Xbox Cloud Gaming will implement monthly time limits for Game Pass subscribers starting in November, with Ultimate subscribers receiving 15 hours, Premium 10 hours, and Essential 5 hours. Concurrently, Microsoft will introduce a pay-as-you-go model, allowing users to purchase cloud playtime hours without a Game Pass subscription. These changes are attributed to rising operational costs and aim to balance usage with service expenses.
Judge Rules Pentagon's Blacklisting of Anthropic as Supply Chain Risk Illegal
A San Francisco federal judge ruled that the Pentagon's designation of AI company Anthropic as a supply chain risk was illegal, citing a violation of the First Amendment. U.S. District Judge Rita Lin found the Department of Defense's actions were not based on an "articulable basis" and constituted "unlawful retaliation." This decision removes a barrier for Anthropic, potentially allowing defense contractors to use its technology.
SpaceX Reports Doubled Revenue Driven by AI Compute Deals and Starlink Growth
SpaceX reported a 92% increase in revenue to $7.8 billion in Q2 2026, largely due to growth in its Starlink satellite internet service and new agreements to rent out computing power to companies like Anthropic and Google. Despite this revenue growth, the company's shares fell after its first public earnings report due to higher-than-expected capital expenditures, primarily for AI infrastructure.
Amazon Expands Prime Air Drone Delivery to Nearly 500 US Cities and Towns
Amazon announced plans to expand its Prime Air drone delivery service to nearly 500 US cities and towns by the end of 2024, a sixfold increase from its current footprint. The company aims to make 1 million drone deliveries this year, having already completed hundreds of thousands, with new metro areas including Chicago, Syracuse, Cleveland, Atlanta, and Boise.
Meta to Launch Cloud Business, Enter AI Compute Market
Meta is preparing to launch a cloud infrastructure business to sell excess AI computing power and models. This strategy would place Meta in direct competition with AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure and aims to monetize its significant AI investments, improving profitability. Reports of early talks with Anthropic for leasing compute power highlight potential partnerships in the cloud service sector.
New York Imposes One-Year Moratorium on New Large Data Centers
Governor Kathy Hochul has enacted a one-year moratorium on the construction of new data centers with over 50 megawatts of power in New York State. The measure, the first of its kind in the United States, aims to address environmental and energy concerns while the state develops regulatory standards. The decision has sparked political backlash, with critics arguing it may hinder economic growth.
Pentagon Taps Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey, and Newt Gingrich for Future Warfare Initiative
The Pentagon has launched "Project Meridian," an initiative to identify future military capabilities and technologies, enlisting Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey, and Newt Gingrich as co-leads. This effort aims to maintain the U.S. military's technological edge by focusing on discovering, developing, and fielding advanced weapons and systems for future battlefields.
AI in healthcare billing increased costs by $942 million, insurers claim
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) reported that hospitals' use of AI tools for insurance claims led to an additional $942 million in healthcare spending over two years. The BCBSA analysis found a rise in documented complex conditions without a corresponding change in care delivered, suggesting AI is contributing to increased healthcare costs.
Trump Administration Launches America.gov, an AI-Powered Government Website Using Gemini and Grok
The Trump administration launched America.gov, a new government website utilizing AI from Google's Gemini and Elon Musk's Grok. The site aims to improve user interaction with government services, addressing the 40 million daily interactions with existing government websites.
Lowe's launches drone delivery service with DoorDash and Alphabet's Wing
Lowe's has partnered with DoorDash and Alphabet's Wing to launch a drone delivery service for home improvement products, marking the first such service in the sector. This initiative allows customers to receive over 100 products within 20 minutes, addressing a common need for quick access to missing items during projects.
Apple iPhone 18 Pro expected launch in September 2026
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro in September 2026, following its annual release pattern. Pre-orders are anticipated to open on a Friday following the announcement, with shipping likely starting the following week.
xAI Sues South Carolina Man Over Grok-Generated Sexual Images
xAI has initiated a lawsuit against Terry Wayne Harwood, alleging misuse of its Grok AI to generate child sexual abuse material (CSAM). This legal action, driven by Harwood's alleged bypassing of Grok's safeguards, underscores the challenges AI companies face in preventing abuse of their technology.
Apple Overhauls EU App Store Fees and Terms, Replaces Core Technology Fee
Apple has introduced new App Store commission rates and business terms for developers in the European Union, effective October 1. These changes include a simplified commission structure, reduced rates for alternative payment options, and the replacement of the Core Technology Fee with a 5% Core Technology Commission on digital transactions in apps distributed outside the App Store. This overhaul aims to resolve disagreements with the European Commission regarding business terms and alternative distribution under the Digital Markets Act.
eBay and Former Executives Settle Harassment Lawsuit for $56 Million
eBay and several former executives have agreed to pay approximately $56 million to Ina and David Steiner, publishers of EcommerceBytes, to resolve a 2021 civil lawsuit. The settlement stems from a 2019 harassment and cyberstalking campaign orchestrated by former eBay employees in retaliation for the couple's critical reporting on the company. This resolution follows criminal charges and prison terms for some of the former eBay employees involved.
Bipartisan Bill Proposes AI 'Kill Switch' Mandating Shutdown Capabilities
Reps. Ted Lieu (D-CA) and Nathaniel Moran (R-TX) introduced the "AI Kill Switch Act," requiring developers of powerful AI models to implement shutdown or throttling capabilities. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) could order these actions in specific "loss-of-control" scenarios, such as those involving significant casualties or economic damage, with non-compliance facing fines up to $20 million per day.