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5 min read

Week 8, 2025

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Key observations

1
AI leaders shift to unified models
The AI landscape is seeing a dramatic shift as OpenAI and Anthropic move to consolidate their technologies. OpenAI will make GPT-4.5 its final standalone release, folding all capabilities—including the planned O3 reasoning system—into GPT-5. Not to be outdone, Anthropic is developing a hybrid model that combines quick thinking with deep analysis. This pivot marks a decisive move from specialized AI tools toward unified systems that mirror human-like cognitive flexibility.

2
AI firms compete on research capabilities
The AI research tools market is heating up as major players target professional-grade analysis capabilities. OpenAI is expanding access to its 'Deep Research' feature beyond its $200 premium tier, though with usage limits of 2 monthly queries for free users and 10 for pro users. Perplexity has countered by launching its own 'Deep Research' service, offering more generous limits—5 daily queries for free users and 500 for pro users. While Perplexity leads in speed, OpenAI's service is noted for superior analytical depth.

3
Apple and Meta enter home robotics race
Apple and Meta are charging into home robotics with contrasting approaches. Apple's teams are quietly developing everything from desk robots to humanoids, targeting post-2028 launch, while Meta aggressively pushes toward market with a Llama-powered humanoid for household tasks. Both firms have tapped former autonomous vehicle chiefs to lead these initiatives—signaling the strategic weight of their robotics ambitions.

4
Intel faces potential split
A major semiconductor industry shake-up looms as Broadcom explores acquiring Intel's chip design division, while TSMC considers taking over Intel's manufacturing facilities. The potential split comes after Intel's 60% stock plunge and CEO departure last year. Former Trump administration officials have reportedly brokered initial talks with TSMC, who showed interest in the collaboration. While still in early stages, this restructuring could fundamentally reshape the semiconductor landscape.

5
Anduril takes over Army AR goggle program
Anduril, the rising defense tech startup, is set to acquire Microsoft's $22 billion Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) program for the U.S. Army, pending Pentagon approval. The AR combat goggle project would significantly boost Anduril's position among defense giants like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. Founded by Palmer Luckey of Oculus VR fame, Anduril will maintain Microsoft's cloud and AI support while taking over product development.

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AI - Tech

xAI releases Grok 3.

    • “[It’s a] maximally truth-seeking AI, even if that truth is sometimes at odds with what is politically correct.”
      —Elon Musk

Anthropic unveils hybrid AI model.

OpenAI scraps o3, folds it into GPT-5.

OpenAI expands access to Deep Research.

Perplexity launches own Deep Research.

Gemini now remembers past chats.

Google uses AI to estimate user age.

Google rolls out Whisk in 100+ countries.

    • Whisk is an AI image remixing tool.

Amazon’s new Alexa delayed again.

Apple's Siri revamp delayed by bugs.

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AI - Business

OpenAI rejected Musk’s $97.4B bid.

    • "If Elon wants to own your company and you are a founder who doesn't want to sell, it is probably a bad idea if he has also admin access to the SEC, FTC, Treasury, IRS, etc."

xAI is raising $10B at $75B valuation.

Anthropic projects $3.7B revenue in '25.

Meta tweaked AI depreciation, saving $2.9B.

Meta to buy AI chip startup FuriosaAI.

Apple to use Alibaba AI in China.

    • “Apple has been very selective, they talked to a number of companies in China, and in the end they chose to do business with us, they want to use our AI to power their phones”

Baidu to open-source Ernie 4.5.

    • "Baidu CEO Robin Li had long advocated for closed-source models as the only viable path for AI development, but the advent of DeepSeek has upended the sector."

Tencent tests DeepSeek for its messenger.

Snowflake adds Claude 3.5 to Cortex Agents.

Reddit’s AI deals make up 10% of revenue.

Anthropic debuts Anthropic Economic Index.

Microsoft says AI hurts critical thinking.

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Chips / Infrastructure

WH is renegotiating Chips Act awards.

TSMC-Broadcom may split Intel.

TSMC hold first board meeting in US.

Arm to launch in-house server CPU.

    • Meta is among first buyers.

Nvidia cut its Arm stake by 43.8%.

Meta unveils new subsea cable project.

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Robotics

Apple-Meta battle over home robots.

Amazon’s robots may save $10B.

    • Fulfillment costs account for 20% of Amazon's retail revenue.
    • "This is, I think, the most underappreciated part of Amazon's story."

Figure is raising $1.5B at $39.5B valuation.

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Ecommerce

Shopify reports Q4 earnings.

    • Q4 revenue up 31% ($2.8B)
    • GMV up 26% ($94.5B)
    • Operating loss $465M
    • 2024 revenue up 26% ($8.9B)

Shein's UK IPO faces delay.

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Social Media

Reddit reports Q4 earnings.

    • Revenue up 71% ($428M)
    • DAU up 39%, but missed expectations
    • Google search algorithm change caused user growth volatility
    • Shares dropped 15%+

TikTok back in U.S. app stores.

Apple resumes advertising on X.

Reddit planning paid subreddits.

Snap creators built 4M+ AR lenses.

    • There are 375K creators worldwide with India leading growth.

Instagram testing comments dislikes.

Mastodon adds quote posts feature.

Meta funds online safety curriculum for kids.

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Content / Entertainment

Roku reports Q4 earnings.

    • Revenue up 22% ($1.2B)
    • Net loss $35.5M
    • Shares jumped 10%+

Apple releases Apple TV app.

YouTube viewed mostly on TV.

YouTube Shorts adds AI video generation.

Adobe beta launches Generate Video.

Spotify to launch Music Pro tier.

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AR / VR

Anduril takes over IVAS from Microsoft.

    • IVAS is an augmented reality headset meant to provide Army soldiers increased lethality, mobility and situational awareness on the battlefield.
    • Anduril founder also founded Oculus VR.

Apple Vision Pro gets AI upgrade.

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Device / Hardware

Apple teases new iPhone SE.

Apple's first foldable iPhone leaked.

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App / Platform

Google I/O 2025 coming May 20-21.

Google Calendar removes Pride/Black History.

Apple Maps also accepts 'Gulf of America'.

Apple allows account transfers.

Uber sues DoorDash for antitrust.

DoorDash reports Q4 earnings.

    • Revenue up 25% ($2.87B)
    • Total orders up 19% (685M)

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EV / Autonomous

Tesla insiders urge Musk to resign.

    • "He seems to have ghosted his own company"

BYD adds self-driving to all models.

Lyft reports Q4 earnings.

    • Revenue up 27% ($1.55B)
    • Q1 gross bookings below est
    • Shares down 9%+

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Space

Blue Origin cuts 10% of employees.

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Healthcare

Apple launches new health study.

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Crypto

Binance denies sale rumors.

    • "Some lowly self-perceived competitor in Asia fudding about Binance (CEX) for sale."

Coinbase eyes reentry to India.

Coinbase reports Q4 earnings.

    • Revenue up 138% ($2.27B)
    • Trading volume up 185% ($429B)

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Policy / Regulation

US-UK refused to sign Paris AI agreement.

UK refocuses AI institute from bias to security.

Xi meets Chinese tech leaders.

Chinese crypto equipment faces tighter US customs.

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Other earnings

SoftBank reports disappointing Q3.

    • $2.4B net loss on $12B revenue

Airbnb reports Q4 earnings.

    • Revenue up 12% ($2.48B)
    • Gross booking up 13% ($17.6B)
    • Shares jumped 13%+

Robinhood reports Q4 earnings.

    • Revenue up 115% ($1.01B)
    • Crypto txn revenue up 700%
    • Shares jumped 10%+

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Etc

X pays Trump $10M to end Twitter ban lawsuit.

State Dept halts $400M Tesla vehicle deal.

Musk-Modi meeting sparks controversy.

    • Trump had no idea why they met.
    • "Well Elon—I don’t know. They met, and I assume he wants to do business in India."

Meta seeks Trump support against EU.

    • "When companies are treated differently in a way that is discriminatory against them, then that should be highlighted to that company’s home government."

Meta CTO urges dissenters to leave.

OpenAI whistleblower death ruled suicide.

Trump nominates Apple exec to NHTSA.

Trump nominates a16z exec to CFTC.

Malaysia deploys Google AI for civil servants.

Pichai says Quantum is only 5-10 yrs away.

    • "Quantum today feels like AI in the 2010s."

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