Tech Brew Ride Home

Snap is cutting 16% of its workforce—about 1,000 people—as Spiegel blames AI for making everyone more efficient (read: expendable). Allbirds, the shoe company that sold for $39M, is pivoting its shell to become an AI compute provider called NewBird AI. OpenAI drops a cybersecurity-specific model, Google launches a desktop search app and Chrome AI Skills, and law firms say AI-generated client docs are actually creating MORE work, not less.


Snap CEO Evan Spiegel says the company plans to lay off ~1,000 full-time employees, or 16% of its global workforce (Bloomberg)


Allbirds, sold last week for $39M, says it aims to become an AI compute provider; BIRD jumps 350%+ (FT)


OpenAI rolls out GPT-5.4-Cyber, a fine-tuned variant for defensive cybersecurity (Bloomberg)


Google launches a Windows desktop app with a Spotlight-like search box (9to5Google)


Google launches Skills, repeatable AI prompts that Chrome users can run with a keyboard shortcut (Wired)


Law firms say lawyers are spending more time responding to AI-generated client documents (FT)

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Amazon's dropping $10.8 billion on Globalstar to beef up its Leo satellite network and challenge Starlink — and Apple's along for the ride. Plus, federal charges for the Sam Altman attacker, OpenAI acqui-hires a fintech startup, Google declares war on back button hijacking, data labeling startups are printing money, and Missouri voters revolt over a data center.


Amazon agrees to acquire satellite operator Globalstar for $10.8B to expand Leo satellite network; Amazon and Apple say Leo will power some iPhone and Watch services (Amazon)


Amazon to Acquire Globalstar in Satellite Cellular-Connection Push (WSJ)


US DOJ charges Daniel Moreno-Gama, accused of throwing a Molotov cocktail at Sam Altman's home, with attempted murder and arson (CNN)


Man who attacked OpenAI CEO's home had list of other AI executives (NYT)


OpenAI acquires personal finance startup Hiro Finance (TechCrunch)


Google designates "back button hijacking" as malicious, sites could be demoted in Search from June 15 (9to5Google)


Data labeling startup Handshake's gross annualized revenue hits ~$1B; Mercor also at $1B+ pace (The Information)


Voters in Festus, Missouri oust all four incumbent council members days after council approved a $6B data center (Politico)

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Sam Altman's home has been targeted twice in three days, first a Molotov cocktail, then a shooting from a passing car. Apple is testing four designs for AI smart glasses. OpenAI is touting its Amazon partnership while publicly distancing from Microsoft. GPU prices are surging as an agentic AI compute crunch threatens the whole industry. And Mark Zuckerberg is still keen on photorealistic Metaverse avatars.


Sam Altman's home targeted in second attack; two suspects arrested (SF Standard)


Apple AI Smart Glasses Features, Styles, Colors, Cameras; Giannandrea Leaving (Bloomberg)


OpenAI touts Amazon alliance in memo, says Microsoft has 'limited our ability' to reach clients (CNBC)


AI Is Using So Much Energy That Computing Firepower Is Running Out (WSJ)


Meta builds AI version of Mark Zuckerberg to interact with staff (FT)

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The US government is taking the Anthropic warning seriously. Google is showing prediction markets alongside various search results. Europeans ARE beginning to decouple from US tech. Kicking the tires on SpaceX’s actual business. And, of course, the Weekend Longreads Suggestions.


Anthropic Model Scare Sparks Urgent Bessent, Powell Warning to Bank CEOs (Bloomberg)


Google rolls out Gmail end-to-end encryption on mobile devices (Bleeping Computer)


Google News Now Prominently Featuring Polymarket Bets (Futurism)


France to ditch Windows for Linux to reduce reliance on US tech (TechCrunch)


YouTube Premium is getting pricier (The Verge)


OpenAI Backs Bill That Would Limit Liability for AI-Enabled Mass Deaths or Financial Disasters (Wired)


SpaceX Posted Nearly $5 Billion Loss Last Year from AI Spending (The Information)

Weekend Longreads Suggestion:


An Internet of Checkpoints (Longreads)

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Meta releases its first model in the great AI horserace catchup race. OpenAI is expecting to make as much money from ads as the biggest social media companies. Meta doesn’t want you to see ads encouraging you to join lawsuits against them. And Amazon’s big Starlink competitor is coming as soon as this summer.


Meta releases first AI model since Zuckerberg’s spending spree (FT)


AI Horserace Thread (@emollick)


Anthropic Completes Tender Offer, But Employees Hold Onto Shares (Bloomberg)


OpenAI Forecasts Advertising to Hit $102 billion by 2030 (The Information)


Scoop: Meta removes ads for social media addiction litigation (Axios)


Amazon’s Starlink competitor Leo gets a new date (The Verge)


Deere settles US right-to-repair lawsuit with $99 million fund, repair commitments (Reuters)


Gen Z Is Using A.I., but Doesn’t Feel Great About It (NYTimes)

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