AI companies and their supporters are investing hundreds of millions of dollars into the 2026 US midterm elections through super PACs. Their primary goal is unified: to push for a single national framework for artificial intelligence regulation rather than having to navigate a fragmented patchwork of state laws. This collective demand reflects the sector's desire for clarity and consistency in AI governance across the country, as reported by CNBC.
Mark Zuckerberg has confirmed that Meta is actively exploring an AI cloud business to lease out its excess computing resources. He mentioned that offering access to Meta's computing power is a logical step forward, backing up earlier reports about this initiative, known as Meta Compute. This move would allow Meta to monetize its surplus AI infrastructure by renting it out to external users.
The rapid growth of AI data centers is leading developers to consider Native American lands for new projects. An Indigenous-led organization, Honor the Earth, is monitoring over 100 proposed developments on or near tribal and rural areas. These locations attract developers due to available space, water rights, power access, and potential tax benefits offered by reservations.
Jeff Bezos is opening up Blue Origin to external investors for the first time since its inception in 2000. The space exploration company is looking to raise around $10 billion with a $130 billion pre-money valuation, reports CNBC. For over two decades, Bezos solely funded the venture using his Amazon stock sales, opting to maintain full ownership until now.
SpaceXAI has introduced Grok 4.5, its most advanced AI model to date. This launch marks the company's first major release since going public and acquiring the AI coding startup Cursor. The new model, a product of the collaboration between SpaceXAI and Cursor, is specifically designed to excel in coding and agentic tasks, setting it apart from casual conversational AI. Elon Musk has positioned Grok 4.5 as a formidable competitor targeting the AI coding space rather than general chat applications.
Starting July 20, New York will prohibit the use of recording eyewear in all of its 1,240 courtrooms, marking the first state-wide judicial ban in the US. This move comes amid growing privacy concerns surrounding smart glasses, notably affecting companies like Meta. The New York State Unified Court System issued an internal memo outlining this restriction, aiming to prevent potential disruptions and maintain privacy in legal proceedings.
Nvidia is taking a collaborative approach with its chip competitors by partnering with d-Matrix, a promising startup specializing in inference chips. Together, they plan to offer a combined hardware system tailored for running AI models efficiently. Their joint product will first be used by AI-cloud company Parasail, highlighting Nvidia's shift towards cooperation in the competitive chip market.
Facing limited land availability and growing local opposition, Samsung is planning to deploy floating data centers at sea. Samsung Heavy Industries aims to launch its first custom-built barge data center by 2028, according to a report by Seoul Economic Daily. This innovative design will be a purpose-built floating facility stationed near the coast, rather than repurposing existing vessels.
HubSpot has reversed its decision to use customer data for a new AI sales lead tool just four days after announcing it. The change in terms, effective from July 1, would have pooled customer information such as contact and employer details. The company initially opted users in by default, sparking significant pushback. Following the backlash, HubSpot scrapped the plan to prioritize customer trust and privacy.
Google’s SynthID watermarking technology achieved a significant milestone recently when Snopes used it to verify the AI origin of a widely circulated image of Senator Mitch McConnell. The image, which depicted McConnell appearing critically ill in a hospital setting, was revealed to be artificially generated after scrutiny with the watermarking system. This marks a notable success in combatting misinformation around AI-manipulated media.
