CHATGPT MAKER
Google CEO says proposed antitrust fix would discourage innovation
Google CEO Sundar Pichai warned that forcing the company to share search data with rivals would undermine its investments and innovation, calling it a "de facto divestiture" of intellectual property. The DOJ's antitrust case could reshape search and AI competition online.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai to take the stand at search antitrust trial
The DOJ and a broad coalition of state attorneys general are pressing for remedies to restore competition even as search evolves to overlap with generative AI products such as ChatGPT. Prosecutors are concerned that Google's dominance in search could extend to AI.
Top tech and startup stories this week
Welcome to a new edition of ETtech Unwrapped – our weekend newsletter packed with the most important stories this week. Let’s take a look.
Peak XV’s new fund; Sebi’s bond crackdown
Happy Friday! Peak XV Partners is set to raise its new fund, first one after its split from Sequoia US. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch
Ather’s Esop bonanza; Startups face tax heat
Ather Energy’s upcoming IPO is set to unlock wealth for more than 1,300 employees. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.
BluSmart faces audit; Ather's investor gains
BluSmart’s board has appointed Grant Thornton to audit the cash-strapped company’s financials. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.
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Ex-OpenAI workers seek stay on for-profit conversion of ChatGPT maker
Former OpenAI employees, backed by Nobel laureates, are urging California and Delaware's attorneys generals to block the company's shift to a for-profit structure. They fear this restructuring will compromise OpenAI's commitment to AI safety and public benefit, potentially prioritising profit over responsible development. Concerns center on the control and accountability of advanced AI technology, particularly if it surpasses human capabilities.
OpenAI signals interest in buying Google’s Chrome if breakup is ordered: ChatGPT exec testifies
At Google's US antitrust trial, OpenAI revealed interest in buying Chrome if forced to be sold. OpenAI testified Google blocked access to its search tech, hindering ChatGPT. ChatGPT head of product Nick Turley made the statement while testifying at trial in Washington. The Department of Justice (DOJ) seeks remedies to restore competition, including banning Google’s exclusive deals.
Google contemplated exclusive Gemini AI deals with Android makers
At a US antitrust trial, it was revealed that Google considered exclusive deals with Android makers like Samsung for its Gemini AI app, Chrome, and search. Prosecutors argue such deals reinforce Google’s search monopoly and hinder AI competition. The Justice Department seeks remedies, including possibly forcing Google to sell Chrome.
From Messi to Trump, AI action figures are the rage
The figurines aren't real, but thanks to ChatGPT's new image generator they look genuine, and they are flooding platforms from TikTok to LinkedIn.
ETtech Explainer: How Trump tariffs hit Nvidia’s China business, and stock
The US has tightened curbs on export of high-end AI chips to China for the third time, which has exacerbated the pain for semiconductor major Nvidia and its peers amid the Trump tariff-led global uncertainty. As tech stocks lead index routs, we take a deeper look what the barriers could mean for technology and trade.
Perplexity AI in talks to integrate assistant into Samsung, Motorola phones
Perplexity AI is pushing to expand its presence on smartphones, securing a deal with Motorola to preload its assistant and in early talks with Samsung for deeper integration. Backed by Samsung’s investment arm, Perplexity aims to boost brand visibility and challenge AI leaders like Google and OpenAI, targeting an $18 billion valuation.
Infosys Q4 results; Sunscreen storm clears up
Infosys posted a drop in net profit for the March quarter. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.
OpenAI in talks to buy Windsurf for about $3 billion: Report
Windsurf was in talks with investors such as Kleiner Perkins and General Catalyst to raise funding at a $3 billion valuation, the report added. It closed a $150 million funding round led by General Catalyst last year, valuing it at $1.25 billion.
OpenAI names members to its nonprofit commission
OpenAI, which last month said it would raise up to $40 billion in a new funding round valuing the company at $300 billion, named Daniel Zingale, who has held senior leadership roles across California, as the commission's convener. Dolores Huerta, Monica Lozano, Robert Ross and Jack Oliver, all of whom have prior experience with community-based organisations, have been appointed as advisors to the new commission, formed earlier this month.
California attorney general declines to join Elon Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI
OpenAI wants to remove its nonprofit board as its controlling power in exchange for a valuable equity stake. Musk's suit argues that this would threaten the nonprofit's mission and he had asked the state to join the lawsuit. OpenAI has argued that it needs to remove the nonprofit's controlling role in order to raise funds from investors. To secure a $40 billion fundraising round, the company must complete its transition by the end of the year.
A16z eyes leading mega round in former OpenAI CTO’s startup Thinking Machines, sources say
Andreessen Horowitz, known as A16z, has made big bets in AI, backing competitors to AI heavyweight OpenAI. It has participated in large funding rounds for AI model startups including Elon Musk's xAI, Sutskever's Safe Superintelligence and France-based Mistral.
Group of ex-OpenAI employees back Musk's lawsuit to halt OpenAI restructure
Corporate leaders want to give investors control, drawing a host of concerns and a lawsuit from Musk and others who say business interests must be subordinated to humanitarian goals.
UEFA Europa League Lyon vs Manchester United quarter final: Check live streaming, schedule, starting XIs, and key stats
Manchester United travels to France to face Olympique Lyonnais in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final clash. With their domestic form faltering, the Red Devils are aiming to keep their European hopes alive. Lyon, unbeaten in five, will pose a strong challenge as both teams push for a semi-final spot.
UK’s Cabinet Office to cut nearly 2,100 posts as Labour targets Civil Service reform
The Cabinet Office will cut nearly one-third of its workforce—2,100 jobs—under Labour’s civil service reform agenda led by Pat McFadden. The reform, intended to rationalise government functions and reduce expenses, has raised union fears about its effect on the delivery of public services. Ministers vow to reinvest savings in frontline services, such as education, healthcare, and policing.
Elon Musk vs OpenAI: The legal feud explained as ChatGPT maker countersues world's richest person
Sam Altman-backed OpenAI has countersued Elon Musk citing a pattern of harassment by him and asked the judge to hold him responsible for the "damage he has already caused" to the company. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO had in August last year filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and others for shifting away from its founding mission to develop AI for the good of humanity and not seek corporate profit.
OpenAI countersues Elon Musk, claims harassment
OpenAI has countersued Elon Musk, accusing him of harassment and bad-faith attempts to disrupt its transition to a for-profit model. The legal battle stems from Musk’s claims that OpenAI abandoned its founding mission. A jury trial is set for next year, with tensions escalating between the former cofounders of the AI company
Microsoft says it's 'slowing or pausing' some AI data center projects, including $1 billion plan for Ohio
Microsoft is pausing parts of its $1 billion Ohio data center project, reflecting slower-than-expected AI infrastructure needs. While it still plans to invest over $80 billion globally in AI, the shift signals reassessment amid evolving demand, energy concerns, and a changing partnership with OpenAI. Local officials expressed disappointment.
Shipping giant CMA CGM and French AI startup target customer service in tie-up
After drawing massive funding, the AI sector is under pressure to deliver gains, with the emergence of low-cost Chinese AI model DeepSeek unsettling investors. Mistral gained huge exposure at an international AI gathering in Paris in February, feted by President Emmanuel Macron as a European champion to compete with American giants such as OpenAI, which produces ChatGPT.
Microsoft, turning 50, dials up Copilot actions to stay in AI game
Copilot, Microsoft's AI assistant, is gaining a host of new features to make it more proactive. The version for consumers will start remembering personal facts about them. It will offer birthday reminders or support ahead of a presentation, or consumers can opt out, Mehdi said in an interview.
Trump tariffs could stymie Big Tech's US data center spending spree
Electronics - which include smartphones, PCs and data-center equipment - were the second biggest imports last year at nearly $486 billion worth of goods, according to Census Bureau data. Bernstein analysts pegged data processing machine imports at about $200 billion in 2024, mostly from Mexico, Taiwan, China, and Vietnam.
AI may be coming for anime but Ghibli's Miyazaki irreplaceable, says son
AI risks replacing Japanese anime artists, but Studio Ghibli’s Goro Miyazaki says nothing can replicate his father Hayao’s unique artistry. While AI-generated images raise copyright concerns, Goro highlights the depth of Ghibli’s work, rooted in human experience, which AI struggles to authentically replicate.
Ghibli-style AI images are fun, but is it safe to upload personal photos? Here's what happens to them once they're uploaded
AI image generators are making it easier and cheaper to create fake evidence, raising concerns over data privacy. Users sharing personal photos risk losing control over their data, which could be used without consent for various purposes, including malicious content creation and personalized ads.
Not just images, want to make Ghibli-inspired videos? Here is a guide on how to create such videos using ChatGPT, Grok, more
AI-powered tools like ChatGPT, Grok 3, and Gemini enable users to easily create Studio Ghibli-style images and animations. This trend is growing due to the tools' ability to mimic Ghibli's nostalgic and aesthetically appealing art, making it accessible to non-artists while respecting copyright considerations.
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