Breaking AI & Tech News Analyzed

The End of a Lucrative Partnership Snap has ended its $400M deal with Perplexity, a company that specializes in AI search engines. The deal, announced last November, would have seen Perplexity's technology integrated directly into Snapchat. Details of the Failed Partnership The deal was worth $400 million in cash and equity over one year. Perplexity's AI search engine was to be integrated into Snapchat's 'Chat' interface. The partnership was expected to contribute to Snap's financials in 2026. Snap and Perplexity 'amicably ended the relationship in Q1.' Impact on Snap's Financials Snap's sales guidance 'assumes no contribution from Perplexity.' The company revealed that its global daily active users (DAU) rose 5% year-over-year to 483 million, while monthly active users (MAU) also grew 5% to reach 965 million. The Future of AI Integration Snap CEO Evan Spiegel had previously stated that the deal reflected the company's vision to use AI to enhance discovery on Snapchat. The company remains focused on investing in AI and other technologies, such as intelligent eyewear. What's Next for Snap and Perplexity While the deal with Perplexity has ended, Snap continues to explore other partnerships and technologies to enhance its platform. The company will share more about its plans at AWE on June 16th.

The Lead-Up to Elon Musk's Departure from OpenAI In late August 2017, key figures at OpenAI gathered to discuss creating a for-profit subsidiary to commercialize its technology and raise funds needed to realize Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). Elon Musk demanded full control of the company, but his co-founders, Greg Brockman and Sam Altman, proposed equal shares. The Heated Meeting That Changed Everything During a tense meeting, Musk became angry and upset when told the others would not accede to his demand for control. He stormed out of the room, grabbed a painting of a Tesla, and asked Brockman and Ilya Sutskever when they would be departing OpenAI. Musk stopped his regular donations to OpenAI's operating budget, and within six months, he would leave the board. The Data Analysis: Financial Impact of OpenAI's Growth OpenAI's growth was fueled by investments from Microsoft, including a $1 billion investment in 2019 and a further $13 billion over the next four years. This led to a significant increase in the company's valuation, with Brockman's current stake worth almost $30 billion. The Impact Analysis: Power Struggle and Its Consequences The power struggle between Musk and his co-founders had significant consequences for OpenAI. Musk's departure led to a change in the company's direction, with a greater focus on commercialization and fundraising. This ultimately fueled Musk's suspicions that Altman and Brockman had taken advantage of him, leading to a lawsuit in 2024. The Prediction: What's Next for OpenAI and Elon Musk The trial between Musk and OpenAI is expected to continue, with both sides presenting their cases. The outcome will likely have significant implications for the future of AI development and the relationships between key players in the industry.

Unexpected Discovery: Twins Share a Mother but Not a FatherOn their shared 49th birthday, sisters Lavinia Osbourne and Michelle Osbourne revealed a startling truth: although they were born minutes apart in Nottingham in 1976, they have different biological fathers. The revelation came after both took DNA tests with the genealogy firm Ancestry, confirming a phenomenon that has never before been recorded in British history. Heteropaternal Superfecundation ExplainedThe twins’ situation is a textbook case of heteropaternal superfecundation, a rare reproductive event where a woman releases multiple eggs in one cycle, has intercourse with more than one partner, and each egg is fertilised by sperm from a different man. The resulting embryos develop simultaneously, leading to twins who are also half‑siblings. How Rare Is This Phenomenon? Global StatisticsFewer than 20 confirmed cases have been documented worldwide in the scientific literature.Most cases are identified only when both twins independently submit DNA tests.Non‑identical twins typically share >50% of paternal DNA; in heteropaternal cases, the shared paternal DNA drops to near zero. Implications for DNA Testing and Family IdentityThe Osbourne twins’ story underscores two broader trends. First, consumer DNA services are uncovering hidden family structures that were previously unknowable, challenging long‑standing assumptions about lineage. Second, the emotional impact can be profound: the twins described years of uncertainty about their father’s identity and the “twin magic” they felt despite the genetic split. What the Future Holds for Genetic Ancestry ServicesAs testing becomes cheaper and more widespread, experts predict a rise in similar revelations. This could lead to:Greater demand for counseling services linked to genetic testing.More rigorous privacy safeguards as sensitive family information surfaces.Scientific interest in studying how differing paternal DNA influences twin development, health outcomes, and personality. For now, Lavinia and Michelle continue to celebrate their bond, proving that shared experiences can outweigh genetic differences.

The Hollywood Economics of Fashion SequelsFor a film that serves as a commentary on the perilous economics of today's media landscape, it's fitting that promotion for The Devil Wears Prada 2 has been so frank about its finances. The sequel reveals how modern Hollywood turns entertainment into a financial powerhouse through strategic casting and brand partnerships.Star Power and Salary NegotiationsSpeaking ahead of the New York premiere, Meryl Streep revealed she initially turned down the role of Miranda Priestly in the 2006 original in a bid to extract more money from its producers. "They called me up and they made an offer," she told US TV show Today, "and I said, no, not going to do it. I knew it was going to be a hit, and I wanted to see [what would happen] if I doubled my ask. They went right away and said: 'Sure!'"Streep's hardball bartering paid off all round. The original film made more than nine times its $35m budget at the box office, enjoyed a strong streaming afterlife and became a cultural touchstone.The Price of Star Power in 2026Estimates suggest that cast salaries alone account for around half the sequel's $100m price tag, once the leads, supporting cast and costly cameos are totted up. Lady Gaga's brief appearance as herself in the film – including a bespoke body-positive song – came in at a reported $2.5m alone. She is one of about 30 assorted big names from music, fashion, sport and the media to parade briefly on screen, in a bid to lend the project credibility as well as cross-pollinate its promotion.Asked earlier this week about the 20-year wait for a sequel, Emily Blunt and Anne Hathaway jokingly noted that Stanley Tucci was the last of the four stars to sign on the second time round – holding out, they said, for the big bucks.Brand Partnerships and Commercial IntegrationYet the fashion satire has also adopted a belt and braces approach to its profits. Just as its fictional Runway magazine is increasingly at the behest of advertisers propping up its pagination, so too producers of the new movie have brokered a strategic roster of lucrative brand partnerships.The most conspicuous of these is Dior, which features in the film as the company now run by Blunt's character. The others are a touch less aspirational; the portfolio includes Diet Coke, Old Navy, Tweezerman, listing agent Zillow, hair care brands Tresemmé and L'Oréal, plus Google, Samsung and Starbucks.Many of the tie-in products are available for purchase in the US at Walmart stores, which also boasts its own range of official merchandise, including a Miranda doll ($35), polyester throw blanket ($14.74), shower wash ($10) and a scoop collection tie-waist midi dress in the finest cerulean blue ($49).Box Office Projections and Industry ImpactProjections estimate that the new film will take around double its budget over its opening weekend, meaning the original's overall $326m take should be surpassed within a fortnight. The sequel is riding a wave of renewed enthusiasm for cinema attendance, following box office over-performances for recent releases.The Future of Film FinancingThe financial strategy behind The Devil Wears Prada 2 reflects broader industry trends where films increasingly rely on star power, brand partnerships, and merchandise tie-ins to ensure profitability in an increasingly competitive entertainment landscape. As production costs continue to rise, we can expect more films to adopt this multi-pronged approach to revenue generation, blending traditional box office returns with innovative commercial partnerships.

The LeadPeru has launched an investigation into an alleged human trafficking network that lured citizens with false promises of employment in Russia, only for them to end up fighting in Russia's war against Ukraine. The public prosecutor's office confirmed the probe into what they describe as "human trafficking" and "aggravated human trafficking" crimes.The Deceptive Recruitment NetworkIndividuals were "recruited through deceptive job offers to work as security agents and other roles" in Russia, "with the promise of financial compensation," according to the prosecutor's statement. The investigation comes as families of victims protested outside Peru's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, demanding their loved ones be repatriated from the war zone.Moscow's embassy in Lima acknowledged that Peruvians had signed contracts to join the Russian armed forces, while Peru's Ministry of Foreign Affairs requested clarification and information about the wellbeing of citizens serving in the Russian military. The ministry noted that Peruvian citizens are required to seek permission from the Foreign Ministry before serving in a foreign military.Human Cost and Scale of RecruitmentAt least 13 Peruvians have died in the war in Ukraine, according to Percy Salinas, a lawyer representing families of people who ended up on the front lines. Salinas revealed that individuals were reportedly offered monthly salaries of between $2,000 and $3,000, and that an estimated 600 Peruvians have been lured since last October to fight for Russia.This situation extends beyond Peru, with more than 1,780 citizens from 36 African countries believed to be fighting alongside Russian forces, according to Ukrainian estimates. Russia has also previously acknowledged enlisting soldiers from North Korea, with thousands estimated to have been killed or wounded in battle.International Implications and Diplomatic ResponsePeru's investigation places it among a growing number of countries raising complaints against Russia over the deceptive recruitment of foreign nationals to fight in Ukraine. The incident highlights Russia's increasing reliance on foreign fighters as the conflict continues, potentially indicating challenges in maintaining troop levels with domestic recruits.The diplomatic response from Peru demonstrates how nations are attempting to protect their citizens while navigating complex international relations. The situation has created tensions between Peru and Russia, with Peruvian authorities seeking accountability for what they consider exploitation of their citizens.Future Outlook and Potential EscalationAs the Ukraine war persists, Russia may continue to expand its recruitment efforts from foreign countries, potentially targeting economically vulnerable populations with financial incentives. Other nations may follow Peru's lead in launching investigations and diplomatic protests against these recruitment practices.The international community may face increasing pressure to address the broader issue of foreign fighters in conflicts, potentially leading to new treaties or protocols governing the recruitment of citizens by foreign militaries. Meanwhile, families of victims in Peru and other affected countries will likely continue advocating for the safe return of their loved ones from the war zone.

The Musk-OpenAI Legal Battle Elon Musk spent the better part of three days on the witness stand this week in his lawsuit against OpenAI, and it's already getting messy. Emails, texts, and his own tweets are surfacing in court, and there are plenty more witnesses to come. The Charity Mission Controversy Musk's argument against OpenAI is that by converting the company to a for-profit model, Sam Altman betrayed the "nonprofit for the benefit of humanity" mission Musk signed up to fund. As Musk keeps reminding the courtroom: "You can't steal a charity." What's at Stake in the Courtroom On this episode of TechCrunch's Equity podcast, Kirsten Korosec and Sean O'Kane break down what's actually at stake in the courtroom and what to watch for as Altman and others take the stand, plus deals, defense tech, and what Big Tech's earnings week revealed about the limits of the AI spending era. Podcast Coverage and Analysis Listen to the full episode to hear about the ongoing legal battle between Musk and OpenAI, the implications for AI development, and the future direction of the company originally founded with the mission of benefiting humanity. Subscribe to Equity on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and all the casts. You also can follow Equity on X and Threads, at @EquityPod.

The Pentagon's AI Integration Strategy Washington, DC – The United States Department of Defense has announced a new agreement with seven Artificial Intelligence companies to use their advanced technologies for its classified networks. This initiative represents a significant acceleration in the Pentagon's decade-long effort to integrate AI into military operations, aiming to establish the United States military as an "AI-first fighting force" capable of maintaining decision superiority across all domains of warfare. Key Players in the Defense AI Ecosystem The Pentagon's agreements include partnerships with SpaceX, OpenAI, Google, NVIDIA, Reflection, Microsoft, and Amazon Web Services. These companies will provide their AI capabilities for the military's most secure information systems to "streamline data synthesis, elevate situational understanding and augment warfighter decision-making in complex operational environments." Notably absent from the Pentagon's list is Anthropic, which had a major fallout with the Pentagon after pushing back on pressure to provide unrestricted access to its Claude AI programme for "all lawful use." The appeal raised concerns over Claude's possible uses in government mass surveillance and autonomous weapons systems, leading the Pentagon to label the company a "supply chain risk." The Pentagon's agreements with OpenAI and Google had previously been confirmed, as had a deal with Elon Musk's xAI. The three companies had agreed to the Pentagon's "all lawful use" provision as part of those agreements. Operational Scale of Military AI Implementation In its statement, the Pentagon revealed that over 1.3 million department personnel use its official AI platform, GenAI.mil. "Warfighters, civilians and contractors are putting these capabilities to practical use right now, cutting many tasks from months to days," the department stated. The Pentagon also emphasized its commitment to avoiding "vendor lock," a term for over-reliance on one vendor, by continuing to build the department's AI architecture with multiple partners. Geopolitical Implications of AI-Enhanced Defense The announcement comes amid wider scrutiny over involvement by companies with the US military, which has gained renewed attention amid a public fallout with the AI company Anthropic and questions over how AI has been used in the US-Israeli war with Iran. The US government's use of AI has gained increasing scrutiny amid its mass deportation campaign, with rights groups saying the technology company Palantir has been used to collect real-time data on potential Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) targets, including pro-Palestine advocates. Amid the US-Israel war in Iran, questions have been raised over how AI targeting systems are being used. The Pentagon has said it has hit 13,000 targets since beginning attacks on February 28. At least 3,375 people have been killed in Iran, including at least 170 people, mostly children, in an apparent US Tomahawk strike on a girls' school in Minab. The Pentagon has said it is still investigating. Speaking during a Senate committee hearing on Thursday, US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand questioned Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on civilian harm oversight and the use of AI. Hegseth responded that "no military, no country works harder at every echelon to ensure they protect civilian lives than the United States military, and that is an ironclad commitment that we make, no matter how…no matter what system we use." The Future Trajectory of Military-AI Partnerships There has been an increasing desire from the administration to access Anthropic's powerful new Mythos AI model, which is seen as a potentially transformative tool in both cyber attacks and cyber defense. Despite the current legal battles, this suggests that the Pentagon may continue to pursue partnerships with Anthropic in specific domains where its technology offers unique advantages. The Pentagon's multi-vendor approach indicates a recognition of the strategic importance of diverse AI capabilities in modern warfare. As AI technologies continue to evolve at a rapid pace, we can expect to see even deeper integration of commercial AI solutions into military operations, accompanied by ongoing debates about ethical boundaries, civilian protection, and the appropriate limits of autonomous systems in warfare.

The Pentagon's AI Expansion into Classified NetworksThe U.S. Department of Defense has announced significant agreements with leading technology companies including Nvidia, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, and Reflection AI. These deals permit the deployment of advanced AI technologies and models on the Pentagon's classified networks for "lawful operational use," marking a major step in the military's AI transformation strategy.Strategic Partnerships for Military AI ImplementationThe Pentagon's statement emphasizes that these agreements "accelerate the transformation toward establishing the United States military as an AI-first fighting force" and will enhance warfighters' capabilities across all domains of warfare. This move comes after the Department's controversial dispute with Anthropic over usage terms, where the Pentagon sought unrestricted use of Anthropic's AI tools while the AI lab insisted on guardrails to prevent misuse for domestic mass surveillance and autonomous weapons.The Department highlighted its commitment to preventing vendor lock-in, stating it will "build an architecture that ensures long-term flexibility for the Joint Force" by accessing "a diverse suite of AI capabilities from across the resilient American technology stack."High-Security AI Deployment FrameworkThe AI hardware and models from these companies will be deployed on Impact Level 6 (IL6) and Impact Level 7 (IL7) environments—high-level security classifications for data and systems critical to national security. These environments require robust physical protection, strict access controls, and regular audits to maintain security integrity.The Pentagon noted that these deployments will "streamline data synthesis, elevate situational understanding, and augment warfighter decision-making" in secure environments where sensitive military operations are planned and executed.Current AI Adoption in Defense OperationsThe Department revealed that over 1.3 million DoD personnel have already utilized its secure enterprise platform for generative AI, GenAI.mil. This platform provides access to large language models (LLMs) and other AI tools within government-approved cloud environments, primarily supporting non-classified tasks such as research, document drafting, and data analysis.This existing infrastructure forms the foundation upon which the newly announced classified AI capabilities will be built, creating a comprehensive AI ecosystem across both classified and non-classified defense operations.Future of AI in National Security StrategyThe Pentagon's diversification of AI vendors signals a strategic shift toward a more resilient and flexible AI infrastructure for national defense. By partnering with multiple technology companies rather than relying on a single provider, the military aims to maintain technological superiority while mitigating potential supply chain risks.As AI continues to evolve, these partnerships will likely expand to include more specialized AI applications for defense purposes, potentially including autonomous systems, advanced threat detection, and predictive analytics for military planning and operations.

Undefeated super‑bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue will face fellow unbeaten rival Junto Nakatani in a sold‑out, high‑profile bout at the Tokyo Dome on 2 May, a fight many are calling the biggest in Japanese boxing history.A Historic Showdown at the Tokyo DomeThe press conference on Thursday revealed both fighters entering with perfect 32‑0 records and multiple‑weight world titles. Inoue, the 33‑year‑old “Monster,” has captured world belts at 108 lb, 115 lb, 118 lb and 122 lb, while Nakatani brings a three‑inch height edge, a one‑inch reach advantage, and a southpaw stance that could pose new challenges.Inoue: 27 KO wins, 205 rounds boxed, 5 ft 5 in, 121.92 lb, 67½ in reach, orthodox.Nakatani: 24 KO wins, 164 rounds boxed, 5 ft 8 in, 121.47 lb, 68½ in reach, southpaw.Financial Stakes: Inoue’s Earnings and the Economics of Japanese BoxingTicket demand was extraordinary – 55,000 seats sold out almost instantly and over 100 cinemas across Japan booked out for live screenings. While exact purses remain undisclosed, Sportico reported Inoue’s 2025 earnings at roughly ¥9.7 bn ($62 m) including endorsements. His previous Tokyo Dome appearance in May 2024 generated over ¥1 bn in commercial revenue, suggesting Saturday’s payday could eclipse even his lucrative Saudi bout.Cultural Ripple: Boosting Boxing’s Profile in JapanThe fight has captured national attention, with major sports dailies dubbing it 「世紀の一戦」 (“Fight of the Century”). Local celebrations, such as the City Border Challenge festival in Kanagawa, underscore the event’s grassroots excitement. Inoue hopes the bout will draw new fans, describing it as an opportunity to “engrave my fighting spirit in your memory” and showcase boxing’s excitement to a broader audience.What the Outcome Could Mean for the Sport’s FutureIf Inoue prevails, his dominance could cement his legacy as the sport’s premier draw, attracting more high‑profile events to Japan and increasing sponsorship opportunities. A victory for Nakatani would shake the pound‑for‑pound hierarchy, potentially opening a new era of rivalry and expanding the market for Japanese fighters abroad. Either scenario promises to reshape the commercial and cultural landscape of boxing in the region.