Good evening!
The best part about being an adult is you don’t have to wait for Tuesday to have tacos. But anyway, happy Taco Tuesday to all who observe.
Here are the 7 things you missed today:
1. 🌎 Google expands Opal AI app builder to 15 new countries
The company is bringing its no-code “vibe-coding” app Opal to 15 more markets including Canada, India, Japan, Brazil, and Singapore. Opal lets users describe an idea in plain text and instantly build working web apps powered by Google’s AI models. The latest update adds visual debugging, faster performance, and parallel step execution. Google says Opal’s July U.S. launch produced a surge of “sophisticated and creative” user-made apps which prompted Google to make it available globally. (Google)
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3. 🤝 Anthropic and IBM announce strategic AI partnership
IBM will integrate Anthropic’s Claude models into parts of its software and cloud services to strengthen enterprise AI options. The collaboration combines Claude’s reasoning capabilities with IBM’s governance and security tools for regulated sectors. IBM clients will gain access to Claude for analytics, compliance, and document automation. Deloitte will also bring Claude to its 500,000-person workforce under a separate agreement. (TechCrunch)
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5. ⚡️ Trump DOE proposes multibillion-dollar cuts to EV and startup grants
A draft plan from the Department of Energy outlines more than $500 million in new grant cancellations on top of $7.5 billion flagged last week. Companies listed include GM, Ford, Rivian, Lucid, Daimler Trucks, Harley-Davidson, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Stellantis, Volvo, and multiple climate-tech startups such as Brimstone ($189 M) and Sublime Systems ($86.9 M). The DOE says the cuts would redirect funds toward “energy reliability,” but industry groups warn of major job losses. (TechCrunch)
6. 🏦 xAI hires former Morgan Stanley banker Anthony Armstrong as CFO
Elon Musk’s AI company appointed Anthony Armstrong, a 17-year Morgan Stanley veteran who led its technology investment banking unit. Armstrong advised Musk on major Tesla, SpaceX, and X (Twitter) transactions. His arrival comes as xAI continues to raise billions to scale its Grok chatbot and GPU infrastructure. The hire underscores xAI’s efforts to professionalize its leadership team amid rapid growth. (Financial Times)
7. 📉 Stocks fall as S&P 500 ends lower amid rate caution
U.S. equities slipped Tuesday as investors pared bets on near-term Fed rate cuts. The S&P 500 fell 0.39%, the Dow Jones lost 0.27%, and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.56%, extending Monday’s declines. Energy and financial stocks led losses, while Treasury yields ticked higher. Asian markets were mixed after China’s week-long holiday, and the U.S. dollar firmed 0.3% against major peers. (Reuters)
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