Sunday, May 17, 2026

TechCrunch Mobility: The AI skills arms race is coming for automotive

The automotive industry is undergoing significant changes as companies like General Motors shift their workforce towards AI expertise, resulting in substantial job losses. GM recently laid off over 600 employees from its IT department to hire talent skilled in AI development and data engineering. This trend is echoed across the sector, with Ford, GM, and Stellantis collectively cutting more than 20,000 salaried jobs, primarily driven by technological advancements in AI.

This billionaire says the market may be in for a ‘breathtaking’ correction — but he’s still buying AI stocks. Here’s why

Billionaire investor Paul Tudor Jones recently expressed concerns about an impending market correction while simultaneously increasing his investments in AI stocks. He likened the current advancements in AI to the rise of Microsoft in the 1980s and the internet boom of the 1990s, predicting that the AI market still has 'another year or two to run.' Despite this optimism, he cautioned about the long-term risks associated with AI technology.

China’s Energy Boom Could Give It the AI Edge

As the competition between the United States and China intensifies in the field of artificial intelligence, energy resources are becoming increasingly vital. Experts like former Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson caution that while the US maintains a technological edge, looming electricity shortages could hinder progress. In contrast, China's aggressive investments in renewable energy and power generation are not only bolstering its AI capabilities but also reshaping global supply chains and geopolitical dynamics.

AI-related layoffs a boost for stocks? Not necessarily

Despite a broader market bull run fueled by artificial intelligence, companies announcing layoffs tied to AI have often seen their stock prices decline. A recent analysis of 23 S&P 500 firms revealed that 56% of them traded lower after announcing job cuts, with an average decline of about 25%. Notable examples include Nike and Salesforce, both of which have faced significant stock drops as they reduced their workforce to embrace automation and AI technologies.

World Action Models give robots the ability to simulate consequences before they move

A recent survey paper highlights World Action Models (WAMs), a novel approach in robotics that allows AI systems to simulate the consequences of actions before executing them. Unlike traditional models that merely map camera images to movements, WAMs build an internal representation of how the environment will change, enabling robots to learn from unlabeled everyday videos. This advancement not only enhances the robots' ability to generalize to new settings but also opens up new avenues for training using vast amounts of unstructured video data.

G7 finance ministers to meet amid warning of economic consequences of prolonged Strait of Hormuz closure

G7 finance ministers and central bankers are gathering in Paris to address the economic ramifications of the ongoing conflict affecting the Strait of Hormuz. Eurogroup President Kyriakos Pierrakakis highlighted the urgency of reopening the strait to stabilize energy supplies, as rising oil prices and inflation concerns have led to increased long-term borrowing costs across G7 economies.

Standalone Siri app to offer auto-deleting chat history, launch with beta label: report

Next month, Apple will introduce a new standalone Siri app at WWDC 2026, enhancing user interaction with Siri and Apple Intelligence. This app will feature a privacy-focused auto-deleting chat history option, similar to iMessage, and will launch in beta, even when publicly available in the fall. The revamped Siri will run on Gemini models hosted on Apple’s private cloud, ensuring user data remains secure and not utilized by Google for training purposes.

Greg Brockman consolidates OpenAI's product teams to build an "agentic future"

OpenAI is undergoing a management reshuffle as co-founder Greg Brockman officially assumes control of the company's product strategy while CEO Fidji Simo is on medical leave. Brockman aims to streamline product efforts to focus on an 'agentic future' that targets both consumer and enterprise markets, with plans for a new 'super app' integrating Codex, ChatGPT, and the Atlas browser.

Mistral CEO Arthur Mensch warns France against letting Anthropic's Mythos scan military code bases

Arthur Mensch, CEO of Mistral AI, cautioned a French inquiry against permitting Anthropic's AI model, Mythos, to scan military code bases, citing the risks of creating a cybersecurity dependency. He argued that such models can orchestrate attacks and identify vulnerabilities, not only in US systems but also in European and Chinese frameworks. Mensch highlighted that Mistral aims to remain independent, with less than 30% of its ownership held by US investors, while the EU is in talks with major AI firms for access to their cybersecurity tools.

Apple’s New ChatGPT-Like Siri App Will Have Auto-Deleting Chats

Apple's upcoming Siri app in iOS 27 will introduce unique privacy features, including auto-deleting chats, setting it apart in the chatbot market. Despite being delayed for two years, the app is expected to launch as a beta version, alongside a planned Genmoji upgrade in the new operating system.

For Eclipse, the $2.5B Cerebras win is just the start of realizing its physical-world thesis

Eclipse Ventures, founded by Lior Susan in 2015, has achieved a remarkable milestone with a $2.5 billion return from its investment in Cerebras Systems, which went public recently. This success underscores a shift in Silicon Valley towards investing in physical-world technologies, as Susan highlights the increasing recognition of the value in hardware and the alignment of market forces driving investment in sectors like robotics and semiconductors.

Gates' foundation sold all of its Microsoft shares. Bill Ackman is loading up on the stock. What is Wall Street missing?

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust has sold its final 7.7 million shares of Microsoft, concluding a decades-long investment worth approximately $3.2 billion. In contrast, investor Bill Ackman has initiated a new position in Microsoft, acquiring 5.65 million shares valued at around $2.09 billion, suggesting a divergence in market sentiment regarding the tech giant's future prospects.

Oddity is masterfully tense horror from the director of Hokum

Damian McCarthy's horror film Oddity delivers a masterful blend of tension and atmosphere, set against the backdrop of the Irish countryside. The story follows Darcy Odello, a blind psychic seeking revenge for her twin sister's murder, as she uncovers unsettling truths about those involved. With a budget reportedly as low as $750,000, the film effectively utilizes its resources, particularly through the haunting presence of a wooden golem that remains terrifying throughout its runtime.

Fujifilm’s X Half is even more whimsical with a $300 price cut

Fujifilm has significantly reduced the price of its X Half digital camera, now available for $549.99 through June 28th, down from its original price of $850. This analog-simulating camera, which captures 18-megapixel images, is designed for a playful photography experience, offering various film simulations and filters, though it lacks some features found in modern cameras. Retailers like Amazon, B&H Photo, and Best Buy are offering this deal, with Adorama adding a free accessory pack that includes a 64GB SD card and a camera case.

ElliQ is a surprisingly helpful companion robot for older adults

The ElliQ companion robot has proven to be a valuable tool for older adults, particularly for those managing conditions like Parkinson's disease. Designed by Intuition Robotics, ElliQ engages users through conversation and activity suggestions, significantly improving their motivation to exercise and socialize. In one case, a user began practicing tai chi independently after interacting with the robot, showcasing its impact on quality of life.

Report: Apple to upgrade Genmoji in iOS 27 with new automatic suggestions

Apple is enhancing its Genmoji feature in iOS 27 by introducing Suggested Genmoji, which will offer emoji suggestions based on users' photo libraries and keyboard history. This update aims to increase the adoption of Genmoji, which first appeared in iOS 18.2 and has evolved with deeper customization options. Users will have the ability to turn off this feature if they prefer not to use it.

Maximizing Your 401(k), and Is Retirement Bad for Your Brain?

In a recent podcast episode, Motley Fool's Robert Brokamp discusses strategies for maximizing 401(k) contributions while highlighting a study that links early retirement to cognitive decline. The S&P 500 is experiencing a 6.4% rise in 2026, but small caps and international stocks are performing even better, prompting discussions about investment strategies amidst rising government debt levels.

The haves and have nots of the AI gold rush

The current AI boom is marked by a significant wealth divide, as noted by Menlo Ventures partner Deedy Das, who claims that around 10,000 individuals at companies like OpenAI and Nvidia have amassed over $20 million in wealth. Meanwhile, many software engineers face layoffs and express concerns about their skills becoming obsolete, contributing to a pervasive sense of uncertainty and dissatisfaction in the tech industry.

Samsung, Labor Union to Meet in ‘Last Chance’ to Avert Strike

Samsung Electronics and its largest labor union are resuming negotiations to prevent a strike that could significantly impact South Korea's economy, as warned by the nation's prime minister. The talks focus on wages and compensation, following a surge in operating profit driven by demand for the company's semiconductors fueled by artificial intelligence advancements.

A revolutionary cancer treatment could transform autoimmune disease

Jan Janisch-Hanzlik, suffering from multiple sclerosis, became the first patient to receive CAR T cell therapy at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, a treatment originally designed for cancer that is now being explored for autoimmune diseases. This innovative approach aims to reset the immune system by targeting and eliminating harmful B cells, with early trials showing promising results for conditions like lupus and stiff person syndrome.

Ubuntu Embraces Local AI Instead of Cloud-First OS Integration

Ubuntu has unveiled a new AI strategy that marks a significant shift from the industry's trend towards cloud-first operating systems. Instead, the company will focus on integrating local intelligence and modular design, allowing users greater control over AI features. Canonical aims to implement AI models throughout 2026, providing tools for both implicit and explicit AI usage while ensuring that users can uninstall any features they find undesirable.

Creator content made the main stage at TV's 'upfront' pitches — and not just for YouTube

During this week's TV upfront presentations, creator content emerged as a key focus, with media giants like Fox Corp. and Warner Bros. Discovery highlighting its significance alongside traditional programming. Advertisers are shifting their spending towards creator-led content, which reached $37 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow to $44 billion this year, as they seek to engage younger audiences who favor digital platforms.

S&P 500 manages to extend weekly win streak despite anticlimactic Trump-Xi summit

The S&P 500 managed to extend its weekly winning streak to seven, rising 0.13% despite a disappointing summit between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping that yielded few concrete results. Record highs earlier in the week were overshadowed by a 1.24% drop on Friday, influenced by rising oil prices and bond yields, though tech stocks like Nvidia and Apple showed resilience amid the fluctuations.

Apple @ Work: How AI is going to change cybersecurity training for Mac admins

Cybersecurity training for Mac administrators is evolving with the integration of AI, as demonstrated by Dashlane and KnowBe4. This partnership allows for real-time, automated training that addresses user mistakes immediately, rather than relying on outdated annual training methods. By providing context-specific education when errors occur, organizations can foster better security habits among employees and reduce the burden on IT teams.