Sunday, June 28, 2026

Mark Cuban reveals what people really hate about AI data centers

Mark Cuban recently addressed the AI industry's public relations challenges in a post that has attracted 1.9 million views. He argues that the backlash against AI data centers is not about the centers themselves but rather a manifestation of public discontent towards AI's implications for jobs and wealth distribution. Citing a Gallup survey where 71% of Americans oppose AI data centers, Cuban asserts that companies must prioritize community engagement to rebuild trust. He criticized the industry's reliance on political influence and celebrity endorsements, suggesting instead that companies should directly consult affected communities to understand their needs and concerns.

America can't get enough of protein. The dairy industry can't keep up

The U.S. dairy industry is facing significant challenges due to a dramatic surge in protein demand, particularly for whey protein, which has seen inventories plummet by 50% since 2023. This increase is driven by a growing consumer trend towards higher protein intake, with about 70% of Americans now trying to consume more protein. The rise in popularity of GLP-1 weight loss drugs, which necessitate higher protein consumption to prevent muscle loss, is compounding this demand. Consequently, prices for whey protein isolate have skyrocketed to $14 per pound, leaving suppliers struggling to keep up with the unprecedented market pressure.

AI won't become a real coworker until it stops answering and starts finishing tasks

A survey paper from Tencent's Youtu Lab and Chinese universities argues that AI systems will not become reliable coworkers until they can complete entire tasks in persistent work environments rather than merely generating answers. The researchers emphasize a shift from reactive Q&A to delegated task execution, identifying five stages of evolution from basic chatbots to autonomous digital colleagues. They highlight the importance of reusable 'skills' and a persistent workspace, which together enable AI to manage complex workflows and verify task completion, marking a significant advancement in AI capabilities.

Coinbase joins the rush to Chinese AI models as Western labs face a pricing stress test

Coinbase has shifted to utilizing cost-effective Chinese AI models, including GLM 5.2 and Kimi 2.7, resulting in a significant reduction in AI spending by half despite an increase in token usage. CEO Brian Armstrong revealed that 91% of developers do not exceed their previous usage limits, allowing for greater flexibility in model selection. The company's automatic routing system has enhanced efficiency, boosting hit rates from 5% to 60%. This transition reflects broader pricing pressures on Western AI labs, particularly as companies like Snowflake also explore cheaper alternatives amid a potential price war between OpenAI and Anthropic.

Only three AI models finished above starting capital in a 500-day startup survival test

In a groundbreaking 500-day startup simulation called CEO-Bench, researchers from Princeton University found that only three AI models—Claude Fable 5, Claude Opus 4.8, and GPT-5.5—managed to finish above the initial capital of $1 million. The simulation required AI agents to navigate complex decision-making scenarios similar to those faced by real CEOs, yet most of the fourteen tested models went bankrupt. Notably, a simple rule-based heuristic outperformed nearly all AI models, achieving $15.76 million, highlighting the challenges AI faces in long-term strategic planning.

Your favorite tech will keep getting more expensive, and you can blame AI

The consumer electronics market is experiencing widespread price increases, largely attributed to the rising costs associated with AI technologies. Apple has recently announced substantial price hikes across its product lineup, excluding the iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch, marking a significant shift as it was one of the last major brands to hold off on such increases. Microsoft has also raised Xbox prices, citing a more than 2.5x increase in memory and storage costs, which are expected to double again by 2027. This trend is affecting all major tech companies, with Google likely to follow suit with its Pixel devices as the demand for AI-integrated products continues to escalate.

Trump again threatens Iran with annihilation as Kuwait and Bahrain report attacks

President Donald Trump threatened Iran with annihilation following U.S. military strikes on Iranian targets in retaliation for drone attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. Central Command confirmed that fighter jets struck 10 Iranian military sites after a Panamanian-flagged tanker was hit by a projectile. Iran's missile and drone attacks were reported by its neighbors, Kuwait and Bahrain, prompting heightened military responses. This escalation comes despite an interim ceasefire agreement aimed at reducing hostilities in the region.

Indian payments chief thinks AI will be heavily involved in next era of digital payment growth

Dilip Asbe, MD and CEO of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), announced that AI will play a crucial role in expanding India's Unified Payment Interface (UPI) to over 1 billion daily transactions. During an interview at Mumbai Tech Week 2026, Asbe highlighted AI's potential in user growth, fraud detection, and credit distribution, stating that the NPCI, in collaboration with India's central bank and government, aims to leverage AI effectively. He noted that while the NPCI's voice assistant launched in 2023 has not yet seen widespread adoption, it could become essential for onboarding new users if developed accurately.

The Cube is Jim Henson’s little-known proto-Black Mirror masterpiece

Jim Henson's 1969 teleplay, The Cube, produced for NBC's Experiment in Television, presents a surreal exploration of existential dread, featuring a man trapped in a white cube with no apparent exit. Over 53 minutes, he encounters various characters, including a woman claiming to be his wife and a gorilla voiced by Henson himself. The narrative escalates into a bizarre examination of reality, sanity, and the nature of existence, drawing parallels to modern dystopian series like Black Mirror. Despite its unique premise, The Cube remains relatively obscure, having aired only twice and currently available through limited online uploads.

TechCrunch Mobility: All eyes on Tesla FSD

Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) system is under increasing scrutiny following a fatal crash in Texas that killed a 76-year-old woman. The driver reported that Autopilot was engaged during the incident, but Tesla's AI software VP, Ashok Elluswamy, contended that the driver had overridden the system by pressing the accelerator fully. This has led to investigations by both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board. Additionally, Tesla recently settled a lawsuit related to another fatal crash involving FSD, which is currently being examined for its ability to handle reduced visibility conditions.

Why Wall Street thinks US memory maker Micron is the next Nvidia

Micron Technology, based in Boise, Idaho, has seen its stock surge over 236% in the past month, closing at $1,132 per share, as Wall Street responds to the AI-driven demand for memory chips. The company briefly surpassed the market valuations of Meta and Tesla, reaching a market cap of nearly $1.27 trillion. This surge is attributed to a significant shortage of memory chips, particularly High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM), driven by AI data center expansions. Micron's recent earnings report showed revenue quadrupling year-over-year to $41.45 billion, with profits skyrocketing from $1.88 billion to $28.2 billion, and it forecasts fourth-quarter revenue between $49 billion and $51 billion.

Prosecutors used ChatGPT logs as evidence in the Palisades fire trial

In a notable legal case, Jonathan Rinderknecht faced arson charges for igniting a fire on New Year's Day 2025, which resulted in one of the deadliest wildfires in Los Angeles history. Prosecutors presented various forms of evidence, including location data from Rinderknecht's iPhone, security camera footage, witness testimony, and notably, his ChatGPT logs. These logs included Rinderknecht asking the chatbot about his anger and discussing fire-related scenarios. Despite this evidence, the jury was not convinced, resulting in a 10-2 vote in favor of the defense and leading to a mistrial.

Nest’s quest to fix your thermostat

Tony Fadell, a key figure behind the iPhone, returned to the tech scene to revolutionize home temperature control with Nest. Frustrated by outdated thermostats, he launched the Nest Learning Thermostat, which quickly gained popularity due to its innovative features and user-friendly design. However, while it achieved remarkable success, the product also faced criticism for some design flaws. Notably, the thermostat shipped with a unique screwdriver, enhancing the installation experience for users.

Apple working on M7 Ultra Mac Studio for 2028 with potential major upgrade: report

Apple is preparing to launch an updated Mac Studio featuring M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips later this year, addressing the model's previous lag behind competitors. This refresh comes after the original Mac Studio, released in early 2025, which utilized M4 Max and M3 Ultra chips. Looking ahead to 2028, Apple is reportedly working on the M7 Ultra Mac Studio, which will include a redesigned heat sink aimed at enhancing thermal performance for demanding AI workloads, although no major redesign is anticipated for the M5 Ultra model.

Google Home Speaker uses 99% less adhesive than Nest Audio [Gallery]

The Google Home Speaker has been designed to use 99% less adhesive than its predecessor, the Nest Audio, as part of Google's commitment to sustainability. The device features a tensioned 3D-knit enclosure fabric that wraps around a plastic housing, allowing for a more flexible assembly process. This new construction method not only reduces material waste by approximately 63% but also enables manufacturing rework if defects are found during assembly. Overall, the Home Speaker is composed of at least 37% recycled materials, including metals and plastics, and comes with a 30W USB-C adapter that meets the highest efficiency rating under the DOE Level VI standards.

How to create a macOS Golden Gate USB install drive [Video]

A new tutorial outlines the process for creating a macOS Golden Gate USB installer, which is particularly useful for users upgrading from macOS Tahoe or earlier versions. This method allows for faster installations across multiple Macs and is beneficial for those with slower internet connections. Users need a blank USB drive with at least 16GB of storage, and the installation process involves using Terminal commands to download and set up the installer. The guide emphasizes that while a USB installer is not mandatory, it can streamline the installation experience.