Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang dismissed recent AI fears as a way for the cybersecurity sector to generate new business.
Why it matters: Huang — whose comments on AI are highly influential among investors — risks losing control of the narrative amid growing fears of widespread destruction.
State-run surveillance operations around the world are using Claude to streamline their operations, Anthropic said in a threat report released Thursday.
Why it matters: The barriers for governments interested in spying on dissidents, politicians, journalists and human rights activists are getting lower as AI models get more powerful.
The Justice Department is investigating Nvidia's $20 billion non-exclusive" licensing agreement with Groq to determine if it "tried to skirt antitrust scrutiny," according to the NY Times.
Why it matters: If this sort of arrangement is determined to be illegal, it could extend to a raft of other AI industry deals.
Data: Institute of Museum and Library Services Public Libraries Survey; Note: Reporting periods and adherence to survey definitions can vary by state; "No data" states did not report electronic material circulation; Map: Sami Sparber/Axios
Ohio, Utah and Washington lead the nation with more than 11 public library checkouts per person, federal data shows.
The big picture: Public libraries nationwide reported 6.5 checkouts per person in FY 2024, according to the Institute of Museum and Library Services survey.
Campbell Millum joined CLEAR two months ago as vice president of communications, reporting to founder and CEO Caryn Seidman Becker, with a mandate to build out the function.
Amid developing policies, messaging and team plans, she said the most important part is "getting deep in the weeds on the business so I can tell the right stories."
Why it matters: Communicators need command of the business to spot what matters and explain it to vastly different audiences.
Communicators should not be embarrassed about using AI to get smart.
The big picture: The CCO's remit keeps expanding, but nobody arrives in the job an expert in finance, public policy, technology, operations or any other subject that might land on their desk.
Very small businesses that adopt AI actually wind up growing their employee ranks faster compared with those that haven't started using the technology, according to a new report Thursday morning.
Why it matters: The findings run counter to the job apocalypse storyline and bolster evidence that AI is leading to growth for entrepreneurs.
The Treasury Department failed to cow the bond market Wednesday with its amped-up buyback announcement, as rates still rose.
Why it matters: The reaction suggests that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's unusual showdown with the markets could itself add to upward pressure on interest rates — precisely the opposite of what most think he's trying to achieve.
Investors aren't much concerned with warnings that AI will "kill all humans."
The big picture: It turns out the potential for apocalypse brought on by a superintelligence is surprisingly bullish for AI companies — at least in the short term.
Elon Musk bought Twitter saying civilization needed a "common digital town square." Four years later, it's more like a live group chat for Silicon Valley's AI obsessives.
Why it matters: Two years ago, X was fighting off competition from a slew of new entrants. Today, it remains relevant by becoming more niche.
Book club events on Eventbrite jumped 33% during the first half of this year compared with last — driven largely by "hyper niche" meetups, the platform tells Axios.
Why it matters: These clubs are as much about finding community as finishing the book.
