OpenAI on Friday released o3-mini, an AI model that focuses on improved reasoning capabilities at a more modest cost than its predecessor.
Why it matters: The announcement of the new model follows Chinese AI startup DeepSeek's release of its R1 open-source model, which shook up the AI industry and heated up the U.S.-China AI arms race.
The Federal Aviation Administration announced Friday that it will indefinitely restrict helicopter flights near Washington, D.C.'s Reagan National Airport, multipleoutlets reported.
The big picture: The move comes after a deadly collision between a American Airlines passenger flight and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter this week killed 67 people — America's deadliest aviation crash in decades.
🏛️ Both Kash Patel, President Trump's pick to lead the FBI, and Tulsi Gabbard, his nominee to lead the intelligence community, were grilled in the Senate during their confirmation hearings yesterday. (Axios)
🔬 OpenAI is putting its models on a supercomputer at the Los Alamos National Laboratory and making the model available to researchers at other national labs. (Axios)
👨🏻⚖️ A new lawsuit claims that officials at the Office of Personnel Management bypassed a required privacy impact assessment before setting up an on-premise server to run its new government-wide email blast list. (FedScoop)
🎶 It's finally Grammys weekend: Send me your predictions!
🔮 Fair warning: I deeply disagree with many of Rolling Stone's predictions of who will end up winning, but who knows — I don't have a working crystal ball (yet).
A flurry of security research reports this week suggest DeepSeek's open-source AI models could be more susceptible to cyberattacks than previously thought.
Why it matters: Cybersecurity and national security experts are already on high alert over potential security problems with the China-based AI startup — including potential model leaks and cyberattacks.
Why it matters: What initially looked that morning like a broad selloff in AI stocks turns out in hindsight to have been a more measured recalibration of where the market thinks AI profits are going to flow in the future.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman gave government leaders, policy experts and journalists a sneak peek at coming technology Thursday during an off-the-record demo near Capitol Hill.
Why it matters: The briefing was designed both to show how the U.S. can maximize economic benefits of AI, and to warm D.C. leaders to coming capabilities so they're less likely to be caught off-guard.
During a day's testing by Axios, DeepSeek's AI model provided answers that were generally on par with those from ChatGPT, though the China-hosted version of the model was less willing to answer in ways that might offend that company's government.
The big picture: It isn't so much that DeepSeek is better than ChatGPT or other U.S.-based chatbots. Indeed, its results are often similar. Its big breakthrough is seemingly offering comparable performance at a much lower training cost.
While last quarter's overall iPhone sales came in below expectations, Apple CEO Tim Cook said Thursday that iPhone 16 sales are outperforming the prior year in countries where its Apple Intelligence features have launched.
Why it matters: The iPhone is critical to Apple's fortunes and drives significant revenue for a constellation of suppliers as well as other players, including cell service providers.
The deadly midair collision near Reagan National Airport outside D.C. Wednesday marks the deadliest air carrier crash in the U.S. since November 2001, when a passenger jet crashed in Queens, New York killing 265. Another 265 were killed in airplane crashes during the 9/11 terror attacks.
The big picture: Fatal crashes of commercial aircraft in the U.S. have become uncommon in the 21st century, as regulations have increased, technology has advanced and safety measures and controls have improved.
The Justice Department on Thursday sued to block Hewlett Packard Enterprise from buying Juniper Networks for $14 billion.
Why it matters: This is the first antitrust case filed by the Trump administration, even though most of the investigation was carried out under President Biden.
President Trump and his allies are blaming diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives for contributing to the tragic plane crash outside of D.C. Wednesday night, without providing any evidence of a link between the two.
Why it matters: Trump repeatedly cited DEI policies, a favorite boogeyman, at the Federal Aviation Administration as having some role in the plane collision during White House remarks. He also blamed Democrats who advanced inclusive workplace policies.
General Catalyst has reached out to several large organizations about buying a stake in its holding company, as it continues to expand beyond its venture capital roots, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: GC is one of the startup world's most active investors, with $32 billion in assets under management. Portfolio companies have included Airbnb, Anduril, and Stripe.
OpenAI will put its models on a supercomputer at Los Alamos National Laboratory and make them available to researchers at other U.S. national laboratories under a deal with the government announced Thursday.
Why it matters: OpenAI is positioning the move as part of an effort to work with the Trump administration and support U.S. leadership and innovation.
Chestnut Carbon, a nature-based carbon removal company, has inked a new, long-term agreement with Microsoft to provide the tech giant with removal credits from its projects in Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana.
Why it matters: The 25-year offtake agreement is among the largest U.S. afforestation, reforestation, and revegetation (ARR) projects to date.
People in the U.S. are leveraging TikTok, the app President Trump vowed to save because it's been friendly to him, to alert people of ICE agent sightings.
Why it matters: The goal is to undermine immigration enforcement's aggressive crackdown on undocumented immigrants by using TikTok's algorithm, which is known for its ability to rapidly share information in real time.
OpenAI's Sam Altman is making the rounds in D.C. on Thursday in an attempt to show unity with President Trump and announce a new initiative to make sure the government has the most capable AI.
Why it matters: Tech companies see an opportunity in the new Trump administration to shape AI policy.
A workforce discombobulated by chaotic recent events receives an email with the subject line "Fork in the Road." Inside, a deadline to quit or commit to the new mission.
Why it matters: If Musk's takeover of Washington is anything like his takeover of Twitter, federal workers — and Americans more generally — had better buckle up. His "slash first, ask questions later" management style has already been reflected in some of President Trump's biggest moves.
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