Axios

Early-stage venture deals keep getting bigger, even once stripping out AI juggernauts. And that raises a multi-billion dollar question:

• If AI is supposed to supercharge productivity, why are startups raising more money? Shouldn't they need less?

OpenAI wasn't mentioned once Thursday in a judge's 115-page decision against Google over its dominance of the online ad market — but the ChatGPT maker stands as a key beneficiary of this legal conflict.

Why it matters: The rise of AI is threatening the heart of Google's search business at the same moment that the government is pressing its most sustained challenge to Big Tech power in nearly 30 years.

Google wants employees to focus on their work and not fret about the company's loss of "parts of" its online advertising monopoly case, it said in a memo to employees Thursday.

Why it matters: The court's ruling, which Google said it would appeal, could fundamentally reshape the giant's advertising business, depending on the remedies, or penalties, the judge determines.

President Trump's trade war is inspiring the latest TikTok trend — Chinese manufacturers encouraging shoppers to buy direct and pay less.

Why it matters: The trend highlights American consumers' desperation to avoid massive price increases on Chinese-made goods as Trump's tariffs take effect.

The Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. will produce 30% of its most advanced chips in Arizona when its six Phoenix plants are operational, the company announced on an earnings call Thursday.

Why it matters: Chairman and CEO CC Wei told investors the scope of the company's Phoenix investment will create "an independent leading-edge semiconductor manufacturing cluster in the U.S."

Self-reported teen spending was higher this spring than in 2024, according to a survey of thousands of teenagers released this month.

Why it matters: Teens help drive household spending choices, identify trends and put new brands on the map.

Google's dominance of the online advertising and ad-tech markets violates U.S. antitrust laws, a federal court ruled Thursday, in a decision that could scramble the massive digital ad universe.

Why it matters: It's the second major recent antitrust loss for Google, after a different court ruled last year that the giant has abused its dominance of the search market online.

OpenAI is in advanced talks to buy coding assistant company Windsurf for more than $3 billion, in what would be its largest-ever acquisition, per multiple sources.

Why it matters: This could be the starting gun for an AI apps land grab by foundation models.

Elon Musk has fathered at least 14 children with at least four women, intent on fighting civilizational collapse with a "legion" of genetically gifted offspring, according to an explosive new feature in the Wall Street Journal.

Why it matters: The investigation reveals new details on how the world's richest man has used his vast wealth and influence to recruit, manage — and at times silence — the mothers of his many children.