Axios

Multiple crypto companies have applied for national bank charters, with more expected on the way.

Why it matters: Crypto companies are increasingly laying the plumbing for potentially huge new business lines as Washington readies new rules and regulations.

Artificial intelligence is eating venture capital. Or at least its dollars.

By the numbers: AI startups received 53% of all global venture capital dollars invested in the first half of 2025, according to new data from PitchBook.

Mark Zuckerberg — in an unprecedented, multibillion-dollar talent raid — has dramatically reset the market for blue-chip AI builders, and further complicated the government's ability to stack its own technology bench.

Why it matters: The Meta CEO is trying to lure talent from OpenAI and other tech companies with offers that can top $100 million in total compensation for the first year alone — beyond most star athletes' pay.

The demise of a controversial proposal in Republicans' budget bill that blocked state-level regulation of artificial intelligence is fueling fresh pressure for federal action, advocates told Axios Wednesday.

Why it matters: Congress' reluctance to set national AI rules for privacy, safety and intellectual property rights has left states to forge ahead with their own rules.

OpenAI is one of the world's most valuable private companies, and by far the global leader when it comes to consumer adoption of artificial intelligence.

• It also could be on the precipice of its first major commercial challenge.

Driving the news: Apple is considering using models from either OpenAI or Anthropic to underpin its next version of Siri, according to a blockbuster report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

The future of defense will prominently feature "software-defined systems that are flexible, agile and customizable," Daniel Robinson, the chief executive at Red 6, told Axios in an interview.

• His company specializes in airborne augmented reality, aimed at overhauling military training and rehearsal.

Why he matters: Robinson is an F-22 and Tornado pilot turned defense-tech executive.

The Trump administration is icing the U.S. Navy's F/A-XX futuristic fighter in favor of the Air Force counterpart, the F-47, amid concerns U.S. defense contractors can't handle both.

Why it matters: The highly secretive project has for months been in limbo.

• An F/A-XX contract announcement was supposed to quickly follow F-47 news, according to Reuters, but never materialized.

Managers are trusting AI to help make high-stakes decisions about firing, promoting, and giving their direct reports a raise, according to a new study from Resume Builder.

Why it matters: AI-based decision-making in HR could open companies up to discrimination and other types of lawsuits, experts tell Axios.

Generative AI critics and advocates are both racing to gather evidence that the new technology stunts (or boosts) human thinking powers — but the data simply isn't there yet.

Why it matters: For every utopian who predicts a golden era of AI-powered learning, there's a skeptic who's convinced AI will usher in a new dark age.