U.S. companies are up against a ticking time bomb: Thanks to AI, hackers are on the verge of launching fully automated cyberattacks that can move faster, smarter and more personally than ever.
Why it matters: Those attacks could halt production at factories, knock hospitals offline or control power grids — all before anyone even realizes something's wrong.
The sports equinox, a day when games across the four major sports — the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL — are scheduled, marks the start of the busiest season of the year for gambling.
Why it matters: Casinos are cashing in as more states legalize sports betting.
The Intuit Dome, home of the Los Angeles Clippers, is introducing new tech as it gears up to host this season's NBA All-Star Game.
The big picture: George Hanna, the chief technology officer for the Clippers and Intuit Dome, tells Axios he hopes they'll be a trendsetter for other sports venues to follow.
The most popular haunted house and spooky theme park accounts on Instagram are in Los Angeles, San Jose, California, and Atlanta, according to data from Sprout Social.
The big picture: These seasonal attractions are a staple across the country.
BHP, operator of the world's largest copper mine, sees a bright future for AI improving the industry — but cautions that it's early days, a top executive tells Axios.
Why it matters: BHP Americas President Brandon Craig's comments show how the huge, capital-intensive sector hopes to harness AI amid rising demand for key commodities.
Good news:U.S. tech companies are attacking the AI race like a modern Manhattan Project — spending unfathomable money and time to beat China to superintelligence.
Bad news: The U.S. government, even if it weren't shut down, is doing nothing to prepare Americans for the coming, in some areas already-unfolding, economic and jobs shock.
Why it matters: The gap between the AI giants, employees and investors and ordinary Americans is growing by the month. This gap, if it persists, will increasingly define American political debate in the coming months and years.
Inside the room: Sanders told Axios' Alex Thompson that President Trump's political success and 2024 victory stem from his understanding that voters are unhappy with the status quo — which Democrats have failed to connect with Americans on.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) thinks the government should break up OpenAI, he told Axios' Alex Thompson on "The Axios Show."
Why it matters: OpenAI is making a bid for total tech supremacy with new products like its web browser and social media app, bringing it closer to the same antitrust territory that has haunted Microsoft and Google for decades.
Gen Z and millennials are driving the fastest growth in sports betting, but a decline may be on the horizon, according to TransUnion's latest U.S. gaming report.
Why it matters: The credit bureau says gambling responsibly is "more important than ever" due to economic uncertainty and growing debt obligations for young bettors.
Government employees around the world are using generative AI mostly for content creation and analysis, per new data shared first with Axios.
The big picture: Apolitical, a global network for government employees, analyzed hundreds of AI projects from nine countries: Australia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Netherlands, Singapore, South Korea, the U.K. and the U.S.
The Commerce Department is planning to lean heavily on industry and outside groups to shape a new AI exports program, but insiders say this week's "chaotic" rollout has fallen short.
Why it matters: Companies approved for the program created by President Trump's executive order are promised government financial incentives that could give them an edge in the global AI race.
Senate Democrats are moving to officially condemn President Trump's pardon of Changpeng Zhao, better known as CZ, the founder of crypto exchange Binance, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: Some Senate Republicans have already criticized the pardon, with Democrats eyeing rare bipartisan pushback against the White House.
