Studios, award shows and agencies are increasingly working with creators as digital talent becomes central to entertainment.
Why it matters: Hollywood's hierarchy is changing as digital creators become the next A-listers and studios adapt to younger generations' fandom and content habits.
Sports leagues are courting creators to expand their fandom as athletes are increasingly building their own content portfolios.
Why it matters: Creators can connect leagues to younger fans, who tend to watch highlights instead of tuning into full games, expanding reach and engagement.
TikTok and Spotify are redefining how artists break through and how hits are made.
Why it matters: Traditional gatekeepers like labels and radio are no longer the sole arbiters of success. Virality is a democratizing force, allowing artists to build careers on their own terms.
When asked if he would apologize for an overtly racist video clip of the Obamas posted on President Trump's Truth Social, the president said Friday, "No, I didn't make a mistake."
Why it matters: The clip, which portrayed former President Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes and was taken down on Friday, used a centuries-old trope against the first Black president and first lady in U.S. history during the first week of Black History Month.
The big picture: While the Olympic Charter prohibits political, religious or racial demonstrations at Olympic sites, athletes have used early interviews and social media posts to express their concerns.
President Trump's post of a racist video of former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama underscores how imagery long recognized as among the most explicit racist tropes in U.S. history has become normalized in the Trump era.
Why it matters: For decades, such imagery routinely ended careers. But even the harshest denunciations from Trump allies suggested they just want an apology, not further accountability.
The news from mega-tech companies this week — specifically their ambitious capital spending plans for 2026 — amounts to a macroeconomic story.
The big picture: The AI investment surge that powered economic growth in 2025 looks likely to do even more so in 2026, based on guidance from four companies.
Terradot, a CO2 removal startup with big-name backers, is acquiring the assets of removal firm Eion. Terms weren't disclosed.
Why it matters: Consolidation is probably inevitable in the CO2 removal space, given the vast number of startups trying to scale and the drop in venture finance.
Data centers are slated to account for a whopping 50%-ish of U.S. power demand growth the remainder of this decade, a new International Energy Agency analysis shows.
Why it matters: The AI-driven rise of huge data centers is a big reason IEA sees overall U.S. demand rising an average of 2% annually from 2026-2030 — twice the pace of the 2016-2025 stretch.
Investors are bored with an AI narrative that has helped them get three years of back-to-back, double-digit market gains.
Why it matters: This bull market has been primarily driven by a deep belief in the AI narrative. It's unclear what will drive stocks without that faith.
Meet the unlikely poster child for the AI boom and its insatiable energy demand.
Why it matters: Bloom Energy, long seen as a niche energy player, can deliver on-site power far faster than traditional options — a critical edge as data centers race to secure electricity.
DOHA, Qatar — As foreign investment pours into Qatar's tech sector, Doha is trying to harness the AI boom without giving up control.
Why it matters: Gulf states are making major plays to become AI hubs, and Qatar is betting that sovereignty over data, infrastructure and models will be key.
President Trump's chief technology officer is calling for the U.S. to aggressively export its AI tech as the administration prepares to roll out a centerpiece of its AI strategy.
The big picture: The White House is framing AI exports as a way to avoid losing U.S. tech leadership abroad.
This year's Super Bowl will spotlight a slew of brands selling the innovations shaping American culture including AI, wearable tech, weight loss drugs and betting.
Why it matters: Even in the fragmented media landscape, the Big Game holds unmatched value for brands — some at a record price of more than $10 million for 30 seconds.
The Winter Olympics return this week in Italy, where a six-hour time difference will shape two weeks of early-morning medal events and late-night finishes for U.S. viewers.
The big picture: The Milano Cortina Games feature 116 medal events across 16 disciplines and eight sports.
Axios CEO Jim VandeHei, the co-founder of two media companies, learned the hard way that to thrive in today's constantly evolving landscape — you must maintain a "startup mode."
Here are 5 ways anyone, young or old, can adopt a startup mentality.
