Axios

David Sacks' influence as President Trump's chief AI architect will continue from his perch outside the White House, according to officials — but some close to the administration say it's welcome distance as voters' fears about AI grow.

Why it matters: It keeps a powerful Silicon Valley voice at the center of Trump's AI circle without the government ethics constraints that come with serving inside government.

Tech giants are pulling back from AI-generated pornography over mounting legal, safety and reputational risks, abandoning an industry that has driven technological innovation since before the internet's dawn.

Why it matters: The retreat cones even as adult entertainment continues to wield significant consumer influence, and while difficult to track, the demand for erotic AI-generated content is booming.

If Dems win the House in midterms (likely), expect them to target moguls and major corporations for subpoenas, Axios CEO Jim VandeHei writes in his new newsletter for CEOs.

• The target list includes monopolies, AI and social media.

American adults are spending less time scrolling — and more time managing their money, according to a Wells Fargo survey shared first with Axios.

Why it matters: Money management is becoming more central to daily life than social media — and Americans are actively reshaping how they spend, save and get financial advice, based on a survey of nearly 4,000 people.

Top AI executives are positioning themselves in opposition to Elon Musk's approach, former Tesla president Jon McNeill tells Axios.

Why it matters: Musk's approach to AI mirrors his approach to everything else: Move fast, question every assumption, and push past guardrails others won't touch.

Forget earnings reports or other corporate announcements, the stock market really has just two main catalysts this year: AI anxiety and President Trump.

Why it matters: It's like a pinball machine where the flippers are Truth Social and Anthropic blog posts.

America's biggest tech companies are getting hammered by investors as the war in Iran spikes oil prices and kills rate cut hopes.

Why it matters: The tech companies that drove the stock market's gains for the last three years are now its biggest headache.

SpaceX is preparing to launch the largest IPO of all time — with expectations that it could raise more than all U.S. listings in 2024 and 2025.

Why it matters: Wall Street is understandably giddy. But what it's about to pitch investors is unprecedented, and could impact how (or if) OpenAI and Anthropic go public later this year.

A new pro-AI political operation is jumping into this year's midterms with a plan to spend more than $100 million, the latest push by a big-money group to promote a deregulation agenda.

• The group, dubbed Innovation Council Action, has the blessing of tech mogul and Trump AI adviser David Sacks. It's distinct from other pro-industry groups in that it's focused on boosting President Trump's priorities.

Why it matters: The AI lobby is on course to be a colossal player in the 2026 elections — bankrolling allies who advocate for deregulation and punishing critics who support tighter rules.

Top AI and government officials tell Axios CEO Jim VandeHei that Anthropic, OpenAI and other tech giants will soon release new models that are scary good at hacking sophisticated systems at scale.

The one to watch: Anthropic is privately warning top government officials that its not-yet-released model — currently branded "Mythos" — makes large-scale cyberattacks much more likely in 2026.

Over a third of engaged couples now use artificial intelligence in their wedding planning — a share that nearly doubled in just one year, according to new data from The Knot.

Why it matters: You can do a lot with AI, like generate custom images, moodboards and yes, even vows. But you can't add a human touch to your event.