The slightest hint of generative AI usage is fast becoming a kiss of death in creative circles.
Why it matters: It's turning into a purity test that has the potential to blow up careers and derail massive deals almost overnight — and there's no desire for nuance or ability to clear your name.
Synagogues across the U.S. are having congregants train to be volunteer security teams as antisemitic assaults hit record levels and Jewish gathering places face increasing threats.
Driving the news: The front doorways of many synagogues are becoming both a place of welcome and a security checkpoint — a sign of how antisemitism is reshaping Jewish life in America.
Truth Social's parent company, Trump Media and Technology Group, is pulling back from two Crypto.com deals as new leadership looks to focus the tech firm around its media arm and pending merger with fusion energy company TAE, interim CEO Kevin McGurn tells Axios.
Why it matters: The reset is a departure from previous leadership's strategy, which aggressively pursued crypto and financial services opportunities at the height of the crypto treasury boom in 2025.
OpenAI "cannot rule out" that its upcoming model Astra has "critical" cyber capabilities, a designation that has prompted the company to expand safety testing and pause internal activities that do not meet stricter security requirements, OpenAI told Axios first on Friday.
Why it matters: It's the latest sign of rapidly advancing cyber capabilities from AI models, after others worked autonomously outside of testing sandboxes and protections.
Nielsen has agreed to buy DoubleVerify, a digital media measurement firm, for around $2.15 billion, or $13.60 per share.
Why it matters: This highlights a recent trend of media measurement firms going (or staying) private, which could accelerate as AI continues to pressure software valuations.
The profile of the proposed $67 billion merger between NextEra and Dominion just got even higher — and the path toward creating a new power giant just got even trickier.
Why it matters: Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger's (D) move Thursday to formally take part in the state regulatory proceeding is more than just inside baseball.
SpaceX's stock price rose Thursday, even as a large slug of new shares in the rocket-satellite-AI-social media conglomerate was freed up for trading.
Why it matters: SpaceX's June IPO was structured so that, initially, only a relatively small number of the company's shares — less than 5% — could be traded.
That constrained supply likely helped support the stock through the company's high-profile debut as a publicly traded company.
Americans across the country could have very different experiences with AI deepfakes leading up to Election Day, thanks to a patchwork of state rules.
Why it matters: AI-generated attack ads and campaign content are rampant leading up to the midterms as candidates across the political spectrum usethe technology.
