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OpenAI reportedly finalizing $100B deal; SoftBank spending $33B to build huge U.S. gas power plant; and New York hits the brakes on robotaxi expansion Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

OpenAI is reportedly getting close to closing a $100 billion deal, with backers including Amazon, Nvidia, SoftBank, and Microsoft. The deal would value the ChatGPT-maker at $850 billion.

SoftBank's project would be among the largest and most expensive natural gas power plants.

And, New York pulled a robotaxi expansion proposal that was viewed as a win for Waymo.

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Amazon halts Blue Jay robotics project after less than six months; plus, Mastodon plans to target creators with new features Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

Amazon said Blue Jay's core tech will be used for other robotics projects and the employees who worked on it were moved to other projects.

Also, Mastodon is looking to grow its open source, decentralized social network with new features aimed at creators.

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Audible’s new ‘Read & Listen’ feature syncs your with Kindle; plus, X continues to bet on vertical video Feb 18, 2026

Show notes

Audible's feature will require customers to buy discounted versions of both versions of the title.

Also, X's new immersive video player is designed to offer a more mobile-friendly experience, optimized especially for portrait-oriented videos.

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Meta’s own research found parental supervision doesn’t really help curb teens’ compulsive social media use; plus, Apple may be cooking up a trio of AI wearables Feb 18, 2026

Show notes

An internal research study at Meta found that parental supervision may not help teens regulate their social media, and teens with trauma are more inclined to overuse social media.

Also, as the AI hardware space heats up, the iPhone maker has multiple smart products in development.

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Running AI models is turning into a memory game Feb 17, 2026

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When we talk about the cost of AI infrastructure, the focus is usually on Nvidia and GPUs -- but memory is an increasingly important part of the picture.

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Have money, will travel: a16z’s hunt for the next European unicorn Feb 17, 2026

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According to a16z, it has eyes around the world in order to spot companies as early as local funds might.

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After all the hype, some AI experts don’t think OpenClaw is all that exciting Feb 16, 2026

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"From an AI research perspective, this is nothing novel," one expert told TechCrunch.

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Anthropic and the Pentagon arguing over Claude usage; plus, the great computer science exodus Feb 16, 2026

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The Pentagon is pushing AI companies to allow the U.S. military to use their technology for “all lawful purposes,” but Anthropic is pushing back, according to a new report in Axios. The government is reportedly making the same demand to OpenAI, Google, and xAI.

Also, college students are losing some interest in computer science broadly but gaining interest in AI-specific majors and courses.

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For $1M, you can pay Bryan Johnson to teach you how to live longer; plus, Amazon’s Ring cancels partnership with Flock Feb 13, 2026

Show notes

For $1 million, you can pay Bryan Johnson (or BryanAI?) to teach you how to live longer

Also, Ring's Super Bowl commercial stoked controversy over the company's capacity for mass surveillance.

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Aurora’s driverless trucks can now travel farther distances faster than human drivers Feb 13, 2026

Show notes

CEO Chris Urmson called it a “superhuman” moment, adding that Aurora’s trucks can now carry freight 1,000 miles in 15 hours — faster than what a human driver can legally accomplish.

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