This week, tech firms had been both melting down in actual time or promising a future the place computer systems are smarter than we’re. Buyers panicked, calmed down, panicked once more, after which purchased T-shirts for sea otters. We noticed a large web outage that reminded everybody simply how dependent the trendy world is on one firm. We additionally noticed a inventory that most individuals had mainly pronounced lifeless abruptly rip increased prefer it was 2021 once more.
There was drama in Washington, too. The White Home leaned even more durable into AI content material as a political weapon, elevating a query that has been constructing all yr, which is: Are we getting into the AI misinformation period for actual, or are we already in it and pretending we aren’t? On the similar time, Meta lower jobs within the title of transferring sooner on synthetic intelligence, and Apple gave Wall Road one thing to cheer about by proving that, sure, folks will nonetheless purchase a brand new iPhone when you make it quick, skinny, and costly.
However the largest optimism play of the week got here from someplace completely completely different. Taylor Swift wore a classic aquarium T-shirt, and her followers turned that into hundreds of thousands of {dollars} for sea otter rescue in a matter of hours. There are only a few forces on Earth that may transfer cash that quick. Central banks. Oil markets. Taylor Swift.
AWS outage hits a lot of the web
An in a single day outage at Amazon Internet Providers took down massive elements of the web, together with apps and websites like Reddit, Lyft, and McDonald’s. The issue was tied to AWS programs in a single U.S. area, however as a result of so many firms run via that very same infrastructure, the influence went international. Amazon stated the basis problem was a DNS drawback that it has principally mounted, however a variety of customers nonetheless noticed slowdowns and random errors lengthy after the primary alert. The outage was one other reminder that an enormous quantity of the trendy financial system sits on prime of another person’s server.
Past Meat inventory abruptly rips increased
Past Meat’s inventory shot up greater than 60 % after spending the previous few weeks in penny inventory territory. The spike doesn’t imply the enterprise is abruptly wholesome. Demand for plant-based meat has cooled, gross sales have dropped, and the corporate continues to be deep in bother. What truly occurred is a traditional quick squeeze during which merchants who had been betting in opposition to the inventory bought compelled to purchase shares again quick, which pushed the worth increased.
Trump responds to protests with AI video
After the nationwide “No Kings” protests, President Trump posted an AI-generated video of himself in a fighter jet dumping sewage on protesters. He additionally dismissed the practically 7 million individuals who confirmed up, saying they don’t signify the nation. Vice President JD Vance boosted an identical AI-style meme of Trump in a crown. Critics say this sort of content material is mainly making the protesters’ level for them and likewise reveals how comfy the administration is with pushing AI-altered media at scale.
Meta cuts 600 jobs from its AI lab
Meta stated it’s slicing about 600 jobs within the new AI superintelligence lab that it launched this yr. Management says the smaller crew will be capable to transfer sooner and make choices with much less inner debate. The corporate has been pouring tens of billions of {dollars} into synthetic intelligence and high-end infrastructure, together with new information facilities and advert instruments. The layoff information barely moved the inventory, which suggests traders see this as regular price management for a corporation that’s nonetheless planning to spend closely on AI.
Quantum computing shares pop on takeover rumors
Shares of a number of U.S. quantum computing firms jumped after reviews that the Commerce Division is speaking to them about potential authorities investments. The essential thought is that Washington could need a monetary stake in these corporations in alternate for federal funding. Merchants learn that as an indication that quantum is getting handled like strategic tech, just like chips and uncommon earth minerals. The outcome was a quick rebound for names like IonQ and Rigetti after a tough day within the broader market.
Gold and silver costs fall exhausting
Gold and silver each dropped sharply after hitting document ranges earlier within the week. Costs for gold fell again towards the low $4,100 vary per ounce, and silver slid beneath $50. The pullback suggests traders are feeling barely much less panicked about issues like tariffs, inflation, and the federal government shutdown. In plain phrases, cash moved out of disaster mode and again towards threat.
Iceland finds mosquitoes for the primary time
Scientists confirmed that mosquitoes have now proven up in Iceland, a rustic that’s mainly by no means had them in human historical past. Hotter common temperatures are making the island friendlier to bugs that might not survive there earlier than. The precise species they discovered is cold-tolerant, which implies it would be capable to final via Icelandic winters and stick round. It’s a small discovery with massive implications as a result of mosquitoes carry illness, and local weather change helps them increase north.
Egg remembers continue to grow
Greater than 6 million eggs have now been pulled over salmonella considerations tied to Black Sheep Egg Firm and others. The FDA escalated the recall to its highest threat tier and retains including new affected tons and types. Specialists say the spike in remembers just isn’t solely about farms doing one thing fallacious. It’s also about higher, sooner testing that may spot contamination earlier and drive merchandise off cabinets earlier than folks get sick.
Apple hits a document excessive on iPhone 17
Apple inventory hit an all-time excessive, at round $264 a share, after early information recommended the iPhone 17 lineup is promoting sooner than final yr’s iPhone 16 launch. The standout this cycle is the brand new iPhone Air, which is thinner, lighter, and nonetheless priced as a flagship. Sturdy demand in each the U.S. and China helped gasoline the rally and gave traders recent confidence heading into Apple’s subsequent earnings report.
Taylor Swift raises hundreds of thousands for sea otters
Taylor Swift wore a classic Monterey Bay Aquarium T-shirt in her newest live performance movie, and her followers did the remaining. The aquarium introduced the shirt again, priced it at $65.13, and raised greater than $2.3 million for sea otter rescue and rehab. The marketing campaign ran on Tiltify, which let the aquarium course of tens of 1000’s of orders virtually immediately. It was a case research in what occurs when fandom, nostalgia, and e-commerce all hit without delay.
