Edition for July 16, 2026

Applied Computing has raised a $20M Series A to develop a foundational AI model aimed at enhancing operations in the oil, gas, and petrochemical sectors. This initiative seeks to optimize processes and improve efficiency across the entire plant.

• •Applied Computing secures $20M in Series A funding.
• •Focus on AI model for oil, gas, and petrochemical industries.
• •Aims to enhance operational efficiency across entire plants.

China has shut down 'AI boyfriends.' This case reveals how technology already occupies intimate and emotional spaces in people's lives.

• •China has deactivated virtual boyfriend services based on AI.
• •The phenomenon highlights the growing presence of AI in personal relationships.
• •These 'boyfriends' provided companionship and emotional interaction.

Microsoft is reportedly training its sales team to promote its own AI models as more efficient and cost-effective compared to those from competitors like OpenAI and Anthropic. This strategy aims to strengthen its market position in the AI sector.

• •Microsoft is focusing on selling its in-house AI models.
• •The company aims to highlight efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
• •Salespeople are being trained to downplay competitors like OpenAI.

A recent survey of 101 enterprises reveals a significant gap between the ambition for agent orchestration in AI and the current reality. While major platforms like Anthropic’s Claude dominate, most deployed agents are still basic chatbot wrappers. Enterprises are increasingly opting for hybrid control planes to avoid vendor lock-in, but many lack real-time fiscal controls, highlighting challenges in managing costs and achieving true multi-step orchestration.

• •Survey of 101 enterprises highlights orchestration challenges.
• •Anthropic’s Claude is the leading platform for AI agents.
• •71% of enterprises report limited multi-step orchestration.

Thinking Machines Lab, founded by Mira Murati, former OpenAI, has launched its first general-purpose AI model utilizing accessible Chinese technology. This approach could revolutionize the AI market by providing cheaper and more accessible solutions.

• •Thinking Machines Lab is led by Mira Murati, former OpenAI.
• •The company has launched a general-purpose AI model.
• •The model uses low-cost Chinese technology.

Google VP of Search Liz Reid discusses the implications of recent changes in Google's Search for entrepreneurs. She outlines three essential rules that businesses must follow to thrive in the era of AI, emphasizing the importance of adapting to new technologies and consumer behaviors.

• •Liz Reid highlights key changes in Google's Search.
• •Entrepreneurs must adapt to thrive in the AI era.
• •Three essential rules for businesses are outlined.

Rumors suggest that the AI device will feature mechanical elements to react and simulate natural movements. The launch is expected in 2027.

• •OpenAI's device may interact in a more natural manner.
• •Mechanical elements will enable realistic movement simulation.
• •The anticipated 2027 launch generates significant excitement.

The Linux community showcased its versatility by running the operating system on a SEGA 32X, a console with only 256 KB of RAM. Developer 'cakehonolulu' overcame significant challenges, such as memory limitations and lack of hardware synchronization, to compile and boot the Linux kernel. This achievement highlights Linux's adaptability to different hardware.

• •Linux was ported to a SEGA 32X with only 256 KB of RAM.
• •Developer 'cakehonolulu' faced significant technical challenges.

The article discusses the importance of cross-provider PR reviews using Codex in GitHub Actions, emphasizing that a second opinion from a different lab is more reliable than self-reviews by AI models like Claude.

• •Cross-provider PR reviews enhance code quality.
• •Using Codex in GitHub Actions streamlines the process.
• •AI self-reviews may lack objectivity.

Los Touré and Marc Mueller, software engineers, founded Danger Testing, a startup that creates apps with a focus on social virality rather than traditional success metrics. They refer to themselves as 'appstars,' treating app development as a creative medium. Their approach includes launching over 50 unique apps, emphasizing fan engagement and cultural relevance over downloads.

• •Danger Testing is a startup founded by Los Touré and Marc Mueller.
• •They create apps focusing on social virality rather than traditional metrics.
• •The duo refers to themselves as 'appstars' in a new creative class.

The article discusses the misconception that we are entering a post-documentation era in software development. It emphasizes the importance of documentation in bridging the gap between code logic and human intent, highlighting that effective communication is crucial for successful collaboration and project outcomes.

• •The myth of a post-documentation era is explored.
• •Documentation is vital for understanding code logic.
• •Effective communication enhances collaboration in teams.

The article discusses the implications of eager versus lazy evaluation in random number generation for persona creation in software. It highlights how the order of drawing random values can affect stability when model changes occur, illustrating the differences between eager evaluation, which maintains stability, and lazy evaluation, which can lead to unexpected changes in generated data.

• •Munchausen guarantees consistent data generation with the same seed.
• •Eager evaluation draws a fixed block of random values at construction.
• •Lazy evaluation draws values at the time of access, causing instability.

Agentic Engineering is a new approach where AI systems autonomously understand engineering workflows and gather context to perform tasks with minimal human input. This shift allows developers to focus on meaningful problems rather than repetitive tasks, transforming software engineering by enabling AI to act as a bridge between tools and processes.

• •AI is increasingly integrated into software engineering workflows.
• •Agentic Engineering allows AI to autonomously gather context.
• •Developers can focus on meaningful tasks rather than repetitive ones.

This article discusses the latest updates in the JavaScript ecosystem, including npm 12, TypeScript 7, and the introduction of Bun, a new JavaScript runtime built in Rust. It highlights tools for monitoring package popularity and the emergence of AI tools like CodeRabbit that assist in code reviews, ensuring quality and efficiency in development workflows.

• •npm 12 introduces new features for package management.
• •TypeScript 7 brings enhancements for better type safety.
• •Bun is a new JavaScript runtime designed for performance.

The convenience store chain Sheetz is transitioning from VMware to StorMagic for its virtual machine management, migrating 11,000 virtual machines in the process. This shift reflects a strategic move to optimize their cloud infrastructure.

• •Sheetz is moving from VMware to StorMagic.
• •The migration involves 11,000 virtual machines.
• •This change aims to enhance cloud infrastructure efficiency.

Venture funding into fintech startups increased by nearly 23% year over year in H1 2026, despite a more than 25% drop in deal count. This indicates that investors are opting for fewer but larger investments, particularly in wealth management, financial infrastructure, and enterprise automation.

• •Fintech funding rose 23% year over year in H1 2026.
• •Deal count fell by over 25%, indicating a shift in investment strategy.
• •Investors are focusing on larger checks in key areas.

New York has enacted a one-year ban on large data centers to address energy demand and water use concerns. This move reflects a growing backlash against data centers across the U.S., with various states implementing moratoriums, zoning restrictions, and laws to protect ratepayers from increased utility costs associated with data center development.

• •New York is the first state to ban large data centers for one year.
• •Governor Hochul aims to address energy and water resource challenges.
• •Other states are also implementing restrictions on data center development.

Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed an executive order to pause new construction of AI data centers in New York. This move aims to address concerns regarding the environmental impact of such facilities, although it will not affect data centers that have already begun construction.

• •New York becomes the first state to pause AI data center construction.
• •The executive order is signed by Governor Kathy Hochul.
• •Existing data centers already under construction are exempt from this pause.

Elon Musk's company xAI installed 59 natural gas turbines for the Colossus 2 data center in Tennessee without federal air quality permits. This illegal operation raises concerns about environmental and social impacts, particularly on nearby Black communities, as revealed in communications between regulators and company representatives.

• •xAI, founded by Elon Musk, operates data centers without federal licenses.
• •59 natural gas turbines were installed in Tennessee.
• •The operation raises questions about air quality.

Claude on Google Cloud is designed for enterprise production, addressing the challenges of running frontier AI. It offers managed infrastructure, global endpoints for low latency, security controls, and optimized performance, allowing teams to focus on building features rather than managing infrastructure.

• •Claude integrates seamlessly with Google Cloud services.
• •Offers managed infrastructure to enhance engineering efficiency.
• •Ensures low latency and high uptime for global users.

Nokia has entered into a new multi-year agreement with SAP and Microsoft to modernize its enterprise systems. The company will adopt RISE with SAP, utilizing SAP Cloud ERP hosted on Microsoft Azure, to streamline processes, consolidate applications, and enhance the use of artificial intelligence in its operations.

• •Nokia expands partnership with SAP and Microsoft.
• •Agreement aims to modernize enterprise systems.
• •Will adopt RISE with SAP and SAP Cloud ERP.

A Reddit user reported that ChatGPT for macOS displayed system folders and files without permission after an update. The application seemingly revealed local directory paths and listed files, raising privacy concerns. The community is debating whether this is a security flaw or a result of new AI agent features.

• •User reports that ChatGPT displayed Mac folders without permission.
• •Application listed files, including hidden ones, after an update.
• •Discussions on Reddit regarding the app's privacy and security.

The UK government has announced a plan to restrict social media use for 16 and 17-year-olds during the early morning hours, blocking apps like Instagram and TikTok between midnight and 6 AM. This measure aims to prevent a sudden shift in rules upon turning 16 and to promote better quality of life for young people.

• •UK government proposes nighttime social media blocking.
• •Measure affects adolescents aged 16 and 17.
• •Goal is to avoid abrupt changes in regulations.

Zoom is warning of a critical vulnerability in its desktop client and SDK for Windows that could allow unauthenticated parties to hijack accounts. This issue highlights the importance of security measures in communication platforms.

• •Zoom has identified a critical vulnerability in its desktop client.
• •The vulnerability affects the software development kit for Windows.
• •Unauthenticated parties could exploit this flaw to hijack accounts.

A new Windows 0-day vulnerability was discovered on the same day Microsoft released a record number of patches. The flaw, referred to as HiveLegacy, is described as a 'powerful primitive' that could enable various malicious activities, raising concerns about the security of Windows systems.

• •New Windows 0-day vulnerability discovered.
• •HiveLegacy is termed a 'powerful primitive'.
• •Found on the same day as record Microsoft patches.

Um ator de ameaça de língua russa, conhecido como 'bandcampro', abusou da ferramenta de IA de código aberto Gemini CLI do Google como agente de hacking e para operar uma botnet de pequeno porte.

• •O Gemini CLI foi utilizado para atividades maliciosas.
• •O grupo 'bandcampro' é de língua russa e atua no cibercrime.
• •A botnet operada é de pequeno porte, mas preocupante.

Five malicious versions of AsyncAPI packages were published to the Node Package Manager (npm) in a supply-chain attack that delivered a remote access trojan with info-stealing capabilities.

• •Malicious AsyncAPI packages were found on npm.
• •The attack involved a supply-chain compromise.
• •Five infected versions were identified.

Simplifique a segurança do Salesforce com o Security Center Essentials. Aprenda a rastrear pontuações de Health Check, auditar integrações e monitorar intervalos de IP em um só lugar.

• •O Security Center Essentials oferece uma visão unificada da segurança.
• •Permite rastrear pontuações de Health Check de forma simplificada.
• •Facilita a auditoria de integrações no Salesforce.

NVIDIA announced that the new RTX Spark SoC will support legendary SEGA games, such as Virtua Fighter, on laptops. The event in Akihabara celebrated the long-standing partnership between the companies, highlighting the evolution of Virtua Fighter and the potential of RTX Spark for gaming and artificial intelligence in ultra-thin devices.

• •NVIDIA and SEGA celebrate 30 years of partnership at an event in Akihabara.
• •RTX Spark promises support for legendary SEGA games, including Virtua Fighter.

Instagram has launched new features for Instants, enabling users to capture photos and videos using both cameras simultaneously. This update brings the feature closer to BeReal, which promotes spontaneous posts. Available on compatible devices like the iPhone 17 Pro, the video mode allows for short, instant recordings.

• •Instagram introduces simultaneous capture with two cameras in Instants.
• •The new feature aims to compete with BeReal, which prioritizes spontaneous posts.
• •Features available only on compatible devices, such as the iPhone 17 Pro.

Launched in 2025, the Galaxy A56 stands out as a well-balanced mid-range smartphone, even after the release of the A57. With good performance, quality display, and extended support, the model remains competitive. In July 2026, it is crucial to assess the fair price, considering frequent promotions and positive user experiences on major online stores.

• •Galaxy A56 is a mid-range smartphone launched in 2025.
• •Offers good performance and AMOLED display quality.
• •Receives extended updates from Samsung.

The iPhone 17 Pro Max features advanced cameras and the A19 Pro chip; Apple's flagship smartphone on sale at Mercado Livre offers a significant discount considering historical pricing.

• •iPhone 17 Pro Max features advanced cameras.
• •Equipped with the A19 Pro chip for superior performance.
• •Promotion at Mercado Livre offers the largest recorded discount.

Google's Pixel 6a is gaining attention as it drops to a new low price of $175. This development comes alongside the release of Android 17, which may enhance the device's appeal in a competitive smartphone market.

• •Google's Pixel 6a is now priced at $175.
• •The device is receiving renewed interest from consumers.
• •Android 17's release coincides with the price drop.

If you’ve been waiting to try Apple’s revamped Siri without installing a developer beta, you now can. The company on Tuesday released the iOS 27 public beta, giving iPhone owners early access to its AI-powered assistant and other new features before the software’s official launch this fall.

• •Apple has released the iOS 27 public beta.
• •Users can now access the revamped Siri without a developer account.
• •The new features include an AI-powered assistant.

The decline of the traditional European automotive industry signals the collapse of a horsepower-centric model and the rise of Chinese ecosystems focused on technology and integrated mobility.

• •The European automotive industry is facing a significant crisis.
• •Traditional models are being challenged by technological innovations.
• •Chinese ecosystems are excelling in integrated mobility.

Hallucination in AI models often stems from poor retrieval processes. By improving the retrieval component, the likelihood of models generating inaccurate or fabricated information can be significantly reduced, enhancing the overall reliability of AI outputs.

• •Hallucination in AI is primarily a result of inadequate data retrieval.
• •Improving retrieval mechanisms can minimize the generation of false information.
• •The article emphasizes the importance of the retrieval brick in AI models.

This article introduces autoencoders and latent space, focusing on their role in reducing computational load in machine learning algorithms, particularly in generative AI applications. It discusses how compressing input data into lower-dimensional representations can help maintain context while improving efficiency.

• •Autoencoders help in compressing data for ML algorithms.
• •They are particularly useful in generative AI applications.
• •Lower-dimensional representations preserve essential context.

I measured the actual GPU electricity for eight local models on one RTX 3090 — and the cheapest wasn't the smallest, nor the priciest the biggest.

• •The cost of running local LLMs varies significantly.
• •Measured electricity usage on an RTX 3090.
• •Cheapest model isn't necessarily the smallest.

This article discusses how to effectively use Pydantic with OpenAI to obtain structured outputs from large language models (LLMs), eliminating the need for manual JSON parsing. It emphasizes the benefits of trusting model outputs and streamlining data handling processes.

• •Pydantic simplifies data validation and settings management.
• •Integrating Pydantic with OpenAI enhances output structure.
• •Eliminates the need for manual JSON parsing.

Village Finder is an open-source project that maps over 78,000 villages in South India, providing features like fuzzy search, nearby service lookups, real-time prices, and interactive cadastral layers. It operates at no hosting cost using GitHub Actions for serverless streaming, making it a valuable resource for rural data access.

• •Village Finder maps over 78,000 villages in South India.
• •Offers fuzzy search by village name or PIN code.
• •Provides real-time district mandi prices and forecasts.

Build a stronger data portfolio with these practical SQL projects covering customer churn, data warehousing, sales analysis, banking segmentation, and healthcare analytics.

• •Explore projects that enhance your SQL skills.
• •Focus on real-world applications in various industries.
• •Learn to analyze customer churn effectively.

In the AI era, the most important question about your data platform is whether it maintains your trust. Salesforce emphasizes the significance of trust in data handling, ensuring that AI applications are developed with transparency and ethical considerations, which is crucial for user confidence and business integrity.

• •Salesforce prioritizes trust in data management.
• •AI applications must be transparent and ethical.
• •User confidence is essential for business success.

In this article, you will learn how to organize the sales process on WhatsApp, focusing on the importance of a structured funnel and effective management of conversations and the team. The absence of a process can undermine sales effectiveness and communication with customers.

• •Importance of a sales funnel on WhatsApp.
• •How to manage conversations and interactions with customers.
• •Strategies to optimize communication within the sales team.

By capping its new fund at $1.5 billion, Greylock emphasizes quality over quantity, aiming to maintain strong partnerships with founders. The firm believes that limiting investments to around 25 per fund allows for deeper engagement and support.

• •Greylock has capped its new fund at $1.5 billion.
• •The firm could have raised more but chose to focus on quality.
• •It aims to invest in about 25 startups per fund.

T-Mobile faces scrutiny from the FCC due to recent price hikes that may violate regulations. The company’s actions could lead to increased oversight and potential penalties, impacting its competitive position in the market.

• •T-Mobile's recent price hikes have raised concerns.
• •The FCC may investigate potential regulatory violations.
• •Increased scrutiny could lead to penalties for T-Mobile.

United Airlines reported higher profit and revenue, but its fuel expenses surged by 84%, totaling $2.3 billion. This cost increase negatively impacted its shares, reflecting financial challenges in the airline sector, particularly in a volatile fuel price environment.

• •United Airlines achieved profit and revenue above expectations.
• •Fuel expenses increased by 84% compared to the previous year.
• •Total fuel costs reached $2.3 billion.

Copel (CPLE3) has adjusted its financial leverage parameter from 2.8 times to 2.9 times net debt/Ebitda. This change in leverage policy extends for a period of up to 48 months, reflecting the company's financial management strategy.

• •Copel adjusts its financial leverage parameter.
• •New leverage is set at 2.9 times net debt/Ebitda.
• •Change applies for up to 48 months.

Vivo has announced a partnership with Adobe to offer six months of free Adobe Express Premium to Vivo Valoriza customers. The service includes content creation and editing tools, featuring Adobe Firefly's artificial intelligence capabilities for generating images and videos, along with access to millions of royalty-free resources.

• •Vivo offers six months of free Adobe Express Premium.
• •Benefit available for customers on Control, Postpaid, Total, and Fiber plans.
• •Adobe Express includes AI tools for content creation.

Apple's current M2 Ultra-powered servers are underperforming, prompting the company to seek out AI chip companies to enhance its processing capabilities. This move indicates Apple's commitment to strengthening its hardware for AI applications.

• •Apple is looking for AI chip companies to boost performance.
• •Current M2 Ultra servers are not meeting expectations.
• •This search reflects Apple's focus on AI technology.

Demis Hassabis argues that AI requires regulatory oversight similar to FINRA to ensure safe development before more advanced models emerge. For startup founders leveraging this technology, understanding the regulatory landscape is crucial for navigating potential challenges and opportunities.

• •Demis Hassabis emphasizes the need for AI regulation.
• •He compares AI oversight to FINRA's role in finance.
• •Regulatory clarity is vital for startups using AI.

Payments giant Stripe and private equity firm Advent International have teamed up to make an offer to buy troubled PayPal in a deal valued at more than $53 billion, Reuters reported Wednesday.

• •Stripe is pursuing aggressive acquisition strategies.
• •The proposed deal for PayPal is valued at over $53 billion.
• •This acquisition could reshape the payments landscape.

Samsung's Flex Titanium is designed to compete directly with Apple's iPhone Ultra, highlighting how competition drives innovation in the tech industry. This new offering aims to attract consumers looking for premium features and performance.

• •Samsung introduces Flex Titanium to rival Apple's iPhone Ultra.
• •The launch emphasizes the role of competition in tech innovation.
• •Flex Titanium targets consumers seeking premium features.

The recent wind-downs at PayPal and Fidelity International signal a shift in corporate venture capital, indicating a concentration of power among larger funds. Smaller funds may face significant challenges as the market dynamics evolve, according to Steve Brotman from Alpha Partners.

• •PayPal and Fidelity International are winding down their venture capital efforts.
• •This trend suggests a consolidation of power in the corporate venture capital space.
• •Smaller funds are likely to feel the impact of this market shift first.

NVIDIA is collaborating with Japanese partners to showcase advancements in AI and robotics across various industries. Japan, a hub for manufacturing and innovation, is leveraging NVIDIA technologies to enhance its AI ecosystem. This partnership highlights the integration of full-stack AI solutions in diverse sectors.

• •NVIDIA partners with Japan to advance AI and robotics.
• •Japan is a leading center for AI and manufacturing.
• •Showcasing full-stack AI solutions across industries.

Glossier's new marketing officer, Nicole Solórzano, launches a campaign featuring the iconic 'I <3 NY' logo as part of a brand revamp aimed at revitalizing the company's relevance and revenue. After years of decline and internal restructuring, Glossier seeks to reclaim its market position amid increasing competition in the beauty sector.

• •Glossier's new campaign celebrates its New York City roots.
• •The brand faces challenges in maintaining market dominance.
• •Recent layoffs and store closures signal restructuring efforts.