federal research funding

Months after Michael and Susan Dell's $6.25 billion donation to seed children's "Trump accounts," Dell Technologies secured a $9.7 billion contract with the US Department of Defense for enterprise software. This five-year deal, aimed at consolidating licensing and saving millions annually, followed a competitive evaluation process.

President Donald Trump last week halted a planned executive order. This order would have required government safety checks for advanced artificial intelligence models. Major tech companies like Google and Microsoft were to be affected. Trump cited a desire to maintain America's lead over China as the reason for the cancellation. The decision came after his state visit to China.

California is considering a 5% tax on billionaires' wealth. Proponents expect significant revenue for public services. Opponents fear wealthy individuals will leave the state. A study suggests revenue gains would outweigh losses for decades. The proposal will be on the November 2026 ballot. Legal and economic challenges are also anticipated.

Tech pioneer Reed Hastings and his wife donated $120 million to historically Black colleges, bypassing traditional university funds. This human-centered approach targets systemic student debt, enabling scholars to graduate debt-free and boost career momentum. The flexible funding addresses immediate needs, fostering institutional stability and unlocking student potential over building legacies.

Russia is investing billions in a state-backed initiative focused on longevity, exploring gene therapy, organ printing, and cryotherapy. This ambition, fueled by President Putin's personal fascination with extending life and power, aims to overcome aging. Despite bold claims, critics question the scientific validity, while Russia grapples with low life expectancy.

Across the vibrant streets of Argentina, a sea of protesters poured into the plazas, voicing their outrage over president Javier Milei’s funding cuts to public universities. With significant budget shortfalls, faculty members are witnessing a troubling drop in their earnings.

Gold and silver prices are expected to trade within a narrow band this week, with investors closely watching US-Iran peace talks and key global economic data. Analysts noted that while gold's momentum appears steady, silver shows positive movement. Geopolitical tensions and central bank buying are also influencing precious metal markets.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella testified in the Elon Musk vs. Sam Altman trial, defending the company's multibillion-dollar partnership with OpenAI. Nadella stated Musk never raised concerns about the investment violating OpenAI's nonprofit mission. He characterized Microsoft's involvement as transparent and commercially motivated from the outset, emphasizing its strategic importance.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is set to testify in Elon Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI. Musk alleges OpenAI abandoned its nonprofit roots, with Microsoft's funding playing a key role. Emails show Nadella discussing Azure access for OpenAI. Former CTO Mira Murati also testified about internal chaos. The case could reshape the AI landscape.

Harvard University will reinstate merit-based salary increases for the 2026-27 fiscal year across several key schools, signaling a partial financial recovery. This move follows last year's federal funding cuts and subsequent austerity measures, including a hiring freeze and program reviews. While some schools are resuming raises, others are still assessing their financial situations amidst ongoing restructuring and legal challenges.

Anthropic's paper outlines two scenarios for US-China AI leadership by 2028. In one, the US maintains its compute advantage through tightened export controls, leading to democratic AI norms. The other sees China overtaking the US if policymakers fail to act, resulting in authoritarian AI dominance.

The Indian rupee is facing significant pressure, weakening against the US dollar due to soaring crude oil prices driven by Middle East geopolitical tensions and persistent foreign fund outflows. Despite India's robust economic growth, the currency's slide continues as the Reserve Bank of India intervenes to curb volatility rather than target a specific exchange rate.

The US President's dismissal of the National Science Board and other scientific bodies has sparked concerns about the erosion of scientific norms. This move, alongside funding cuts and grant cancellations, is prompting foreign-origin scientists to consider leaving the US, with India actively recruiting talent.

A high-stakes legal battle is underway in Oakland as Elon Musk sues OpenAI's Sam Altman and Microsoft, alleging a betrayal of the AI company's founding nonprofit mission. Musk claims the shift to a for-profit model enriched leaders and investors, deviating from the original goal of benefiting humanity. The trial could significantly impact OpenAI's future and the AI industry.

Jury selection has begun in Musk v. Altman, the federal trial pitting OpenAI's billionaire co-founder against the company he helped build. Elon Musk alleges Sam Altman ran a "long con"—using nonprofit promises to secure funding and talent before quietly pivoting to for-profit. He's seeking up to $150 billion in damages and wants Altman removed. OpenAI calls it jealousy. The verdict could reshape AI's future.

US authorities are investigating a concerning pattern of American scientists, with access to sensitive research, going missing or dying since mid-2024. The White House, FBI, and Congress are collaborating to uncover potential links, including foreign actor involvement. Multiple agencies are reviewing at least eleven cases, some dating back to 2022, to assess national security implications.

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei is warning the AI industry to stop downplaying disruption—and start owning it. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei is warning the AI industry to stop downplaying disruption—and start owning it. Speaking to the Financial Times, he predicted AI could wipe out 50% of entry-level white-collar jobs within five years. With trust in short supply and early-career workers already feeling the squeeze, Amodei argues the industry's credibility depends on delivering real benefits, not just promising them.