🏛️ Trump’s AI czar, Intel’s shakeup, OpenAI’s AGI pivot
Good morning. It’s Friday, December 06. Today we are covering:
Trump Names David Sacks as White House AI and Crypto Czar
What Pat Gelsinger's exit means for Intel and the US Chips Act
OpenAI aims to attract more investment by removing 'AGI' clause with Microsoft
ARX launches firestick-like platform to make military trucks autonomous
Waymo's next robotaxi city will be Miami
Let’s dive in
Trump Names David Sacks as White House AI and Crypto Czar
By Stephanie Lai via Bloomberg
Donald Trump appoints David Sacks, a venture capitalist from Craft Ventures LLC, as the first White House AI and Crypto Czar to shape policy in artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency.
The newly created position highlights the administration's focus on making America the global leader in AI and cryptocurrency, two key industries for future competitiveness.
Sacks, known for aiding Trump’s engagement with the tech sector, will spearhead efforts to boost innovation and growth in these rapidly evolving fields.
𝕏: Huge congrats to @DavidSacks on this appointment – he understands tech inside and out, and importantly, will push forward President Trump’s crypto and AI pro-innovation plans. - Brad Garlinghouse (@bgarlinghouse)
What Pat Gelsinger's exit means for Intel and the US Chips Act
By Tim Bradshaw via Financial Times
The abrupt exit of Pat Gelsinger as Intel's CEO raises speculation about the company moving away from chip manufacturing, potentially undermining the US Chips Act and its efforts to boost domestic semiconductor production.
Gelsinger's departure follows financial challenges, including a $7 billion operating loss in 2023, and internal conflicts over scaling back manufacturing despite Intel securing $8 billion in government funding under the Chips Act.
Intel faces pressure to pivot, with options including outsourcing to TSMC or divesting its foundry business, but these moves could conflict with its Chips Act commitments and jeopardize America's chipmaking ambitions.
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OpenAI aims to attract more investment by removing 'AGI' clause with Microsoft
Reuters
OpenAI is negotiating to remove a clause in its agreement with Microsoft that would exclude the tech giant from accessing its most advanced models upon achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI), according to the Financial Times.
The clause, which defines AGI as a system outperforming humans in most economically valuable work, currently voids Microsoft's access to such technology once AGI is realized.
OpenAI aims to unlock billions in future investments by ensuring Microsoft's continued access to its technologies, even after achieving AGI, signaling a potential shift in its corporate structure.
ARX launches firestick-like platform to make military trucks autonomous
By Mike Butcher via TechCrunch
ARX Robotics, founded by former German military members, has launched the Mithra OS, an AI-based operating system that transforms legacy military vehicles into autonomous, interconnected units using hardware cameras, sensors, and over-the-air updates.
Backed by €9 million in seed funding from the NATO Innovation Fund, Project A Ventures, and Discovery Ventures, ARX aims to modernize NATO's outdated equipment by providing an "Amazon Firestick" solution for existing fleets, eliminating the need for costly replacements.
The platform addresses critical needs in modern warfare, enabling fleet intelligence and situational awareness while bridging the gap between analog systems and cutting-edge battlefield technology.
Waymo's next robotaxi city will be Miami
By Andrew J. Hawkins via The Verge
Waymo will launch its robotaxi service in Miami by 2026, expanding its fleet of autonomous Jaguar I-Pace vehicles and integrating them into its Waymo One ride-hailing app.
The vehicles will be managed by Moove, a fleet services company backed by Uber, which will handle cleaning, charging, and sensor calibration, starting with operations in Phoenix.
This marks Waymo’s continued growth, with active services in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin, and Phoenix, and plans for future launches in Atlanta in partnership with Uber.
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