Sources: Lightspeed, whose bets include Wiz, Anthropic, and Stripe, returned $8B from current and active funds in the past five years, with $3B+ coming in 2024 (Eric Newcomer/Newcomer)

Summary After nearly five years of absence from the Apple App Store, Epic Games' Fortnite has made its return, although it is currently only searchable on iPhones and iPads within the U.S. This comeback follows its removal in 2020, which was a result of Epic Games' controversial implementation of certain practices that violated Apple’s guidelines. The reappearance of Fortnite marks a significant development for both Epic Games and mobile gaming enthusiasts in the U.S. market....

Summary Google’s recent I/O event highlighted a significant expansion of AI across its product lineup, featuring innovative generative tools such as Imagen 4 for images, Veo 3 for video, and Flow for AI-driven filmmaking. The event also introduced a revamped AI-powered search experience and the premium Google AI Ultra subscription. These advancements demonstrate Google’s commitment to enhancing user experience through cutting-edge AI technology. Full Article

In initiating his global trade war, Donald Trump appears to overlook a crucial aspect of America's trade strength: the export of digital services. Experts warn that this oversight could have significant consequences for Silicon Valley, as highlighted in a recent report by Allianz Trade, which surveyed 4,500 firms worldwide to assess the impact of escalating trade tensions. The report cautions that the U.S.'s focus on its trillion-dollar goods deficit may jeopardize "invisible exports," the rapidly...

Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan's Strategic Refocus Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan is exploring options to refocus the semiconductor giant on its core business, with reports suggesting the potential sale of its networking and edge unit. This division, which produces chips for telecom equipment, is seen as non-essential to Intel's primary objectives. Tan's strategy involves shedding business segments that do not align with the company's critical interests, aiming to streamline operations and strengthen Intel's market position. Full...

The May 18th issue of the Chicago Sun-Times includes a summer activities guide featuring both real and fake AI-generated book titles, with notable authors like Min Jin Lee and Rebecca Makkai incorrectly credited. An article by Marco Buscaglia in the guide contains quotes from non-existent experts and references fictitious sources, prompting the Sun-Times to investigate the inaccuracies and affirm the content was not editorially approved. This incident reflects a broader issue in media regarding the...

Summary OpenAI recently launched Codex, a new coding system capable of executing complex programming tasks based on natural language commands. This innovation positions OpenAI among the emerging cohort of agentic coding tools, which includes GitHub’s Copilot and modern assistants like Cursor and Windsurf. Most of these AI coding assistants operate under similar principles, reflecting the evolving landscape of programming assistance technology. Full Article