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Stephen Van Tran
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The tech world continues its rapid evolution with OpenAI addressing GPT-5 rollout challenges, Meta strengthening its AI audio capabilities through strategic acquisitions, and major semiconductor companies negotiating revenue-sharing agreements with the US government. Today’s digest covers critical developments in AI models, corporate acquisitions, and international trade agreements shaping the industry landscape.

OpenAI Addresses GPT-5 Rollout Issues

Sam Altman has publicly acknowledged the bumpy launch of GPT-5 in a recent Reddit AMA, admitting that a router malfunction made the model appear “dumber” than GPT-4o. The company is now considering allowing Plus users to continue accessing GPT-4o while implementing fixes, including better transparency about which model is responding to queries. OpenAI plans to double rate limits for Plus users during the stabilization period, addressing user concerns about the controversial “chart crime” from the launch presentation.

Meta Acquires AI Voice Startup WaveForms

Meta has acquired AI audio startup WaveForms for an undisclosed amount, marking its second major AI audio acquisition in a month after purchasing PlayAI. Founded just eight months ago, WaveForms had raised $40 million from Andreessen Horowitz at a $160 million pre-money valuation and was developing solutions for the “Speech Turing Test” and “Emotional General Intelligence.” Co-founders Alexis Conneau (ex-Meta, OpenAI) and Coralie Lemaitre (ex-Google) have rejoined Meta’s Superintelligence Labs unit.

Nvidia and AMD Revenue-Sharing Deal with US Government

In a significant development for US-China tech relations, Nvidia and AMD have agreed to pay the US government 15% of revenue from advanced AI chip sales to China as a condition for export licenses. This arrangement covers chips like Nvidia’s H20 and AMD’s MI308, following a partial lifting of the sales ban. Nvidia earned $17 billion from China in FY2024, while AMD generated $6.2 billion, making this revenue-sharing agreement a substantial financial commitment that balances national security concerns with business interests.

NASA and Google Develop AI Medical Assistant for Mars

NASA and Google are building the Crew Medical Officer Digital Assistant, an AI tool designed to help astronauts diagnose and treat medical issues during deep space missions when real-time communication with Earth is impossible. Running on Google Cloud’s Vertex AI, the multimodal assistant has demonstrated 88% diagnostic accuracy in simulated scenarios. The technology will integrate medical device data and undergo training for space-specific conditions like microgravity effects, with potential applications for remote healthcare on Earth.

The AI industry is confronting the largest copyright class action ever certified, potentially involving seven million claimants suing Anthropic over its training data usage. Industry groups are attempting to appeal the decision, warning of hundreds of billions of dollars in potential damages that could force settlements and establish precedents affecting all generative AI companies. Anthropic has petitioned to appeal, claiming the judge rushed the judgment without rigorous analysis, while tech associations warn the financial risk could fundamentally reshape the AI industry’s approach to training data.

China Opens World’s First Humanoid Robot Mall

Beijing has unveiled the world’s first full-scale Robot Mall, a four-story shopping center showcasing over 100 robot models from more than 40 brands including Ubtech and Unitree Robotics. Operating on a “4S” model similar to car dealerships, the facility combines sales, service, spare parts, and customer feedback in one location. Visitors can experience robot chefs, watch robots play soccer, and interact with animatronic historical figures, representing China’s push to mainstream robotics technology.

Today’s developments highlight the ongoing challenges and opportunities in AI deployment, from model optimization and strategic acquisitions to regulatory frameworks and consumer adoption. As companies navigate technical hurdles and legal challenges, the industry continues pushing boundaries in healthcare applications and robotics integration.