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Simply the latest news, updated on the hour.

Thu, Jul 9, 2026, 8:26 PM EDT

Tech

AI Summary

  • OpenAI has officially launched GPT-5.6, touting it as the preferred model for Microsoft Copilot and introducing a new tool called 'ChatGPT Work', amidst reports of internal shifts like Fidji Simo stepping down from her AGI leadership role.
  • The AI arms race continues with Meta entering the coding battle with Muse Spark 1.1 and Google pledging to disclose AI-generated ads, while Nvidia faces challenges in the compute marketplace it helped create.
  • Startups are making significant moves, including an AI agent startup successfully raising $100M with its agent leading the process, and Mercor reportedly in talks for a $20B valuation.
  • Regulatory and ethical discussions surrounding AI are intensifying, with the EU Parliament greenlighting Chat Control 1.0 and questions arising about the government's approval of OpenAI's frontier models.
  • The tech industry is grappling with broader societal issues, from self-driving cars interfering with first responders to data centers raising pollution concerns in Texas, and the ongoing debate around AI's use of user data, particularly from Meta's platforms.

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The Verge

  • Microsoft’s carbon emissions went up 25 percent last year an hour ago by Stevie Bonifield
    AI, Environment, Microsoft, News, Science, Tech

    Microsoft may once again be struggling to keep up with its own climate goals, according to its 2026 sustainability report . As reported by GeekWire , the report states that Microsoft's carbon emissions increased 25 percent in 2025, totalling 34 million metric tons "without select interventions." Microsoft says this was "driven primarily by the expansion of our datacenter infrastructure," as well as the company's decision last February to stop purchasing "non-additional, unbundled renewable energy certificates." Several years ago, Microsoft set itself a goal to be carbon negative by 2030 , meaning it will need to remove more carbon emissions t

  • Fidji Simo steps down from leading OpenAI’s AGI work due to illness 2 hours ago
    AI, News, OpenAI

    OpenAI's Fidji Simo is departing her full-time role as the company's AGI chief and is transitioning to being a "part-time advisor," she said on X . The news follows Simo's original announcement in April that she would take a few weeks of medical leave due to a neuroimmune condition, shortly after she had taken on the AGI chief title. (She had formerly been the company's CEO of applications). Around the same time, COO Brad Lightcap also stepped down from his role to focus on "special projects," and OpenAI CMO Kate Rouch also stepped down in order to focus on her

  • Netflix reportedly considers adding always-on channels 2 hours ago by Jay Peters
    Entertainment, Netflix, News, Streaming

    Netflix is thinking about adding always-on channels that would stream specific shows and movies, according to The Wall Street Journal . The move sounds like a Netflix version of always-on services like Pluto TV and Tubi, except the big hook for those is that they're free - because of the ads you have to watch. Netflix has seen success with its ad-supported tier, which is increasingly popular , but it costs $8.99 per month after a recent price hike . Netflix is also apparently considering selling bundles that would include other streaming services, something else that competitors like Apple TV

  • The ChatGPT browser is already dead 5 hours ago by Jay Peters
    AI, News, OpenAI

    OpenAI is already shutting down ChatGPT Atlas, its browser that could do tasks for you on your behalf, less than a year after launching it. Atlas was announced in October , but as part of its wave of news about ChatGPT Work today , the company confirmed that it will be "sunsetting" Atlas and is targeting an August 9th date for deprecation. The shutdown follows OpenAI's push to reduce "side quests" and catch up with Anthropic on productivity features . As part of that push, in March, The Wall Street Journal reported that OpenAI planned to combine the ChatGPT app,

  • The floatable, powerful Soundcore Boom 2 speaker is over half off 5 hours ago by Brad Bourque
    Deals, Gadgets, Verge Shopping

    Anker’s Soundcore Boom 2 is fully waterproof. Bluetooth speakers with big sound and great features are hard to find for under $100, with most offerings being some variation of the same basic (and often small) design. Thankfully, through July 10th Woot has the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 on sale for $69.99, which is $20 cheaper than the discounted price at other retailers like Amazon , and about half its original $129.99 price. The waterproof Bluetooth speaker can run for up to 24 hours on a single charge, with big, bass-forward sound that’s great for a day by the water or


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