Shares of Akamai rose after confirming a deal with AI startup Anthropic. Meanwhile, President Trump stated he will not name Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent as his artificial intelligence czar, despite earlier speculation.

Ever feel like the 'AI is going to destroy the world' narrative is a little too convenient for Big Tech? 🧐 In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the AI doomer narrative and expose the hidden financial strings pulling the regulatory puppet. We aren’t just talking tech; we’re talking about the regulatory capture designed to keep you—the builder—out of the game. We dive deep into Tom Bilyeu’s explosive breakdown of how corporate giants are using the language of 'existential risk' to build a permanent regulatory moat around their monopolies. If you’ve ever wondered why the biggest players in Silicon Valley are suddenly begging the government to regulate them, you’re about to get the uncomfortable truth. In this episode, we break down: - The money trail connecting tech investors to the anti-innovation lobby. - Why 'AI safety' is being used as a weapon to crush your startup. - The dangerous shift from meritocracy to performative political activism. - How to stop playing the game and start building the future on your own terms. This isn't about fear; it's about reclaiming your agency. If you're an aspiring entrepreneur tired of the bureaucracy, this is your wake-up call. 🚀 Ready to stop complaining and start building? Subscribe, drop a comment with your take on the AI wars, and share this with a fellow builder who needs to hear the truth. Let's get to work.  

Wonderful, an Israeli-Dutch AI startup, has raised $550 million in a Series C funding round, pushing its valuation past $5 billion—more than doubling its previous $2 billion valuation from six months ago. The funding includes participation from major investors like Insight Partners, Index Ventures, and Salesforce, which is joining for the first time. Founded in 2025, Wonderful initially gained traction with a customer service AI platform tailored for non-English-speaking markets. Its strategy of deploying engineering teams to integrate AI into client workflows has expanded its reach to over 35 countries. The company has evolved its core offering to a flexible 'Wonderful AI OS' platform that connects AI applications with existing systems, allowing customers to choose and customize solutions. The funds will accelerate product development, expand FDE teams, and meet rising demand for AI integration services.

Kyrgyz startup NineNineSix is developing open-source text-to-speech models aimed at competing on speed and price in the global AI voice market.

Instinct, a young AI startup founded by 23-year-old Noah Shinn, has secured $350 million in total funding, including a recent $250 million Series B round led by Index Ventures and Benchmark. The company's AI assistant, offered through Spear Street Technology, claims to efficiently organize users' lives by integrating with apps and devices via text and calls. Early adopters have reported using Instinct for tasks like planning cross-country trips, managing subscriptions, and even wedding planning. However, the app faces privacy concerns due to its extensive permissions and terms of use that some find invasive. Despite these issues, Instinct's lo-fi website and private beta status highlight its rapid rise in the AI sector. The article underscores the startup's success amid growing interest in AI tools while acknowledging the controversies surrounding data access and user control.

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