SoftBank and OpenAI announced a new 50-50 joint venture this week to sell enterprise AI tools in Japan under the brand “Crystal Intelligence.” On paper, it’s a straightforward international expansion deal. But SoftBank’s role as a major investor in OpenAI is raising questions about whether AI’s biggest deals are creating real economic value or just moving money in circles.
On TechCrunch’s Equity podcast, Kirsten Korosec, Anthony Ha, and AI editor Russell Brandom break down why this deal has people skeptical, and what it signals about the sustainability of AI’s current investment model, and more.
Subscribe to Equity on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and all the casts. You also can follow Equity on X and Threads, at @EquityPod.
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#circular #money #problem #heart #AIs #biggest #deals #TechCrunch
In March, Honda announced it would take a writedown of up to 2.5 trillion yen ($15.7 billion) on its EV investments. Now Honda says its EV-related losses will be “resolved” by 2029, and that it will reevaluate its EV plans in 2030.
In March, Honda announced it would take a writedown of up to 2.5 trillion yen ($15.7 billion) on its EV investments. Now Honda says its EV-related losses will be “resolved” by 2029, and that it will reevaluate its EV plans in 2030.
#Hondas #hybrid #future #starts #Accord #RDX #prototypesCars,Honda,News,Transportation">Honda’s hybrid future starts with new Accord and RDX prototypes
Honda revealed prototypes of two new hybrid models, an Accord sedan and the Acura RDX SUV, during its annual business briefing this week, built on a platform that it says will begin launching next year. The RDX was announced earlier this year as Honda’s first SUV to feature the next-gen version of its two-motor hybrid system.
In March, Honda announced it would take a writedown of up to 2.5 trillion yen ($15.7 billion) on its EV investments. Now Honda says its EV-related losses will be “resolved” by 2029, and that it will reevaluate its EV plans in 2030.
SpaceX acquired xAI — two companies owned by Musk — in February and has since installed new leadership at the company. Musk renamed the combined company SpaceXAI earlier this month.
The pre-training departures, which followed the exit of team lead Juntang Zhuang, have particularly concerned employees and people close to SpaceXAI, per The Information. Pre-training is the first step to building new AI models, and many have questioned whether the company is still committed to developing leading models.
The report also found that Musk’s culture of extreme work led some staff to leave — something Musk employees across his companies, including Tesla, have complained about. A source who spoke to The Information said Musk set unrealistic deadlines for training models, which led to cutting corners on Grok.
Of course, several of the exits could have been driven by a desire to cash out.
SpaceX regularly offers tenders so employees can sell vested shares privately. Others might simply feel confident that their equity is close to liquidity given the company’s blockbuster IPO expectations. Once employees see the financial upside light at the end of the tunnel, they’re less likely to work at a company that puts undue pressure on them and may not be building the leading models they want to work on.
TechCrunch has reached out to SpaceX for comment.
When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.
SpaceX acquired xAI — two companies owned by Musk — in February and has since installed new leadership at the company. Musk renamed the combined company SpaceXAI earlier this month.
The pre-training departures, which followed the exit of team lead Juntang Zhuang, have particularly concerned employees and people close to SpaceXAI, per The Information. Pre-training is the first step to building new AI models, and many have questioned whether the company is still committed to developing leading models.
The report also found that Musk’s culture of extreme work led some staff to leave — something Musk employees across his companies, including Tesla, have complained about. A source who spoke to The Information said Musk set unrealistic deadlines for training models, which led to cutting corners on Grok.
Of course, several of the exits could have been driven by a desire to cash out.
SpaceX regularly offers tenders so employees can sell vested shares privately. Others might simply feel confident that their equity is close to liquidity given the company’s blockbuster IPO expectations. Once employees see the financial upside light at the end of the tunnel, they’re less likely to work at a company that puts undue pressure on them and may not be building the leading models they want to work on.
TechCrunch has reached out to SpaceX for comment.
When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.
#Elon #Musks #SpaceXAI #bleeding #staff #merger #TechCrunchElon Musk,SpaceX,spacexai,xAI">Elon Musk’s SpaceXAI has been bleeding staff since its merger | TechCrunch
Elon Musk’s newly rebranded SpaceXAI is reportedly losing top talent, with more than 50 researchers and engineers departing since February, according to The Information. The exits include key leaders across coding, world models, and Grok voice.
Rivals like Meta and Thinking Machine Labs are reportedly scooping up former staff, with the company’s core pre-training team dwindling to just a handful of people. Since February, at least 11 xAI employees have defected to Meta, according to The Information’s report. At least seven have left to join Mira Murati’s Thinking Machine Labs. TechCrunch has previously reported on 11 of the xAI departures announced directly after the merger, including two co-founders.
SpaceX acquired xAI — two companies owned by Musk — in February and has since installed new leadership at the company. Musk renamed the combined company SpaceXAI earlier this month.
The pre-training departures, which followed the exit of team lead Juntang Zhuang, have particularly concerned employees and people close to SpaceXAI, per The Information. Pre-training is the first step to building new AI models, and many have questioned whether the company is still committed to developing leading models.
The report also found that Musk’s culture of extreme work led some staff to leave — something Musk employees across his companies, including Tesla, have complained about. A source who spoke to The Information said Musk set unrealistic deadlines for training models, which led to cutting corners on Grok.
Of course, several of the exits could have been driven by a desire to cash out.
SpaceX regularly offers tenders so employees can sell vested shares privately. Others might simply feel confident that their equity is close to liquidity given the company’s blockbuster IPO expectations. Once employees see the financial upside light at the end of the tunnel, they’re less likely to work at a company that puts undue pressure on them and may not be building the leading models they want to work on.
TechCrunch has reached out to SpaceX for comment.
When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.
confirmed that the Find X9S and Find X9 Ultra will launch in India on May 21. The new flagship smartphones are designed for users who prioritize photography and video creation, featuring upgraded Hasselblad camera setups. Alongside the camera upgrades, both smartphones also include large silicon-carbon batteries and dedicated cooling systems for stable performance.
OPPO Find X9 Ultra and X9S: Specs
OPPO has designed the Find X9S with a slim 7.99mm body while still offering premium camera and video capabilities. The device includes three 50MP cameras tuned with Hasselblad technology for consistent imaging results. It also supports Dolby Vision recording and AI features to enhance photos, videos, and everyday usability.
The Hasselblad Master Camera System is a key highlight of the Find X9 series. The purpose of the system is to ensure that the photos produced have balanced colors, good detail, and a consistent photography experience across all the camera sensors on the phone. Another technology OPPO uses to make their images even better is the LUMO Image Engine, which provides high dynamic range, improved clarity, and lower noise levels.
The OPPO Find X9 Ultra features some powerful video tools that are helpful for movie-makers and content creators. The device can capture videos at 8K/30fps and 4K/120fps speeds using all of its cameras. The company also includes features such as O-Log2 and ACES support for pro editing software, as well as a dedicated LUT.
Furthermore, OPPO is focusing on battery life and thermal management with the Find X9 Ultra. The mobile has a 7050mAh battery and an advanced cooling system designed to meet the rigorous demands of creative tasks.
India Launch Date and Expected Availability
OPPO will officially launch the Find X9S and Find X9 Ultra in India on May 21. The company is expected to reveal pricing and sale details during the event itself. The launch further shows OPPO’s strategy to expand its premium flagship portfolio in the Indian smartphone market.
confirmed that the Find X9S and Find X9 Ultra will launch in India on May 21. The new flagship smartphones are designed for users who prioritize photography and video creation, featuring upgraded Hasselblad camera setups. Alongside the camera upgrades, both smartphones also include large silicon-carbon batteries and dedicated cooling systems for stable performance.
OPPO Find X9 Ultra and X9S: Specs
OPPO has designed the Find X9S with a slim 7.99mm body while still offering premium camera and video capabilities. The device includes three 50MP cameras tuned with Hasselblad technology for consistent imaging results. It also supports Dolby Vision recording and AI features to enhance photos, videos, and everyday usability.
The Hasselblad Master Camera System is a key highlight of the Find X9 series. The purpose of the system is to ensure that the photos produced have balanced colors, good detail, and a consistent photography experience across all the camera sensors on the phone. Another technology OPPO uses to make their images even better is the LUMO Image Engine, which provides high dynamic range, improved clarity, and lower noise levels.
The OPPO Find X9 Ultra features some powerful video tools that are helpful for movie-makers and content creators. The device can capture videos at 8K/30fps and 4K/120fps speeds using all of its cameras. The company also includes features such as O-Log2 and ACES support for pro editing software, as well as a dedicated LUT.
Furthermore, OPPO is focusing on battery life and thermal management with the Find X9 Ultra. The mobile has a 7050mAh battery and an advanced cooling system designed to meet the rigorous demands of creative tasks.
India Launch Date and Expected Availability
OPPO will officially launch the Find X9S and Find X9 Ultra in India on May 21. The company is expected to reveal pricing and sale details during the event itself. The launch further shows OPPO’s strategy to expand its premium flagship portfolio in the Indian smartphone market.
#OPPO #Confirms #Find #X9s #Find #Ultra #India #Launch #DateOppo">OPPO Confirms Find X9s and Find X9 Ultra India Launch Date
OPPO has officially confirmed that the Find X9S and Find X9 Ultra will launch in India on May 21. The new flagship smartphones are designed for users who prioritize photography and video creation, featuring upgraded Hasselblad camera setups. Alongside the camera upgrades, both smartphones also include large silicon-carbon batteries and dedicated cooling systems for stable performance.
OPPO Find X9 Ultra and X9S: Specs
OPPO has designed the Find X9S with a slim 7.99mm body while still offering premium camera and video capabilities. The device includes three 50MP cameras tuned with Hasselblad technology for consistent imaging results. It also supports Dolby Vision recording and AI features to enhance photos, videos, and everyday usability.
The Hasselblad Master Camera System is a key highlight of the Find X9 series. The purpose of the system is to ensure that the photos produced have balanced colors, good detail, and a consistent photography experience across all the camera sensors on the phone. Another technology OPPO uses to make their images even better is the LUMO Image Engine, which provides high dynamic range, improved clarity, and lower noise levels.
The OPPO Find X9 Ultra features some powerful video tools that are helpful for movie-makers and content creators. The device can capture videos at 8K/30fps and 4K/120fps speeds using all of its cameras. The company also includes features such as O-Log2 and ACES support for pro editing software, as well as a dedicated LUT.
Furthermore, OPPO is focusing on battery life and thermal management with the Find X9 Ultra. The mobile has a 7050mAh battery and an advanced cooling system designed to meet the rigorous demands of creative tasks.
India Launch Date and Expected Availability
OPPO will officially launch the Find X9S and Find X9 Ultra in India on May 21. The company is expected to reveal pricing and sale details during the event itself. The launch further shows OPPO’s strategy to expand its premium flagship portfolio in the Indian smartphone market.
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