OWITH.ai - Only What's Important to Hear around AI and Tech

Good morning from OWITH.ai, the podcast that gives you only what's important to hear in the AI and tech world.

Eli Lilly has made a significant investment of $40 million in Absci, a generative AI drug company, as part of a larger $100 million stock offering. This move aims to advance the development of ABS-201, an injectable antibody targeting the prolactin receptor, linked to hair growth and reproductive health. ABS-201 seeks to address conditions such as androgenetic alopecia and endometriosis, which currently lack approved injectable antibody treatments. Eli Lilly's investment not only provides strategic proximity to Absci's operations but also aligns with both companies' aspirations to revolutionize drug delivery through direct-to-consumer models. The injectable market is expected to represent a $650 billion opportunity by 2026, with GLP-1 drugs projected to reach up to $200 billion by 2030. However, oral GLP-1 versions from companies like Lilly and Novo Nordisk present challenges for injectables unless biologically necessary. Absci contends that proteins in ABS-201 are destroyed in the stomach, making injectable delivery essential. The potential of AI-driven drug development is further highlighted by substantial investments in the sector, with companies like Isomorphic Labs, Earendil Labs, and Xaira Therapeutics securing significant funding. Despite uncertainties surrounding ABS-201's efficacy in humans, Eli Lilly's backing underscores its commitment to advancing AI-designed drugs and injectables. The broader convergence of AI technology and pharmaceuticals signals a transformative period for drug development and healthcare innovation.

Looking ahead to July 2026, reports suggest that Microsoft may announce significant layoffs as a cost management strategy due to increasing AI expenditures. The potential job cuts could impact various divisions such as Xbox and sales teams, affecting less than 2.5% of Microsoft's workforce. Previous measures included offering buyouts to about 7% of its U.S. workforce and conducting layoffs last year to control spending amidst growing AI investments. Despite these efforts, Microsoft shares have experienced a decline this year.

In legal developments, TikTok has settled a lawsuit alleging harm to a minor's mental health due to social media addiction. The case involved companies like Google's YouTube and Meta's Instagram, with trials continuing for the latter two. This lawsuit is part of over 3,000 similar cases in California claiming that social media platforms are designed to be addictive.

In recent legal news, the Supreme Court's ruling affirming birthright citizenship in the United States has been widely celebrated for its projected positive impact on the economy. Upholding the 14th Amendment right for children born on U.S. soil to claim citizenship regardless of their parents' immigration status could contribute substantially to economic growth over beneficiaries' lifetimes. This decision ties into broader discussions about the American Dream, with U.S. immigrants generally expressing more optimism than the native population.

In the financial sector, a consortium led by major banks and tech companies has announced the launch of Open USD (OUSD), a new stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar. This initiative aims to reduce fees associated with minting and redeeming stablecoins while allowing partners to benefit from revenues on underlying reserves.

In other tech news, Anthropic has introduced a new AI model named Claude Sonnet 5. OpenAI engineers have reportedly made progress in reducing inference costs, while Amazon has announced a new unit focused on helping companies deploy custom AI agents.

Additional developments include Dell's AI-driven growth amidst profit margin concerns and generational skepticism about the American Dream among Gen Z and millennials. Over 140 businesses are launching a stablecoin to compete with Tether and Circle, while Revolut is implementing compulsory office attendance for new Gen Z employees with future flexibility promises.

As always, these stories provide insights into ongoing changes across industries driven by financial strategies, legal challenges, and advancements in technology.Support the show
Thanks for listening! Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin

Good morning from OWITH.ai, the podcast that gives you only what's important to hear in the AI and tech world. Let's begin with the rapid acceleration of AI in the business landscape. AI is significantly contributing to the swift growth of billion-dollar companies, especially in Europe, where one in five unicorns now reaches a $1 billion valuation within just two years, a significant increase from pre-generative AI times. This surge is due to AI's adaptability across various sectors, leading to shorter sales cycles and quicker funding rounds. Companies adept at leveraging AI can scale efficiently with smaller teams and less overhead, quickly establishing market dominance. The quintessential AI-era founder is seen as an experimenter, continually testing new tools while driving team efficiency.

In regulatory news, the U.S. government has permitted a limited release of Anthropics' Mythos AI model to over 100 institutions despite earlier national security concerns. Similarly, OpenAI has been asked to restrict its model releases to selected partners, underscoring increasing governmental oversight over advanced AI technologies due to security worries.

Meanwhile, Europe's startup ecosystem is evolving rapidly, with many founders coming from large tech companies and academia, spurred by mature tech ecosystems and major tech campuses in cities like London and Paris. AI-driven breakthroughs in fields like robotics and cybersecurity are drawing PhD-level talent to entrepreneurship.

Transitioning now to Vicus Ventures, co-founded by brothers Raj Sunny Singh and Sunny Singh Sandhu. They have successfully closed their debut fund at $55 million. Hailing from a small Punjabi village, they emphasize a personalized and community-driven investment approach. Their firm believes that modern founders require more than just financial backing; they need a supportive network or "village" to thrive—a philosophy deeply ingrained in Vicus Ventures' operations. The Singh brothers have utilized their extensive experience and connections from their time in the U.S., including positions at Bain and Alphabet’s Verily, to invest strategically in startups such as Avoca, Specter, Pallet, and Yuzu Health.

Moving on to significant developments in tech and legal sectors on June 30, 2026. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled on "geofence" warrants, asserting that individuals have a "reasonable expectation of privacy" regarding mobile phone location data. Consequently, law enforcement must obtain specific search warrants for such information.

Meanwhile, in South Korea, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix announced a joint investment of $520 billion to construct a new chipmaking hub aimed at addressing global memory shortages.

In corporate acquisitions, Rocket Lab announced plans to acquire Virginia-based satellite services firm Iridium Communications for $8 billion. This strategic move will enhance Rocket Lab’s competitive position in space applications by providing access to Iridium's spectrum and infrastructure.

Lastly, let's discuss Rivian's strategic positioning under CEO RJ Scaringe's leadership. He aspires for Rivian to be seen more like Apple than Tesla—a brand that inspires beyond its products. Despite challenges such as supply shortages and legal issues leading to a substantial settlement, Rivian continues its journey with significant partnerships with Amazon and Volkswagen. Amazon has already deployed 30,000 electric delivery vans from Rivian in the U.S., with plans for 100,000 by 2030.

In summary, these stories highlight the dynamic nature of the tech world—from regulatory shifts and investment strategies to corporate acquisitions and brand-building endeavors—all underpinned by technological advancements that continue to reshape industries globally.Support the show
Thanks for listening! Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin

Good morning from OWITH.ai: the podcast that gives you only what's important to hear in the AI and tech world.

Let's begin with the world of quantum computing, which is experiencing a remarkable surge in venture capital investment. According to a PitchBook report, investments reached a record $3.9 billion across 125 deals in 2025 and continued strongly into early 2026 with $1.2 billion in Q1 investments. Major investors like BlackRock and NVIDIA have significantly contributed, deploying $1.7 billion and $1.6 billion, respectively. This marks a dramatic increase in non-specialist quantum investors' involvement, now accounting for 30.4% of quantum deal value compared to just 1% in 2024. Companies such as Quantinuum and PsiQuantum are leading with substantial funding rounds and IPOs. Notably, Quantinuum raised $838.9 million in Series B funding and secured $1.68 billion through its Nasdaq IPO. PsiQuantum closed a $1 billion Series E round, backed by influential investors like BlackRock, Temasek, and Baillie Gifford.

Geopolitical factors significantly influence this trend, with global government commitments to quantum computing exceeding $60 billion. China has made quantum technology a priority in its 15th Five-Year Plan, supported by a $17.5 billion national fund, while the U.S., European Union, and Japan are also responding at varying speeds. Despite this influx of investment, many quantum companies remain years away from fulfilling their technological promises like breaking encryption and advancing drug discovery. Furthermore, the industry faces challenges such as uncertain exit strategies with many companies going public via SPAC-style reverse mergers rather than traditional IPOs. A notable hurdle is the talent bottleneck due to the limited supply of quantum physicists for startups. While the future of quantum computing is expected to intertwine with AI developments, current investments do not guarantee immediate breakthroughs. Overall, significant capital is flowing into quantum computing; however, its ability to deliver generational returns remains uncertain and will likely unfold over the next decade.

Transitioning now to the broader tech industry landscape in June 2026, several significant challenges and developments have emerged. A pivotal issue is the capacity constraints experienced by Google, which have impacted Meta's AI projects. Google informed Meta of its inability to provide all the required AI compute capacity, delaying some initiatives. This shortage arises partly from high global demand for AI compute resources, acknowledged by Google CEO Sundar Pichai as a supply-demand mismatch affecting Google's cloud revenue. Meanwhile, Meta is aggressively integrating AI into its business despite investor skepticism and a 15% decline in its shares this year.

In Australia, the government has doubled penalties for social media companies violating laws banning minors under 16 from using platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. The maximum financial penalty increased from 49.5 million AUD to 99 million AUD due to perceived non-compliance by these companies. Australia's investigation into potential non-compliance among major social media platforms regarding age restriction laws continues.

The semiconductor industry faces challenges with a global memory shortage predicted to cause memory prices to rise significantly in Q3 of 2026 and again in Q4. Relief isn't expected until 2028 when additional supply becomes available, impacting consumer electronics prices and prompting companies like Apple to lobby for policy changes to purchase Chinese memory.

In other notable tech news, Microsoft is striving to regain its competitive edge in AI with Jacob Andreou leading Copilot's development. Overall, the tech industry navigates shortages, regulatory changes, and strategic shifts as companies adapt and compete in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Finally, moving on to how business leaders are addressing contemporary challenges: CEOs are finding ways to create common ground amid heightened political polarization and evolving market dynamics. At the Aspen Ideas Festival, discussions focused on adopting moderate approaches to engagement by balancing innovation with regulation while appealing to shared values among stakeholders. Historically, American competitiveness has been attributed to moderation that facilitated effective collaboration between businesses and policymakers. However, current CEO silence on various issues allows politicians to dominate narratives with more extreme positions.

Strategies discussed at Aspen include engaging the middle ground where most people and politicians hold moderate views crucial for rapidly evolving industries potentially outpacing regulatory frameworks; upholding clear values around social issues like equal opportunities driving business success; redefining workforce development through public-private partnerships creating future-ready employees prepared for advancements in AI.

The technological landscape continues shifting significantly due largely to developments within AI alongside memory chip shortages impacting multiple sectors globally including Qualcomm's strategic pivot towards AI technologies reflecting broader trends within tech industry overall market volatility influenced by geopolitical developments such as the U.S.-Iran peace deal stock indices showing mixed performances Bitcoin remaining prominent player within financial markets overall CEOs urged reclaim narrative focus moderation cooperation drive sustainable progress era rapid change uncertainty.

And that’s it for today’s episode! Thank you for tuning into OWITH.ai - where we aim to keep you informed about what truly matters within the world of artificial intelligence technology until next time!Support the show
Thanks for listening! Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin

Good morning from OWITH.ai: the podcast that gives you only what's important to hear in the AI and tech world.

Let's begin with the Stratechery newsletter for the week of June 22, 2026, which brings us into a fascinating exploration of tech and business. Among the highlights, "A Vibe Coding Adventure" by Ben Thompson delves into the thrilling journey of being an analyst in the AI era, pondering over software companies' futures and employment. Meanwhile, Apple finds itself embroiled in European regulatory challenges, notably with its Siri AI product. Despite recent announcements, Siri AI's release in Europe is stalled due to the EU's Digital Markets Act, sparking discussions about potential competitive shifts desired by the EU. Stratechery further explores Apple's pricing dynamics in Europe and the broader implications on its products.

Transitioning to a lighter note, the midsummer mailbag on Sharp Tech offers an engaging mix of topics from memory chip market forecasts to international soccer ideas. Additionally, there's insight into Asian memory markets and Microsoft's interest in Chinese models, alongside reflections on creating vibe-coded apps.

Shifting focus to venture capital, Framework Ventures from San Francisco has raised $400 million for its fourth fund. This firm is diversifying beyond cryptocurrency to include investments in AI, robotics, and energy. While crypto markets have seen a downturn, AI companies like Anthropic and OpenAI are soaring in valuation. Framework Ventures exemplifies a trend among digital asset firms towards emerging technologies like AI.

In another realm of tech shifts, Apple faces pricing power challenges due to rising costs and supply constraints. This has led to strategic decisions like skipping high-end M6 chip variants while accelerating M7 development. Meanwhile, Sony's Bungie studio is undergoing layoffs amid strategic realignments. IBM's breakthrough in nanometer chip technology marks a significant leap forward, enhancing power efficiency in AI applications.

Turning our gaze to Lore Issue 191, several intriguing developments surface. The U.S. government is contemplating access controls on OpenAI's anticipated GPT-5.6 model due to security concerns. SpaceX has secured a major deal with open-source startup Reflection for Nvidia chips aimed at developing frontier models. Notably, ElevenLabs has launched an ad localization engine that preserves essential elements such as voice and emotion.

In response to AI-induced job disruption concerns, a bipartisan coalition named Raise US has been launched by former Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb and former Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. Their mission is to prepare an AI-ready workforce and create resilient jobs through collaboration among various stakeholders.

Finally, let's explore advancements in AI with a focus on "loop engineering," advanced models like GLM-5.2, and rising AI education programs in universities. Loop engineering allows iterative improvements through feedback loops in AI development processes. Meanwhile, GLM-5.2 stands out with its mixture-of-experts architecture and cost-effective performance. Universities are rapidly expanding AI programs to meet industry demand for skilled professionals adept at navigating rapid advancements.

As we wrap up with insights from Vivatech 2026 in Paris, Europe's focus on cybersecurity risks and dependence on U.S. AI models takes center stage. Concerns over AI's impact on labor markets were highlighted amidst discussions on tangible returns from AI investments.

Thank you for joining us today. We hope this overview has provided valuable insights into the ever-evolving world of AI and technology. Stay tuned for more updates!Support the show
Thanks for listening! Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin

Each Saturday we take the headlines of daily podcast and ask ChatGPT to create a Sci-Fi story inspired by the news. The outcome for this week is this short story.Support the show
Thanks for listening! Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin