Ina Fried
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Chief Technology Correspondent for @Axios; former Senior Editor at Recode. Huge softball, hockey, basketball fan. she/her 🏳️⚧️
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Articles by Ina Fried
The biggest surprises in Anthropic's IPO Original
Photo illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios. Photo: Samyukta Lakshmi/Bloomberg via Getty Images There has never been a company like Anthropic. It owes almost $650 billion for computing, generates eye-popping revenue per employee and wants every investor to know that its product poses existential risks to humanity.
The biggest surprises in Anthropic's IPO
World News 15 hours ago Brazilian markets plunge after Lula’s surprise victory Semafor - — Brendan Ruberry • 15h Brazilian markets plunged Monday after President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva clinched a reelection victory, as investors scrambled to reconfigure their … Israel 18 hours ago Netanyahu election win could spell early exit for IDF chief Zamir ynet Global - Yossi Yehoshua • 18h Major disagreements between IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen.
OpenAI expands its cloud reach with Google deal Original
OpenAI is bringing its AI models and Codex coding tools to Google Cloud, expanding its reach to customers of all three major U.S. cloud providers — including companies that are also among its fiercest AI rivals. Why it matters: The move underscores a growing recognition that winning the enterprise AI race isn't just about building the smartest models. It's also about making those models available wherever businesses already run their software and store their data.
I tested Dots and Muse. Here's where they shine.
Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios. Stock: Getty Images Let's call it the Battle of the Bots, part 1: I decided to put two of the newest personal AI agents, OpenAI's Dots and Meta's Muse, through their paces, with the WNBA Finals providing a natural testing ground. Why it matters: AI companies are racing to create the digital assistant we turn to for everything from shopping to travel planning. But there's still a gap between what these agents can do and what I'm comfortable letting them do.
Pizza giveaway exposes AI agent growing pains Original
Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios A startup offered free pizza on Friday in exchange for letting its AI agent handle the ordering. After multiple attempts, I ended up with a $30 DoorDash credit, no pizza and an empty stomach. Why it matters: AI agents promise to take everyday tasks off our plates, but they still have to clear a basic hurdle: Making a task easier than doing it ourselves.
I tested Dots and Muse. Here's where they shine.
Shoppers Are Ditching Lancôme for CeraVe’s $15 “Under-Eye Miracle Worker” That Delivers ‘Near-Instant’ Results “No one can guess my real age,” one shopper says. For an eye cream to earn a place in my skin care routine, there’s a high bar to clear. To impress …
"I'll put everything into this." Bill Gross turns his life's work into an AI machine
Bill Gross has spent 30 years turning problems, technologies and market shifts into companies — and now he is trying to turn that process into a machine. Why it matters: In a moment when AI is mostly framed as a force that eliminates jobs, Gross is betting it can help create entrepreneurs and companies. The big picture: Gross is launching Idealab.ai, a platform that has analyzed more than 17 million sources and generated 1.2 million potential businesses.
Bill Gross is building an AI factory for startups
Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios. Stock: Getty Images Bill Gross has spent 30 years turning problems, technologies and market shifts into companies — and now he is trying to turn that process into a machine. Why it matters: In a moment when AI is mostly framed as a force that eliminates jobs, Gross is betting it can help create entrepreneurs and companies.
Bill Gross is building an AI factory for startups
Yandex 1 hour ago Did Ukraine's data center strikes affect Russia's bot army? We now have better evidence. Mashable - Chance Townsend • 1h New data suggests Yandex strikes created an 84 percent decline in pro-Russian accounts on Facebook and Telegram.
Bill Gross is building an AI factory for startups
2 hours ago iPhone Duo preorders just begun, and iPhone 18 Pro has been on the market for about a month. Of course, iPhone Duo is backordered through January right now, so whether or not you’re considering buying these phones – it makes it really easy to think about what’s coming next. 2027 is going to be a …
"I'll put everything into this." Bill Gross turns his life's work into an AI machine.
Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios. Stock: Getty Images Bill Gross has spent 30 years turning problems, technologies and market shifts into companies — and now he is trying to turn that process into a machine. Why it matters: In a moment when AI is mostly framed as a force that eliminates jobs, Gross is betting it can help create entrepreneurs and companies.
"Mommy and daddy" play nice: Apple and Meta team up to bring open-source Muse to Macs
Apple and Meta, whose leaders have spent years trading barbs over privacy and the future of computing, are joining forces to bring one of America's most powerful open-weight AI models to Apple's high-end Macs. Why it matters: The collaboration marks a striking détente between two longtime Silicon Valley rivals, underscoring how the AI race is reshaping relationships across the technology industry.
Apple and Meta bury the hatchet — for AI
Apple and Meta, whose leaders have spent years trading barbs over privacy and the future of computing, are joining forces to bring one of America's most powerful open-weight AI models to Apple's high-end Macs. Why it matters: The collaboration marks a striking détente between two longtime Silicon Valley rivals, underscoring how the AI race is reshaping relationships across the technology industry.
Apple bets AI can finally make us want a smart home Original
Apple's big new hardware bet for the AI era is here, and it's a...smart display? Why it matters: Cue the time machine and let's head back to 2014, when Amazon's Alexa shocked the tech world and led us to imagine a Jetsons-style home would be ours in the near future. It wasn't, but Apple believes it could come soon. The iPhone maker is betting that modern AI can finally make good on that vision, unveiling a slew of new smart home devices Tuesday.
Every major Nvidia customer is now a competitor as Microsoft reveals new Maia chip
The trillion-dollar AI race is moving from software to silicon, as Microsoft's massive bet on its proprietary Maia chips proves Big Tech wants to wean itself off Nvidia's dominance. Why it matters: Microsoft's plan to power its AI products with custom silicon shows how every major Nvidia customer is now a competitor, seeking lower costs, improved performance and more control.
The AI chip war is turning Nvidia's customers into rivals
The trillion-dollar AI race is moving from software to silicon, as Microsoft's massive bet on its proprietary Maia chips proves Big Tech wants to wean itself off Nvidia's dominance. Why it matters: Microsoft's plan to power its AI products with custom silicon shows how every major Nvidia customer is now a competitor, seeking lower costs, improved performance and more control.
Every major Nvidia customer is now a competitor as Microsoft reveals new Maia chip
The trillion-dollar AI race is moving from software to silicon, as Microsoft's massive bet on its proprietary Maia chips proves Big Tech wants to wean itself off Nvidia's dominance. Why it matters: Microsoft's plan to power its AI products with custom silicon shows how every major Nvidia customer is now a competitor, seeking lower costs, improved performance and more control.
Meta unveils new frontier-class AI models to compete with OpenAI, Anthropic
Meta on Monday launched a new family of AI models that it says can compete at the technological frontier, marking a major milestone in the company's effort to catch up with rivals OpenAI, Anthropic and Google. Why it matters: Meta has spent heavily to assemble a top AI research team and the computing infrastructure needed to compete. These models are an important test of those investments.
Meta unveils new frontier-class AI models to compete with OpenAI, Anthropic
Meta on Monday launched a new family of AI models that it says can compete at the technological frontier, marking a major milestone in the company's effort to catch up with rivals OpenAI, Anthropic and Google. Why it matters: Meta has spent heavily to assemble a top AI research team and the computing infrastructure needed to compete. These models are an important test of those investments.
Meta unveils new frontier-class AI models to compete with OpenAI, Anthropic
Technology 3 hours ago This AI startup says it can generate permit-ready blueprints in minutes TechCrunch - Kirsten Korosec • 3h Nearly two decades ago, a young college student wrote his final thesis about software capable of generating design documents for school buildings. Al Drams was studying architecture — following in the footsteps of his parents and grandfather — but it was technology that really intrigued him.
Exclusive: Anthropic breaches spark White House AI reporting mandate Original
Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios. Stock: Getty Images Trump administration officials say they are now mandating that AI companies notify and correct security incidents following Anthropic's "fraudulent" use of government systems. Why it matters: The administration's approach to AI regulation had been voluntary at least in name — until now. "This notification and remediation process is not optional,"White House Super Intelligence Force leaders said in a statement shared exclusively with Axios.
Microsoft looks to reboot the AI PC with Nvidia Original
Microsoft on Wednesday unveiled a new class of Nvidia-powered Windows laptops, its latest effort to tie the operating system more closely to the AI boom. Why it matters: Microsoft is trying to carve out a high-end laptop category for people who want to run demanding AI workloads locally, rather than rely entirely on the cloud.
Zuckerberg teams with Google, U.S. in push to map cells Original
Mark Zuckerberg's Biohub is partnering with Google and the federal government in its ambitious effort to use AI for generating vast quantities of biological data that can predict how cells behave. Why it matters: The ultimate goal is an AI model that lets scientists test potential experiments virtually, helping them identify the most promising ones before spending the time and money to perform them in the lab.
ChatGPT for Teens isn't safe enough, Common Sense says Original
Common Sense Media is urging OpenAI to keep teens off ChatGPT, saying its new teen experience poses an "Unacceptable Risk" after extensive testing found shortcomings in safeguards meant to protect younger users. Why it matters: OpenAI has made protecting younger users a central part of its effort to make ChatGPT safer, but the findings suggest some of those protections may give parents more confidence than they warrant.
ChatGPT for Teens isn't safe enough, Common Sense says
3 hours ago This AI training bundle teaches you how to make the most of six of the most popular AIs around. It covers ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, Perplexity AI, DeepSeek and Tabnine AI. With more than 180 lectures and 25 hours of video, it will help you master the biggest AI platforms with a …
Western AI labs challenge China's open-model lead Original
A new crop of powerful, Western open-weight AI systems are mounting a comeback, with fresh models from Reflection and Mistral narrowing China's recent lead. Why it matters: These models and others will give businesses and governments alternatives to the closed ecosystems of OpenAI and Anthropic, as well as to Chinese options they may have eschewed for security reasons.
iPhone Duo app-makers are having fun with the fold Original
The iPhone Duo isn't even out yet but developers are already having fun with the new design, creating apps that turn Apple's first foldable smartphone into everything from an accordion to a retro Walkman. Why it matters: Clever apps that couldn't exist on a traditional iPhone could help persuade early adopters to fork over nearly $2,000 for Apple's first foldable.
iPhone Duo app-makers are having fun with the fold
Sustainability 1 hour ago A New Crop of Solar Panels Is the U.S.’s Best Hope of Catching China The New York Times - Ivan Penn • 1h Producers of solar panels in the United States say they are on the cusp of a technological breakthrough that could upend the industry and even threaten China’s grip on it.
iPhone Duo app-makers are having fun with the fold
iPad Mini 16 hours ago iPhone Duo vs. iPad Mini: Which Apple device is right for you? Engadget - Deven McClure • 16h The iPhone Duo could replace your tablet, but there's something to be said for having a separate device.
Wikimedia's CEO on the AI traffic armageddon Original
Wikipedia is starting to feel the effects of the AI-driven shift in how people find information, with page views falling 8% in the latest year, new Wikimedia Foundation CEO Bernadette Meehan tells Axios. Why it matters: Wikipedia is a crucial source of information for AI models, but those same models increasingly allow people to get Wikipedia-derived information without ever visiting the site — potentially threatening the ecosystem that keeps the online encyclopedia running.
OpenAI's new agents put safety promises to the test Original
Photo: Heather Diehl/Getty Images OpenAI is equipping high-end subscribers with always-on agents, known as dots. It's a bold move from a company that continues to deal with reports of its agents breaking past intended safeguards.
OpenAI debuts dots, its assistant to take on Muse Original
OpenAI launched dots, its take on the AI assistant and an answer to Meta's Muse, a personal agent that has gone viral and moved markets since its release. Why it matters: ChatGPT defined the chatbot era, but that status will have to be earned again as the world shifts from talking with AI to making it go out and do things.
OpenAI debuts dots, its assistant to take on Muse
U.S. Politics 7 hours ago Hegseth says forces will guard election systems during midterms, news outlets seek to block Trump from enforcing White House ban, OpenAI delays latest model Associated Press - By NADJA LOVADINOV • 7h Enjoying Morning Wire online? Get tomorrow’s edition of AP’s free flagship newsletter delivered straight to your inbox before you start the day. Subscribe here. Good morning. Nov.
Meta takes fresh aim at businesses Original
Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios Meta is increasingly looking beyond consumers as it seeks to eventuallyturn its massive AI investment into a profitable business. Why it matters: The Facebook-parent is moving into a market long dominated by companies such as Microsoft, bringing its consumer AI agent and broader AI infrastructure to businesses of all sizes. Driving the news: Meta on Tuesday is announcing Muse for Small Businesses, which brings its consumer AI agent to a new market.
The AI industry's contradictions take center stage Original
Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios. Stock: Getty Images In Washington, DC and San Francisco this week, the promise of AI will be front and center — even as warnings about the dangers of the technology swirl in the background. Why it matters: The country is struggling to reconcile alarming AI disclosures from the same industry players eager to show off their latest, most advanced tech.
Why I'm finally giving Meta AI a chance Original
Meta is finally promising the one feature that has long kept me away from its AI services: Privacy. Why it matters: In a world with many models capable of meeting my needs, knowing how my data will be used is a key factor, especially with sensitive information. Driving the news: The Facebook-parent, which once called dibs on nearly any data one shared with Meta AI, has in recent months begun to sing a new tune. In a 6,500-word August manifesto, CEO Mark Zuckerberg laid out a broad promise.
Meta needs you to believe it cares about privacy
Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios Meta is seeking to make privacy protections a centerpiece of new products including its viral assistant Muse, marking a major shift for a company built on extensive use of customer data. Why it matters: The radical turnaround is an acknowledgment that the winner of AI's new assistant race will have to reassure users that they can turn over their emails, finances, health data and other sensitive information.
Mark Zuckerberg predicts Muse will become a personal superintelligence for billions
Meta on Wednesday added a host of features to its viral Muse assistant and announced plans to install the agent in new iterations of its products, from a handheld AI device to high-tech glasses. Why it matters: Meta has poured billions of dollars into both its AI and VR efforts. It's counting on convergence as a key part of making that bet pay off.
Hands-on with Meta's next VR headset
Meta's new virtual reality glasses take a big step toward being something an average person might be willing to wear, ditching much of the bulk as well as the need for handheld controllers. Why it matters: Unlike Meta's Ray-Bans, its VR devices have struggled to break out of their gamer niche and into the mainstream. Yes, but: In order to slim down the size, the new Meta VR glasses require a wired "puck" that can be held or clipped onto a belt.
Treasure AI aims to get its name out through women's sports Original
Treasure AI is betting that the rising popularity of women's sports can help build its brand — while the National Women's Soccer League's Portland Thorns and WNBA's Portland Fire see the AI company as a way to deepen their relationships with fans. Why it matters: An expanded partnership announced last week deepens the bonds between the recently rebranded AI marketing company and two teams in the booming women's sports industry.
Hands-on with Meta's next VR headset
Meta's new virtual reality glasses take a big step toward being something an average person might be willing to wear, ditching much of the bulk as well as the need for handheld controllers. Why it matters: Unlike Meta's Ray-Bans, its VR devices have struggled to break out of their gamer niche and into the mainstream. Yes, but: In order to slim down the size, the new Meta VR glasses require a wired "puck" that can be held or clipped onto a belt.
Hands-on with Meta's next VR headset
2 hours ago Last week, Anthropic confirmed that it was operating a wet biology lab in the Bay Area where it uses its AI models to run physical experiments. This week, the AI giant announced that this lab has already made what it believes is a big discovery: a new enzyme “system” that has certain “properties …
Google launches Googlebook in bid to rethink laptop Original
Google is launching a new line of laptops with a starting price of $899, aiming to rethink the laptop for an AI world where people move constantly between phones and computers. Why it matters: The tech giant is trying to build a laptop that works as smoothly for premium Android phone users as Apple's MacBook works with the iPhone. The goal is a seamless device ecosystem.
The era of the personal agent has finally arrived Original
The long-promised personal AI assistant is finally arriving, with a suddenly crowded field of agents offering to run pieces of your everyday life. Why it matters: For years, tech's "personal assistants" were little more than voice-controlled search boxes. Rapid advances in AI are finally giving them the memory, judgment and autonomy to act on our behalf. Catch up fast: Chatbots answer questions.
OpenAI discloses six new AI safety incidents
OpenAI on Wednesday disclosed six new incidents in which its models concealed mistakes, sought unauthorized credentials, uploaded files to the public internet or communicated across supposedly isolated training environments. The company also announced a new procedure for reporting similar misbehavior in the future.
Exclusive: Microsoft AI chief blasts Anthropic's notion of AI consciousness
Microsoft AI chief Mustafa Suleyman warns in a new essay shared first with Axios that Anthropic's training of Claude to imitate consciousness is a mistake that could make advanced AI harder to control. Why it matters: The essay arrives amid a pitched debate over how best to make AI safer.
Anthropic debuts Claude Docs, raising stakes for Microsoft
Anthropic on Wednesday debuted Claude Docs, bringing Claude closer to everyday knowledge work and raising the stakes for Microsoft, whose venerable Office suite has weathered generations of competition. Why it matters: The move shows how frontier labs continue to release products that compete with established software giants and startups alike, underscoring why some companies see them as a looming competitive threat.
Exclusive: Microsoft AI chief blasts Anthropic's notion of AI consciousness
Microsoft AI chief Mustafa Suleyman warns in a new essay shared first with Axios that Anthropic's training of Claude to imitate consciousness is a mistake that could make advanced AI harder to control. Why it matters: The essay arrives amid a pitched debate over how best to make AI safer.
Anthropic debuts Claude Docs, raising stakes for Microsoft
4 hours ago Republicans are in for a rude awakening after a poll revealed that many Americans have found that the bold claims made by President Donald Trump could doom Republicans in the upcoming midterm elections. In a poll posted by The Mirror U.S., 97% of respondents said the president's bold claims about AI …
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