Mark Zuckerberg

Meta is cutting 8,000 jobs on May 20 as CEO Mark Zuckerberg rebuilds the company around small, AI-powered teams. With capex hitting a record $125–145 billion this year, CFO Susan Li admitted there's no clean answer for what Meta's ideal headcount even looks like anymore. The company wants builders who can ship alone what teams once built together—and is letting everyone else go.

Instagram is disabling end-to-end encryption for direct messages on May 8, 2026, a significant privacy rollback from parent company Meta. This means your private conversations will no longer be secure from the platform itself. Users concerned about message privacy should consider migrating to apps like WhatsApp or Signal, which still offer this crucial security feature.

The Seattle Seahawks’ potential sale has drawn attention due to reported interest from Mark Zuckerberg and Tim Cook, signaling a rare crossover between Big Tech and NFL ownership. With estimates ranging from $9 billion to $11 billion, the deal could break records set by the Washington Commanders in 2023. Rooted in Paul Allen’s estate plans, the sale is unfolding as both a financial milestone and a cultural shift, highlighting how elite wealth and global influence are increasingly shaping the future of professional sports franchises.

Meta SuperIntelligence Lab chief Alexandr Wang is pushing back on the idea that his team joined for the money. On the Core Memory podcast, Wang said the real draw was compute access, talent density, and research freedom—not the $100 million packages Meta reportedly offered. He also addressed the viral soup story involving Mark Zuckerberg and an OpenAI recruit.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Apple CEO Tim Cook have both denied reports linking them to a potential bid for the NFL's Seattle Seahawks.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg believes AI agents need to be simple for everyone. He says current agents are too complex for average users. Zuckerberg uses his mother as a benchmark for ease of use. He criticizes systems like OpenClaw for requiring technical expertise. Meta aims to create AI accessible to billions globally, focusing on a polished, easy experience.

Meta is reportedly laying off 8,000 employees, about 10% of its workforce, despite record profits. This 'Year of Efficiency' has bred dread as funds shift from staff to AI infrastructure, with billions earmarked for AI development. Employee morale is at historic lows, with some even hoping for layoffs due to generous severance packages.

OpenAI has enabled over 600 employees to sell shares worth $6.6 billion, with some cashing out up to $30 million. This significant wealth creation is fueled by the intense AI talent war, particularly after Meta's substantial compensation offers, prompting OpenAI to boost salaries and equity packages to retain its workforce.

Meta reported a loss of 20 million daily active users across its apps, attributing the decline to geopolitical factors in Iran and Russia. Despite this user dip, the company is significantly increasing its AI investment to between $125 billion and $145 billion for 2026, while also undergoing workforce reductions and facing legal challenges regarding youth safety.

Meta is developing a consumer AI agent, codenamed Hatch, designed to shop on Instagram, manage inboxes, and operate across third-party apps. This ambitious project aims to offer a user-friendly version of the viral OpenClaw agent. Meta is investing heavily in this personal superintelligence push, with a public launch anticipated by late 2026, despite significant trust concerns.

Nvidia's market value soared past $5.5 trillion, solidifying its status as the world's most valuable company. With shares climbing, CEO Jensen Huang's wealth also saw a significant boost. Ahead of its earnings report, analysts caution investors about potential stock dips, citing past performance of similar tech giants. Nvidia's data center business continues to be a major revenue driver.

Meta's $2 billion AI acquisition of Manus AI has been blocked by China, citing national security and technology transfer concerns. Chinese regulators reviewed the deal, restricted Manus founders from leaving the country, and ultimately ordered the companies to cancel the transaction. This move highlights escalating US-China tensions over advanced AI technology and offshore structures.

Elon Musk claims he paid over $10 billion in taxes in one year, a historical high. He stated his tax rate on stock options nears 45%, with an additional 40% estate tax. This comes as California considers a 5% wealth tax, prompting tech leaders to relocate from the state.

Meta's chief people officer Janelle Gale indicated that further layoffs are possible, despite recent cuts affecting 8,000 employees. Gale acknowledged the impact on morale and stated the company will continue to manage costs responsibly and evolve teams as needed. CEO Mark Zuckerberg clarified that AI automation is not the primary driver of layoffs, though it enhances team efficiency.

Robotic dogs with the faces of tech billionaires roam Berlin's Neue Nationalgalerie, generating AI art and printed interpretations of their surroundings. This installation by Mike Winkelmann, titled Regular Animals, critiques how algorithms and digital platforms now shape our perception of reality, making abstract systems tangible and prompting critical reflection.

Tech layoffs in 2026 have already surpassed 92,000 jobs across 98 companies, making it the worst year for tech employment since the post-pandemic bust. Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, Snap, Oracle, and Block are among the biggest names cutting staff, with AI infrastructure spending cited as the primary driver. But beneath the efficiency narrative lies a more complicated story—one of overhiring, debt, and a workforce reckoning that's far from over.

China's industry regulator has ordered Meta to cancel its $2 billion acquisition of Singapore-based AI firm Manus, citing national security concerns. This move follows the US announcing a crackdown on foreign tech companies exploiting AI models. China is also reportedly restricting US capital in its leading tech firms without government approval, signaling an escalating AI war.

Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, is known for his calm leadership, a style that proved crucial during the AI race. Despite criticism following ChatGPT's viral success, Pichai maintained a steady approach, focusing on internal quality. This strategic patience, cultivated over a decade, has positioned Google's diverse projects for a future centered on AI.

China has blocked Meta's acquisition of AI startup Manus, citing national security concerns and potential technology leakage. This move follows reports of Beijing restricting American capital in its AI sector. The decision stems from Manus's "general AI agent" technology, developed in China but moved to Singapore, raising fears of intellectual property transfer to US firms.

LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman is pushing back on the wave of tech layoffs being pinned on AI, warning that the label often hides older drivers like pandemic-era overhiring. In a post on X, Hoffman urged people not to ignore "other factors, including hiring trends 2020-2023." His comment lands amid major job cuts at Coinbase, Meta, Snap and Block.

China's economic planning body, the NDRC, has effectively halted Meta's $2 billion acquisition of AI firm Manus. Despite the company reincorporating in Singapore and moving its operations, Beijing intervened, barring founders from leaving and ordering the deal unwound. This move signals a significant shift in China's oversight of tech deals, impacting future foreign investments.

Google co-founder Larry Page's wealth surged by $14.9 billion to $300.9 billion, making him the world's second-richest person. This increase followed strong Alphabet earnings, driven by significant growth in its cloud business and artificial intelligence offerings. Fellow co-founder Sergey Brin also saw his net worth rise, while Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg experienced losses.

Gigi Hadid celebrated her 31st birthday with an intimate home brunch at her Pennsylvania farmhouse, sharing photos with her daughter Khai. The event featured elegant decor, a lavish spread, and a colorful cake. Hadid also included a throwback to her appearance at the "Oscars of Science" Breakthrough Awards, highlighting her preference for a farm-raised lifestyle for Khai.

Donald Trump has landed in Beijing with 17 American companies in tow, worth a combined $16.47 trillion—roughly 90% of China's entire 2025 GDP. Jensen Huang joined at the last minute, boarding Air Force One in Anchorage. Nvidia and Apple alone account for $9.7 trillion of that, while Meta sent its policy chief after Beijing blocked its $2 billion Manus deal.