Techmeme
August 13, 2025, 11:40 AM

Top News

Doug OLaughlin / SemiAnalysis:
GPT-5's router directs queries based on complexity and intent, helping OpenAI allocate compute across low-value informational and high-value commercial requests  —  To many power users (Pro and Plus), GPT5 was a disappointing release.  But with closer inspection, the real release is focused …
Maxwell Zeff / TechCrunch:
OpenAI adds GPT-5 Auto, Fast, and Thinking settings to ChatGPT's model picker; Auto seems to work like GPT-5's model router that OpenAI initially announced  —  When OpenAI launched GPT-5 last week, the company said the model would simplify the ChatGPT experience.
Reuters:
Sources: the US secretly embedded location trackers in select AI chip shipments, such as in Dell and Super Micro servers, to detect illegal diversions to China  —  U.S. authorities have secretly placed location tracking devices in targeted shipments of advanced chips they see as being at high risk …
M.G. Siegler / Spyglass:
Perplexity's unsolicited $34.5B bid for Chrome with claimed VC backing is clearly a marketing stunt and maybe a signal to the judge in Google's antitrust case  —  Perplexity Makes Longshot $34.5 Billion Offer for Chrome  —  With its unsolicited bid for Google's browser …
Katherine Blunt / Wall Street Journal:
New York Times:
Derek Thompson:
Studies suggest AI chatbots' sycophantic responses may increase narcissism among young and vulnerable users, potentially changing personality traits at scale  —  “I can imagine a future where a lot of people really trust ChatGPT's advice for their most important decisions,” Sam Altman said.
Financial Times:
Sources: OpenAI is preparing to back Neuralink rival Merge Labs, co-founded by Sam Altman, that aims to raise $250M at an $850M valuation, including from OpenAI  —  OpenAI in talks to invest in brain implant start-up that would compete with Musk's company  —  OpenAI and its co-founder Sam Altman …
Bloomberg:
Crypto exchange Bullish raised $1.1B in its IPO, selling 30M shares for $37 each, above its $32-to-$33 marketed range, implying a $5.4B valuation  —  Bullish raised $1.1 billion in an initial public offering, pricing its shares above the marketed range.  —  The digital-asset exchange operator …
Bloomberg:
Amazon says it now offers same-day grocery delivery in 1,000+ cities and plans to bring it to 2,300+ more by the end of 2025; Prime subscribers get it free  —  Amazon.com Inc. plans to offer same-day grocery delivery in 2,300 cities by the end of the year, more than doubling the current number …
Mark Gurman / @markgurman:
In response to Elon Musk's claims that the App Store favors ChatGPT, Apple says that it “is designed to be fair and free of bias” and has “objective criteria”  —  Apple on @elonmusk's claims: “The App Store is designed to be fair and free of bias. We feature thousands of apps through charts, algorithmic recommendations, and curated lists selected by experts using objective criteria.” https://www.bloomberg.com/...
Surbhi Misra / Reuters:
Ben Raab / Wall Street Journal:
A look at social media “clippers”, who are paid $0.50 to $2 per thousand views by streamers, podcasts, and startups to make buzzy moments go viral online  —  Companies are hiring ‘clippers’ to flood TikTok and Instagram with short, promotional videos  —  You know those buzzy viral clips you see on social media?
Joedy McCreary / MedPage Today:
Study: endoscopists accustomed to using AI during colonoscopies detected fewer precancerous growths after the tech was taken away, raising “deskilling” concerns  —  - The adenoma detection rate (ADR) in more than 1,400 non-AI assisted colonoscopies dropped 6 percentage points …
Wall Street Journal:
US tech startups are reviving US hiring plans as President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill lets companies accelerate R&D tax deductions, starting in 2025  —  Faster deductions make adding staff cheaper when cash flow is critical, executives say  —  Tech startups are dusting off U.S. hiring plans …
More: Observer

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Earlier Picks

Jagmeet Singh / TechCrunch:
Sharon Goldman / Fortune:
Bloomberg:
Emma Roth / The Verge:
Ashley Stewart / Business Insider: