Anthropic files for potentially the biggest IPO ever as CEO warns of risk to humanity from AI

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Artificial intelligence giant Anthropic has filed paperwork for what could be the biggest initial public offering of stock ever even as its top executive warns that advanced AI could pose an existential threat to humanity. Monday's filing sets up the San Francisco company for a Wall Street debut next month, potentially eclipsing the SpaceX initial public offering in June that raised a record $86 billion. An Anthropic IPO would also put the company ahead of OpenAI in going public in what is expected to be a pair of blockbuster stock debuts for the rival AI labs.

Across Connecticut, anxiety fuels data center backlash

Connecticut towns are taking action against data center development. East Lyme has imposed an indefinite ban, while other towns have implemented temporary moratoriums. Concerns include pollution, energy consumption, and chemical runoff. Some towns, like New Haven, have allowed exceptions for existing facilities. The state had previously offered tax incentives to attract data centers, but interest has been low. Political leaders are now considering statewide moratoriums. Residents are worried about environmental impacts and the rapid growth of AI technology. Developers argue their projects are smaller and environmentally friendly, but public sentiment remains skeptical.

Microsoft offers a quarter of its global workforce voluntary buyouts as AI spending accelerates

Microsoft has offered 60,000 employees, or about 27% of its global workforce, voluntary buyouts as the software giant spends heavily on artificial intelligence. Chief People Officer Amy Coleman said in a blog post Monday that the company’s voluntary exit offer was available to eligible employees in Canada, India, the United Kingdom and the United States. The company, which releases its quarterly financial performance Wednesday, had approximately 223,000 full-time employees at the end of June. Shares of Microsoft Corp., based in Redmond, Washington, hit an all-time high this month.

To make AI morally good, tech companies are turning to religion. But some say it isn't that simple

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tech companies are increasingly turning to religion for guidance on developing ethical AI models. Executives are seeking input from various faith leaders, acknowledging that moral questions about AI can't be answered in labs alone. Scholars note that the modern concept of comparing disparate religions is relatively recent, dating back to the 19th century. Some worry that tech companies might misunderstand religion by viewing it as a set of rules rather than a complex cultural practice. Despite these concerns, companies like Anthropic are praised for engaging thoughtfully with religious perspectives, aiming to incorporate diverse viewpoints into their AI development.

As the US and China form AI blocs, countries are increasingly torn between them

HONG KONG (AP) — With the two leading AI powers, the United States and China, forming their own AI blocs, other countries are maneuvering to harness the strengths of both groupings without alienating either and risking losing out. As the rivalry intensifies, experts say the window of being able to choose freely between the two AI superpowers may be narrowing, forcing countries to pick a side. Being in the U.S.-led Pax Silica can bring more technological partnerships, high-tech manufacturing jobs and a place along the global AI supply chains. Countries are hoping membership in China’s World AI Cooperation Organization along with 28 other founding countries like Pakistan and Russia may give them a voice in setting AI standards.

A cybersecurity issue forces a major New Mexico hospital to divert patients and close clinics

ALBUQUERQUE (AP) — The University of New Mexico Health System is racing to fix a cybersecurity issue that has disrupted its operations. On Monday, the hospital network had to redirect ambulances to other facilities, leaving the state without a Level 1 trauma center for treating the most serious injuries. UNM Health System has advised people not to show up at its main hospital in Albuquerque and has canceled appointments at over 30 clinics. The extent and nature of the issue remains unclear. The university's health system handles about 900,000 outpatient visits and 100,000 emergency room visits annually.

Ukraine disputes Elon Musk's claim that its military violated Starlink's terms of service

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian officials have disputed Elon Musk's claims that their military violated Starlink’s terms by using it for offensive drone strikes. A defense adviser to President Zelenskyy says restrictions on Starlink in Ukraine make such use impossible. Earlier this month, Ukrainian drones lost connectivity at high speeds, disrupting air defenses. Officials say the issue was resolved Saturday. Musk acknowledges SpaceX throttled Starlink, stating it was never meant for offensive use. The U.S. government controls changes to Starshield, the military-grade version. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy reports Russia launched nearly 2,300 drones targeting Ukrainian cities last week.

A wounded Ukrainian soldier waited 2 days to be rescued. Then a drone flew him to safety

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine's military has started using specialized aerial rescue drones to evacuate wounded soldiers. The StarGate drone, developed by Ukrainian company SkyFall, has been deployed for the first time by the 475th Separate Assault Regiment. It successfully rescued two soldiers stranded near the Russian border. The drone features an enclosed evacuation capsule and can carry up to 150 kilograms. It aims to reduce rescue times from hours to minutes, especially in high-risk areas. The regiment plans to create a dedicated medical aviation unit to expand these aerial rescue operations.

The Anthropic IPO by the numbers, from a possible valuation in the trillions to surging revenue

Anthropic has the chance to make history with what could be the biggest initial public offering of stock ever. The artificial intelligence lab filed papers Monday setting up a Wall Street debut in November, likely ahead of its chief rival OpenAI and just months after SpaceX's record initial public offering. The Anthropic offering could bring in as much as $100 billion. In a 335-page prospectus, the company behind the Claude chatbot and models outlined rapid revenue growth, but an inability to turn a profit yet. Anthropic could be valued at as much as $2 trillion, although its final valuation and offering price have not been established.

US designates helium as a critical material, citing its importance for semiconductors

The U.S. government has designated helium as a critical material because it’s indispensable for making semiconductors that are essential to energy generation, and the global supply is at risk of disruption. The designation, announced Friday, means that more federal financing will be available for helium producers and the government will monitor it more closely. Helium is primarily produced as a byproduct of natural gas processing. The United States is the world’s largest producer of natural gas and of helium. Qatar and Russia are the other top helium producers. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the Trump administration is freeing America from reliance on foreign sources of critical materials, strengthening domestic manufacturing, supporting American jobs and securing essential materials.