The Briefing by Martin Peers, Jessica Lessin and the team at The Information

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The Briefing

By Martin Peers, Jessica Lessin and the team at The Information

Get smarter about the day’s news in tech, media and finance by following Silicon Valley’s most-read executive newsletter.

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Recent Editions

Illustration: Clark Miller

TBPN’s Lovable Underdog Era Ends

By Abram Brown · Apr 4, 2026 2:07pm PDT

Welcome, Weekenders! In this newsletter:• The Big Read: A familiar Silicon Valley foe is the mastermind behind those explosive chatbot lawsuits• Tech Culture: San Francisco’s mecca for mad scientists eyes global expansion • Plus, Recommendations—our weekly pop culture picks: “The Idiot,” “Dune Messiah” and “The AI Doc: Or How I Became an... Welcome, Weekenders! In this newsletter:• The Big Read: A familiar Silicon Valley foe is the...

Illustration: Clark Miller

Frontier Tower, A Hot Spot for Strange Tech, Plots Global Expansion and New Hotel

By Eli Rosenberg · Apr 4, 2026 6:54am PDT · 3 comments

Near the corner of Sixth and Market streets in downtown San Francisco, Frontier Tower has become a 15-story haven for the wildest and weirdest thinkers in technology. Floor 11 is full of longevity and health tech enthusiasts. The crypto folks are a floor above, with a lounge full of expensive furniture. AI is on floor 9. And the big event there... Near the corner of Sixth and Market streets in downtown San Francisco, Frontier Tower has become...

Art by Mike Sullivan.

Amazon Curbs Misleading Markdowns Ahead of Prime Day Sale

By Ann Gehan · Apr 3, 2026 10:16am PDT

Amazon is taking steps to curb misleading markdowns on its retail site ahead of its annual Prime Day sale this summer, steps that could cut down on eye-popping Prime Day deals while addressing complaints that some discounts are overstated. Over the next two months, Amazon will closely track what shoppers have been paying for items in the run-up... Amazon is taking steps to curb misleading markdowns on its retail site ahead of its annual Prime...

Art by Clark Miller; screenshot via YouTube.

Jay Edelson Made Facebook Pay. Now He’s Coming for Silicon Valley’s AI

By Andrew Zaleski · Apr 3, 2026 9:01am PDT · 2 comments

Art by Clark Miller; screenshot via YouTube.

Jay Edelson Made Facebook Pay. Now He’s Coming for Silicon Valley’s AI

By Andrew Zaleski · Apr 3, 2026 9:01am PDT · 2 comments

To a degree, Jay Edelson, the class-action litigator who has made himself a constant thorn in the side of Silicon Valley’s biggest companies, likes to present a laid-back image. No power suits and wing tips for him—he prefers hoodies and sneakers. His constant companion at his Chicago office is Arlo, a white-and-gray sheepadoodle. On... To a degree, Jay Edelson, the class-action litigator who has made himself a constant thorn in the...

Art by Mike Sullivan

DeepSeek’s New AI Model Will Be a Victory for Huawei

By Qianer Liu · Apr 3, 2026 6:00am PDT

When DeepSeek introduces its next-generation model, likely in the next few weeks, it will mark a milestone in China’s yearslong quest for semiconductor self-sufficiency. That’s because the new model, called V4, will be able to run on the latest chips designed by Huawei Technologies. And in preparation for V4’s launch, Chinese tech giants,... When DeepSeek introduces its next-generation model, likely in the next few weeks, it will mark a...

Paul Copplestone, CEO and co-founder of Supabase. Screenshot via YouTube.

Database Startup Supabase in Talks to Double Valuation to $10 Billion

By Katie Roof · Apr 2, 2026 6:55pm PDT · 5 comments

Singapore’s GIC is in talks to lead an investment in database startup Supabase at a valuation of about $10 billion, double the level it raised at last fall, according to two people with direct knowledge of the discussions. Supabase is aiming to raise about $500 million in the fundraising round, but the number could change, they said. Singapore’s GIC is in talks to lead an investment in database startup Supabase at a valuation of...

Dario Amodei, co-founder and chief executive officer of Anthropic. Photo by David Paul Morris/Getty Images

Anthropic Acquires Startup Coefficient Bio for About $400 Million

By Sri Muppidi and Stephanie Palazzolo · Apr 2, 2026 5:03pm PDT

Anthropic has acquired AI biotech startup Coefficient Bio for roughly $400 million, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. The startup’s team will be joining Anthropic’s healthcare life sciences group, which develops tools for the biotech industry ranging from drug discovery to clinical commercialization, said the person. ... Anthropic has acquired AI biotech startup Coefficient Bio for roughly $400 million, according to...

TBPN hosts John Coogan (left) and Jordi Hays. Photo courtesy of TBPN.

Why OpenAI's TBPN Deal is No Joke

By Martin Peers · Apr 2, 2026 5:00pm PDT · 2 comments

TBPN hosts John Coogan (left) and Jordi Hays. Photo courtesy of TBPN.

Why OpenAI's TBPN Deal is No Joke

By Martin Peers · Apr 2, 2026 5:00pm PDT · 2 comments

OpenAI’s shuttering of Sora wasn’t meant to be the end of its adventures in video generation, it turns out. Instead of using AI to generate videos, OpenAI wants to use videos to drive AI adoption.That’s one way of looking at the company’s rather startling decision on Thursday to buy TBPN, the Silicon Valley talk show that specializes in schmoozy... OpenAI’s shuttering of Sora wasn’t meant to be the end of its adventures in video generation, it...

Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman. Eric Lee/Bloomberg via Getty Images.

Blackstone Extends the Data Center Buying Spree

By Valida Pau and Anissa Gardizy · Apr 2, 2026 4:42pm PDT

The AI-driven scramble for compute is still powering red-hot data center acquisitions even as overall technology deals slowed in the first quarter this year. In the latest example, Blackstone, the world’s largest alternative asset manager, agreed to acquire a 49% stake in Rowan Digital Infrastructure, a five-year-old data center developer... The AI-driven scramble for compute is still powering red-hot data center acquisitions even as...

Paolo Ardoino, chief executive officer of Tether Holdings. Camilo Freedman/Bloomberg/Getty Images.

Tether Makes Final Push for Fundraising at $500 Billion Valuation

By Yueqi Yang · Apr 2, 2026 3:11pm PDT

Tether, the world’s biggest stablecoin issuer, is making a last-ditch effort to raise funds at a $500 billion valuation, pressing investors to commit to the deal within the next two weeks, according to people familiar with the matter. The company, which is based in El Salvador, has been struggling to raise the funds since late last year because... Tether, the world’s biggest stablecoin issuer, is making a last-ditch effort to raise funds at a...

Photos of Sam Atlman and Fidji Simo by Getty Images. Portraits of John Coogan and Jordi Hays courtesy of TBPN. Art by Mike Sullivan

Why OpenAI’s Fidji Simo Bought the TBPN Podcast Amid Crusade Against ‘Side Quests’

By Stephanie Palazzolo · Apr 2, 2026 2:27pm PDT

In recent weeks, Fidji Simo has burst into public view as the OpenAI executive bringing much-needed discipline to the AI startup, as it inches toward an initial public offering late this year. Last month, Simo—who is now CEO of AGI Deployment—delivered the sobering message to the company’s staff that OpenAI can no longer chase “side... In recent weeks, Fidji Simo has burst into public view as the OpenAI executive bringing...

Anthropic Defies Broader Tech Gloom Among Readers

By Shane Burke · Apr 2, 2026 12:48pm PDT

Subscriber Survey

Anthropic Defies Broader Tech Gloom Among Readers

By Shane Burke · Apr 2, 2026 12:48pm PDT

More than half of respondents to The Information’s latest monthly survey expect conditions for technology companies to worsen over the next six months, bringing our gauge of tech sentiment to its second most negative reading in at least three years. That sour outlook extended to many of the biggest names in tech, particularly Meta Platforms and... More than half of respondents to The Information’s latest monthly survey expect conditions for...

Art by Getty Images

Anthropic ‘Mythos’ Model Signals New Era of AI Cybersecurity Risks

By Aaron Holmes · Apr 2, 2026 11:37am PDT

The cybersecurity field is buzzing about an upcoming Anthropic AI model that could be used by hackers to “exploit [security] vulnerabilities in ways that far outpace the efforts of defenders,” according to a draft blog post the company mistakenly made public.Anthropic has been briefing cybersecurity researchers and is giving them early access to... The cybersecurity field is buzzing about an upcoming Anthropic AI model that could be used by...

Wrtn Technologies co-founder and chief product officer Djay Lee. Photos courtesy of Wrtn Technologies.

An AI Storytelling Startup is On Pace to Generate $100 Million in Annual Sales

By Juro Osawa · Apr 2, 2026 7:00am PDT

Besides ChatGPT, relatively few AI consumer apps have become breakout hits. But one app maker’s experience suggests there are plenty of lucrative consumer niches to be served.Seoul-based Wrtn Technologies says it’s generating more than $8 million in revenue a month from operating AI storytelling apps for hardcore anime and game fans in South... Besides ChatGPT, relatively few AI consumer apps have become breakout hits. But one app maker’s...

For Blackstone, Private Credit Fears Miss the Big Picture

By Anita Ramaswamy · Apr 2, 2026 6:00am PDT · 2 comments

Private credit has turned from a growth opportunity to a source of worry for investors that own shares in big asset managers. Anxieties about how the rise of AI could hurt software companies that have borrowed hundreds of billions have escalated the concerns about the sector that started brewing last fall. In recent months, investors in several... Private credit has turned from a growth opportunity to a source of worry for investors that own...

Commonwealth Fusion's magnet-making factory in Massachusetts. Photo: Courtesy Commonwealth

The Electric: Commonwealth Fusion Backs a Rival's Attempt at Cheaper Fusion

By Steve LeVine · Apr 2, 2026 4:30am PDT

Commonwealth Fusion's magnet-making factory in Massachusetts. Photo: Courtesy Commonwealth

The Electric: Commonwealth Fusion Backs a Rival's Attempt at Cheaper Fusion

By Steve LeVine · Apr 2, 2026 4:30am PDT

Commonwealth Fusion Systems has raised almost $3 billion to solve one of the most vexing problems in technology—how to create energy the same way the sun does. Now the Massachusetts startup has agreed to provide one of its main breakthroughs—gigantic advanced magnets that enable fusion reactors—to a smaller rival in a partnership that could... Commonwealth Fusion Systems has raised almost $3 billion to solve one of the most vexing problems...

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Nathan Laine/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Mixed OpenAI Investor Signals

By Cory Weinberg · Apr 1, 2026 5:00pm PDT

Four months ago, Sam Altman got testy with one of his own investors, Altimeter Capital’s Brad Gerstner, in a podcast soundbyte heard round the world. “Brad, if you want to sell your shares, I’ll find you a buyer,” Altman said.Indeed, he seems to have found plenty of buyers. Four months ago, Sam Altman got testy with one of his own investors, Altimeter Capital’s Brad...

Art by Clark Miller.

Software Under Siege: Enterprise AI Report Card

By The Information Staff · Apr 1, 2026 12:59pm PDT

Artificial intelligence has loomed large over the software sector, with fears of AI disruption battering the stocks of legacy enterprise software giants. Beyond the investor panic and Silicon Valley hype, what is actually happening inside big companies that spend money on software? An analysis by The Information’s Deep Research suggests an early... Artificial intelligence has loomed large over the software sector, with fears of AI disruption...

OpenRouter CEO Alex Atallah

Startup That Helps Developers Pick AI Models Nears $1.3 Billion Valuation

By Julia Hornstein, Stephanie Palazzolo and Kevin McLaughlin · Apr 1, 2026 8:24am PDT · 1 comment

As more AI apps and agents shift to using multiple AI models, startups that help developers choose the right ones are gaining traction. In the latest example, OpenRouter, which helps AI app developers access hundreds of models from a single application programming interface, is in talks to raise $120 million in new funding led by one of Alphabet... As more AI apps and agents shift to using multiple AI models, startups that help developers...

Getty Images.

Did Prediction Markets Cause the Crypto Crash?

By Ken Brown · Apr 1, 2026 8:00am PDT · 3 comments

Getty Images.

The Information Finance

Did Prediction Markets Cause the Crypto Crash?

By Ken Brown · Apr 1, 2026 8:00am PDT · 3 comments

Please join The Information at the New York Stock Exchange on Monday, April 27, for The Information’s “Financing the AI Revolution” forum. Hear from top executives and investors on how the rapid build-out of AI is reshaping tech, finance and capital markets. Learn more here.On Kalshi, the wildly popular prediction market, bettors assigned just a... Please join The Information at the New York Stock Exchange on Monday, April 27, for The...