X Hits Grok Bottom + More A.I. Talent Wars + ‘Crypto Week’

This week, we tick through the many dramatic headlines surrounding xAI, including the departure of X’s chief executive, Linda Yaccarino; the Grok chatbot spewing antisemitic comments; and the A.I. companion Ani engaging in sexually explicit role-play. Then, we explain why a fight to acquire the start-up Windsurf startled many in Silicon Valley and may reshape the culture in many of the big A.I. labs. And finally, it’s “crypto week.” David Yaffe-Bellany explains how crypto provisions in the bills before Congress and the president could affect even people who don’t hold digital currencies.

Also, we officially have merch! For a limited time, you can get a special-edition “Hard Fork” hat when you purchase an annual New York Times Audio subscription for the first time. Get your hat at nytimes.com/hardforkhat

Guests:

• David Yaffe-Bellany, New York Times technology reporter covering the crypto industry

Additional Reading:

• Elon Musk’s Grok Chatbot Shares Antisemitic Posts on X
• Google Hires A.I. Leaders From a Start-Up Courted by OpenAI
• Cognition AI Buys Windsurf as A.I. Frenzy Escalates
• ‘Crypto Week’ Is Back on Track After House G.O.P. Quells Conservative Revolt
• The ‘Trump Pump’: How Crypto Lobbying Won Over a President

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