Tech Brew Ride Home Mon. 08/04 – The AI Researcher Who Turned Down $1.5 Billion From Zuck
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Aug 4, 2025 Robotaxis are set to hit European streets, with Lyft and Baidu leading the charge. Apple is ramping up its AI ambitions, launching a team to enhance search functionalities. A bold AI researcher turned down a staggering $1.5 billion offer, prioritizing loyalty over cash. Meanwhile, shady AI trading bots are raising concerns as they manipulate markets. Silicon Valley is embracing a new era focused on AI innovations, and a futuristic rollable laptop is captivating tech enthusiasts.
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Lyft-Baidu Robotaxis Europe Expansion
- Lyft is partnering with Baidu to launch robotaxis in Germany and the UK in 2026, pending regulatory approval.
- Baidu's Apollo Go robotaxi fleet aims to expand globally through collaboration with multiple mobility providers.
Apple's AI Search Initiative
- Apple formed the "Answers, Knowledge, and Information" team to develop a ChatGPT-like search experience.
- The team aims to build an "Answer Engine" for web crawling and powering AI search in Siri, Spotlight, and Safari.
Lina Khan Vindicates M&A Scrutiny
- Lina Khan cites Figma's IPO as vindication for stricter antitrust scrutiny on M&A in big tech.
- She praises letting startups grow independently to generate greater value and competition.