AI-linked layoffs have surged, with over 87,000 job cuts in just five months, already surpassing last year's total. Tech giants like IBM and Qualcomm have been heavily impacted, with Starbucks also tying tech bonuses to AI usage and facing $400 million in restructuring charges.
Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump plans to meet with executives from OpenAI, Anthropic, and SpaceX to discuss potential government stakes in top AI labs. This move aims to ensure the American public benefits from AI advancements.
Axon Enterprise is leveraging AI to enhance public safety, offering tools like Draft One, which uses body camera footage to create draft police reports, and Axon Vision, a CCTV camera detection system. The company views itself as a distribution channel for frontier AI models in law enforcement.
Funding news includes Odysight.ai's $20 million stock program and Safe Superintelligence Inc.'s (SSI) $6 billion in funding, reaching a $32 billion valuation. OpenAI has also introduced Lockdown Mode, a security feature designed to reduce the risk of sensitive information being stolen through prompt injection attacks.
Microsoft is facing scrutiny over plans for a new AI assistant called Scout, while SpaceX is positioning itself as a major AI research and development player, planning to go public with a $1.75 trillion valuation.
Key Takeaways
- AI-linked layoffs have surpassed 87,000 in just five months, already eclipsing last year's full total.
- Starbucks faces $400 million in restructuring charges as it ties tech bonuses to AI usage.
- Former President Donald Trump plans to meet with OpenAI, Anthropic, and SpaceX executives to discuss potential government stakes in top AI labs.
- Axon Enterprise offers AI-powered public safety tools, including Draft One and Axon Vision.
- Odysight.ai launched a $20 million at-the-market stock program.
- Safe Superintelligence Inc. (SSI) raised $6 billion in funding, reaching a $32 billion valuation.
- OpenAI introduced Lockdown Mode, a security feature to reduce the risk of sensitive information being stolen.
- Microsoft is developing a new AI assistant called Scout.
- SpaceX plans to go public with a $1.75 trillion valuation, positioning itself as a major AI research and development player.
- Meta's former CTO discusses running AI at sea as a 'once-in-a-lifetime opportunity'.
Axon Enterprise Eyes Growth with AI, Global Markets
Axon Enterprise is focusing on AI, global markets, and counter-drone demand to drive growth. The company offers public safety technologies like body cameras and dash cameras. Axon's AI-powered solutions aim to enhance public safety and improve response times. The company is expanding its presence in international markets and has a growing customer base.
Axon Enterprise Touts AI Tools for Public Safety
Axon Enterprise President Josh Isner highlighted the company's AI products, including Draft One, which uses body camera footage to create draft police reports. The company also offers real-time translation and Axon Vision, a tool that turns CCTV cameras into detection systems. Axon views itself as a distribution channel for frontier AI models in law enforcement.
AI Layoffs Surpass 2025's Total in Just Five Months
AI-linked layoffs have surpassed 87,000 in just five months, already eclipsing last year's full total. Tech companies, including IBM and Qualcomm, have been hardest hit. Starbucks is also tying tech bonuses to AI usage and faces $400 million in restructuring charges.
AI Now Leading Reason for Job Cuts, Says Report
A new report says AI is now the leading reason companies give for cutting jobs. Over 97,000 job cuts were announced in May 2026, with AI cited as the primary reason for almost 40% of those cuts. The total announced job cuts attributed to AI in the first five months of 2026 have reached 87,714.
Trump Eyes Government Stakes in Top AI Labs
Former President Donald Trump is interested in the US government taking equity stakes in top AI labs. He plans to meet with executives from OpenAI, Anthropic, and SpaceX to discuss this potential policy shift. Trump's goal is to ensure the American public benefits from AI advancements.
Tech Layoffs Rise as AI Investments Increase
Tech companies announced the highest number of job cuts in nearly two years during May as firms continue investing heavily in artificial intelligence. Microsoft is facing scrutiny over an internal memo outlining plans for a new AI assistant called Scout.
Odysight.ai Sets Up $20M Stock Program
Odysight.ai launched a $20 million at-the-market stock program that allows it to sell up to $20 million of common stock. The company will use Roth Capital Partners as its sales agent and can earn a commission of up to 3.0% of the gross proceeds.
SpaceX Reveals Its Really an AI Company
SpaceX is planning to go public with a valuation of $1.75 trillion, positioning it as a major player in AI research and development. The company is working on a revolutionary AI system that can learn and adapt to new situations on its own.
Ilya Sutskever's SSI Raises $6 Billion
Safe Superintelligence Inc. (SSI) has raised $6 billion in funding and reached a $32 billion valuation. The company, founded by Ilya Sutskever, aims to develop a safe superintelligence.
Former Meta CTO Discusses AI and Sea Exploration
Former Meta CTO Mike Schroepfer discusses running AI at sea as a 'once-in-a-lifetime opportunity' on The Claman Countdown.
OpenAI Introduces Lockdown Mode for Enhanced Security
OpenAI has introduced Lockdown Mode, a new security feature designed to reduce the risk of sensitive information being stolen through prompt injection attacks. The feature limits the AI system's ability to communicate with external services.
Sources
- Axon Enterprise Touts AI, Global Markets and Counter-Drone Demand as Growth Engines
- Axon Enterprise Touts AI, Global Markets and Counter-Drone Demand as Growth Engines
- AI Layoffs Already Have Surpassed Last Year's Total. Tech Workers Are Being Cut First.
- 'AI is now the leading reason companies give for cutting jobs,' says new report—what that means for workers
- Trump Eyes Stakes in Top AI Labs
- Tech Report: Tech layoffs rise as companies increase AI investments
- Odysight.ai sets up $20M at-the-market stock program
- SpaceX Reveals It’s Really an AI Company — and That Changes Everything for Investors
- Ilya Sutskever's SSI: The $32B Bet on a Post-Scaling Future
- Former Meta CTO says running AI at sea is a ‘once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’
- OpenAI Introduces Lockdown Mode To Combat AI Data Exfiltration Risks Amid Growing Prompt Injection Threats
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