Silicon Valley
Coverage of Silicon Valley in the Nexus archive.
- Former OpenAI exec Kevin Weil is now on the board of Stoke Space
Kevin Weil is now on the board of Stoke Space. His new role suggests reusable rockets are becoming a significant trend in Silicon Valley.
- Some of the nation’s rich are letting AI teach their kids
Wealthy Americans are using AI to educate their children through companies like Forge Prep and Alpha School, which charge high fees for AI tutors and workshops. Silicon Valley figures, such as venture capitalist Shaun Johnson, are prominent adopters of this model.
- AI-native startups are hiring fewer entry-level workers, Harvard study finds
A Harvard Business School study found that AI-native startups hire 25% fewer workers overall, with 15% fewer entry-level employees and 20% more senior-level talent compared to non-AI startups. These companies prioritize technical expertise, employ more engineers, and attract workers from elite institutions, predominantly male candidates, raising concerns about widening demographic and performance gaps.
- AI-crazed San Francisco homebuyers find insane new currency to outbid rivals
San Francisco homebuyers are using AI-related currency to outbid rivals, while the Silicon Valley AI boom has made Bay Area home-buying 'miserable'.
- My mom wants a sex robot. Will China or the U.S. give it to her first?
The article compares China and the U.S. in the production of humanoid robots, noting that while Silicon Valley is a tech hub, it lags behind China in this specific area. A personal anecdote about a mother wanting a sex robot frames the discussion.
- The Chinese startup that rattled Big Tech is back with an AI coding tool that undercuts US pricing
Z.ai, a Chinese startup, launched ZCode, an AI coding tool competing with Cursor and GitHub Copilot, offering lower pricing tiers and integration with other models. The tool is part of Z.ai's open-source GLM 5.2 ecosystem, which previously challenged Silicon Valley with its performance in cybersecurity and high context windows.
- NBCUniversal spin marks new era of Hollywood moguls
NBCUniversal's spin marks a new era in Hollywood leadership, with a new crop of leaders influenced by Silicon Valley's impact.
- Kara Swisher took Silicon Valley by force. Now she's eyeing influence in the 2028 campaign
Kara Swisher, a prominent tech journalist and podcaster, is expanding her influence into politics, particularly the 2028 campaign. She has interviewed numerous potential Democratic presidential candidates and leverages her reputation in Silicon Valley to shape political discourse through her podcasts and media appearances.
- Writer Ian Bogost says ‘The Small Stuff’ can help us reclaim our lives from dematerialization
Writer Ian Bogost argues that focusing on 'The Small Stuff' can help reclaim lives from the effects of dematerialization. He questions whether Silicon Valley's technological developments have been misaligned with real human needs.
- Om Malik, Whose Blog Shaped How Silicon Valley Saw Itself, Dies at 59
Om Malik, known for his blog that influenced Silicon Valley's perception of itself, has died at 59. The article notes his impact through his blog and includes details about online engagement metrics.
- Your smartphone could become obsolete within a decade, tech leaders say
A new report from Fortune predicts that smartphones may become obsolete within the next decade as AI-powered wearables like smart glasses could replace them as primary personal devices. Tech leaders in Silicon Valley argue that current smartphones are not designed for the next generation of artificial intelligence.
- Walmart cutting hundreds of jobs in Silicon Valley
Walmart is laying off 306 workers in Sunnyvale, Silicon Valley, according to a recent WARN report. The layoffs occur at a 'next-generation workplace' opened one year ago.
- Silicon Valley’s humanoid robots are learning how to do your job — in the kitchen
Humanoid robots in Silicon Valley are being trained by humans to perform kitchen tasks such as pouring coffee, folding laundry, and opening fridges.
- China stopped chasing Silicon Valley
China's AI ecosystem now prioritizes open-source models and widespread adoption, shifting focus from Silicon Valley. This approach challenges traditional global metrics for AI leadership.
- Silicon Valley gets religion
Chatbot makers, theologians, and faith-tech entrepreneurs are collaborating to align artificial intelligence with moral and religious traditions. The effort involves Silicon Valley and focuses on integrating ethical frameworks into AI development.
- The CEO of Lovable says talent was never the issue with Europe's AI scene
Lovable CEO Anton Osika argues Europe's AI scene lacks confidence and infrastructure, not talent. He highlights Lovable's success in Europe as evidence that founders don't need to move to Silicon Valley. Recent data shows tech workers are increasingly returning to Europe, with calls for regional AI infrastructure to match existing talent and demand.
- Zombie unicorns are haunting Silicon Valley
The article discusses 'zombie unicorns' in Silicon Valley, highlighting how inflated valuations have led to a problematic situation. It describes the aftermath of excessive financial optimism in the tech sector.
- J. D. Vance’s AI Doctrine
J. D. Vance, a prominent figure in the Trump administration, advocates for a balanced approach to AI development that avoids stifling innovation while addressing concerns about corporate power and worker displacement. He draws parallels between historical tools like Lafayette’s sword and AI, emphasizing their dual potential for harm or benefit. Vance’s strategy reflects his dual background in venture capital and working-class advocacy, aiming to align AI progress with MAGA principles of economic growth and worker protection.
- Silicon Valley's longevity biohackers are engaged in a dangerous experiment
Silicon Valley's longevity biohackers are conducting a dangerous experiment. Influencers and ultra-rich individuals share methods to extend their lifespan through tips and tricks.
- Learning Velocity: The Next Strategic Advantage
The article emphasizes the strategic importance of 'learning velocity'—the speed at which individuals or organizations convert information into action. It highlights how entrepreneurs and adversaries leverage speed to test ideas, adapt quickly, and gain competitive advantage, with AI accelerating this process. The U.S. military's OODA Loop model and the rise of AI-driven 'universities' for bad actors illustrate the growing significance of rapid learning.
- Why right now might be the best opportunity to get hired at Silicon Valley's most coveted employers
Anthropic and OpenAI are emerging as the most sought-after employers in Silicon Valley, offering prestige, stability, and growth amid the AI boom. Applicants are flocking to these AI labs for opportunities to shape technological innovation and potentially benefit from anticipated IPOs, with both companies rapidly expanding their workforces.
- California union’s billionaire tax qualifies for ballot amid fierce opposition
A California union's initiative to tax billionaires to fund healthcare and other programs qualified for the ballot, facing opposition from Governor Gavin Newsom and Silicon Valley allies. The proposed tax would generate $100 billion, with 90% allocated to healthcare and 10% to education and food assistance.
- At the mercy of Silicon Valley? Europe exposed by Trump AI export ban
French leader Emmanuel Macron is hosting Donald Trump at Versailles to strengthen ties on issues like Ukraine and the Strait of Hormuz. The article questions whether diplomatic efforts will influence Trump's stance on the AI revolution and an export ban affecting Europe.
- US ‘nuclear bros’ test America’s atomic revival
Young founders supported by Silicon Valley and Trump are racing to start nuclear reactors despite safety concerns from experts.
- DeepSeek fundraises $7.4 billion
DeepSeek raised $7.4 billion, becoming China’s most valuable AI startup with a $50 billion valuation, though it lags behind US rivals like Anthropic and OpenAI, which raised $65 billion and $122 billion respectively. Geopolitical constraints limit DeepSeek’s access to US hardware and funding, hindering its ability to match US competitors’ budgets.
- Catching Our Eye News Roundup, June 16, 2026
The article reports that Vice President JD Vance advocated invoking the Insurrection Act after a federal agent killed a nurse protesting immigration policies in Minnesota. It also covers Ohio's proposed penalties for companies selling homework answers and criticism of tax breaks for data centers benefiting Silicon Valley and Wall Street over Ohio residents.
- The End of the Future
The article discusses the end of the future and notes that Silicon Valley is the only entity currently looking ahead.
- Universal basic income, the utopian idea resurging in Silicon Valley
Universal basic income (UBI) is resurging in Silicon Valley as artificial intelligence threatens to eliminate jobs. The article questions whether tech CEOs' motivations for supporting UBI align with those of philosophers and economists who have historically championed the concept.
- The future of Hollywood isn’t feeding prompts into vanilla gen AI models
Generative AI has not yet produced compelling films that audiences would pay to see, with most AI video models generating short, visually inconsistent footage. Major Hollywood AI partnerships have dissolved, raising doubts about studios' reliance on Silicon Valley's emerging technology.
- Hong Kong can be more than New York and Silicon Valley combined: Paul Chan
Hong Kong's Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po stated the city can surpass New York and Silicon Valley by combining global financial expertise with tech innovation and manufacturing via the Greater Bay Area. He highlighted Hong Kong's unique advantage in advanced manufacturing integration, which US rivals lack.
- Silicon Valley found AI and started looking for God
Silicon Valley's engagement with AI has led to increased interest in Christianity, driven by factors like AI-related confusion, a fading stigma around the religion, and the desire to network within the tech industry.
- Altman, OpenAI get bogged down in political spending fight
OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman are facing scrutiny over the company's association with the pro-AI super PAC Leading the Future, which has drawn backlash due to its political donations during the midterm elections. The firm is trying to distance itself from the PAC and its Silicon Valley backers.
- How 1 tech company created 13 new types of jobs because of AI
Box, a Silicon Valley software maker, is creating 13 new AI-related job types, including AI architects and solutions managers, and expects to increase its workforce despite AI integration.
- Silicon Valley including Meta has embraced Maga politics, says Nick Clegg
Nick Clegg claims Silicon Valley companies including Meta have embraced MAGA politics, with some pivoting right for 'self-interested' reasons. Clegg left Meta in March 2025 during the second Trump administration.
- Silicon Valley including Meta has embraced Maga politics, says Nick Clegg
Nick Clegg stated that Silicon Valley companies including Meta have embraced MAGA politics, with some executives pivoting right for 'rather more self-interested' reasons. Clegg left Meta in March 2025 during the second Trump administration.
- Pope Leo XIV wants to disarm AI. Its developers want to win the race
Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical, 'Magnifica Humanitas,' addresses the ethical challenges of AI, emphasizing human dignity and condemning its military use. The document warns of AI's risks, including data colonialism, surveillance, and unemployment, while contrasting technological dominance with communal responsibility.
- DeepSeek nears $7B haul in first raise
DeepSeek is nearing a $7.4 billion funding round at a $52 billion valuation, with investors including Tencent, CATL, and a state-backed AI fund. The startup is competing with Silicon Valley by offering cheaper AI services and recently slashed the price of its flagship model by 75%.
- The Guardian view on NHS records: patients are not raw material for big tech | Editorial
The Guardian criticizes NHS England's contract with Palantir, which grants engineers 'unlimited access' to identifiable patient data, violating medical confidentiality. The £330m deal allegedly allows private companies access to sensitive medical information without patient consent, risking public trust.
- Washington, Silicon Valley brace for AI job losses
Washington and Silicon Valley are preparing for potential job losses caused by AI, with proposals like transition assistance and universal basic income being discussed. Americans are expressing growing discontent over the technology, as AI leaders warn of labor market disruption with predictions ranging from a 'jobs apocalypse' to milder impacts.
- Tech industry wins big in California primary election with millions spent paying off
The tech industry secured significant political influence in California's primary election through substantial campaign spending, despite a low rank for its preferred governor candidate. Silicon Valley's focus on countering regulation, taxation, and promoting AI growth was reinforced by strategic donations to smaller elections.