Apollo put 12 humans on the moon for ~$178B. Alphabet plans to spend about that on AI in 2026 alone. With Gemini scaling fast and Waymo pushing global expansion — are we witnessing a modern moonshot… or an AI arms race? What do you think this level of spend means long term?

ElevenLabs raises $500M at an $11B valuation. AI audio & music are scaling fast. Not anti-AI — but the IP conversation matters. How should creators be protected as AI-generated voice and music go mainstream? https://t.co/77NwoNw90V

Airport access at SFO puts Waymo’s autonomy stack to the test — from perception to mapping to large-scale deployment. https://t.co/BpEW1czy9b

EXG Pro has signed new licensing agreements with Universal, unlocking access to iconic franchises including Shrek, Jurassic Park, and Back to the Future. ➡️ This is another example of how strong IP licensing continues to fuel expansion in the global accessories market.

Amazon is reportedly considering a $50B investment in OpenAI as part of a $100B funding round. If it moves forward, the deal would further illustrate how hyperscalers are racing to secure influence across multiple AI platforms at once. https://t.co/zGxZGIi9bu

Elon Musk is reportedly weighing a merger involving SpaceX, xAI, and Tesla. This would consolidate rockets, satellites, AI, social platforms, and energy under a single structure — a bold bet on vertical integration ahead of a potential SpaceX IPO. https://t.co/BM4s533xBc

Grammy Week = acquisition week 🎶💰 Reports say DistroKid is in talks over a potential ~$2B sale — another signal that music distribution and rights platforms remain prime acquisition targets as capital continues flowing into the space. https://t.co/3T4TAuCSFR

Ex-Sequoia partner Kais Khimji is back — this time as a founder. His AI scheduling startup Blockit just raised a $5M seed led by Sequoia, betting that AI agents can fully manage calendars without links or email ping-pong. https://t.co/nKcuJOOXyv

By combining AI-native software with on-demand GPU infrastructure, newly unified platforms Lightning AI and Voltage Park aim to make training, deploying, and scaling AI models simpler and more efficient. https://t.co/u9WtYVSIS5

Netflix’s WBD deal could be a turning point for streaming 🎬 - Iconic franchises + global scale - Potential for bigger investment & wider reach There is a regulatory review ahead, but momentum is strong. A lot to watch — and a lot of future opportunity. https://t.co/RVu7Brcbcs

J&J is proving patents are crucial in pharma. As Stelara’s exclusivity fades and biosimilars hit, newer patented drugs like Darzalex and Carvykti are driving growth. It’s a textbook example of managing the patent cliff with portfolio depth and lifecycle strategy. #patents

Yann LeCun’s AMI Labs is betting big against LLM-only AI. ➡️World models. Real-world understanding. Safety > hype. ➡️Paris HQ, global talent, rumored $3.5B valuation. “Real intelligence does not start in language. It starts in the world.” #AMILabs https://t.co/dmzkQUzyad

Lovable just raised $330M months after a $200M round, tripling its valuation. This momentum points to a future where building software is faster, more accessible, and embedded across every organization. https://t.co/jFEpUd34dZ

Audio is becoming the interface. OpenAI’s reported push into audio-first AI isn’t just about better voices, it’s about a future where screens disappear and conversation takes over. 2026 is shaping up to be the year voice goes mainstream. https://t.co/nOyHfNgIlM

Robotaxis are quickly moving from novelty to normal. Ridership is surging, safety data is improving, and major expansions are coming. 2026 is shaping up to be a defining year for autonomous mobility. #robotaxis #AV #thedailyupside https://t.co/h7HcySVVca

After years of experimentation, 2026 is shaping up to be the year enterprises unlock real value from AI. More focus, deeper integration, and AI that truly earns its place in the stack. https://t.co/ceurtdLLCW

Meta is reportedly acquiring AI startup Manus for $2B. The startup is already generating meaningful revenue, which is a clear signal that monetization, not just model scale, is becoming the real differentiator in AI. https://t.co/IfCi0qoalu

Nvidia is licensing AI chip challenger Groq’s tech and bringing its leadership in house. A non exclusive deal, but potentially Nvidia’s largest asset purchase yet and a major signal in the race for faster, more efficient AI compute. https://t.co/9qnD86HCuJ

Waymo is reportedly testing a Gemini powered AI assistant inside its robotaxis. More than a chatbot, it could manage in cabin functions and reassure riders. This is another sign that AI interfaces are moving from screens into physical, high stakes environments.

2025 marked a turning point for IP. Post grant patent challenges declined sharply as decision making authority shifted, while courts moved AI copyright debates from theory to evidence. The ripple effects will reshape patent and AI strategy well beyond this year.