Today's tech digest features significant movements in the AI and defense technology sectors, with major funding rounds for Anduril Industries and Anthropic. Other top stories include challenges for AI automation's return on investment and infrastructure hurdles for new data centers.
Anduril Raises Billions, Valued at $61 Billion by Investors
Defense technology company Anduril Industries has secured a new funding round valuing the company at $61 billion. According to Bloomberg Technology, this substantial investment round, led by Thrive Capital and Andreessen Horowitz, totals $5 billion. CEO Brian Schimpf confirmed that these funds are earmarked for expanding manufacturing capacity, advancing research, and developing essential infrastructure. This influx of capital highlights continued investor confidence in the rapidly evolving defense tech sector and Anduril's position within it.
Anthropic in Early Talks for $30 Billion Funding Round
AI developer Anthropic is reportedly in early discussions to raise a new financing round of at least $30 billion, according to Bloomberg Technology. Citing individuals familiar with the ongoing talks, the report indicates this significant capital injection could potentially value Anthropic at over $900 billion. The pursuit of such substantial funding underscores the intense investment climate surrounding frontier artificial intelligence companies and their projected market valuations.
Study Finds AI Automation Not Delivering Expected Returns
A recent study by research firm Gartner reveals that layoffs prompted by AI and automation are not delivering the anticipated financial benefits. Fortune reports on the survey of 350 global business executives, which found no direct correlation between AI-driven workforce reductions and a higher return on investment. Instead, the study suggests that companies achieving the most significant gains are those deploying AI to enhance worker productivity, rather than focusing on employee replacement. This indicates a shift in strategy for optimizing AI's economic impact.
Microsoft Kenya AI Data Center Stalls Due to Power Demands
Microsoft's planned $1 billion AI data center project in Kenya, a collaboration with G42, has encountered an indefinite stall due to unresolved disagreements regarding power capacity. Tom's Hardware reports that Kenyan President William Ruto has highlighted the facility's substantial power requirements, noting that its eventual 1-gigawatt demand would consume approximately one-third of the nation's total power supply. The project, intended to utilize geothermal energy, remains delayed as negotiations continue to address these critical infrastructure challenges.
Bambu Lab Accused of Open Source Contract Violations
A contentious dispute has emerged between 3D printer manufacturer Bambu Lab and a developer within the open-source community. Blogger Jeff Geerling alleges that Bambu Lab issued a threat of legal action against the developer of OrcaSlicer-bambulab, an alternative software client. The core of the disagreement stems from the forked software's ability to allow users to bypass Bambu Lab's cloud service. Bambu Lab, in a blog post, asserted that this method of communication from the fork created a structural vulnerability for their servers, posing a security risk to their infrastructure.
CERT Issues Six Critical Security Vulnerabilities for Dnsmasq
On May 11, 2026, the maintainer of the dnsmasq software publicly announced that CERT has issued six critical security vulnerabilities impacting most versions of the widely used utility. In a post on the dnsmasq mailing list, Simon Kelley confirmed that necessary patches are now accessible on the project's official website and are included in a new release, designated '2.92rel2'. These vulnerabilities were pre-disclosed to vendors, facilitating timely updates to address potential network exploits.
Anthropic Denies China Access to Latest AI Models
AI company Anthropic has reportedly denied China access to its latest artificial intelligence models, as reported by NYT Technology. This development suggests a move influenced by escalating geopolitical tensions concerning advanced technology control.
EBay Rejects GameStop's $56 Billion Takeover Bid
EBay's board of directors has rejected an unsolicited $56 billion takeover bid from GameStop. CNBC reports that EBay Chairman Paul Pressler conveyed the board's decision in a letter, deeming the proposal 'neither credible nor attractive.' The board cited significant concerns regarding GameStop's proposed financing strategy and the inherent operational risks associated with the potential deal.