US Bans Chips for China, TSMC, 🤖 ChatGPT, 💡 Anysphere, 🌐 Open Source, 🏖️ AI Tourism, 💰 AI Funding, 📰 AI News

The U.S. Department of Commerce has restricted Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) from shipping high-tech chips, 7nm and above, to Chinese companies starting Monday.

These chips, essential for AI and GPU development, are now limited in an effort to control advanced technology access in China.

a16z VC Martin Casado says overhyped AI regulations are stalling innovation. Instead of addressing real tech risks, lawmakers focus on sci-fi scenarios.

• AI’s biggest challenge? Over-regulation driven by fear, not facts.
• California’s SB 1047: Casado warns that poorly designed laws like this could stifle growth.
• Solution: Build smarter policies focused on AI’s actual impact, using adaptable frameworks from past tech innovations.

An AI-powered robot named Ai-Da made waves by selling a portrait of Alan Turing, depicted as the “god of AI,” for $1.1 million at Sotheby’s. Created by Aidan Meller and a team of 30, Ai-Da resembles a woman with a bob haircut, paying tribute to Ada Lovelace.

The artwork smashed initial estimates of $120K–$180K with 27 bids from an anonymous U.S. buyer.

Chegg has lost over half a million subscribers since ChatGPT’s debut, as students now turn to free AI tools over paid subscriptions. Once a top homework help source, Chegg’s user base and market value have plummeted, with stock down 99% from 2021 highs.

Though Chegg introduced its own AI, it’s struggling to convince students and investors of its relevance in an AI-driven market shift.

Anysphere’s AI coding tool, Cursor, has become a standout among coding assistants, with monthly revenue surging to $4M.

Since April, Anysphere’s valuation skyrocketed from $400M to $2.5B, attracting top investors like Benchmark and Index Ventures. Founded in 2022 by MIT grads, Anysphere emerged as OpenAI’s most successful accelerator alum, rapidly scaling amid booming demand for AI-driven coding support.

Open source projects are drawing major equity-free funding from corporations, startups, and VCs.

Companies like Bloomberg and Zerodha are pledging millions annually, while Sequoia Capital’s fellowship supports project maintainers like Chatbot Arena and vLLM.

This trend highlights growing industry investment in open source innovation.

At WTM London, tourism leaders discussed how AI is transforming travel, enhancing efficiency and sustainability in destinations like the Philippines, Greece, and Peru. While embracing AI, they stressed the importance of maintaining human connections in travel experiences.

Key focus areas include sustainable AI practices, data privacy, and global partnerships, ensuring innovation complements authenticity in the tourism sector.