Tech and Business News Roundup: From AI Spats to Immigration Concerns
A diverse range of stories emerged from the tech and business sectors, encompassing topics from a public dispute between AI company leaders to concerns over immigration enforcement at major retailers.
The CEO of OpenAI, Sam Altman, faced criticism after launching a lengthy online attack on rival chatbot firm Anthropic over its planned Super Bowl advertisements, according to BBC Technology. Altman's 420-word post on X, in which he called Anthropic "dishonest" and "deceptive," was likened to "the digital equivalent of a toddler throwing a tantrum" by some social media users. Anthropic's ads reportedly criticized commercials being introduced to ChatGPT, describing the move as a "betrayal." One commenter noted, "Looks like a nerve was well and truly hit."
In other news, Pinterest reportedly sacked two engineers for tracking which employees were affected by recent job cuts, BBC Technology reported. The company, led by CEO Bill Ready, recently announced it was "doubling down on an AI-forward approach," impacting approximately 15% of its workforce, or about 700 roles. The engineers allegedly "wrote custom scripts improperly accessing confidential company information to identify the locations and names of all dismissed employees."
Meanwhile, Netflix and Warner Bros. faced scrutiny from US senators regarding their proposed $82 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, BBC Technology stated. During a Senate antitrust subcommittee hearing on Tuesday, lawmakers from both parties raised concerns about reduced competition, potential price increases, and the future of cinemas if the merger proceeds. The deal is currently under review by the Department of Justice (DoJ).
In the North Sea, the "striking silence" of a cargo ship captain implicated him in a fiery tanker crash in March 2025, according to BBC Business. Detective Chief Superintendent Craig Nicholson stated that the 30 minutes of inaction from Vladimir Motin, captain of the Solong tanker, before the collision with the anchored Stena Immaculate, and his "striking" silence afterward, made it clear to police he was at fault. The jury was shown footage from both ships, revealing "two very different reactions to the collision."
Target and other major Minnesota businesses are facing increasing pressure from employees concerned about immigration enforcement, BBC Business reported. Workers are urging companies to provide clearer guidance on how to respond if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers arrive at their worksites and to limit agents' access to stores and parking lots. The pressures have been particularly acute, as employees fear the Trump administration's immigration crackdown puts them at risk on the job. Demonstrators have protested at Target stores, demanding the company do more to protect employees and community members.
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