Google- and Microsoft-backed carbon-removal startup Terradot announced it would acquire competitor Eion, according to TechCrunch. The deal, driven by large investors seeking companies capable of handling substantial contracts, will see Terradot absorb Eion, which, like Terradot, utilizes enhanced rock weathering (EWR) to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Meanwhile, Apple is reportedly working to integrate third-party AI chatbots, including those from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google, into CarPlay, as reported by The Verge. In other tech news, AI models are making strides in professional tasks, and Jeff Bezos's ownership of The Washington Post continues to face scrutiny.
The acquisition of Eion by Terradot was largely influenced by investors, including sovereign wealth funds, seeking to partner with companies that could manage large-scale projects, according to TechCrunch. Eion CEO Anastasia Pavlovic Hans told The Wall Street Journal that Eion was too small to meet these demands. Both companies employ EWR, a process that involves spreading pulverized rocks on farmland to accelerate the natural absorption of carbon dioxide. While this method holds promise as a low-cost carbon removal solution, the gap between what EWR companies want to charge and what buyers are willing to pay remains wide, according to a survey by CDR.fyi.
In the realm of artificial intelligence, AI models are showing significant advancements. A new release from Anthropic, Opus 4.6, saw a substantial increase in scores on professional tasks, such as law and corporate analysis, according to TechCrunch. The model scored just shy of 30 in one-shot trials and averaged 45 with more attempts. The release included new agentic features, such as agent swarms, which may have contributed to the improved performance.
Apple is exploring the integration of third-party AI chatbots into CarPlay, according to The Verge. This update would allow users to access voice-controlled AI apps from companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google, potentially replacing Siri for certain functions. Previously, users had to access third-party chatbots through their iPhones.
In other news, Elon Musk merged SpaceX and xAI, potentially creating a new power structure in Silicon Valley, according to TechCrunch. With Musk's net worth rivaling the peak market cap of General Electric, the focus is on how far Musk will take this "everything business."
Finally, The Verge reported on the ongoing challenges at The Washington Post under Jeff Bezos's ownership. The publication has seen 300 journalists lose their jobs and over 300,000 subscribers cancel their subscriptions.
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