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The Anthropic funding round has pushed the artificial intelligence company to a valuation of $965 billion. The company announced Thursday that it raised $65 billion in fresh funding. This valuation exceeds OpenAI's $852 billion valuation reported in March.

The Anthropic funding round strengthens the company's position in the competitive AI sector. Anthropic develops the Claude family of AI models and continues to expand its enterprise-focused services.

CEO Dario Amodei leads the company. Former OpenAI employees founded Anthropic, including Amodei himself. The company built its reputation through advanced AI models and coding capabilities.

Anthropic places strong attention on AI safety. At the same time, it continues rapid product development. This approach helps the company remain competitive in the fast-changing AI market.

Unlike many AI firms, Anthropic focused heavily on enterprise customers. This strategy helped the company grow its presence among business users rather than general consumers.

Krishna Rao, Anthropic's chief financial officer, said the funding will support growing demand. He added that the investment will help advance research and expand Claude across workplaces.

The Anthropic funding round attracted major investors. Altimeter Capital, Dragoneer and Greenoaks, and Sequoia Capital led the financing. The round also included $15 billion in previously committed investments from cloud providers. Amazon contributed $5 billion of that amount.

Several semiconductor companies joined as strategic partners. These included Micron, Samsung, and SK Hynix. Their products play a key role in AI infrastructure.

Anthropic stated that Claude is now available across the world's three largest cloud platforms. These platforms include Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure.

The company also faces a legal dispute with the Pentagon. Anthropic sued the Defense Department after receiving a supply chain risk designation. The company argues that the decision represents unconstitutional retaliation.

Beyond the Anthropic funding round, the company announced the launch of Claude Opus 4.8. The upgraded model offers improvements across several benchmarks while maintaining the same pricing structure.

Anthropic also plans to release its Mythos model to all customers in the coming weeks. The model features advanced cybersecurity capabilities. However, the company currently limits access to selected security partners.

Under Project Glasswing, Amazon, Microsoft, and Apple may use Mythos for cybersecurity purposes.

According to Anthropic, early testers reported encouraging results from Opus 4.8. The model showed improved honesty and greater willingness to acknowledge uncertainty. It was also less likely to make unsupported claims.

The Anthropic funding round marks a significant milestone for the company. It also highlights the growing competition among leading AI developers as investment in the sector continues to increase.

// With input from - Agencies

 The Anthropic IPO process has officially started after the AI company filed confidentially for an initial public offering. Anthropic announced the move on Monday as major artificial intelligence firms seek new funding to support industry growth.

A confidential filing allows a company to submit IPO documents to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission before releasing financial information publicly. This approach gives firms more flexibility during the review period.

Anthropic said the filing provides an option to become a public company after the SEC completes its review. The company noted that market conditions and other factors will influence the final decision.

The company also stated that it has not yet determined the number of shares or the offering price.

The Anthropic IPO announcement came shortly after the company reported a major funding round. Anthropic said it raised $65 billion in new funding. The round valued the company at $965 billion.

That valuation places Anthropic ahead of OpenAI, which received a valuation of $852 billion in March. OpenAI is also expected to pursue a public offering in the near future.

Founded in (2021), Anthropic was created by siblings Dario Amodei & Daniela Amodei, along with former OpenAI executives. The company has built its reputation around developing artificial intelligence systems with a strong focus on safety.

The Anthropic IPO arrives as the company's products continue to gain adoption. Claude Code, its coding assistant, has contributed to projected annual revenue of $47 billion.

Rapid growth has increased demand for computing resources. Anthropic has responded through agreements with Amazon, Google, and Broadcom. These partnerships help secure access to chips and server infrastructure.

Last month, Anthropic signed a deal worth $1.25 billion per month with Elon Musk. The agreement allows the company to lease underused Colossus data centers located in Memphis.

Industry observers view the Anthropic IPO as a potentially important event for public markets. Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives said the move could help reopen the IPO market after a relatively quiet period.

The company also faces challenges. Anthropic is currently involved in a dispute with the Pentagon. The Defense Department identified the company as a supply chain risk after it declined military access to its AI models. Anthropic described the action as unconstitutional retaliation.

As the Anthropic IPO advances, investors will closely monitor regulatory reviews, market conditions, and the company's continued expansion. The filing marks another significant step in the evolving AI sector.

(With input from - AFP)

Reuters: SAN FRANCISCO, June 2 — Cisco Systems announced a new platform that helps organizations deploy AI agents to defend their IT infrastructure. The company revealed the technology on Tuesday as cyber threats continue to grow in scale and complexity.

The new platform, called Cisco Cloud Control, allows businesses and government organizations to create and manage AI agents. These digital tools can monitor networks, identify threats, and take action against cyber attackers.

Cisco said cybersecurity threats increasingly involve automated systems controlled by human hackers. As a result, organizations need faster methods to detect and respond to attacks.

DJ Sampath, Senior Vice President and General Manager of AI Software and Platform at Cisco, explained the challenge. He said security teams can no longer operate only at human speed. Modern threats require machine-scale responses and automated protection.

Cisco designed Cloud Control to help organizations build defensive systems quickly. The platform enables security teams to deploy multiple AI agents that work together to monitor and protect critical systems.

The announcement comes as the artificial intelligence industry continues to expand. Anthropic is expected to release its Mythos model in the coming weeks. Some experts believe advanced AI tools could help hackers increase the scale and speed of cyber attacks.

Cisco believes organizations will rely on AI-powered coding tools when creating security-focused AI agents. To support that process, the company introduced a marketplace within the Cloud Control platform.

The marketplace will function similarly to an app store. Customers will be able to select coding tools from different providers and integrate them into their workflows.

The first coding tool available through the marketplace will be OpenAI’s Codex. Cisco plans to embed Codex directly into Cloud Control, allowing customers to access coding capabilities without leaving the platform.

According to Sampath, Cisco will earn revenue from sales generated through the marketplace. However, the company has not finalized the exact revenue-sharing structure.

He stated that operating and integrating these technologies requires significant resources. Therefore, Cisco expects a business model that supports those costs.

The launch reflects Cisco’s strong focus on automated cybersecurity. The company aims to help organizations counter modern threats with coordinated AI agents and advanced monitoring capabilities.

Cisco Cloud Control became available in North America on Tuesday. The marketplace for third-party tools is scheduled to launch during the second half of 2026.

Industry observers will watch closely as organizations adopt AI agents to strengthen security operations in an increasingly complex digital environment. The development marks an important and promising step in cybersecurity automation.

FAQs:

1. What are AI agents in Cisco Cloud Control?

2. Why did Cisco launch its new AI agents platform?

3. How do AI agents help protect IT infrastructure?

4. What is Cisco Cloud Control?

5. Who can use Cisco Cloud Control?

6. Why does Cisco believe machine-scale security is necessary?

7. How could AI-powered cyber threats affect organizations?

8. What role will OpenAI Codex play in Cisco Cloud Control?

9. When will Cisco's marketplace for third-party tools become available?

10. In which region is Cisco Cloud Control initially available?

Nvidia RTX Spark chip marks a major step in the evolution of Windows laptops. The Nvidia RTX Spark chip introduces a new CPU designed for artificial intelligence-powered personal computers. It aims to reshape how users interact with next-generation devices.

Nvidia unveiled the Nvidia RTX Spark chip during a major tech event ahead of Computex. The company positioned the Nvidia RTX Spark chip as a breakthrough for AI-focused computing. It combines CPU, GPU, and AI processing into one unified design. This structure supports advanced workloads directly on laptops.

Jensen Huang, Nvidia CEO, said Microsoft and Nvidia are reinventing the PC experience. He described systems using the Nvidia RTX Spark chip as a new type of computer. He claimed users can run complex tasks like physics simulations and data-heavy computing with ease. The Nvidia RTX Spark chip enables these operations on local machines without cloud reliance.

The Nvidia RTX Spark chip integrates an Arm-based CPU and Blackwell GPU architecture. It also includes high-bandwidth unified memory designed for AI tasks. Reports show it supports advanced applications like AI agents, creative tools, and scientific workloads. The Nvidia RTX Spark chip focuses on speed, efficiency, and local processing power.

Industry analysts say the Nvidia RTX Spark chip challenges Intel, AMD, and Apple. It enters the competitive laptop processor market with a strong AI-first strategy. Experts believe it could reshape the PC supply chain. Some analysts call the Nvidia RTX Spark chip a serious shift in hardware control.

The Nvidia RTX Spark chip also strengthens Nvidia’s move beyond data center GPUs. The company already leads in AI infrastructure chips. Now it aims to expand into consumer laptops and desktops. This move diversifies its business and strengthens its ecosystem.

The Nvidia RTX Spark chip will power upcoming Windows devices from major manufacturers. These include premium laptops designed for AI applications and gaming performance. The first systems are expected to arrive in the market later this year.

However, pricing may remain high due to advanced hardware integration. Analysts expect early models to target professional users and developers. The Nvidia RTX Spark chip may gradually expand to mainstream consumers over time.

The launch signals a shift toward AI-native computing systems. The Nvidia RTX Spark chip represents a new phase where PCs act as intelligent assistants. Industry leaders expect further competition in this rapidly evolving segment.

Overall, the Nvidia RTX Spark chip highlights Nvidia’s ambition in consumer computing. It strengthens competition in the global PC market. The Nvidia RTX Spark chip may redefine how future laptops process data and run applications.

Through the noise of heavy machines in Kyoto, a Kyoto zine revival is taking shape inside a print factory. Two creators watch their photo essay transform into broadsheet pages. The project aims to attract readers in an AI-driven digital age.

The Kyoto zine revival reflects Japan’s shifting publishing landscape. Traditional print media continues to decline across the country. However, self-published zines and handmade magazines are gaining strong attention among young creators and readers.

Photographer Kazuma Obara works with writer Akihico Mori on this project. They use a printing press provided by Kyoto Shimbun. The newspaper company seeks new uses for its equipment as subscriptions fall. Technicians inspect each printed page for quality during production.

Obara explains that paper engages all five senses. He believes the Kyoto zine revival offers a deeper connection than digital platforms. He also describes mobile phones as isolating tools. He argues that print allows shared reading experiences.

Mori supports this view during the Kyoto zine revival process. He says readers can feel the creator’s effort when holding printed work. He believes artificial intelligence cannot reproduce that physical connection. He values the emotional link between creator and reader.

Japan’s publishing industry has dropped sharply in recent decades. Book and magazine sales have fallen to nearly 40 percent of earlier peaks. Newspaper circulation has also decreased significantly since the late 1990s. These changes in the industry  push publishers to explore new formats.

The Kyoto zine revival aligns with a wider self-publishing movement in Japan. The market for zines continues to expand and may reach 150 billion yen soon. Young creators increasingly adopt handmade publishing methods. Bookstores have also begun stocking zines for new audiences.

Visitors at zine fairs in Tokyo support this shift. They say algorithm-driven content limits discovery. They prefer physical works that show different perspectives. Many believe the Kyoto zine revival offers variety missing in digital media.

Creators like Watashi Kishino continue to produce hand-drawn zines. She says digital tools are powerful but not always meaningful. She values physical books for their tangible presence. She sees ongoing interest in printed media.

Bookstore managers also respond to this demand. They introduce zines to attract new readers. They believe niche publications appeal to diverse interests. The Kyoto zine revival continues to expand across Japan.

Despite digital growth, many creators remain optimistic. They believe printed works still hold emotional value. They expect physical media to survive alongside technology. The Kyoto zine revival shows that print culture still has a strong future.

A new scientific study highlights a breakthrough method affecting lithium production cost in battery manufacturing. Researchers at MIT and partner institutions introduced a low-temperature process that reduces energy use and waste. The study focuses on improving lithium production cost by changing how lithium is extracted from hard rock ore.

The research was published in Science and examines spodumene, a common lithium-bearing mineral. Conventional processing requires heating ore to nearly 1,000°C. It also uses sulfuric acid, which creates significant waste. These steps increase lithium production cost and raise environmental concerns.

The new method lowers lithium production cost by replacing high-temperature roasting with a chemical solution. Researchers use ammonium fluoride heated to about 70°C. This solution breaks down spodumene into separate streams of lithium, silicon, and aluminum. The approach improves efficiency and reduces overall processing energy.

In this system, lithium production cost decreases because lithium forms lithium fluoride in solution. This compound can be used directly in battery electrolytes. It can also be converted into lithium nitrate or lithium oxide for industrial applications. The simplified process reduces handling stages.

Silicon recovery also supports lower lithium production cost. The silicon converts into silicon dioxide after treatment with ammonia. It settles as a solid and can be reused in construction materials. This byproduct helps balance processing expenses.

Aluminum extraction remains the most energy-intensive stage. However, it occurs after separation, which improves system efficiency. The aluminum is heated in stages to produce high-purity aluminum oxide. This sequencing contributes to reduced lithium production cost compared to traditional methods.

The process also recycles key chemicals. Ammonia and hydrogen fluoride are reused to regenerate ammonium fluoride. This closed-loop system reduces material loss and supports lower lithium production cost over time. It also improves operational efficiency in continuous processing systems.

Economic analysis suggests strong potential savings. Conventional spodumene processing costs about $9,000 per tonne of lithium. The new method could reduce lithium production cost to just above $5,000 per tonne. This brings hard rock extraction closer to brine-based production costs.

Despite promising results, uncertainties remain. Final lithium production cost will depend on ore quality and infrastructure scale. Market fluctuations may also influence economic outcomes. However, the method provides a strong alternative approach for future lithium sourcing.

Researchers continue to test scalability for industrial adoption. The focus remains on reducing lithium production cost while maintaining material purity. This innovation may reshape how global lithium supply chains operate in the coming years.