Exclusive: Google deepens Thinking Machines Lab ties with new multi-billion-dollar deal
TechCrunch·60-word summary·1 min read
Mira Murati's Thinking Machines Lab has secured a multi-billion-dollar deal with Google Cloud to enhance AI infrastructure, utilizing Nvidia's latest GB300 chips. The agreement, announced in April 2026, signifies a significant investment in AI technology development, strengthening the partnership between Thinking Machines and Google Cloud. The deal underscores the growing importance of advanced hardware in AI research.
The UK government warns that over 100 countries possess spyware capable of hacking phones, posing a significant threat to UK businesses and critical infrastructure. The cybersecurity chief emphasized that many governments now have access to advanced surveillance technology, and that the threat is being underestimated. The warning highlights growing concerns over cyber espionage and digital security risks globally.
AI adoption in law firms is nearing a significant milestone, with Olivier Chaduteau of Paris-based AI consulting noting that initial skepticism has shifted. Firms initially dismissed AI's relevance but later purchased licenses for large language models (LLMs) to demonstrate activity to clients and partners. This trend indicates the legal sector is approaching the final phase of integrating AI into its workflows.
Google launched its 8th-generation TPU chips, TPU 8t for training and TPU 8i for inference, co-developed with Broadcom. The TPU 8i offers 80% better performance-per-dollar than the Ironwood chip. The TPU 8t scales to 9,600 chips and doubles Ironwood’s interchip bandwidth, enhancing AI training capabilities. The launch was announced in April 2026.
Robinhood Ventures invested $75 million in OpenAI on April 17, 2026. This investment is part of Robinhood’s Fund I, listed on the NYSE under ticker RVI since March 6, 2026, which aims to give retail investors access to private companies. The fund also holds stakes in firms like Airwallex, Databricks, and Stripe.
Snap Map has introduced ‘Place Loyalty’ badges, allowing users to see their ranking among the top 25% of visitors to specific locations. Users can view their visit frequency and choose to share their rankings. The feature aims to enhance social engagement by highlighting users' most visited spots, though specific launch dates and user numbers were not disclosed.
Robinhood Ventures Fund I invested $75 million in OpenAI on April 17, 2026, acquiring common stock in the ChatGPT developer. The fund, traded on the NYSE under the ticker RVI, also holds stakes in companies like Stripe, Databricks, and Revolut. This investment marks a significant move in Robinhood’s expanding Web3 and AI portfolio.
