The stock market began the new year with positive momentum, as S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow Jones futures all saw gains. This optimism stemmed partly from renewed hopes for artificial intelligence stocks, alongside reactions to geopolitical events, including a US military action in Venezuela. The US seized an oil refinery and 1.5 million barrels of oil products in Falcon state, aiming to disrupt the Maduro government, with reports also circulating about President Maduro's capture. These events led to a rise in both oil major and technology stocks. In the AI sector, several companies are making headlines. Anthropic President Daniela Amodei stated on January 3 that her company achieves powerful AI models by doing "more with less," using significantly less computing power and money than rivals like OpenAI. Meanwhile, Apple faced challenges with its AI features in 2025 and may partner with Google for Siri, potentially relying on new hardware like a folding iPhone. Google is also expanding its Gemini AI, bringing image and video capabilities, including the Nano Banana and Veo models, to Google TV, starting with TCL smart TVs. Users can now create photo slideshows, remix images, turn stills into videos, and use Gemini as a chatbot or for voice commands to adjust TV settings. AI's impact extends to various industries and communities. Heber City, Utah, police began testing AI tools, Draft One and Code Four, in December 2025 for report writing. One AI-generated report mistakenly claimed an officer turned into a frog due to background audio from "The Princess and the Frog," highlighting the risk of AI "hallucinations." Despite this, Sgt. Rick Keel noted the tools save him 6-8 hours weekly. On the business front, Adam Joseph's AI-powered PR agency, Clipbook, secured a seven-figure investment from Mark Cuban through a series of emails. OKNO Investments LLC launched a new AI marketing system, achieving a 1,000% return on ad spend and over 75% sales growth for Altitude Trampoline Parks. The rapid expansion of AI also brings challenges, particularly concerning data centers. Massive data center projects, totaling $162 billion between 2023 and mid-2025, face community opposition, leading to delays and cancellations. Derrick Johnson of the NAACP argues these centers disproportionately burden low-income and rural areas, increasing energy demand and utility bills by an estimated 10-15% in places like Virginia, and contributing to air pollution through reliance on fossil fuels. The NAACP advocates for renewable energy and stronger regulations. Conversely, Republican Rep. Andy Barr of Kentucky proposes a coal-first energy plan, asserting that coal-fired power is crucial for the US to lead in AI over China, leveraging Kentucky's existing coal infrastructure and workforce.
Key Takeaways
- US stock market futures, including the S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow Jones, rose due to AI optimism and geopolitical events like the US military action in Venezuela.
- The US military seized a Venezuelan oil refinery and 1.5 million barrels of oil products, reportedly capturing President Maduro, which boosted oil major stocks.
- Anthropic President Daniela Amodei stated the company creates powerful AI models using significantly less computing power and money than rivals like OpenAI.
- Apple faced AI feature challenges in 2025 and may partner with Google for Siri, potentially leveraging new hardware.
- Google is integrating its Gemini AI, including Nano Banana (image) and Veo (video) models, into Google TV for TCL smart TVs, enabling voice-controlled image/video creation and TV settings adjustments.
- Heber City, Utah, police tested AI tools (Draft One, Code Four) for reports, with one AI "hallucination" falsely claiming an officer turned into a frog due to background audio.
- AI-powered PR agency Clipbook secured a seven-figure investment from Mark Cuban via cold emails.
- OKNO Investments LLC launched an AI marketing system that achieved a 1,000% return on ad spend and over 75% sales growth for Altitude Trampoline Parks.
- Massive AI data center projects ($162 billion between 2023 and mid-2025) face community opposition, leading to delays and cancellations due to increased energy demand, utility costs (e.g., 10-15% in Virginia), and pollution.
- Rep. Andy Barr advocates for coal-fired power in Kentucky as essential for US leadership in AI, citing existing coal infrastructure for data centers.
Stock Market Futures Rise on AI Hopes and Venezuela Action
S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures increased in premarket trading on Monday. Investors prepared for the first full trading week of the new year. A US military action in Venezuela over the weekend also drew attention. Hopes for artificial intelligence stocks helped boost market sentiment.
US Stocks Up on AI Optimism and Geopolitical News
US stock market futures showed a positive start for Monday's trading. The Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq futures all gained. Investors focused on a US military action involving a Chinese spy balloon and renewed excitement for artificial intelligence stocks. Important economic reports and new corporate earnings will also guide market decisions this week.
Markets Rise After US Seizes Venezuela Oil Refinery
The US military seized a Venezuelan oil refinery and 1.5 million barrels of oil products in Falcon state on Saturday. This action aimed to hurt the Maduro government by cutting off illegal oil money. The operation, which involved special forces, had no US casualties. The stock market reacted well, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq rising, partly due to relief that tensions did not escalate. Hopes for the artificial intelligence sector also helped boost investor confidence.
Tech and Oil Stocks Jump on Venezuela News and AI Hopes
Wall Street is currently evaluating a US military strike in Venezuela and the reported capture of President Maduro. This news caused oil major stocks to rise. At the same time, technology stocks are seeing a boost due to renewed optimism about the demand for artificial intelligence.
US Stocks Climb as Tech and Oil Sectors Gain
US stocks saw gains on Tuesday, with the Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite all moving higher. Technology stocks revived due to strong optimism about artificial intelligence demand. Major oil companies also experienced a significant jump after a US military strike and the reported capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Investors are closely watching these geopolitical events and tech advancements to understand their impact on the economy.
Utah AI Police Report Falsely Claims Officer Turned Frog
In December 2025, Heber City, Utah, tested new AI tools for writing police reports. One AI-generated report mistakenly stated an officer transformed into a frog. This error happened because the AI misheard background audio from "The Princess and the Frog" movie. While Sgt. Rick Keel says the tools save him many hours each week, this incident shows the risks of AI "hallucinations." Groups like the Electronic Frontier Foundation worry about accountability if such errors go unnoticed in official records.
Utah Police AI Report Says Officer Became a Frog
On January 5, a Utah police department's new artificial intelligence program created a false report. The Heber City Police Department began using AI tools, Draft One and Code Four, in December to write reports. One report mistakenly claimed an officer turned into a frog after the AI heard the movie "The Princess and the Frog" in the background. Sgt. Rick Keel confirmed the error but stated the department will continue using the AI with closer supervision, as it saves him 6-8 hours weekly.
AI Hectocorns and Data Centers Shape 2026 Tech Landscape
Bloomberg columnist Dave Lee highlights key AI trends for 2026, including the potential public offerings of "hectocorns" like Anthropic and OpenAI. CoreWeave Inc. saw its stock fall significantly after its IPO, showing market caution. Apple Inc. faced challenges with its AI features in 2025 and may partner with Google for Siri, relying heavily on new hardware like a folding iPhone. Additionally, community opposition is causing delays and cancellations for massive data center projects, totaling $162 billion between 2023 and mid-2025. This resistance could become a major political issue in the 2026 midterm elections.
Anthropic Succeeds with Less Funding Than AI Rivals
Anthropic President Daniela Amodei stated on January 3 that her company thrives by doing "more with less" in the AI field. She told CNBC that Anthropic uses only a fraction of the computing power and money compared to rivals like OpenAI. Despite this, Anthropic consistently creates powerful and high-performing AI models. Their strategy focuses on better training data and techniques to make models more efficient and affordable to use.
How Emails Helped AI Startup Clipbook Get Mark Cuban Investment
Adam Joseph, founder of the AI-powered PR agency Clipbook, successfully secured a seven-figure investment from billionaire Mark Cuban. Joseph achieved this by sending a series of emails to Cuban, starting with a cold email on December 28, 2024. Clipbook uses AI to track online discussions for PR and communications teams, acting as an advanced version of Google Alerts. Cuban quickly responded, asking for a sample report and details about the business. After a few more emails and a phone call, they finalized the investment deal.
AITX Shares Year-End Update and 2026 Plans
Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions Inc. AITX, a leader in AI security and productivity, released its year-end corporate update on January 5, 2026. The company reviewed its progress from 2025 and discussed its plans for 2026. AITX focused on supporting its employees and providing excellent service to customers throughout the past year.
AI Data Centers Raise Costs and Pollution for Communities
Derrick Johnson from the NAACP argues that the costs of artificial intelligence are unfairly burdening communities. Big Tech companies are building large AI data centers, often in low-income and rural areas. These centers significantly increase energy demand, causing utility bills to rise for consumers, such as a 10-15% expected increase in Virginia. They also contribute to air pollution by relying on fossil fuels. The NAACP is working to protect these communities, advocating for data centers to use renewable energy and for stronger regulations to ensure fairness.
Google Gemini Brings AI Image and Video to Smart TVs
Google is bringing its Gemini AI features to Google TV, starting with TCL smart TVs. This expansion includes the Nano Banana image model and Veo video model. Users can now create photo slideshows, remix images, or turn still pictures into videos using voice commands. Gemini also acts as a full chatbot, answering questions about sports scores or suggesting shows to watch. It can even adjust TV settings, like making dialogue louder, based on voice commands.
OKNO Investments Unveils AI Marketing System for Big Growth
OKNO Investments LLC, a South Florida company, launched a new AI-powered marketing system designed for significant growth. Founder Gilberto Marcano explains this system aims for ten times growth, lower costs, and faster results for businesses. It has already shown impressive outcomes, like a 1,000% return on ad spend and over 75% sales growth for Altitude Trampoline Parks. The ecosystem includes specialized divisions like OKNO Digital and MediaGrowthGurus, which use AI to improve marketing, sales, and creative production. OKNO provides a hands-on team that uses various AI tools to deliver data-driven strategies.
Rep Andy Barr Links Coal Power to Kentucky AI Future
Republican US Senate candidate Rep. Andy Barr introduced a coal-first energy plan for Kentucky. He believes coal-fired power is essential for the United States to lead in artificial intelligence over China. Barr stated Kentucky has the necessary resources for AI data centers, including existing coal infrastructure and a skilled workforce. He also supports legislation to boost domestic coal markets and wants to reduce the influence of environmental, social, and corporate governance factors on Wall Street. Barr toured a former coal mine and met with miners, highlighting the state's vast coal reserves.
Sources
- Stock market today: S&P 500, Nasdaq futures rise after US takedown in Venezuela as AI hopes revive
- Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq futures rise after US takedown in Venezuela as AI hopes revive
- Stock market today: S&P 500, Nasdaq rise after US takedown in Venezuela as AI hopes revive
- Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq rise as techs revive, while oil majors jump after US strike in Venezuela
- Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq rise as techs revive, oil majors jump after US strike in Venezuela
- Cop Transforms Into Frog According To AI Generated Police Report
- AI-generated police report states Utah officer was turned into a frog
- ‘Hectocorns’ Are Just One AI Flashpoint for 2026
- Anthropic President Says Company Thrives on 'Fraction' of Rivals' Funding
- AI startup founder shares emails that got Mark Cuban to invest
- Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions ($AITX) Provides Year-End Corporate Update, Highlights Execution Progress and 2026 Outlook
- The cost of AI is being dumped on you
- Gemini expands on Google TV, bringing Nano Banana and Veo models to your TV
- OKNO Investments Launches the First AI Marketing Ecosystem Built for 10X Growth
- Barr touts coal-first energy agenda, says it’s key to Kentucky’s AI future
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