Anthropic is expanding its AI reach to small businesses with a new service called Claude for Small Business. This tool embeds AI directly into familiar finance and marketing applications rather than relying solely on chat windows. To ensure safety, users must approve every action the AI takes before execution. The company is also partnering with PayPal to launch a free online course titled AI Fluency for Small Business, which includes nine video lessons taught by experts and business owners. Participants receive a certificate upon completion.
Anthropic and PayPal are hosting in-person workshops across the U.S. to teach entrepreneurs how to use these tools safely. They are also launching a tour that will offer live training to 100 local business leaders at each stop. Meanwhile, in the biotech sector, Metis TechBio listed on the Hong Kong stock market, raising HK$2.1 billion in its initial public offering. Shares jumped as much as 185% during the debut, with the stock price reaching HK$29.98, far above the offering price of HK$10.50.
In the energy and computing space, MARA Holdings reported a net loss of US$1.26 billion for the first quarter of 2026, largely due to a US$1.0 billion drop in the value of its Bitcoin holdings. The company is pivoting away from crypto mining to build AI-focused data centers after acquiring Long Ridge Energy & Power. Elsewhere, financial services firms are leading AI adoption, with 85% planning to increase their AI budgets over the next year despite challenges with data quality.
Key Takeaways
['Anthropic launched Claude for Small Business to embed AI directly into familiar business software like finance and marketing apps.', 'Users of Claude for Small Business must approve every AI action before it happens to maintain control.', 'PayPal and Anthropic partnered to offer a free course called AI Fluency for Small Business featuring nine video lessons.', "The AI Fluency program aims to support PayPal's goal of training 25 million people by 2030.", 'Anthropic and PayPal are hosting a tour to provide live training to 100 local business leaders at each stop.', 'Metis TechBio raised HK$2.1 billion in its initial public offering on the Hong Kong stock market.', 'Metis TechBio shares jumped as much as 185% during its debut, reaching HK$29.98 in early trading.', 'MARA Holdings reported a net loss of US$1.26 billion for the first quarter of 2026 due to a US$1.0 billion drop in Bitcoin holdings.', 'MARA Holdings is pivoting from crypto mining to build AI-focused data centers after acquiring Long Ridge Energy & Power.', 'Eighty-five percent of financial and insurance firms plan to increase their AI budgets over the next year.']Anthropic brings AI tools to small businesses
Anthropic launched a new service called Claude for Small Business to help smaller companies use artificial intelligence. This tool embeds AI directly into familiar software like finance and marketing apps instead of just using a chat window. Users must approve every action the AI takes before it happens to keep businesses in control. The company also partnered with PayPal to offer a free online course called AI Fluency for Small Business. Additionally, Anthropic is hosting in-person workshops across the U.S. to teach entrepreneurs how to use these new tools safely.
PayPal and Anthropic offer free AI training
PayPal and Anthropic are teaming up to provide free AI training for small and medium-sized businesses. Their program, AI Fluency for Small Business, includes nine video lessons taught by experts and business owners. Participants will receive a certificate of completion after finishing the course. This initiative supports PayPal's goal of training 25 million people by 2030. At the same time, Anthropic is launching a plugin that connects its Claude AI chatbot to various business tools.
PayPal and Anthropic bring AI to local businesses
PayPal and Anthropic launched a new online course to help local business owners use AI safely and effectively. The course features nine on-demand lessons and provides a certificate upon completion. Anthropic also introduced a new plugin called Claude for Small Business that connects AI to business platforms. Together, the companies are launching a tour that will offer live training to 100 local business leaders at each stop. This effort aims to give entrepreneurs the skills needed to compete and grow in the AI economy.
Metis TechBio stock soars after Hong Kong listing
Shares of Metis TechBio jumped as much as 185% during its debut on the Hong Kong stock market. This biotechnology firm uses artificial intelligence to design and deliver drugs. The company raised HK$2.1 billion in its initial public offering. Its stock price reached HK$29.98 in early trading, far above the offering price of HK$10.50. Metis TechBio is the third AI-driven drug developer to list in Hong Kong recently.
AI drug firm Metis TechBio lists in Hong Kong
Hong Kong-listed biotech firm Metis TechBio used AI to create nano-rockets for delivering life-saving drugs. The company's stock surged 173% on its debut day as investors showed strong demand. CEO Lai Tsai-Ta compared the startup to SpaceX for the pharmaceutical industry. The firm raised HK$2.11 billion by selling over 201 million shares. Both retail and institutional investors bought the stock, joining a wave of Chinese high-tech companies listing in the city.
MARA Holdings shifts focus from Bitcoin to AI
MARA Holdings reported a net loss of US$1.26 billion for the first quarter of 2026. This loss was mostly due to a US$1.0 billion drop in the value of its Bitcoin holdings. The company is now pivoting away from crypto mining to build AI-focused data centers. MARA acquired Long Ridge Energy & Power to support this new strategy. Investors are watching closely to see if this shift toward high-performance computing will lead to future growth.
New AI law changes hiring rules in Connecticut
Connecticut passed the AI Responsibility and Transparency Act, which affects how employers use AI in hiring. The law requires companies to tell applicants if an automated tool is making decisions about them. Employers must also provide written notice explaining the tool's purpose and the data it uses. These rules take effect in stages starting October 1, 2026. Violations are considered unfair trade practices that the attorney general can enforce.
Markets bet heavily on Kevin Warsh as Fed Chair
Prediction markets show Kevin Warsh is the overwhelming favorite to become the next Federal Reserve Chair. Over $59.3 million has been invested in bets regarding the Fed Chair position. Other candidates like Judy Shelton and Jerome Powell have near-zero odds of winning. Beyond politics, prediction markets are also tracking events like whether Donald Trump will visit China and when Bitcoin will hit $150,000. Total trading volume across these markets reached $42.3 million in a single day.
AstraZeneca partners with Owkin for AI drug research
Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca signed a three-year deal with Owkin to use artificial intelligence for cancer research. The partnership gives AstraZeneca access to Owkin's AI Scientist platform, which identifies new targets for cancer therapy. This collaboration aims to speed up the development of new cancer treatments. Owkin's technology has already found targets for several cancer types in previous projects.
Financial firms lead AI adoption with budget boosts
Financial services companies are using AI more than any other industry for tasks like revenue and risk management. Sixty-five percent of these firms use AI for accounting, while 60% use it for credit risk and sales forecasting. Eighty-five percent of financial and insurance firms plan to increase their AI budgets over the next year. The main challenge remains data quality, as fragmented information limits how far AI can be applied to customer-facing tasks.
SoftBank invests $457 million in Graphcore AI chips
SoftBank Group injected over $450 million into British AI chipmaker Graphcore. This investment supports SoftBank's goal of building a complete AI infrastructure empire. The funding comes as the global race for AI computing power intensifies. Graphcore develops Intelligence Processing Units designed specifically for AI workloads. SoftBank already owns Arm Holdings and Ampere Computing to strengthen its position in the AI hardware market.
AI boom drives massive energy demand and stock gains
The massive spending boom on artificial intelligence requires huge amounts of electricity and energy. Estimates for AI capital spending in 2026 have nearly doubled to $725 billion. This growth is expected to benefit natural gas and solar energy providers significantly. Two under-the-radar energy stocks are predicted to see major gains as hyperscalers expand their AI operations. The total investment in energy for AI is comparable to the market value of major companies like JPMorgan Chase.
Missouri AI bill fails in House committee
A Missouri House committee voted down a bill aimed at regulating artificial intelligence. The legislation failed 11-0 due to concerns about enforcement and drafting errors. The bill originally sought to clarify liability for harm caused by AI systems. State senators worried the rules might jeopardize nearly $900 million in federal funds for rural internet expansion. The White House had asked for changes to the liability provisions before the vote.
Sources
- Anthropic Puts AI in Small Business Tools
- PayPal (PYPL) and Anthropic Offer AI Training Courses for Small Businesses
- PayPal and Anthropic Take AI to Main Street Businesses
- AI Life Science Firm Metis TechBio Set for HK Debut After IPO
- Hong Kong biotech firm uses AI to make nano-rockets to deliver life-saving drugs
- Is MARA’s Bitcoin Hit And AI Data Center Pivot Altering The Investment Case For MARA (MARA)?
- AI Responsibility and Transparency Act: Key Workplace Impacts » CBIA
- Fed Chair Odds: Markets Weigh In
- AstraZeneca pens agentic AI licensing deal with Owkin
- Financial Services Firms Lead Enterprise AI Adoption as 85% Boost Budgets
- SoftBank Deepens AI Hardware Push With Fresh $457 Million Injection Into Graphcore
- Hyperscalers' AI buildout will require massive amounts of energy. Two under-the-radar stocks will benefit
- Missouri AI regulations founder in House committee despite White House go-ahead
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