Anthropic raises $2B as OpenAI unveils AI phone with 30 million units

Key Takeaways

• Samsung Electronics reached a $1 trillion market valuation, becoming the second Asian company to do so after TSMC, driven by AI demand for high-bandwidth memory chips.
• Samsung's memory chip business sales increased 53% in Q1 compared to last year, and the company faces intense competition from SK Hynix.
• Retail investors can now trade shares of private AI companies like Anthropic, OpenAI, and SpaceX through crypto platforms, available 24/7 with leverage.
• OpenAI is fast-tracking development of its first AI phone, with mass production targeted for early 2027 and combined 2027-2028 shipments estimated at 30 million units.
• OpenAI acquired io, an AI device startup founded by former Apple design chief Jony Ive, in May 2025.
• Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) selected 65 fellows for its inaugural Growth Engineer Fellowship, including employees from OpenAI, Replit, Notion, and Coinbase.
• a16z led a Series A funding round for Ethos, an AI platform connecting experts to roles, with over 35,000 experts joining weekly and top earners making over $10,000 per month.
• The 2026 IBM CEO Study identifies five key plays for AI-first transformation, including setting clear goals, developing governance, investing in talent, leveraging AI for business outcomes, and fostering innovation.
• Block introduced AI-powered tools like Square's Managerbot and expanded partnerships with Uber Eats and Black Seed Bagels to strengthen its commerce platform.
• Analysts highlight three potentially undervalued AI stocks: Figma (down 85% from its high but with strong retention), SentinelOne (22% ARR growth), and Meta Platforms (using user data for AI training).

Samsung hits $1 trillion valuation as AI rally lifts shares over 10%

Samsung Electronics shares surged more than 10% on Wednesday, pushing the company's market value past $1 trillion. Samsung became the second Asian company to reach this milestone, after TSMC. The rally was driven by strong demand for high-bandwidth memory chips used in artificial intelligence systems. Samsung faces intense competition from rival SK Hynix in the AI memory market but is working to narrow the gap.

Samsung reaches $1 trillion valuation on strong AI demand

Samsung Electronics became the world's first publicly traded company to reach a $1 trillion market value, driven by strong demand for high-bandwidth memory chips used in AI and other technologies. The company's shares rose 2.5% to close at $2,350.50. Samsung's memory chip business sales increased by 53% in the first quarter compared to last year. Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong said the company will continue investing in research and development to meet growing demand.

AI boom pushes Samsung to $1T

Samsung reached a $1 trillion valuation on Wednesday as shares surged more than 10%, driven by the AI frenzy fueling demand for chips. Samsung is only the second Asian company to cross the trillion-dollar threshold, after TSMC. The company's profit boom is centered on high-bandwidth memory chips critical to AI systems. Samsung faces intense competition from rival SK Hynix in the same market.

The Best AI Stocks Wall Street Is Sleeping On in 2026

This article highlights three AI stocks that may be undervalued by Wall Street. Figma, a collaborative design platform, has fallen 85% from its high but still shows strong customer retention and revenue growth. SentinelOne, a cybersecurity company that built its platform around AI, increased annual recurring revenue by 22% in its latest quarter. Meta Platforms, the digital advertising giant, plans to use its massive user data to train AI models and reported strong financial results.

The Best AI Stocks Wall Street Is Sleeping On in 2026

This article identifies three AI stocks that may be undervalued despite the overall AI boom. Figma, a collaborative design platform, has fallen 85% from its high but maintains strong customer loyalty and revenue growth. SentinelOne, a cybersecurity company built around AI, increased annual recurring revenue by 22% in its fiscal 2026 fourth quarter. Meta Platforms, the social media and advertising giant, plans to leverage its massive user data to train AI models and reported strong financial results.

AI's Hottest Private Companies Have Booming Crypto Shadow Market

A new market has emerged where retail investors can trade shares of private AI companies like Anthropic, OpenAI, and SpaceX through crypto platforms. These trades are available 24 hours a day with leverage, giving ordinary investors access to companies they normally could not invest in. The trend represents a new frontier in financial markets, using crypto infrastructure to bet on the most valuable private AI companies.

What Block (SQ)'s New AI Commerce Tools and Partnerships Mean For Shareholders

Bank of America Securities began covering Block in late April 2026, highlighting the company's AI-driven efficiency efforts. Block has introduced new products such as Square's Managerbot and expanded partnerships with merchants and platforms like Uber Eats and Black Seed Bagels. These developments show how Block is using artificial intelligence and integrated commerce tools to strengthen its role in consumer payments and multi-location business operations.

a16z Taps AI Growth Leaders

Venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) has selected 65 individuals for its inaugural Growth Engineer Fellowship. The fellows include growth engineers and AI strategists from companies like OpenAI, Replit, Notion, Coinbase, ElevenLabs, Perplexity, and Clay. Thousands applied globally for a spot in the program. The fellows are focused on driving growth at prominent AI organizations and pushing the boundaries of growth engineering.

Ethos Secures Series A for AI Opportunity Platform

Ethos has raised Series A funding led by venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). The startup is building AI-powered infrastructure to connect people with economic opportunities by matching experts to diverse roles. The platform uses AI voice agents to capture knowledge and expertise often missed by traditional profiles. Ethos reports over 35,000 experts joining weekly, with top earners making over $10,000 per month.

Discover 10 Free AI Trading Bot Apps to Help Beginners Start Quant Trading Easily

This article lists 10 free AI trading bot apps that can help beginners start quant trading. Quant trading uses computer programs to execute trades based on predefined rules. The apps listed include Zignals, TradingView, Haasonline, Ctrader, Dukascopy, FXCM, Oanda, Interactive Brokers, Ally Invest, and eToro. These tools provide real-time market data, analysis, and automated trading capabilities.

Astera Labs stock climbs as the company strives to make AI chips more powerful

Astera Labs stock was up in after-hours trading on Tuesday following upbeat earnings results. The connectivity company has been one of the hottest chip stocks in recent weeks. Astera Labs focuses on making AI chips more powerful through its connectivity solutions.

2026 CEO Study: 5 plays for AI-first transformation

The 2026 IBM Institute for Business Value CEO Study reveals that AI-first CEOs are executing on strategy more successfully and scaling more AI initiatives. The study highlights five key plays for AI-first transformation: setting clear goals for AI adoption, developing a robust AI governance framework, investing in AI talent, leveraging AI to drive business outcomes, and fostering a culture of innovation. These leaders are driving business value by using AI to transform their organizations.

OpenAI Is Reportedly Building an AI Phone And Taking Aim at the iPhone

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reports that OpenAI is fast-tracking development of its first AI phone, with mass production now targeted for early 2027. The phone's standout feature is expected to be its image processor, designed to improve how the camera captures and interprets real-world scenes for AI. Kuo predicts combined 2027 to 2028 shipments could reach around 30 million units. OpenAI acquired io, an AI device startup founded by former Apple design chief Jony Ive, in May 2025.

Sources

• Samsung hits $1 trillion valuation as AI rally lifts shares over 10%
• Samsung reaches $1 trillion valuation on strong AI demand
• AI boom pushes Samsung to $1T
• The Best AI Stocks Wall Street Is Sleeping On in 2026
• The Best AI Stocks Wall Street Is Sleeping On in 2026
• AI’s Hottest Private Companies Have Booming Crypto Shadow Market
• What Block (SQ)'s New AI Commerce Tools and Partnerships Mean For Shareholders
• a16z Taps AI Growth Leaders
• Ethos Secures Series A for AI Opportunity Platform
• Discover 10 Free AI Trading Bot Apps to Help Beginners Start Quant Trading Easily
• Astera Labs’ stock climbs as the company strives to make AI chips more powerful
• 2026 CEO Study: 5 plays for AI-first transformation
• OpenAI Is Reportedly Building an AI Phone — And Taking Aim at the iPhone