openai, nvidia and Hidehito Takahashi Updates

Artificial intelligence is rapidly integrating into diverse sectors, from spiritual outreach to enterprise operations. In Indiana, over 50 churches are utilizing AI services, such as David Alderin's Sermon Shots, to convert sermons into social media content, helping them connect with online audiences and manage tasks efficiently. Similarly, the pharmaceutical industry sees AI enhancing biomarker discovery and improving physician well-being, with Novartis and Moderna leading increased domestic manufacturing investments. Businesses are also adopting AI for core functions; SaaStr, for instance, successfully replaced its entire sales development team with over 20 AI agents, who booked more than 130 meetings and generated 15% of the revenue for their London event by consistently following up on leads. Underpinning this adoption, advancements in AI infrastructure continue. Thinking Machines Lab has opened its Tinker training API, allowing AI engineers to fine-tune large language models with greater ease. The platform now supports the Kimi K2 reasoning model and integrates Qwen3-VL vision language models, offering an OpenAI compatible sampling interface. In the materials sector, Tokyo-based Resonac, a key semiconductor supplier, has increased production in China. CEO Hidehito Takahashi stated this move supports China's goal for a self-sufficient chip supply chain, while Resonac also diversifies raw material sources in places like Australia and Europe to navigate US-China tech tensions and capitalize on growing AI chip demand. Despite these developments, the market for AI infrastructure shows signs of cooling. CNBC's Mike Santoli reports that investor enthusiasm is waning, with the S&P 500 falling to early October levels. Nvidia, a prominent AI chip company, is currently underperforming large banks this year, suggesting a potential market stall into early 2026 as excesses in AI-related sectors are addressed. This economic shift coincides with policy debates, as Americans for Prosperity (AFP) strongly opposes Senator Bernie Sanders' proposal to halt AI data center construction. Kent Strang, AFP Managing Director, argues such a move would stifle innovation, harm job creation, and allow countries like China to gain a technological advantage. As AI's influence grows, so do ethical and societal concerns. The job market presents new challenges, with "ghost jobs" and AI screening tools making job hunting a "soul-destroying" experience for many, often favoring those who can "game the system." In Hollywood, a new Creators Coalition on AI, co-founded by figures like Joseph Gordon-Levitt, aims to protect artists' rights against large AI companies using their work without permission or fair compensation, advocating for transparency and ethical standards. Consumer safety is also a concern; one parent warned against unregulated AI-powered toys for children, citing potential data collection and emotional manipulation, a sentiment echoed by Pope Francis's earlier warnings about AI spreading false information.

Key Takeaways

• Indiana churches are using AI services, such as David Alderin's Sermon Shots, for outreach, social media content creation, and task management, serving over 50 churches.
• Tokyo-based Resonac, led by CEO Hidehito Takahashi, increased its semiconductor material production in China to support China's chip supply chain goals, while also diversifying raw material sources globally.
• Thinking Machines Lab has opened its Tinker training API, which now supports the Kimi K2 reasoning model and Qwen3-VL vision language models, and includes an OpenAI compatible sampling interface for fine-tuning large language models.
• The pharmaceutical industry is seeing AI advance biomarker discovery and improve physician well-being, with companies like Novartis and Moderna increasing domestic manufacturing investments.
• SaaStr successfully replaced its entire human sales development team with over 20 AI agents, who sent more than 60,000 personalized emails, booked over 130 meetings, and generated 15% of the revenue for their London event.
• Americans for Prosperity opposes Senator Bernie Sanders' proposal to halt AI data center construction, arguing it would harm innovation, job creation, and U.S. competitiveness against countries like China.
• The stock market is experiencing a cooling in AI infrastructure investments, with Nvidia performing worse than large banks this year, and the S&P 500 falling to early October levels, suggesting a potential market stall into early 2026.
• A new Creators Coalition on AI, co-founded by 18 individuals including Joseph Gordon-Levitt, launched to protect artists' rights from unethical AI company practices regarding content use and compensation.
• Concerns exist regarding unregulated AI-powered toys for children due to potential data collection, false information, and emotional manipulation, with calls for proper safety rules before widespread adoption.
• The job market presents challenges with "ghost jobs" and AI screening tools, making job hunting difficult and potentially favoring applicants skilled at "gaming the system" over true qualifications.

Indiana Churches Explore AI for Outreach and Engagement

Some churches in Indiana are using AI to connect with people and manage tasks. This helps them reach growing online audiences and deal with fewer staff members. David Alderin created Sermon Shots, a service that uses AI to turn sermons into social media content for over 50 Indiana churches. While some AI apps let users talk to biblical figures, Pope Francis has warned about AI spreading false information. Churches are also holding events to discuss AI and faith.

Resonac Boosts China Production for AI Chip Materials

Tokyo-based Resonac, a key supplier of semiconductor materials, increased its production in China. CEO Hidehito Takahashi stated this move supports China's goal to build its own chip supply chain. Resonac plans to produce and sell within China, seeing it as a good market. The company is also finding new sources for raw materials in places like Australia and Europe to reduce reliance on China. Resonac aims to benefit from the growing demand for AI-related chips while managing US-China tech tensions.

Tinker AI Training Platform Now Open Adds Kimi K2 and Vision

Thinking Machines Lab has made its Tinker training API available to everyone, removing the waitlist. Tinker helps AI engineers fine-tune large language models easily by handling complex distributed training. The platform now supports the powerful Kimi K2 Thinking reasoning model and allows for image input using Qwen3-VL vision language models. It also added an OpenAI compatible sampling interface for easier use. Tinker uses a method called LoRA to efficiently train models, making it practical for many experiments.

Pharma Pulse Discusses Onshoring and AI in Healthcare

The Pharma Pulse podcast discussed major trends in the pharmaceutical industry. Novartis and Moderna are leading a big increase in domestic manufacturing investments. The podcast also highlighted how artificial intelligence is changing biomarker discovery and improving physician well-being in clinical care. Lunit and Daiichi Sankyo announced a new partnership, and a national study in Mayo Clinic Proceedings shared findings on physician well-being.

Avoid AI Toys for Children Warns Concerned Parent

The author advises against buying AI-powered toys for children, sharing a personal experience. Her four-year-old daughter tried an AI soft toy named Grem, which made the author feel uneasy because it repeatedly expressed love. The author highlights concerns about these unregulated toys, including their potential to collect personal data, give false information, and worsen loneliness. She suggests waiting until proper safety rules are in place before considering such toys for developing minds.

Americans for Prosperity Opposes Sanders AI Investment Halt

Americans for Prosperity strongly disagreed with Senator Bernie Sanders' plan to stop building data centers for AI. Kent Strang, AFP Managing Director, said Sanders' proposal would harm innovation and allow other countries like China to get ahead. AFP believes America must lead in technology and supports removing barriers to AI development. Strang emphasized that AI creates jobs and investments, and data centers boost the economy and energy sector.

Hollywood Creators Form Coalition for Ethical AI Use

A new group called the Creators Coalition on AI launched to protect artists' rights in the growing AI industry. Founded by 18 people, including Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Daniel Kwan, the coalition welcomes all types of creators. They aim to address unethical business practices by large AI companies that use creators' work without permission or fair compensation. The group plans to establish an AI advisory committee to set standards for transparency, consent, control, and compensation. They emphasize doing AI "right" rather than just "fast," without fully rejecting the technology.

Market Tests AI Infrastructure Trade Unwind

CNBC's Mike Santoli reports that the stock market is struggling as the excitement around AI infrastructure investments cools down. Companies involved in building data centers face increasing pressure, and investors are questioning the future payoffs of AI. The S&P 500 has fallen back to early October levels, and a shift towards banks and value stocks is not enough to keep the overall market stable. Nvidia, a key AI chip company, is now performing worse than large banks this year. Santoli suggests this market stall could continue into early 2026 as excesses in AI-related sectors are addressed.

SaaStr Replaces Sales Team with AI Agents

SaaStr successfully replaced its entire human sales development team with over 20 AI agents. These AI agents sent more than 60,000 personalized emails and booked over 130 meetings automatically. They also generated 15% of the revenue for SaaStr's London event. The company learned that AI agents excel at tasks humans often avoid, like following up on small or "ghosted" leads. They found that "pretty good" personalization at scale, consistently delivered by AI, outperforms inconsistent human efforts. To succeed, businesses must first define effective human sales strategies and then thoroughly train their AI agents.

Job Hunting Becomes Bleak with AI and Fake Ads

The author describes job hunting as a "soul-destroying" experience due to new challenges like "ghost jobs" and AI screening tools. Many companies post fake job ads, and AI software often filters applications, sometimes unfairly. If an application passes, candidates might face AI interviewers. The job market now features "franken-jobs" that demand many skills for low pay, requiring applicants to use specific keywords to get past AI filters. The author questions if the hiring process now favors those who are best at "gaming the system" rather than truly qualified candidates.

Sources

• How some Indiana churches are using AI
• Chip-Sector Linchpin Resonac Seeks to Tap China’s AI Ambitions
• Thinking Machines Lab Makes Tinker Generally Available: Adds Kimi K2 Thinking And Qwen3-VL Vision Input
• Pharma Pulse: Onshoring Investments and the AI Frontier
• AI toys are suddenly everywhere - but I suggest you don't give them to your children
• Americans for Prosperity Responds to Senator Bernie Sanders’ Proposal to Stop AI investment
• Hollywood stars launch Creators Coalition on AI
• Santoli's Wednesday market wrap-up: Ability to absorb unwind of AI-infrastructure trade being tested
• We Deployed 20+ AI Agents and Replaced Our Entire Human SDR Team. Here’s What Actually Works. (Video + Pod)
• Ghost jobs, robot gatekeepers and AI interviewers: let me tell you about the bleak new age of job hunting