Anthropic Talks and Apple Expansion Set Stage for AI Boom

Anthropic's CFO Krishna Rao is meeting with potential investors ahead of a possible initial public offering. These talks have been high-level and didn't include discussions about specific financials or valuation, according to sources.

The AI startup's meetings come as competitor OpenAI announced the departure of its revenue chief Denise Dresser, who joined less than a year ago. Databricks also closed a $5 billion funding round at a $190 billion valuation yesterday to invest in enterprise AI.

'Big Short' investor Steve Eisman says the overall AI boom has become dependent on OpenAI and Anthropic's success, creating an 'Achilles' heel' for the story. Tech stocks led the market higher yesterday, propelling the S&P 500 above 7,800 for the first time ever.

Apple CEO Tim Cook opened a new manufacturing facility in Houston that will produce Mac Minis and offer free training and classes. The facility's opening comes near the end of Cook's tenure as CEO and could be a taste of what his future might look like.