TL;DR

Tesla debuts paid robotaxi pilot in Austin; OpenAI previews humanoid roadmap, new developer tools; CoreWeave leads AI infra stocks.

Highlights

• Tesla launched its first paid, fully driverless robotaxi pilot in Austin, Texas, using 10–20 Model Ys with a safety monitor in the passenger seat and geofenced, invite-only service 13.
• Texas lawmakers requested Tesla delay the launch until stricter AV rules take effect in September, but Tesla is proceeding under current regulations 23.
• OpenAI CEO Sam Altman outlined plans for future humanoid robot integration for premium ChatGPT subscribers and previewed new developer tools, including “Sign in with ChatGPT” and enhanced workspace features 4.
• CoreWeave led U.S. large-cap stock gains in 2025 with a 359% YTD surge, reflecting strong demand for AI cloud infrastructure 5.
• The Democratic Republic of Congo extended its cobalt export ban by three months, maintaining pressure on battery and electronics supply chains 7.
• Bitcoin dropped below $100,000 amid U.S.–Iran tensions, with over $700 million in crypto liquidations and large ETH and BTC whale movements 89.
• U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites led to widespread GPS jamming, airline reroutes, and heightened cyber and operational risks in the region 1114.
• Iranian hackers briefly compromised an Israeli authority’s X account, part of ongoing regional cyber activity 10.
• Investors and analysts see significant long-term value in Tesla ’s robotaxi service, but regulatory and safety challenges remain 3.

Commentary

Tesla ’s Austin robotaxi launch is a significant test for camera-only autonomous driving and the company’s push toward recurring software-based revenue 13. The pilot’s invite-only, geofenced approach and the presence of a safety monitor reflect both regulatory caution and the evolving legal landscape, with Texas set to implement stricter AV rules in September 23. The outcome of this pilot—and regulatory response—will inform the pace and scope of further U.S. robotaxi rollouts, especially as Tesla aims to scale to 1,000 vehicles and introduce a purpose-built Cybercab 3.

OpenAI’s roadmap signals a continued push to expand its platform’s reach. The combination of future humanoid robotics for premium users and new developer tools like “Sign in with ChatGPT” and enhanced workspace features suggests an effort to deepen enterprise and developer engagement 4. Altman’s call for differentiated use cases, rather than direct competition with ChatGPT, is a clear signal to the ecosystem to focus on vertical and workflow-specific AI solutions 4.

CoreWeave’s outsized stock gains highlight persistent investor appetite for AI infrastructure, even as supply chain risks linger 5. The extension of Congo’s cobalt export ban underscores ongoing vulnerability in hardware supply, particularly for battery and electronics manufacturers critical to both AI and EV sectors 7.

Geopolitical instability—particularly U.S.–Iran tensions—has direct implications for digital infrastructure and operational risk. Widespread GPS jamming 11, airspace disruptions 14, and increased cyber activity 10 all raise the bar for resilience in AI and cloud operations with regional exposure. Crypto market volatility and large-scale liquidations further illustrate the interconnectedness of geopolitical events and digital asset markets 89.