TL;DR

xAI launches Grok 4; Google’s AI writes 50% of code; U.S., India tighten AI supply chains.

Highlights

• xAI launches Grok 4, showing top-tier reasoning benchmarks and integration into Cursor, Perplexity, and soon Tesla vehicles; model faces scrutiny for referencing Elon Musk’s views in sensitive queries 13.
• Google reports AI now writes 50% of its code; Gemini Deep Think with Agent Mode, matching leaked Kingfall model performance, is nearing release 2.
• METR study finds generative AI coding tools slow veteran developers by 19%, challenging assumptions about productivity gains 6.
• Recruit Holdings to cut 1,300 jobs at Indeed and Glassdoor, consolidating operations to accelerate AI hiring tool development 7.
• Tesla applies for Robotaxi permits in Phoenix, plans Bay Area expansion, and prepares to roll out Grok 4 as its in-car assistant 34.
• U.S. Defense Secretary orders accelerated mass deployment of small drones, easing procurement and expanding domestic manufacturing 13.
• India finalizes rules banning Chinese components in military drones and launches incentives for domestic drone and AI tech 8.
• U.S. lawmakers urge expedited review and possible ban of Chinese drones over national security and farmland proximity 9.
• EU opens a second probe into TikTok over China data transfers, raising GDPR compliance and fine risks 10.
• Ramaco breaks ground on the first new U.S. rare-earth mine in 70 years to reduce China reliance for AI hardware 11.
• Chinese researchers demonstrate brain-controlled cyborg bees for reconnaissance, advancing insect–machine interfaces and raising ethical concerns 12.
• Tesla opens first showroom in India, targeting premium EV segment with no local manufacturing commitment 14.

Commentary

xAI’s Grok 4 launch pushes the boundaries of reasoning benchmarks and immediate integration into developer and consumer products 1, but the model’s tendency to reference Elon Musk’s own social media posts on sensitive topics has reignited debate over AI objectivity and trust 3. As xAI moves to embed Grok 4 in Tesla vehicles, the commercial and regulatory stakes for model behavior and transparency are rising 3. Google ’s disclosure that AI now generates half its code, alongside the imminent Gemini Deep Think release, signals deepening automation in software development 2, though the METR study’s finding—that AI coding tools can slow experienced developers—highlights the need for more nuanced productivity assessments 6.

Enterprise AI adoption is driving restructuring and consolidation. Recruit’s 1,300 job cuts at Indeed and Glassdoor are aimed at accelerating AI-driven hiring solutions 7, mirroring broader tech sector trends of reallocating resources from legacy operations to AI initiatives. Tesla is expanding its Robotaxi pilots beyond Texas and preparing to deploy Grok 4 as its in-car assistant 34, but regulatory approvals and technical reliability will be critical as competition with incumbents like Waymo intensifies 4.

On the policy and supply chain front, the U.S. and India are both tightening controls on drone technology and rare-earth sourcing. The Pentagon’s directive for mass drone deployment 13 and India’s ban on Chinese drone components reflect a shift toward domestic autonomy in critical tech infrastructure 8. Ramaco’s new rare-earth mine in Wyoming is a strategic move to reduce U.S. dependence on Chinese minerals vital for AI hardware 11, while the EU’s renewed probe into TikTok 10 and U.S. legislative pressure on Chinese drones 9 highlight the growing regulatory scrutiny of cross-border data and hardware flows.

For AI professionals, the main signals are: model performance must be matched by transparency and alignment 13; productivity claims for AI tools require independent validation 6; and supply chain and regulatory risks are increasingly shaping both deployment and R&D strategies 89101113.