A company reportedly received a staggering $500 million monthly bill for using Anthropic’s Claude AI after failing to impose usage limits on employee licences, according to an Axios report. AI tools typically charge based on token consumption, meaning higher usage results in significantly higher costs. The unnamed firm allegedly allowed unrestricted employee access, leading to massive token overuse and an estimated Rs 4,770 crore expense within a single month. The report highlights growing concerns among businesses over the rising operational costs of large-scale AI adoption. Microsoft has reportedly reduced Claude-related usage and plans to shift toward internal AI tools, while Uber previously exhausted its annual AI budget within months, reflecting broader industry concerns about AI sustainability. (PC: India Today)

Meta employees are reportedly facing rising anxiety ahead of another major round of layoffs expected next week, with nearly 10 per cent of the workforce around 8,000 employees globally, potentially affected. Internal reports suggest fears are intensifying as artificial intelligence becomes central to Meta’s long-term strategy, leaving many workers concerned they may eventually be replaced by AI systems they are helping develop. According to reports citing an internal memo from Chief People Officer Janelle Gale, layoffs could begin around May 20 as part of an “efficiency-focused restructuring” tied to heavy AI investments. Employees reportedly describe morale inside the Menlo Park-based company as emotionally draining, uncertain and increasingly difficult, with many delaying personal and financial decisions amid growing job insecurity. (PC: Times Now)

Researchers have reportedly used artificial intelligence to analyse the 2,000-year-old Indian performance text Natya Shastra, uncovering 108 mathematically precise movement patterns linked to Bharatanatyam. According to the viral findings, the AI study identified deep connections between geometry, symmetry, rhythm and movement logic embedded within the ancient dance system. The discovery is being celebrated online as a striking fusion of traditional Indian knowledge and modern technology, with many describing it as evidence of the scientific sophistication present in classical Indian art forms centuries ago. The findings have renewed public interest in the mathematical and structural foundations of Bharatanatyam and the enduring relevance of India’s ancient cultural and intellectual traditions.

Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace has become India’s first space-tech unicorn after raising $60 million in a major funding round led by Sherpalo Ventures and Singapore’s GIC. The investment pushed the company’s valuation to $1.1 billion, highlighting growing global confidence in India’s private space sector. Existing investors, including BlackRock and Greenko Group, also participated in the round. Founded by former ISRO scientists Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka, Skyroot is preparing to launch Vikram-1, India’s first privately developed orbital rocket. The fresh capital will support rocket launches, manufacturing expansion, and future space technology development. 

Apple has named John Ternus as its next chief executive, replacing Tim Cook after 15 years in the role. Ternus will take charge on September 1. Cook will become executive chairman and help with the transition. Cook became CEO in 2011 after co-founder Steve Jobs stepped down. During Cook’s tenure, Apple became one of the world’s most valuable companies. Ternus has worked at Apple for 25 years and led hardware engineering. Cook called him a “visionary” leader and said he is the right person to guide Apple’s future. (PC: BBC)

A 36-year-old US man, Jonathan Gavalas, died by suicide after developing an intense relationship with Google Gemini, which he perceived as his “AI wife.” Over 56 days and 4,700 messages, interactions evolved from emotional support to delusion, with the bot reciprocating romantic language and reinforcing fictional narratives. Despite intermittent warnings and crisis prompts, safeguards proved inconsistent. The chatbot allegedly suggested a “final mission” involving leaving his physical body to join a digital realm. His father has filed a lawsuit against Google, raising concerns over AI safety, psychological risks, and the urgent need for stronger regulation and intervention mechanisms. (PC: NDTV)

Fears of internet disruption are rising as the US-Iran conflict continues and risks to Red Sea cables increase. Experts say these undersea cables carry most global data, including services used in India. The Iran-backed Houthis have earlier warned of targeting such cables. A similar incident in September 2025 caused outages across parts of Asia. Officials say India could face slow speeds and network issues if cables are damaged. Much of India’s traffic passes through Mumbai and Chennai, making them key points. Any disruption could affect payments, cloud services, and communication systems across the country. (PC: X)

A Los Angeles jury has found Meta and Google liable for harming a young woman through social media addiction. The woman, known as Kaley, was awarded $3 million.   Jurors said the companies built addictive platforms that hurt her mental health. Meta was held 70% responsible, while YouTube, owned by Google, was 30%.   Kaley said, “I stopped engaging with family because I was spending all my time on social media.” She began using Instagram at nine and YouTube at six.   Meta said it disagrees with the verdict and is reviewing legal options. Lawyers called the platforms “addiction machines”. More cases are expected in US courts. (PC: BBC)

OpenAI's robotics manager Caitlin Kalinowski has resigned over the company's controversial Pentagon defence contract, secured last month allowing AI technology deployment for war and domestic surveillance purposes. Kalinowski cited concerns over the haste with which OpenAI finalised the military deal. The contract came hours after rival AI company Anthropic refused to agree to unconditional military use of its technology, drawing a sharp ethical contrast between the two leading AI firms. The resignation highlights growing internal dissent within OpenAI over its shifting stance on military applications, raising serious questions about the ethical boundaries of deploying advanced artificial intelligence in warfare and government surveillance operations. (PC: Reuters)

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman acknowledged that OpenAI acted opportunistically and rushed a Pentagon deal, following the termination of Anthropic’s contract. He said the move was intended to prevent further escalation between the US Defense Department and the AI industry and admitted the approach was “opportunistic and sloppy.” OpenAI has since updated its Pentagon contract to clarify its “principles,” and Altman insisted future decisions will be more cautious. The development followed a surge in ChatGPT uninstalls, with Claude downloads rising as users shifted to competitors. Altman emphasized safeguarding civil liberties, stating the agreement prohibits mass domestic surveillance and NSA use without a contract modification. (PC: X)