AI, Crypto Anxiety Creates Volatile Week for Markets

OpenAI has announced the release of GPT-5.1, described as a 'warmer' model, alongside Baidu's unveiling of ERNIE 5.0, marking significant advancements in AI technology. This development is part of a broader trend in AI where companies are enhancing their models to improve user experience and functionality.

OpenAI has partnered with Foxconn to co-design and manufacture hardware for AI data centers in the United States, focusing on essential components such as cabling, networking, cooling, and power systems. This collaboration aims to enhance the infrastructure required to support OpenAI's growing artificial intelligence initiatives.

OpenAI has temporarily closed its San Francisco offices following an alleged threat from an activist who reportedly expressed intentions to cause physical harm to its employees. The warning was communicated via an internal message on OpenAI's Slack platform.

OpenAI has announced that it will retire its GPT-4o model from the API platform on February 16, 2026. This decision follows a notification sent to API customers, allowing a three-month transition period for applications still utilizing GPT-4o. While the model will be removed from the API, it will continue to be available to individual users of ChatGPT across various subscription tiers. The company considers GPT-4o a legacy system with lower usage compared to the newer GPT-5.1 series.

A sanctioned Russian oil tanker changed its course while heading to Venezuela after encountering a U.S. Navy destroyer in the Caribbean, as reported by vessel-tracking data analyzed by Bloomberg.

Bloomberg’s Caroline Hyde reports on the recent volatility in markets driven by investor anxiety surrounding AI and cryptocurrency. OpenAI has partnered with Foxconn to design AI data center hardware in the US, while Cerebras CEO Andrew Feldman comments on the US approval for advanced AI chips to be sold to the Middle East.

Canva's COO, Cliff Obrecht, discussed the company's upcoming product rollouts and leadership enhancements as it prepares for a public offering. This announcement was made during an interview with Caroline Hyde on Bloomberg Tech.

Meta is entering the power trading market to support its AI expansion, committing to long-term energy contracts to assist plant developers. This strategic move aims to bolster Meta's infrastructure as it continues to grow its artificial intelligence capabilities.