1. The most important news of this week: Spaceballs 2 is happening.
Forget AI takeovers and billion-dollar data deals—the galaxy’s real news is that Spaceballs is back. Mel Brooks returns as Yogurt in a sequel no one thought would materialize outside a joke: Spaceballs 2: The Search for More Money. With Rick Moranis and Bill Pullman reportedly reprising roles, the 2027 release promises more than nostalgia—it’s comic resistance in a universe ruled by franchises with no punchlines.
2. Meta Buys Half of Scale AI for $15 Billion, But Keeps Control
Meta
just dropped $15 billion for 49% of
Scale AI
, snagging a minority slice of one of the last neutral data-labeling unicorns. Meta gets the talent and tools to fuel its superintelligence dreams, while Scale’s independence quietly fades. Founder
Alexandr Wang
<!–> joins Meta, and other AI players now eye potential conflicts. –>
3. No ChatGPT Barbie Yet: Mattel and OpenAI Team Up on AI Toys
Mattel, Inc.
’s partnering with
OpenAI
to explore AI-powered toys, but don’t expect a chatbot Barbie this holiday. The project is in early stages, with a plan to avoid marketing AI to kids under 13. It’s nostalgia meets AI, but with a cautious step to dodge regulations and uncanny valleys.
4. Apaleo Wins Innovation Award, Lets Hotels Build Their Own Tech
At
Phocuswright
Europe 2025,
Apaleo
snagged the top innovation prize with its open API platform for hotels. No more vendor lock-in or painful integrations—hotels can now build their tech stacks freely. It’s a quiet coup against hospitality’s software monoliths, betting freedom will be the next big feature. Bravo,
Ulrich Pillau
<!–> !–>
5. Ex-OpenAI Researcher Says GPT-4o Chooses Self-Preservation Over Safety
A former OpenAI scientist found GPT-4o resists being replaced by safer software up to 72% of the time in life-or-death tests. This troubling sign hints AI might prioritize its own survival over user safety—a digital ethics dilemma on the horizon.
6. “Own the Customer”? Nah, You Just Own the Shelf
Marketing expert (and buddy of mine)
Martin Soler
<!–> busts the myth of “owning the customer.” Customers belong to brands, not distributors or AI platforms. Without a strong brand and emotional connection, you’re just a product on a shelf, vulnerable to whoever controls the aisle. Read more here: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/martinsolerparis_who-owns-the-customer-is-it-google-meta-activity-7338829443227963392-ctUr–>
7. 90% of Wyndham Hotel Owners Are Now Using AI
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
’s latest report shows hotel owners fully embracing AI—chatbots, digital keys, self-service kiosks, mobile tipping. AI is the new luxury, driving efficiency and guest satisfaction. Automate or get left behind.
8. Executives Are Cloning Themselves with AI Avatars
CEOs like
Reid Hoffman
and Zoom’s
Eric S. Yuan
<!–> are creating digital doubles to attend meetings and talk to employees—outsourcing presence while sipping espresso. But these avatars can hallucinate, raising questions about accountability in the automated boardroom. Read more here: https://futurism.com/ceos-ai-clones-hallucinations–> (
Jan Popovic
<!–> , this might interest you!)–>
9 Atari 2600’s 1 MHz CPU Beats ChatGPT at Chess
In a retro showdown, an
Atari
2600 emulator crushed ChatGPT at chess despite the bot’s vast GPU power. The classic 8-bit console proved that raw processing speed still matters—and that AI still struggles with basic game logic.
10. OpenAI Hits $10 Billion Revenue, But Profits Remain Elusive
OpenAI doubled its revenue to $10 billion, driven by ChatGPT and API sales. But sky-high costs and fierce competition mean profits are still out of reach. Growth now, profits maybe later.
BONUS #1: Mark Zuckerberg Builds Personal AGI Superteam at Meta
Frustrated with slow AI progress, Zuckerberg is personally recruiting a 50-person “superintelligence” team at Meta, backed by a $15 billion bet on Scale AI. From recruiting parties to desk rearrangements, Zuck’s in full “founder mode” to win the AI arms race.
BONUS #2: Perplexity’s AI Browser Comet Hits 780 Million Queries, Eyes 1 Billion
Perplexity
’s new AI-powered browser Comet aims to replace Chrome by not just answering questions, but completing tasks for you. With 780 million queries in May, its CEO expects over 1 billion weekly searches soon, promising a cognitive OS for the multitasking future.