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- Product & Design Pulse v59
Product & Design Pulse v59
Strategic Investments Abound š°
Malcom Jones
September 29, 2025
Welcome to this weekās edition of Product & Design Pulse, where we explore the latest in tech, product, design, and innovation! OpenAI is scaling up with five new Stargate supercomputers and a deeper partnership with Nvidia, while Anthropic set a historic precedent by agreeing to a $1.5B copyright settlement with authors. Meanwhile, Intel is courting Apple in a potential comeback play, and Metaās Instagram hit 3 billion users, powered by video and messaging. Analysts are also sounding alarms on an AI building spree thatās starting to look like a bubble, even as Google sharpens its spear with YouTube at the tip. With so much movement across Big Tech and AI, the battle lines for the next era of computing are coming into sharp focus.
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Last weekā¦
The AI Bubbleās Building Spree
AI companies are pouring billions into new data centers and chips, sparking comparisons to past tech bubbles. While demand for AI tools remains high, analysts warn that runaway spending could outpace actual revenue growth. The piece questions whether the AI boom is sustainable or headed for a painful correction.
U.S. Judge Approves $1.5 Billion Anthropic Copyright Settlement
A federal judge approved Anthropicās $1.5 billion settlement with authors who sued over the use of their works to train AI models. The deal, believed to be the largest U.S. copyright settlement ever, will compensate authors about $3,000 per book. The ruling sets a major precedent for how AI companies resolve disputes with creators.
Intel Seeks Apple Investment to Aid Comeback Bid
Intel is reportedly in talks with Apple for a potential investment to help revive its semiconductor competitiveness. The deal would give Apple greater supply chain influence while boosting Intelās ability to compete with TSMC and Nvidia. Analysts say such a partnership could reshape the chipmaking landscape if finalized.
OpenAI Announces Five New Stargate Supercomputer Sites
OpenAI revealed plans for five new āStargateā supercomputing sites to massively expand its infrastructure. The facilities will provide unprecedented scale for model training and deployment, built with global partners. These sites underscore OpenAIās long-term bet on compute as the foundation of future AI progress.
Instagram Hits 3 Billion Users with Focus on Video and Messaging
Instagram has reached 3 billion monthly active users, cementing its position as Metaās largest platform. Growth has been driven by short-form video, direct messaging, and new AI-powered features. The milestone highlights Instagramās dominance even as competition from TikTok and YouTube remains fierce.
OpenAI and Nvidia Expand Systems Partnership
OpenAI and Nvidia announced an expanded partnership to co-develop next-generation AI systems. The collaboration will optimize hardware-software integration for both training and inference workloads. The move deepens Nvidiaās role as the backbone of AI infrastructure while securing OpenAIās access to cutting-edge chips.
The YouTube Tip of the Google Spear ā Stratechery
Ben Thompson argues that YouTube has become Googleās most important consumer-facing product in the AI era. Its scale, advertising power, and integration with search give Google unique leverage compared to rivals. The piece suggests YouTube is central to Googleās defense against both AI disruption and platform competition.
