Verizon vs. Starlink: It's about AI's edge, last mile

Two AI Agents Wiped Critical Data at SaaStr. Both Times, a Copy Nobody Planned Is What Saved Us. It Will Happen To You, Too. Plan For It.

Two AI agents at SaaStr deleted critical data, but a backup copy saved the business. The incidents highlight the importance of having a clean copy of data in case of deletions, which are inevitable when using AI agents in production.

Editor's noteTwo AI agents deleting critical data is a predictable problem, not an exceptional one. The real issue is that the clean copy lived in a separate system, not in a designated backup, highlighting the need for clear data ownership and management in AI-driven operations. Watch whether SaaStr clarifies its data management policies to prevent future incidents.

Is Duolingo down for you? Here’s what’s going on

Duolingo's status page reports increased error rates, with leaderboards down and users unable to connect. The company is investigating the issue, but no fix has been announced. The incident appears to have started around 15 minutes ago.

In Germany, a Home’s Tiny Windows Conceal a Mammoth Wooden Core

A German house in Niedersprockhövel has a small exterior with many windows, but a large wooden core inside, featuring a three-level OSB structure and a central living space with internal windows.

Editor's noteA house that looks like a whisper, but speaks volumes about the trade-off between public and private space. Watch the internal windows, which are the key to whether this design truly delivers on its promise of a generous, open living space.

MVRDV designs Essen Central Library as public "living room" in Germany

Dutch studio MVRDV has designed the Essen Central Library in Germany, a large civic building created in a converted retail space with Meyer Architekten, featuring red bookshelves and multipurpose interiors.

Büro Ziyu Zhuang designs Chinese museum cluster to "blend seamlessly" into meadow

Chinese architecture studio Büro Ziyu Zhuang has designed a museum cluster in Xianning, China, blending four cultural buildings into parkland along Zishan Lake, including a 3,000-square-metre Zi Museum with a central courtyard.

Anthropic’s ad bill is soaring, according to IPO filing

Anthropic's ad spend rose from $33m in 2024 to $147m in 2025, with a further $273m increase in the first six months of 2026, making up a small portion of its overall costs.

In Graphic Detail: What Apple’s identity block means for the ad money

Apple has blocked network access to companies that stitch together data to identify individuals across devices and sites, affecting ad tech companies including The Trade Desk and LiveRamp, and causing significant financial losses.

Braze gives Salesforce more speed — and more overlap

Salesforce's acquisition of Braze adds real-time execution capabilities, shifting focus from data possession to timely customer response. The deal marks a shift towards integrated, embedded Customer Data Platforms (CDPs) in the martech industry.

Editor's noteSalesforce's acquisition of Braze is a bet on real-time execution, not data possession. The deal's value lies in responding to customer intent in the moment, not in mastering customer data. Watch the adoption of embedded CDPs across the martech industry, as the shift away from composable CDPs becomes clear.

Looking beyond AI written CVs

AI-generated CVs are becoming more prevalent, but employers are increasingly relying on practical skills tests to evaluate candidates' abilities, rather than just their written applications, to make more informed hiring decisions.

Editor's noteAI-generated CVs are a demonstration of the recruitment process's reliance on superficial metrics, not a solution to hiring challenges. The real test of a candidate's abilities lies in their practical skills, not just their written applications. Watch the adoption of skills tests and their impact on hiring decisions.

AI Makes The HCM Market Hot Again: Workday, SAP, Oracle, and More.

Workday, SAP, and Oracle are experiencing a resurgence in the HCM market, driven by the integration of AI technology into their foundational platforms, according to recent industry trends and vendor meetings.

Marketers, Stop Random Acts Of AI Investing

Marketers are advised to approach AI investments with caution, rather than treating them as a speculative gamble. Annual marketing budgets should be allocated based on informed decisions, not hype or promises of high returns. This approach can help avoid financial risks.

GSA expands OneGov agreement with Anthropic, touting steep discounts

GSA has secured a new agreement with Anthropic, offering federal agencies a significant discount on usage of Claude models, with no minimum purchase required and costs tied to actual consumption.

Editor's noteGSA's new agreement with Anthropic is a consumption-based pricing model, not a cost solution. Watch whether token consumption transparency improves, because without it, costs will be difficult to predict, as Gartner warns, and may even surpass developer salaries by 2028.

Brickbat: Money for Nothing

Around 800 Scottish government employees are being paid despite not having a job, with one NHS worker receiving a full salary for 17 years. The estimated annual cost is £27 million, but the actual cost is likely higher due to undisclosed salary information.

Serbia’s New Government Has a Mountain to Climb

Aleksandar Vučić's 12-year rule in Serbia has ended with a landslide election victory for the Student List, securing a 53-39% vote and a working parliamentary majority with a record turnout of 34 years.