Microsoft is offering voluntary buyouts to around 60,000 employees as it tries to balance a rapid AI infrastructure build-out with capital efficiency. The offer comes as the company continues pouring billions into data centers to support its artificial intelligence ambitions.

Anthropic, the company behind the Claude chatbot, told US regulators in its initial public offering filing that its own technology carries a 'catastrophic risk' to humanity. The disclosure makes Anthropic the first dedicated AI developer to pursue a US stock listing, with Alphabet and Amazon both named as existing investors.

Crude oil fell more than 2% as traders balanced the threat of further strikes on Saudi Arabian energy infrastructure against worries that high prices are starting to erode fuel demand. Both Brent and WTI benchmarks slipped in early trading.

Private equity firms poured $4 billion into defense technology startups in the first nine months of 2026, up from $500 million in 2024. Investors and analysts are now warning the sector shows signs of overheating.

Elon Musk claimed Ukraine's military violated Starlink's terms of service during drone operations against Russian forces. Kyiv rejected the accusation, saying it has used the satellite system within the bounds of its agreement with SpaceX.

Elon Musk said SpaceX has raised $40 billion in debt financing to fund graphics-processor purchases for its expanding AI and satellite operations. Musk predicted a coming shakeout among 'neocloud' firms that rent out AI computing capacity.