Proxy News Today — July 25, 2026
I tried out OpenAI’s new AI keypad — which will be fun for some coders and slightly mystifying to everyone else and more — today's proxy signal.
The AI landscape is evolving at a rapid pace, with new developments and investments emerging daily. A key trend is the increasing focus on AI-powered interfaces and tools, such as OpenAI's new AI keypad, which promises to enhance coding experiences for developers. Meanwhile, prominent industry figures like Reid Hoffman and Marc Pincus are backing new initiatives, including the AI lab Prentis, which is in talks to raise a substantial $100M in funding. This influx of capital is set to drive further innovation and growth in the sector, with companies like Anduril reportedly seeking funding at a valuation of $100B, more than triple its value from last year.
As the AI ecosystem expands, we're seeing a surge in strategic acquisitions and launches. Midjourney's purchase of the astrology app Co-Star, for instance, highlights the growing interest in exploring the intersection of AI and personality-driven experiences. Similarly, Cognition's acquisition of Poke underscores the importance of AI personality in gaining a competitive edge. Furthermore, the launch of Anthropic's Opus 5 is a significant milestone, demonstrating the ongoing advancements in AI capabilities. These developments collectively point to a future where AI is deeply integrated into various aspects of our lives, from coding and personality analysis to astrology and beyond, and we can expect to see even more exciting innovations emerge in the coming days.
Today's signal:
• I tried out OpenAI’s new AI keypad — which will be fun for some coders and slightly mystifying to everyone else (techcrunch.com)
• Prentis, new AI lab co-founded by Reid Hoffman, Marc Pincus in talks to raise $100M (techcrunch.com)
• Midjourney bought the astrology app Co-Star (theverge.com)
• Why Cognition bought Poke: AI personality is becoming a competitive advantage (techcrunch.com)
• Anduril reportedly in talks to raise funding at $100B valuation, more than 3x last year’s mark (techcrunch.com)
• Anthropic launches Opus 5 (techcrunch.com)