WSJ Tech News Briefing TNB Tech Minute: OpenAI Completes Silicon Valley’s Largest-Ever Funding Round
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Mar 31, 2026 Meghna Petwarden, an AMD rep focused on enterprise security, explains hardware-rooted protections and device trust for AI-enabled PCs. She discusses why hardware-based defenses matter. Brief takes also touch on big AI funding news and airline satellite internet deals.
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OpenAI Raises Record $122 Billion Before IPO
- OpenAI closed a record $122 billion funding round to diversify shareholders ahead of an expected IPO by year-end.
- Amazon, NVIDIA, and SoftBank committed roughly $110 billion while wealthy investors added $3+ billion through banks and ARK ETF inclusion.
Oracle Cuts Staff While Betting Big on AI Data Centers
- Oracle initiated significant layoffs while funneling capital into expensive AI data center builds.
- Employees reported early-morning termination emails and internal metrics suggesting cuts in the thousands, though Oracle declined to comment.
Amazon Wins Delta In-Flight Wi-Fi Deal
- Amazon secured a Delta deal to supply LEO satellite internet for in-flight Wi-Fi starting on 500 aircraft in 2028.
- The agreement intensifies competition with SpaceX's Starlink, which already serves United, Southwest, and Alaska Air Group.