The U.S. government is taking a 10 percent stake in Intel in exchange for $5.7 billion in grants previously awarded, but not yet paid, to Intel under the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act and $3.2 billion awarded to the company as part of the Secure Enclave program. Intel had already received $2.2 billion from those funds, bringing the U.S. investment to $11.1 billion. However, the company’s mounting losses — $2.9 billion in Q2, a 57 percent increase over Q2 2024’s $1.61 billion loss — made it questionable as to whether the company could continue to fulfill terms for the funding without intervention. The Intel agreement marks the largest U.S. government equity deal for an individual tech firm. Read more

Atlanta-based local TV station group Gray Media is rolling out a hyper-personalized DTC service that will debut in January, utilizing end-to-end streaming solution technology from OTT solutions firm Quickplay Media via Google Cloud. “By harnessing real-time data and advanced machine learning, Gray will transform how content is delivered and consumed, establishing a new benchmark for the media and entertainment industry,” explains Gray, which owns affiliates of ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX. The as-yet-unnamed product from the new partnership will understand viewer preferences in real time and adjust content sequence and ad loads based on consumer habits. Read more

Google is adding subscription-based agentic features to AI Mode, a Google Search function that lets users query complex questions verbally or with a text interface. AI Mode now answers multipart requests, like researching a dinner reservation at a set time for a specific number of people and with food preferences or dietary restrictions, responding in real time. The feature personalizes responses by drawing on past conversations and has a new “share” button that can circulate information, allowing others to jump in on the conversation. Google is expanding the global availability of AI Mode, which launched in the U.S. in May. Read more

Netflix has issued partner guidelines outlining use of generative AI in content workflows. The guidelines emphasize circumstances in which the use of generative AI requires advanced written approval, such as altering a character or performance, any inclusion of generative AI in the final product or using AI in a way that materially impacts union work. Fabricated content that could be “mistaken for real events” is to be avoided. Use of AI for “ideation” is deemed generally acceptable if done within guidelines. Allowing models to train on input or output of material destined for Netflix is off-limits. Read more

Sky-based entertainment powered by drones is a nascent entertainment medium that just got a boost from Jeffrey Katzenberg. WndrCo, the investment firm led by Katzenberg and partner Sujay Jaswa, has joined a $50 million funding round for Nova Sky Stories, the drone light show company co-founded by Kimbal Musk. The younger brother of billionaire Elon Musk acquired the technology from Intel in 2022 and says it’s in the early stages of what’s possible. Katzenberg has joined Nova’s board of directors and will serve as a strategic advisor, helping to grow the company’s studio of animators and storytellers. Read more