US IT unemployment rose to 3.8% in April amid AI-driven uncertainty, while Iran’s 70-day internet blackout causes severe economic strain and business closures. In major tech news, IREN is acquiring Mirantis for $625M to expand AI infrastructure, and Google’s updated reCAPTCHA now requires Play Services, impacting de-Googled Android users. Additionally, Lithosquare raised $25M for AI mineral discovery.
🤖 AI & Machine Learning
Gemini API File Search is now multimodal
The Gemini API’s File Search tool now supports multimodal RAG systems by enabling the simultaneous processing of text and images. The update also introduces custom metadata for more precise data filtering and page citations to enhance the transparency and verifiability of model responses.
- Gemini API File Search is now multimodal — blog.google
Sparse Cholesky Elimination Tree
The article details the derivation of the column elimination tree for the sparse, right-looking Cholesky algorithm. This tree structure is used to identify fill-in patterns and simplify the algorithm’s complex task dependency graph based on the initial nonzero pattern of matrix A.
- Sparse Cholesky Elimination Tree — reidatcheson.com
Lithosquare raises $25M seed for AI mineral discovery, led by World Fund and Kindred Capital
Paris-based startup Lithosquare has raised €22 million ($25 million) in a seed funding round co-led by World Fund and Kindred Capital. The company utilizes AI and geological science to automate exploration workflows and accelerate the discovery of critical minerals like lithium and copper. This technology aims to address the growing global supply gap for metals essential to the energy transition.
- Lithosquare raises $25M seed for AI mineral discovery, led by World Fund and Kindred Capital — eu-startups.com
Reserv raises $125M Series C led by KKR for AI-powered claims tech
NYC-based Reserv, an AI-powered claims technology provider for property and casualty insurers, has raised $125 million in a Series C funding round. The investment was led by KKR.
- Reserv raises $125M Series C led by KKR for AI-powered claims tech — fintech.global
💻 Software & Development
Debian must ship reproducible packages
Debian is being called upon to ship reproducible packages. This requirement is presented as a necessity for the distribution.
- Debian must ship reproducible packages — lists.debian.org
Google Play Services required for next-gen reCAPTCHA, blocking de-Googled Android phones.
Google’s updated reCAPTCHA system now requires Google Play Services on Android to complete certain verification challenges, such as scanning a QR code. This dependency prevents users of de-Googled Android ROMs from passing security checks, whereas iOS users can complete the same process without additional Google software.
- Google Play Services required for next-gen reCAPTCHA, blocking de-Googled Android phones. — reclaimthenet.org
☁️ Cloud & Infrastructure
IREN to acquire Mirantis for $625M in stock to boost AI and cloud infrastructure
IREN, a Sydney-based AI infrastructure operator, has agreed to acquire Mirantis in a $625 million all-stock deal. The acquisition aims to integrate Kubernetes management and cloud software into IREN’s platform to better transform GPU capacity into scalable, enterprise-ready AI services.
- IREN to acquire Mirantis for $625M in stock to boost AI and cloud infrastructure — datacenterknowledge.com
📈 Tech Business & Finance
Inside Consensus 2026: A corporate crypto event amid Wall Street’s embrace of digital assets
The 2026 Consensus conference in Miami Beach featured a notable corporate presence, with executives from major banks like JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup among the 15,000 attendees. The gathering lacked the flamboyant hallmarks of previous crypto boom years, reflecting Wall Street’s growing embrace of digital assets.
- Inside Consensus 2026: A corporate crypto event amid Wall Street’s embrace of digital assets — wsj.com
US IT unemployment rose to 3.8% in April as 13,000 jobs were lost amid AI uncertainty
The IT unemployment rate rose to 3.8% in April from 3.6% in March, according to an analysis of U.S. Department of Labor data. This increase reflects ongoing hiring uncertainty within the technology sector driven by the impact of AI.
Palantir execs call other AI ‘slop’ amid rising competition and 16x stock surge
Palantir executives have criticized the outputs of major AI labs as “slop,” arguing that these models are too unreliable for enterprise use. CEO Alex Karp suggested that while companies may experiment with these alternative tools, they ultimately return to Palantir for more dependable solutions.
🌐 Internet & Connectivity
NetBlocks: Iran’s 70+ day internet blackout, the longest recorded, spurs business layoffs/closures
Iran’s ongoing 70-day internet blackout, the longest recorded national shutdown in a connected society, is causing severe economic strain on private businesses. The prolonged restrictions have led to warnings of potential mass layoffs and widespread business closures across the country.
- NetBlocks: Iran’s 70+ day internet blackout, the longest recorded, spurs business layoffs/closures — bloomberg.com
🧱 Emerging Hardware
Swift bricks to be installed on all new buildings in Scotland
The Scottish Parliament has voted to make the installation of swift bricks mandatory in all new buildings where practical and appropriate. This legislation aims to protect endangered cavity-nesting birds, such as swifts, following a significant decline in their populations.
- Swift bricks to be installed on all new buildings in Scotland — theguardian.com