The DOJ wants Google to divest Chrome, VC returns plummet, and what parents of sons should know 🧠

Tech & Venture Capital News - November 19, 2024 Main Themes: Regulatory Pressure on Tech Giants: The DOJ is considering forcing Google to sell Chrome to break up its search monopoly. This highlights the ongoing scrutiny of Big Tech's market power. AI's Growing Influence: From AI-powered search engines with shopping features to AI agents optimizing factory energy consumption, AI's applications continue to expand rapidly, attracting significant investment and raising concerns about its ethical implications. Venture Capital Landscape: Despite AI advancements, VC returns are at their lowest since 2011. Meanwhile, new funds are emerging focused on healthcare and seed-stage startups, while major players like Softbank and Microsoft continue to make substantial investments. Social Media Evolution: Bluesky, a new social media app positioned as an alternative to X, Threads, and Facebook, is experiencing rapid growth, reflecting the evolving social media landscape and user demand for alternatives. Key Facts and Ideas: DOJ vs. Google: Bloomberg reports that the DOJ may order Google to divest Chrome to curb its search dominance. Elon Musk's Influence: Josh Kushner, an OpenAI investor, expressed confidence in Musk despite the latter's lawsuit against OpenAI and his influence on the incoming administration. Kushner believes Musk "is always going to do what he thinks is right for all Americans." VC Returns Slump: Pitchbook data reveals that VC returns in 2023 were the lowest since 2011, even with the advancements in AI. (Source: The Wall Street Journal) Substack's Rise: The New York Times reports that Elon Musk attempted to buy the newsletter platform Substack, further highlighting the growing importance of independent content platforms. Kids Online Safety Act Pushback: The Wall Street Journal reports that Alphabet and Meta are leveraging cultural divisions to undermine the Kids Online Safety Act, showcasing the ongoing struggle to regulate online content for children. Notable Quotes: Josh Kushner on Elon Musk: “I have extreme confidence that he is always going to do what he thinks is right for all Americans.” Significant Funding Rounds: Blip: $60M Series C led by Softbank and Microsoft. The Exploration Company: $160M Series B co-led by Balderton Capital and Plural. HealthKart: $153M secondary round at a valuation of $500M. Other Interesting Snippets: A "lonely" dolphin was recorded talking to himself. A small church in Lucerne, Switzerland, is offering machine-generated spiritual advice. (Source: TechCrunch) A new study finds that parents of sons experience faster cognitive decline than parents of daughters. Overall: The briefing doc highlights a dynamic tech landscape with significant regulatory shifts, AI's rising influence, and evolving social media preferences. While VC returns may be down, investment in emerging technologies and platforms continues, driving innovation and raising new ethical questions.