# The Download: your stake in OpenAI, and the Treasury’s AI warning > Source: > Published: 2026-07-07 12:10:00+00:00 # The Download: your stake in OpenAI, and the Treasury’s AI warning Plus: Samsung profits have jumped 1,800% on booming AI chip sales. *This is today's edition of *[ The Download](https://forms.technologyreview.com/newsletters/briefing-the-download/?_ga=2.179569122.736533416.1649661040-405833893.1649413289), *our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what's going on in the world of technology.* **Your family’s $300 stake in OpenAI** Sam Altman’s proposal that Americans should share in the wealth created by AI is back in the spotlight, with reports that he is discussing giving the US government a 5% stake in OpenAI. At the company’s current valuation, that stake would be worth roughly $320 per American household. The idea is meant to address concerns that AI companies are benefiting from human-generated work without compensating creators, while also easing fears that AI will cause a collapse of the labor market by providing a safety net. The details, however, remain unclear. Indeed, the offer may be more powerful as a political narrative than as a policy plan. [Read the full story on what the dividend proposal reveals about the future of AI](https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/07/06/1140176/your-familys-300-stake-in-openai/?utm_source=the_download&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=the_download.unpaid.engagement&utm_term=*%7CSUBCLASS%7C*&utm_content=*%7CDATE:m-d-Y%7C*). *—James O'Donnell* **This ****article**** is from The Algorithm, our weekly AI newsletter. ****Sign up**** to receive it in your inbox every Monday.** **The must-reads** *I’ve combed the internet to find you today’s most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.* **1 A leaked Treasury report compares the AI market to the dotcom bubble** Which contradicts the administration's public optimism about AI. ([NOTUS](https://www.notus.org/economy/treasury-internal-report-warning-dangers-ai-bubble)) + *Fears that the market is overinflated are growing.* ([Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/data/ai-boom-sparks-rally-frenzy-fear-2026-06-10/) $)*+ And AI profits are hiding bigger risks in earnings reports.* ([FT](https://www.ft.com/content/64aa80ed-47a0-441d-8337-58874ee3f623?syn-25a6b1a6=1) $)*+ What even is the AI bubble? *([MIT Technology Review](https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/12/15/1129183/what-even-is-the-ai-bubble/?utm_source=the_download&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=the_download.unpaid.engagement&utm_term=*%7CSUBCLASS%7C*&utm_content=*%7CDATE:m-d-Y%7C*))**2 Samsung profits have jumped 1,800% on booming AI chip sales** It just reported its third consecutive record quarterly profit. ([BBC](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1kyy8yrpxdo))*+ But its shares slumped over fears that the AI boom will stall.* ([Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/samsung-estimates-19-fold-rise-q2-operating-profit-beating-expectations-2026-07-06/) $)*+ That boom has turned Samsung into a $1 trillion company.* ([CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/06/samsung-electronics-ai-chip-rally-kospi-record-1-trillion.html)) **3 A US cyber agency is using Mythos to audit government code** Sources say CISA is tapping Anthropic's model to search for bugs. ([Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/us-cyber-agency-is-using-anthropics-mythos-audit-government-code-sources-say-2026-07-06/) $)*+ Agencies are using it despite Anthropic's feud with the White House.* ([Axios](https://www.axios.com/2026/04/19/nsa-anthropic-mythos-pentagon)) **4 Illinois’ governor has signed the nation’s strongest frontier AI law** It’s designed to protect citizens from AI risks. ([Gizmodo](https://gizmodo.com/illinois-drops-the-hammer-on-ai-companies-2000781932))*+ US lawmakers are clashing over AI rules.* ([MIT Technology Review](https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/01/23/1131559/americas-coming-war-over-ai-regulation/?utm_source=the_download&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=the_download.unpaid.engagement&utm_term=*%7CSUBCLASS%7C*&utm_content=*%7CDATE:m-d-Y%7C*)) **5 A hidden tracker in Claude Code has been exposed and removed** It secretly monitored users in China. ([WP](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/07/06/why-anthropic-alleges-chinese-firms-are-distilling-knowledge-claude/) $)*+ Critics said it shows Anthropic’s willingness to surveil users. *([Ars Technica](https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/07/anthropic-outed-for-claude-tracker-that-secretly-monitored-chinese-users/))*+ The company has also found a hidden “thinking” space in Claude. *([Axios](https://www.axios.com/2026/07/06/anthropic-claude-ai-conscious))**6 Russia is suspected of flying drones over Europe from a shadow fleet** The flights were reportedly launched from commercial ships. ([Ars Technica](https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/07/kremlin-suspected-of-flying-drones-over-europe-using-russian-shadow-fleet/))*+ Europe has a drone-filled vision for future wars. *([MIT Technology Review](https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/01/06/1129737/autonomous-warfare-europe-drones-defense-automated-kill-chains/?utm_source=the_download&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=the_download.unpaid.engagement&utm_term=*%7CSUBCLASS%7C*&utm_content=*%7CDATE:m-d-Y%7C*)) **7 A controversial AI “actor” is set to star in its first feature film** Tilly Norwood will debut in a comedy-drama called “Misaligned.” ([Variety](https://variety.com/2026/film/global/ai-actor-tilly-norwood-movie-debut-misaligned-1236802325/))*+ A major actors union has lambasted the AI creation.* ([NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/tilly-norwood-fully-ai-actor-blasted-actors-union-sag-aftra-devaluing-rcna234685))**8 AI costs are driving US companies toward Chinese models** Businesses are hunting for cheaper model alternatives. ([CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/07/chinese-ai-models-costs-us-openai-anthropic.html))*+ Chinese AI labs are betting big on open source.* ([MIT Technology Review](https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/04/21/1135658/china-open-source-models-ai-artificial-intelligence/?utm_source=the_download&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=the_download.unpaid.engagement&utm_term=*%7CSUBCLASS%7C*&utm_content=*%7CDATE:m-d-Y%7C*)) **9 Researchers have shown quantum proofs can beat classical ones** They found a problem that classical proofs can’t solve. ([Quanta](https://www.quantamagazine.org/researchers-reveal-the-power-of-quantum-proofs-20260706/))**10 Earth will never be swallowed by the sun, according to new models** But it probably won’t be much fun to live here by that point anyway! ([Wired](https://www.wired.com/story/good-news-it-turns-out-the-earth-will-never-be-swallowed-by-the-sun/) $) **Quote of the day** **“The goal might be to make machines in our image. But what I fear is that—perhaps without even quite noticing—we remake ourselves in theirs.” ** —Reporter Sarah O’Connor sounds a note of caution in her new book, *We Are Not Machines*, [the Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/jul/07/we-are-not-machines-by-sarah-oconnor-review-can-dignity-at-work-survive-the-tech-revolution) reports. **One More Thing** Adventures in the genetic time machine Adventures in the genetic time machine Eske Willerslev, a specialist in recovering DNA from old bones and objects, has made numerous breakthroughs. These include recovering the first more or less complete genome of an ancient human and 2.4-million-year-old genetic material from Greenland, revealing that today's Arctic desert was once a forest with poplar, birch, and mastodons. These findings are part of a wave of discoveries from what's being called an "ancient-DNA revolution." Beyond revealing stories of human migration and vanished ecosystems, scientists believe ancient DNA can unearth clues about modern diseases. It could even lead to a better food supply for our warming world. "And can we get that?" Willerslev asks. "Yes, I believe we can." [Discover how ancient DNA could rescue the future](https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/02/17/1111596/ancient-dna-genes-evolutionary-genetics/?utm_source=the_download&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=the_download.unpaid.engagement&utm_term=*%7CSUBCLASS%7C*&utm_content=*%7CDATE:m-d-Y%7C). *—Antonio Regalado* **We can still have nice things** *A place for comfort, fun, and distraction to brighten up your day. (Got any ideas? **Drop me a line**.)* + Underworld’s electric set from EDC Las Vegas 2026 has been released as a [full concert video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wzyC3J6-NU). + This [photographic journey through global soccer culture](https://www.itsnicethat.com/articles/over-land-and-sea-topsafe-publication-project-220626?utm_source=chatgpt.com) captures the mad passion of fandom around the world. + Feeling unhinged? Me too. This [playlist of gloriously intense classical music](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyOfqgtsQaM3S-VZnsYnHjQ?utm_source=chatgpt.com) sympathetically captures the mood. + If you’re looking for visual inspiration, this [collection of graphic design archives from across the web](https://wemadethis.co.uk/blog/2021/09/graphic-design-history-resources/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) is a goldmine. ### Deep Dive ### The Download ### The Download: the future of chipmaking and Anthropic’s government clash Plus: Meta is pausing an AI training program that tracks workers’ keystrokes. ### The Download: AI hacking beyond Mythos, and chatbots’ impact on our brains Plus: Anthropic has called for a global slowdown in AI development. ### The Download: keeping up with AI, and the future of IVF Plus: NASA unveiled plans for three uncrewed missions to the Moon this year. ### The Download: a reality check for geoengineering and the science of interoception Plus: SpaceX is now valued higher than Amazon. ### Stay connected ## Get the latest updates from MIT Technology Review Discover special offers, top stories, upcoming events, and more.