Evening Scan

Today felt like a Chinese semiconductor showcase: a $3B DRAM supply deal, a $50B chip unit IPO, and the world's fastest supercomputer all dropped before lunch. OpenAI also made its most senior Apple defection to date.

$50B — The target valuation Baidu's chip unit Kunlunxin is pitching for its Hong Kong IPO, with investors reportedly asked to pre-commit to buying chips worth 3–7x their investment. (The Information)

OpenAI Hires Apple's Vision Pro Chief Paul Meade

The hire signals where OpenAI's hardware ambitions are actually headed. (The Next Web)

CXMT and Tencent Sign ~$3B, Three-Year DRAM Supply Agreement

Timed ahead of CXMT's IPO, this deal is as much a credibility move as a supply contract. It arrives as Jefferies forecasts 40–50% memory price hikes in Q3. (Reuters)

China Claims the World's Fastest Supercomputer

LineShine, an all-CPU machine built without Nvidia, just topped the Top500. Export controls are not the ceiling anyone hoped they were. (The Verge)

Prosecutors Used ChatGPT Logs as Evidence in the Palisades Fire Trial

A defendant's arson-related ChatGPT queries became courtroom evidence. The precedent will likely appear in future cases. (The Verge)