The Weekly Wrap-Up ( 13-18 July)
AI Talent Wars, Black Hole Breakthrough & a Drone Deal of the Decade ( July 13-18, 2025)
Welcome back or welcome to the weekly catch, brought to you by us, The Tech Quest Journal. This is where we break down all the headlines from the tech space this week. This past week delivered a blend of science-shaking discoveries, AI industry leaps, political tech plays, and a growing tug-of-war between innovation and regulation. Let’s go on into it.
Record-Breaking Black Hole Merger Detected by LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA
Date: July 13th, 2025
A considerably sized black hole merger was recorded by the global gravitational wave observatories, creating a black hole over 225 solar masses. The largest detected to date. Scientists say this poses challenges to existing astrophysical theories about how these enormous black holes form.
xAI Release Grok 4, Musk’s Next-Gen AI Assistant
Date: July 13, 2025
xAI, A company Owned by Elon Musk, unveiled Grok 4, it’s very own AI chat-bot, which is designed to compete with OpenAI and Anthropic. It boasts enhanced reasoning, multi-modal input, and is already deeply integrated with Musk’s other platforms namely X (formerly Twitter) and Tesla.
Perplexity Launches Comet: AI Browser with Built-In Assistant
Date: July 13, 2025
Perplexity is a AI search start-up which launched Comet, a Chromium-based web browser fused with their own AI agent. It delivers real-time summaries, smart navigation, and voice command capabilties; aiming to reinvent the way users interact with the web.
Chinese Firm Teases 2,000 Horsepower Electric Hypercar
Date: July 13, 2025
Chinese Car manufacturer Zeekr (a subsidiary of Geely, another Chinese Car Manufacturer, revealed it’s plans for a 2,000 hp electric hyper-car, entering direct competition with Tesla’s Roadster and Rimac’s Nevera. The vehicle is expected to debut in 2026.
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 Ships with Android 16 and 7 Years Of Support
Date: July 14-15, 2025
Following the well known Unpacked Event, Samsung confirmed that the new Galaxy Z Fold 7, will include Android 16, AI-enhanced camera and productivity features, and receive 7 years of OS and security updates, rivaling Apple’s longevity standards.
UK’s Online Safety Act Takes Effect, Targets Big Tech Accountability
Date: July 15, 2025
The Online Safety Act officially comes into force in the UK, requiring tech platforms to proactively protect all users, especially children, from content considered harmful. Companies failing to comply will face fines up to £18 million or 10% of their global revenue.
Trump Promises $90B for AI and Data Centre Infrastructure at Energy Summit
Date: July 15th, 2025
At a Carnegie Mellon-hosted summit, Donald Trump pledged $90 Billion for AI advancement, energy efficiency in data centres, and semiconductor resilience, aimed at ensuring the U.S’s leadership in emerging tech sectors.
Intel Begins Layoffs, Tech Strategy Chief Steps Down
Date: July 15, 2025
Intel has announced a major restructuring that includes laying off up to 20% of employees from certain divisions. Chief Strategy Officer Safroadu Yeboah-Amankwah stepped down, signaling a deeper shift as Intel struggles with slowing growth and competition from ARM-based chips.
State Department Cuts AI & Cybersecurity Jobs Amid Realignment
Date: July 15-17, 2025
Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas said AI talent recruitment is now like NBA free agency, with companies offering “max contracts” and building around star engineers. He emphasized how mission-driven culture can outperform money in hiring top minds.
Trump Lifts Nvidia AI Chip Export Restrictions to China
Date: July 17, 2025
The Trump administration have made a controversial move in lifting the bans on Nvidia’s H2O chips being exported to China. The decision boosted Nvidia’s stock, but it has raised concerns about U.S national security and China’s AI development.
White House Preps Executive Order Against “Woke AI”
Date: July 17, 2025
The White House is swiftly preparing an executive order which is expected to require AI systems used in federal agencies to be politically neutral.
UK Government Partners with Google Cloud to Kill
Date: July 17, 2025
The UK announced a multi-year partnership with Google Cloud to modernize public sector infrastructure. This includes the training 100,000 civil servants, improving digital services, and launching the National Digital Exchange to streamline data sharing.
This week we were reminded that the world of tech expands beyond just gadgets and code, it displays geopolitical power, scientific revolution and much more.
We thank you for reading and encourage you to please share, comment and feel free to connect with us on socials.
LIGO–Virgo–KAGRA black hole discovery:
YouTube, Wikipedia
Grok 4 by xAI:
LinkedIn – Siddharth Kulkarni
Perplexity's Comet browser:
The AI Citizen
Zeekr's 2,000HP electric hypercar:
TS2.tech
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7:
Medium
UK Online Safety Act:
IT Pro
Trump’s $90B AI pledge:
Reuters
Intel layoffs & leadership exit:
IndiaTimes
State Department tech staff cuts:
Politico
Perplexity CEO on AI talent:
Business Insider
Trump lifts Nvidia AI chip restrictions:
Barron's
Upcoming "anti-woke" AI executive order:
Wall Street Journal
UK–Google Cloud modernization plan:
IT Pro
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