SAMWISE
Good morning John. Here is your personal morning briefing · samwise.agency
Friday, June 12, 2026
SAFETY
Gasly gets Monaco GP podium back after FIA rescinds speed penalties
Pierre Gasly has had his Monaco Grand Prix result restored after the FIA rescinded two time penalties that had dropped him from third to seventh. A post-race review found a measurement discrepancy in the pit-entry zone: FOM’s official data showed the relevant distance as 2,692cm, while FIA LIDAR measurements recorded 2,615cm — a 77-centimetre gap caused by a barrier that had moved from its pre-race position. Gasly’s pit-entry speeds of 58.7 and 58.8 km/h fell within the permitted threshold under the corrected measurement. Lewis Hamilton, Oscar Piastri, and George Russell also received penalties but served them during the race; those cannot be reversed.
The 77cm that forced F1’s stunning Gasly penalty U-turn
The 77-centimetre discrepancy that overturned Pierre Gasly’s Monaco penalties arose from a measurement conflict between two official data sources. FOM calculated the pit-entry speed-limit distance at 2,692cm for the race; FIA LIDAR equipment recording the same zone during the event measured only 2,615cm. The difference traces to a barrier that shifted between the pre-race survey and the race, shortening the route drivers used. Under the corrected 2,615cm figure, Gasly’s recorded pit-entry speeds of 58.7 and 58.8 km/h were compliant with the pit-lane limit. Stewards concluded to “comfortable satisfaction” that the measurement evidence supported rescinding both penalties and restoring Gasly’s third-place finish.
McLaren and Red Bull move to challenge Gasly Monaco reinstatement
McLaren and Red Bull Racing have both moved to contest the FIA stewards’ decision to reinstate Pierre Gasly’s Monaco Grand Prix podium finish. McLaren has filed a formal intention to appeal the ruling, which returns Gasly to third place and removes Isack Hadjar from the podium position he had held following the original post-race classification. Hadjar had initially claimed what would have been his first Formula 1 podium under the penalised order; he loses that result with Gasly reinstated. The appeals process leaves Monaco’s final classification formally unresolved pending FIA Court of Appeal consideration.
F1 to review pitlane procedures after Monaco measurement controversy
Formula 1 is to review its pitlane measurement and speed-limit enforcement procedures following the Monaco controversy, in which conflicting FOM and FIA distance data led to Pierre Gasly’s podium being withdrawn and then restored. The two official systems recorded a 77-centimetre difference for the same pit-entry zone, producing different legal conclusions about whether Gasly had complied with the speed limit. The discrepancy — attributed to a barrier having moved from its pre-race position — exposed inconsistencies in how official pitlane measurements are established and maintained across a race weekend, prompting the review of procedures used at circuits worldwide.
Anderson: Monaco podium debacle a huge embarrassment for F1
Veteran Formula 1 technical analyst Gary Anderson has described the Monaco Grand Prix pitlane controversy as a huge embarrassment for the sport. Writing for The Race, Anderson argued that the situation — in which two official bodies held conflicting measurements for the same physical distance, leading to Pierre Gasly’s podium being stripped and then reinstated — exposed serious weaknesses in how Formula 1 enforces its own regulations. The saga drew widespread criticism for its procedural failures, with Isack Hadjar losing a first Red Bull podium and McLaren and Red Bull subsequently filing appeals to contest the reinstated classification.
Russell tops Barcelona FP1 as rookies impress on Spanish GP Friday
George Russell set the fastest time in Friday’s first free practice session at the Spanish Grand Prix, clocking a 1m16.363s at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya to head the timesheet. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri slotted into second, 0.203 seconds behind, with Charles Leclerc third at 0.520s adrift. Max Verstappen was fourth, 0.684s off the pace. Two rookies made their mark: Gabriele Fornaroli took fifth for Racing Bulls at 0.853s, with Isack Aron sixth at 0.958s. Seven rookies participated in total across the session, including Colton Herta making his first-ever FP1 appearance. Luke Browning set no time due to an electrical issue on his Williams.
Ferrari unveils eight-part upgrade package for Barcelona
Ferrari has brought a significant eight-component upgrade to the Spanish Grand Prix as it attempts to close a 79-point gap to Mercedes in the constructors’ championship. The package covers the front wing footplate, nose, floor body, floor board, floor edge, diffuser sidewall, sidepod, and rear diffuser. Charles Leclerc arrives at Barcelona 81 points behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli, making Spain a critical development opportunity for the Maranello team. Ferrari has targeted Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya as a venue where aerodynamic updates are particularly relevant given the circuit’s combination of high-speed corners and technical middle sector.
Tyre behaviour emerges as new factor hurting McLaren’s title defence
Lando Norris has identified a new tyre-behaviour problem that has compounded McLaren’s difficult run of results, with the team having suffered a double DNF in China, retirements in Canada and Monaco, and Norris now sixth in the standings with 58 points, 98 adrift of championship leader Kimi Antonelli. The issue centres on higher minimum tyre pressures introduced for 2026: Monaco required 24/23 psi front and rear versus 20/19 psi in 2025, while Barcelona’s rear pressures are 26/25 psi compared to 26/22 psi last year. “We couldn’t brake and turn. You’re either braking or you’re turning,” Norris said of the handling effect.
Steiner: Team sympathy at Mercedes now shifting toward Antonelli
Former Haas team principal Günther Steiner has pointed to a significant dynamic shift inside Mercedes following Kimi Antonelli’s five consecutive grand prix victories and a 66-point lead in the drivers’ championship. “The shift of the sympathy of the people in the team is now with Kimi,” Steiner said, adding: “1% more love he gets, Kimi will get it.” The observation reflects how team allegiances typically evolve when one driver establishes sustained dominance, with Antonelli’s surge placing team-mate George Russell 68 points behind the championship leader heading into the Spanish Grand Prix weekend.
Vowles: Williams FW48 to reach full potential by Baku
Williams team principal James Vowles has outlined the development timeline for the FW48, stating the car will reach its full potential around the Baku race later in the season. The team has been operating with a car that remains overweight but has made significant reductions, and Vowles indicated it should reach the weight limit further into the season. “Beyond the August break towards the Baku time, you’ll see the full potential,” Vowles said. Williams currently sits eighth in the constructors’ standings with 11 points, with the weight reduction programme central to unlocking the FW48’s aerodynamic efficiency and on-track performance.
Pirelli’s F1 tyre supply deal extended through end of 2028
Pirelli’s contract as Formula 1’s exclusive tyre supplier has been extended through the end of 2028, following the exercise of an option year on the original 2025–27 agreement. The extension also covers F2 and F3 championships. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem confirmed the deal in a statement, maintaining continuity in the tyre supply partnership as Formula 1 continues its transition to the 2026 technical regulations. Pirelli has been F1’s sole tyre partner since 2011, and the extended contract ensures stability in the supply arrangement through the opening years of the current regulatory cycle.
Drivers' Championship
1. Kimi Antonelli — 156 pts
2. Lewis Hamilton — 90 pts
3. George Russell — 88 pts
4. Charles Leclerc — 75 pts
5. Oscar Piastri — 60 pts
6. Lando Norris — 58 pts
7. Max Verstappen — 43 pts
8. Isack Hadjar — 29 pts
9. Liam Lawson — 26 pts
10. Pierre Gasly — 26 pts
11. Oliver Bearman — 18 pts
12. Franco Colapinto — 15 pts
13. Arvid Lindblad — 13 pts
14. Carlos Sainz — 6 pts
15. Alexander Albon — 5 pts
16. Esteban Ocon — 3 pts
17. Gabriel Bortoleto — 2 pts
18. Fernando Alonso — 1 pts
19. Nico Hulkenberg — 0 pts
20. Valtteri Bottas — 0 pts
21. Sergio Perez — 0 pts
22. Lance Stroll — 0 pts
Constructors' Championship
1. Mercedes — 244 pts
2. Ferrari — 165 pts
3. McLaren — 118 pts
4. Red Bull Racing — 72 pts
5. Alpine — 41 pts
6. Racing Bulls — 39 pts
7. Haas — 21 pts
8. Williams — 11 pts
9. Audi — 2 pts
10. Aston Martin — 1 pts
11. Cadillac — 0 pts
GAME RECAP
Hurricanes Beat Golden Knights 4-2 in Game 5, Lead Stanley Cup Final 3-2
The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 at Lenovo Center in Raleigh on Thursday, taking a 3-2 lead in the 2026 Stanley Cup Final. Andrei Svechnikov scored twice on the power play, and Sebastian Aho also scored as Carolina’s special teams proved decisive. Backup goaltender Brandon Bussi made 23 saves for his second straight win in the series. Vegas lost center William Karlsson to a shoulder injury in the second period and he did not return. The Hurricanes, who last won the Stanley Cup in 2006, can clinch the championship in Game 6 on Sunday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Staal Ties NHL Record With Five Consecutive Goals in the Stanley Cup Final
Jordan Staal scored in his fifth consecutive game of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final on Thursday, tying the NHL record for the longest goal streak in a Finals series. The 37-year-old Hurricanes captain is the first player to accomplish the feat in more than 50 years and just the fifth in NHL history to score in five straight Final games. Staal has scored in every game of the series, a central factor in Carolina’s 3-2 lead over the Golden Knights entering Sunday’s potential Cup-clinching Game 6 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Undrafted Bussi Makes NHL History With Second Straight Stanley Cup Final Win
Brandon Bussi stopped 23 of 25 shots in Game 5 on Thursday, becoming the first goaltender in NHL history to make his first two career playoff starts in the Stanley Cup Final and win both. The 27-year-old was a waiver wire pickup before the 2025-26 season who won 31 games during the regular year. Bussi has stopped 59 of 65 shots for a .908 save percentage across his appearances in the Cup Final, outplaying Vegas starter Carter Hart in each of his two starts. His back-to-back wins have pushed Carolina within one victory of its first Stanley Cup championship since 2006.
Karlsson Exits Game 5 With Injury, Coach Tortorella Says He Won’t Return for Game 6
Vegas Golden Knights center William Karlsson was helped off the ice late in the second period of Game 5 on Thursday after absorbing a hit into the boards from Hurricanes defenseman Sean Walker. Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella indicated post-game that Karlsson was not expected to return for Game 6. With Karlsson absent, Vegas took four penalties leading to two Carolina power-play goals in the 4-2 loss. Karlsson had recorded nine points in 14 playoff games this spring after returning from a six-month injury absence, serving as a key penalty killer and offensive contributor for the Knights.
Hurricanes Recall Miftakhov From AHL as Andersen’s Status Remains Uncertain Before Game 6
The Carolina Hurricanes recalled netminder Amir Miftakhov from the AHL’s Chicago Wolves on Thursday, hours before Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final. The move came with starter Frederik Andersen’s status uncertain after he was struck in the head by Vegas forward Ivan Barbashev in Game 3 and did not play in Game 4. Miftakhov and Andersen were both listed as scratches for Game 5, serving as emergency backup options behind starter Brandon Bussi and backup Pyotr Kochetkov. The Wolves were set to begin the Calder Cup Final on the same day as the recall.
Svechnikov’s Pair of Power-Play Goals Expose Vegas Penalty Kill Collapse in Game 5
Andrei Svechnikov scored twice on the power play in Game 5 on Thursday, fueling the Hurricanes’ 4-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights. Svechnikov’s first goal came at 11:58 of the second period, curling from the right circle to beat goaltender Carter Hart. His second power-play goal at 11:08 of the third extended Carolina’s lead to 4-1. The four penalties Vegas took after center William Karlsson left the game with an injury directly contributed to Carolina’s Game 5 victory. The Hurricanes’ power play has been a decisive factor throughout the 2026 Stanley Cup Final.
NHL Draft Two Weeks Away With McKenna Expected to Go First Overall to Toronto
The 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft is two weeks away, with the Toronto Maple Leafs holding the top selection and widely expected to choose Penn State forward Gavin McKenna with the first overall pick on June 26 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo. McKenna, 18, ranked first among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s final ratings and topped the VO2 Max aerobic test at the recently completed Scouting Combine. The San Jose Sharks hold the No. 2 pick and the Vancouver Canucks are third. Swedish winger Ivar Stenberg is the top-ranked international skater heading into the final weeks before the draft.
RECAP
Ohtani exits with knee inflammation as Dodgers top Pirates 8–6
Shohei Ohtani was removed in the seventh inning with left knee inflammation as the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-6 Thursday at PNC Park. The reigning NL MVP hit his 13th homer of the season in the third inning and reached base in all four plate appearances before departing. Manager Dave Roberts called the removal precautionary, saying Ohtani felt discomfort behind the knee. Jack Dreyer (3-1) earned the win in relief, and Tanner Scott retired the final four batters for his seventh save. Pittsburgh rookie Rafael Flores Jr. hit his first career homer in a losing effort.
Scherzer reaches 3,500 strikeouts, becomes 11th pitcher in MLB history
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer became the 11th player in major league history to record 3,500 career strikeouts Wednesday night, striking out Philadelphia Phillies leadoff hitter Kyle Schwarber looking at a changeup in the first inning at Rogers Centre. The three-time Cy Young Award winner joins an exclusive list led by Nolan Ryan (5,714) and Randy Johnson (4,875). The milestone proved bittersweet — Scherzer allowed five runs over 3⅓ innings as the Blue Jays fell 7-4 to Philadelphia. He is now six strikeouts from tying Walter Johnson for 10th place on the all-time career list.
Tigers blast six homers in 11–0 shutout of Twins
Colt Keith hit his first home run of the season and drove in three runs Thursday as the Detroit Tigers hammered the Minnesota Twins 11-0 at Comerica Park. Spencer Torkelson, Riley Greene, Gleyber Torres, Zach McKinstry and Wenceel Perez also went deep, giving Detroit six home runs on the afternoon. Keider Montero (3-4) allowed four hits and struck out four over 6⅓ innings for the win, and Tyler Holton and Beau Brieske combined to finish the shutout. Minnesota starter Zebby Matthews (2-4) was tagged for seven runs and nine hits in six innings. Detroit took two of three from the Twins.
Suzuki grand slam snaps Cubs slump in 9–3 win over Rockies
Seiya Suzuki hit a grand slam in the fourth inning and Alex Bregman added a two-run homer in the seventh as the Chicago Cubs snapped a three-game losing streak with a 9-3 win over the Colorado Rockies Thursday at Coors Field. Suzuki’s slam — his 10th homer of the season — came after Colorado starter Ryan Feltner (2-2) retired the first nine batters. Chicago had scored three or fewer runs in seven of its previous nine games before breaking out for its highest run total since beating Pittsburgh 10-4 on May 27. Carson Kelly added a solo shot in the eighth. Manager Craig Counsell was ejected in the sixth inning.
Soto homer in seventh lifts Mets past Cardinals 5–4, avoids sweep
Juan Soto hit a go-ahead home run off JoJo Romero (0-2) in the seventh inning Thursday as the New York Mets avoided a series sweep with a 5-4 win over the St. Louis Cardinals at Citi Field. Alec Burleson’s two-out homer gave the Cardinals a 1-0 lead before Bo Bichette’s two-run shot and Jared Young’s homer gave New York a 3-1 advantage. St. Louis answered with Lars Nootbaar’s solo shot and Jimmy Crooks’ two-run homer to retake the lead 4-3. Brooks Raley (2-1) pitched a hitless seventh for the win, and Devin Williams earned his ninth save. Soto’s blast was his 14th homer of the season.
Alonso caps six-run third as Orioles hold off Mariners 7–5
Pete Alonso capped a six-run third inning with a home run, and the Baltimore Orioles held off the Seattle Mariners 7-5 Thursday night at Oriole Park, salvaging a series split. Adley Rutschman drove in three runs and Colton Cowser added a solo shot. Seattle’s Cole Young, Luke Raley and Dominic Canzone homered against starter Kyle Bradish, who allowed three home runs after not surrendering more than two in his previous 80 major league starts before leaving after four innings. Tyler Wells (1-1) pitched three hitless innings, and Andrew Kittredge earned his first save in the ninth.
Phillips earns first win as Marlins complete sweep of Diamondbacks 2–0
Tyler Phillips held Arizona to two hits in five innings Thursday, earning his first win of the season as the Miami Marlins shut out the Diamondbacks 2-0 and completed a three-game series sweep at home. Phillips (1-1) struck out five and walked two on 70 pitches. Relievers Michael Petersen, Anthony Bender and Calvin Faucher combined for six strikeouts, and Pete Fairbanks earned his eighth save. Otto Lopez scored in the first inning on a Xavier Edwards sacrifice fly after Lopez stole third and had the call overturned on review. Jakob Marsee added an RBI single in the fourth to complete Miami’s scoring.
Pirates promote prospect Antwone Kelly for MLB debut Friday
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced Thursday they are promoting right-handed pitching prospect Antwone Kelly to the major leagues for his MLB debut. The 22-year-old from Aruba is set to join the bullpen ahead of the club’s home series opener against Miami on Friday. Kelly, ranked the No. 7 prospect in Pittsburgh’s system by MLB Pipeline and No. 8 by Baseball America, posted a 4.50 ERA with a 47:24 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 54 innings at Triple-A Indianapolis. He was a relatively low-profile international signee in 2021 who added velocity as he progressed through the minor league system.
American League
1. Yankees — 40–26, —
2. Rays — 39–25, +0.5
3. Blue Jays — 33–35, +8.0
4. Orioles — 31–37, +10.0
5. Red Sox — 27–38, +12.5
1. Guardians — 37–32, —
2. White Sox — 35–31, +0.5
3. Twins — 30–38, +6.5
4. Royals — 28–39, +8.0
5. Tigers — 28–39, +8.0
1. Mariners — 36–32, —
2. Rangers — 32–34, +3.0
3. Athletics — 32–35, +3.5
4. Astros — 31–38, +5.5
5. Angels — 26–42, +10.0
National League
1. Braves — 45–22, —
2. Phillies — 36–31, +9.0
3. Nationals — 35–33, +10.5
4. Marlins — 32–35, +13.0
5. Mets — 29–37, +15.5
1. Brewers — 41–24, —
2. Cardinals — 36–28, +4.5
3. Cubs — 34–33, +8.0
4. Pirates — 34–33, +8.0
5. Reds — 32–34, +9.5
1. Dodgers — 43–24, —
2. Diamondbacks — 34–32, +8.5
3. Padres — 34–32, +8.5
4. Giants — 27–41, +16.5
5. Rockies — 25–42, +18.0
ROBOTICS
NEURA Robotics to raise up to $1.4B in Series C to build open physical AI ecosystem
German humanoid robotics company NEURA Robotics GmbH is raising up to $1.4 billion in Series C funding to build what founder and CEO David Reger calls the “Neuraverse” — an open physical AI ecosystem designed to deploy millions of robots by 2030. The round draws strategic investors including NVIDIA, Amazon, Qualcomm, Bosch, Schaeffler, Tether, and the European Investment Bank. NEURA’s existing order book already exceeds $1 billion. The funding will accelerate NEURA Gyms, a robot-training infrastructure network, and deepen partnerships with Bosch, Dassault Systèmes, Kawasaki, and Delta Electronics. The company positions open physical AI as a necessary counterweight to walled-garden approaches from Silicon Valley incumbents.
Cybersecurity researchers aren’t happy about the guardrails on Anthropic’s Fable
Cybersecurity researchers are pushing back against overly aggressive content filters in Anthropic’s newly released Fable — the public version of its Mythos model. Researchers including Valentina Palmiotti of IBM X-Force, who goes by the handle “Chompie,” say the guardrails block legitimate security work like code review and exploit analysis, falling back to the less-capable Opus 4.8 model when triggered. Matt Suiche of Tolmo echoed similar frustrations. Anthropic offers a Cyber Verification Program that grants expanded access, but researchers say the vetting process is slow and opaque. Mythos itself expanded to 15 countries on June 2, but the access gap between public and vetted tiers remains a friction point.
Meta signs first AI data center deal in India with Reliance Industries
Meta is building its first AI data center in India through a deal with Reliance Industries, the country’s largest conglomerate. The 168-megawatt facility will be located in Jamnagar, Gujarat, powered by renewable energy and cooled by desalinated seawater. The site is expected to be ready within two years with room to expand. Meta also contracted approximately one gigawatt of additional renewable capacity in India through CleanMax and Fourth Partner Energy. The partnership deepens a relationship dating back to Meta’s $5.7 billion investment in Jio Platforms in 2020 and a $100 million joint venture in 2025. Financial terms of the data center deal were not disclosed.
Decart’s Oasis 3 world model simulates hours of photorealistic driving at $0.02/sec
Decart has launched Oasis 3, a real-time world model that generates photorealistic driving environments from camera input, available via API at $0.02 per second. Built on Decart’s Lucy foundation model with an auto-regressive architecture encoding each frame into roughly 8,000 tokens, the system targets autonomous vehicle companies needing large-scale simulation data. CEO Dean Leitersdorf says more than 100,000 developers already use Decart’s platform, which raised $300 million at approximately a $4 billion valuation. Caveats are real: scene consistency degrades over extended sequences and collision physics are not simulated. Still, for generating hours of photorealistic training footage without deploying a physical vehicle, the price-to-scale ratio is compelling.
XRZero-G0 open 2,000-hour dataset cuts robot training data requirements by 20x
X Square Robot has open-sourced XRZero-G0, a hardware-software framework that reduces the real-robot training data required for dexterous manipulation by up to 20 times. The system uses a PICO 4 VR headset with inside-out spatial tracking and two specialized grippers — an H-shaped press-actuated and a G-shaped finger-driven model — to capture millimeter-accurate 6-DoF human demonstrations. Released alongside the G0-Dataset, a 2,000-hour multimodal repository covering grasping and tool-use tasks, XRZero-G0 applies a closed-loop quality pipeline spanning observation, kinematics, and real-robot validation. The dataset supports cross-embodiment transfer, meaning demonstrations collected on one robot body can train a completely different platform.
Warner Music acquires AI attribution startup Sureel AI to protect artist rights
Warner Music Group has acquired Sureel AI, a startup founded in 2022 by Tamay Aykut whose patented technology creates an “AI DNA” fingerprint for songs, decomposing tracks into component parts to trace how AI models use copyrighted elements. WMG CEO Robert Kyncl said the acquisition strengthens the company’s ability to protect and monetize artists’ intellectual property, names, images, and voices in the age of generative AI. Sureel also offers model optimization and AI business intelligence. Sureel will continue operating as a standalone platform. Financial terms were not disclosed. The deal follows WMG’s earlier settlements with AI music startups Suno and Udio.
Datadog veterans launch Niteshift AI coding cloud with $7M seed to fight model lock-in
Former Datadog engineers Sajid Mehmood and Conor Branagan have launched Niteshift, an AI coding cloud that raised $7 million in seed funding led by Greylock’s Jerry Chen. Notable angels include Reid Hoffman and Datadog co-founders Olivier Pomel and Alexis Lê-Quôc. The core thesis: as frontier AI labs like Anthropic and OpenAI push into vertical software markets, enterprises will increasingly refuse to run their most sensitive code through the very companies competing against them — mirroring how e-commerce companies once rejected AWS. Niteshift routes between models including Claude Code, Codex, and open-source options, and charges per-minute infrastructure rates rather than selling tokens.
AI/ANALYTICS
Hartford HealthCare’s AI ‘Front Door’ Cuts High-Risk Failures 70% After 478-Transcript Safety Review
Hartford HealthCare’s PatientGPT, an AI patient front-door system built in partnership with K Health, was validated against 478 clinical transcripts before deployment, achieving a 70% reduction in high-risk failures and driving the failure rate to 5.9% with zero harm events recorded. Since launch, 40,000 users have activated the system; roughly half are aged 60 or older, and approximately 20% have returned for repeat interactions. Padmanabhan Premkumar, the initiative’s lead, described the safety-first engineering approach in Healthcare IT News, detailing how PatientGPT routes patients to appropriate care settings before they reach clinical staff.
Abridge Partners with Nvidia, Aetna, Cigna, and Eli Lilly to Expand AI Platform Beyond Clinical Documentation
Abridge CEO Shiv Rao, MD, announced at a June 11 event in Midtown Manhattan a set of partnerships that extend the ambient AI platform beyond clinical documentation. The company is co-developing a clinical conversation foundation model with Nvidia on Nemotron architecture and Blackwell infrastructure. Eli Lilly is making a strategic investment to support point-of-care clinical trial identification. Cigna and Aetna executives indicated interest in real-time claims adjudication. Abridge now counts more than 300 health system partners, including newly added Northwestern Medicine. Reid Health reported nursing vacancy rates falling from 18% to 8.6%, with zero contract staff, since deploying Abridge’s nursing capability.
GAO Finds DoD and VA Fall Short on EHR Cybersecurity Coordination as Joint System Nears Full VA Rollout
A GAO performance audit spanning June 2024 through June 2026 found that the Federal Electronic Health Record Modernization office does not follow leading practices for cybersecurity and privacy collaboration between the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs. The shared EHR system serves more than 200,000 provider users and will expand to 500,000 when the VA completes its rollout. A joint incident management framework had not been completed as of April 2026. Four Michigan VA facilities went live on the system in April; three Ohio VA facilities followed. GAO called on both agencies to improve coordinated cybersecurity governance.
VHC Health Notifies Patients After Vendor Xsolis Suffers Phishing Attack Exposing Health and Financial Data
Arlington, Va.-based VHC Health has notified patients of a data breach originating from a phishing attack on its vendor Xsolis, which provides case and utilization management services. Xsolis detected unauthorized activity on January 22, two days after a targeted phishing attack on January 20, and launched an investigation with external cybersecurity experts. Investigators determined that an unauthorized actor may have acquired files containing patient names, addresses, dates of birth, health insurance information, Social Security numbers, and medical treatment data. VHC Health said it was informed of the incident on April 23 and mailed notices to affected patients on June 5.
Digital Medicine Society Launches 3.5-Month Sprint to Close Virtual Care Price Transparency Gap
The Digital Medicine Society is leading a 3.5-month coalition sprint, the Post-Contracting Operational Readiness for Virtual-First Care initiative, focused on price transparency in virtual care. Omada Health is among the organizations supporting the effort. DiMe CEO Jennifer Goldsack is heading the initiative, which addresses post-contracting challenges where virtual-first care organizations must meet patient and payer expectations around cost disclosure. The coalition’s work is framed against data showing more than 500 hospitals have received warnings for price transparency violations and that 15,145 closed CMS complaints have resulted in $30 million in monetary relief to date.
UCLA Health Launches INOVAi Center to Evaluate AI Safety and Implementation Across Healthcare Settings
UCLA Health has launched the Innovations and Outcomes Validation of AI Center, known as INOVAi, to evaluate AI technologies used in medicine and education across their full lifecycle. The center will conduct usability and feasibility testing, workflow assessments, clinical trials, and implementation studies. According to a June 11 news release, INOVAi is among the first programs in the nation dedicated specifically to AI evaluation and implementation science in healthcare. The center will operate through the UCLA Department of Medicine in alignment with the UCLA Center for AI and SMART Health and UCLA Health’s broader responsible AI strategy.
Why Oncology Is Healthcare AI’s Toughest Test — and What It Would Take to Pass
Healthcare AI faces its most demanding challenge in oncology, where complexity is compounded by a fundamental reality: cancer is not one disease but thousands, according to Dr. Theepa Dinis of emtelligent, featured in Healthcare IT News. Dinis argues that ambient AI documentation tools, effective in many clinical settings, are insufficient for the longitudinal data complexity oncology demands. Hallucination risks carry particular weight in pharmacovigilance, where AI errors can affect treatment recommendations. Data governance must be treated as equivalent to AI governance in cancer care, and purpose-built oncology AI requires structured longitudinal datasets that most health systems have not yet assembled.
Epic CEO Judy Faulkner Receives Cambridge Health Alliance Art of Healing Award for Philanthropic Support
Cambridge Health Alliance has recognized Epic founder and CEO Judy Faulkner with its Art of Healing Award for her philanthropic contributions to the Massachusetts safety-net health system. Epic’s charitable giving has funded programs expanding patient access at CHA, and Faulkner supported the organization’s newly renovated Birth Center. The award was presented at a June 5 gala in Everett, Mass. Faulkner said in a June 11 news release that the partnership reflects a shared focus on compassion and innovation. CHA has operated on Epic for more than 20 years and was the first health system to fully integrate Epic Video Client with interpreter services.
HARDWARE
Hackaday Communicator Badge Gets Full Meshtastic Support in New Firmware
A community developer has released new firmware for the Hackaday Communicator Badge, a handheld gadget featuring a QWERTY keyboard, LoRa radio module, and ESP32 microcontroller that debuted at a recent European hardware event. Developer Giovi321's update adds full Meshtastic protocol support, allowing the badge to join the off-grid LoRa mesh network used by outdoor communicators worldwide. The firmware also extends battery life through improved GPS module power management. Installation requires the ESP32-IDF framework, with complete documentation provided. Running on FreeRTOS, the update represents a meaningful community effort to give event conference badges practical post-event utility rather than consigning them to a drawer.
Hand-Cranked AI Demonstrator Runs Inference on Harvested Mechanical Energy
A maker has built a hand-cranked AI demonstrator challenging the energy-intensive reputation of large language model inference. The project uses a hand crank as the sole power source, running a lightweight neural network on a microcontroller rather than cloud-based GPUs. By keeping the model small enough to execute on harvested mechanical energy, the project highlights a counterpoint to concerns about commercial AI electricity consumption. Documentation covers both the mechanical power generation circuit and firmware configuration for running inference under constrained power, offering a practical entry point for exploring edge AI on minimal hardware resources.
Video Survey Covers Every Major Analog-to-Digital Converter Architecture
A new educational video from YouTube channel Eric Explains surveys analog-to-digital converter architectures, covering the spectrum from flash ADCs to successive approximation register designs, sigma-delta converters, and the Wilkinson ADC. Flash ADCs achieve high speed by comparing input voltage against many reference levels simultaneously, while SAR converters iterate through a binary search process. Pipeline and sigma-delta architectures are examined with attention to their trade-offs in resolution, speed, and power consumption. For electronics hobbyists and embedded developers choosing a converter for a project, the video provides a concise decision framework backed by circuit-level explanations of each major ADC type.
Maker Faire Prague 2026 Draws Thousands With Robots, Tesla Coils, and Teen Engineers
Maker Faire Prague 2026 has been praised by attendees as one of the most energetic European maker gatherings in recent years. Held at the Križík Pavilions at the Prague Exhibition Grounds in May, the event featured drone racing arenas, laser harps, musical Tesla coils, and a giant 3D-printed alpaca. Teenage engineers demonstrated custom tool-changing 3D printers they built themselves, and artists transformed glass rods into intricate beads on the floor. Maker educator Kristin Berbawy called the event a standout for joyful energy and packed halls, with thousands of visitors attending from across the Czech Republic and Europe.
Seeed Studio's $7.99 Wio-S3 Packs ESP32-S3 and LoRa Into a Tiny Surface-Mount Module
Seeed Studio has launched the Wio-S3, a compact wireless module priced at $7.99 measuring 21.6 by 16.5 millimetres. The module integrates an ESP32-S3R8 dual-core MCU with 16 MB Flash and 8 MB PSRAM alongside a Semtech SX1262 LoRa transceiver, delivering Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth LE 5.0, and long-range LoRa in a single surface-mount package. The SX1262 covers EU868 and US915 bands with up to +20.9 dBm transmit power and -137 dBm receive sensitivity. Interfaces include UART, I2C, SPI, ADC, and USB across a -40 to 85 degree Celsius industrial range, targeting smart agriculture, remote monitoring, and industrial IoT.
Open-Source piBrick PocketCM5 Is a Pocket Linux Computer Powered by Raspberry Pi CM5
Indonesian maker Ahmad Amarullah has released the piBrick PocketCM5, an open-source handheld Linux kit built around the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5. The device pairs a 3.92-inch AMOLED touchscreen with a BlackBerry QWERTY keyboard and trackpad, targeting developers and system administrators wanting a pocketable Linux machine. The CM5 provides dual-band Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0, with a 5,000 mAh battery for portable operation. Hardware schematics, STL enclosure files, and GPL-3.0 firmware are on GitHub and OSHWLab. Fully assembled kits sell on Tindie for $240, with component costs around $172 for those preferring to self-source parts.
HIRING
Tech Layoff Headlines Are Masking a Surge in AI-Driven Hiring Demand, iCIMS June Workforce Report Finds
iCIMS, a leading enterprise talent acquisition platform, released its June Workforce Report on June 11, 2026, finding that tech layoff headlines are masking a surge in AI-driven hiring demand. U.S. job openings grew 9% year-over-year in May, with healthcare technology hiring up 8% and manufacturing up 4% compared to May 2025. Demand for AI roles is growing across sectors even as high-profile workforce reductions continue. The report found that employer demand for AI talent is moving up, but the talent funnel has not kept pace — signaling a widening gap between AI hiring intentions and available qualified candidates.
US Jobless Claims Jump to 229,000, Highest Since February, as Tech-Sector Layoffs Mount
Initial jobless claims in the U.S. increased 4,000 to 229,000 in the week ended June 6, the highest level since February, according to Bloomberg News data covered by Staffing Industry Analysts. The result exceeded the median forecast of 220,000 in a Bloomberg survey. Continuing claims rose to 1.8 million, and the four-week moving average increased for the third consecutive week. High-profile layoff announcements have mounted across the tech sector, with many companies citing artificial intelligence as they cut white-collar roles. The Labor Department data was released Thursday, June 11, 2026, and reported by Bloomberg’s Julia Fanzeres.
Ninety-One Percent of IT Leaders Are Prioritizing AI Expertise in Hiring as Tech Skills Gap Widens
A survey by AI analytics vendor Reveal finds 91% of IT leaders are prioritizing AI expertise when hiring this year, with 77% citing expanded AI use as a top strategic goal for 2026 and 8 in 10 using AI in software development. Yet 50% of organizations already report difficulties recruiting and retraining skilled technical staff, while 80% say the shortage is directly impacting operations and AI project execution. The hardest-to-fill roles are AI engineers (39%) and cybersecurity engineers (38%). Most in-demand technical skills include Python (56%), machine learning (47%), Java (34%), and cybersecurity (33%), according to the Reveal data.
Two-Thirds of CIOs Are Accountable for AI Systems They Cannot Control, IBM Study Finds
An IBM Institute for Business Value survey of more than 2,000 technology executives finds that two-thirds of CIOs and CTOs are held accountable for AI systems they do not fully control, as employees and business units spin up agents without IT oversight. Seventy percent say their organizations are deploying tech systems faster than IT teams can track. CIOs expect a 38% increase in the number of AI agents deployed by next year, with just 1 in 10 IT leaders saying they are prepared for that scale. IBM’s Matt Lyteson, CIO of technology transformation, recommends building a sanctioned enterprise agent platform.
ProofHub CEO: Employee Experience Has Moved From HR Metric to Measurable Revenue Driver
ProofHub CEO Sandeep Kashyap writes in CIO.com that treating employee experience as a revenue strategy produced measurable business results: voluntary turnover dropped from 18% to 9%, internal mobility doubled from 22% to 41%, enterprise sales close rate recovered from 26% to 33%, and average contract value increased 19%. Customer churn fell from 8.2% to 5.1%, yielding an approximately 42% increase in annual revenue run rate over six months. Gallup research cited by Kashyap shows highly engaged teams achieve 23% greater profitability. He estimates replacing a senior employee costs 70%, covering recruitment fees, onboarding, lost productivity, and knowledge gaps.
Spencer Stuart to Acquire Zurich-Based Dr. Bjørn Johansson Associates in Executive Search Expansion
Global executive search firm Spencer Stuart has entered an agreement to acquire Dr. Bjørn Johansson Associates, a Zurich-based founder-led executive search practice, with financial terms undisclosed. Upon completion, the firm will be fully integrated into Spencer Stuart’s existing operations. Bjørn Johansson founded the practice 33 years ago; his career began as a vice president at Spencer Stuart Zurich in the early 1980s. Jordan Brugg serves as CEO of Spencer Stuart. Sigrid Artho, who leads Spencer Stuart’s Swiss business, will oversee the integration process. The deal was announced on June 11, 2026, and reported by Staffing Industry Analysts’ Danny Romero.
FUNDRAISING
AFP Fundraising Day New York 2026 Convenes More Than 1,200 Philanthropy Professionals Today
The Association of Fundraising Professionals’ New York City chapter is hosting Fundraising Day New York today, June 12, at the New York Marriott Marquis, 1535 Broadway, running 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Billed as the premier one-day philanthropy conference, the event draws more than 1,200 fundraising professionals for sessions covering trends and emerging innovations across the full spectrum of fundraising. Sessions are designed and led by industry leaders and experts. An exhibitor area on the 6th and 7th floors features consulting services, businesses, and educational programs. CFRE continuing education credit is pending. Speaker and session details are available at frdny.org.
Rhea Wong’s Mid-Year Gut Check: How to Find Where Your Fundraising Pipeline Is Leaking
Nonprofit fundraising coach Rhea Wong, in NPQ’s Ask Rhea column, challenges organizations reaching June’s midpoint to stop hoping and start diagnosing. Responding to a fundraiser who has raised 40 percent of their annual goal but cannot explain the pipeline, Wong argues the problem is not capacity but clarity. She outlines six stages of the major gift process—engagement, preliminary qualification, complete qualification, caseload management, proposal, and stewardship—and tells fundraisers to find the leaking stage before summer ends their leverage. Wong warns that the summer lull belongs to fundraisers, not donors. She recommends a two-hour self-audit using six trackable pipeline metrics, and urges completing the exercise before July 1.
SPLC Interim CEO Defends Civil Rights Mission Before House Judiciary Committee
Southern Poverty Law Center interim President and CEO Bryan Fair testified before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee on June 9 as part of a congressional inquiry into the SPLC. Fair, who took a one-year leave from teaching to lead the organization, defended its 55-year record fighting racial terror, white supremacy, and discrimination. Simultaneous with the hearing, SPLC released its annual Year in Hate and Extremism report, documenting how hard-right groups have used federal government levers against marginalized communities. Fair noted he was constrained on certain questions because of a pending criminal case, which he said the congressional majority had injected itself into three days after it was filed.
NPQ and Liberation Ventures Announce 16-Day ‘Week of Repair’ Partnership for America’s 250th
Nonprofit Quarterly and Liberation Ventures announced a 16-day editorial partnership called the Week of Repair, running Juneteenth through July 4, 2026. Content published via the #WeTheCivic platform will cover reparations and racial repair ahead of the US 250th anniversary, organized around four pillars: Repair is Personal, Repair is Love, Repair is Community, and Repair is the Future. Dozens of partner organizations will contribute essays, reported pieces, poetry, and visual art. NPQ Interim CEO Sara Hudson said, “Official commemorations are never neutral—they are arguments about who belongs.” Liberation Ventures Co-Founder Aria Florant called it “exactly the amplification this moment demands.” Submissions are open at wethecivic.org.
The 1787 Free African Society That Seeded Modern Black Mutual Aid and Nonprofit Infrastructure
In NPQ, writer Shivank Pandey profiles the Free African Society, founded in Philadelphia on April 12, 1787, by Richard Allen, Absalom Jones, and fellow free Black men. Each contributed a shilling; the organization covered burial costs, aided the sick, placed children in apprenticeships, and encouraged literacy. Historian Amy Jane Cohen told NPQ the society was the first Black organization of its kind, and that by 1838 more than a hundred similar mutual aid societies had formed. Historian Richard S. Newman describes it as “a precursor of what may be called non-profit work in the Black community.” Allen founded the African Methodist Episcopal denomination; Jones founded St. Thomas African Episcopal Church.
National Council of Nonprofits Urges Sector Action Before July 13 on Federal Grantmaking Overhaul
The National Council of Nonprofits is urging the sector to oppose a proposed federal grantmaking overhaul before a July 13 comment deadline. The U.S. Office of Management and Budget published the proposal on May 29, 2026, targeting the Uniform Guidance governing federal grants and cooperative agreements. NCN says the changes would grant any administration unprecedented discretion to withhold, suspend, or terminate grants, allow awards to be determined by partisan ideology, and purport to bar federal funding for DEI practices the administration deems unlawful. NCN is asking nonprofits to sign a national letter, submit a public comment using NCN’s guide, and email members of Congress in opposition.
An Incarcerated Journalist Exposes Georgia’s Prison-to-Profit Pipeline, From Chain Gangs to Modern Contracts
Writing in NPQ under a pseudonym, an incarcerated Georgia journalist traces the state’s prison labor system from 19th-century Black Codes and convict leasing to its present-day operation. Georgia Correctional Industries still pays zero dollars per hour under the Thirteenth Amendment’s slavery exception. A 2025 DOJ investigation found conditions constituting cruel and unusual punishment; 330 people died in state prisons in 2024, an annual record high. Governor Kemp’s parole board cut grants between 2020 and 2025 by half while Georgia’s incarceration rate stands at 968 per 100,000. The author reports the sector generates approximately $5.98 billion annually; Kemp received $1,724,956 from construction industry donors in 2022.
BOX OFFICE
Universal’s “Disclosure Day” Opens to $12M Worldwide First Day, Eyes $65M+ Global Weekend
Steven Spielberg’s $115M original thriller opened June 12 to approximately $12M worldwide on its first day — $6M in domestic previews and $6M overseas. The Emily Blunt-led alien conspiracy film projects a $65M+ global opening weekend . Universal’s marketing team spent roughly $80M and deliberately backloaded the campaign to protect story mysteries, deploying Spielberg on TikTok with creator Reece Feldman, Michelle Obama’s podcast “IMO,” CinemaCon and SXSW to reach Gen Z audiences. Holding 82% on Rotten Tomatoes , strong word-of-mouth could extend its run well into summer. The film needs approximately $300M globally to break even, making critical reception and legs crucial.
Brands Are Betting on Microseries as Their Next Big Marketing Vehicle
Ahead of Cannes Lions, a format born in Asia is now reshaping how brands reach audiences. Microseries — ultra-short vertical shows running 90 seconds to 2 minutes — offer $100K–$300K budgets for 60-episode runs: a fraction of one Super Bowl spot. P&G’s “The Golden Pear Affair” integrates its Native personal-care brand into a 50-episode heist soap; Issa Rae’s “Screen Time” scored 75 million views in one week on TikTok and PineDrama. Range Media Partners–Google, Fox and Peacock are now commissioning branded vertical content. The first dedicated microdramas festival — the ALZA Festival — is planned for New York this fall.
Emmy Voting Begins With 555 Series in the Race, Down 7.5%
Television Academy members opened their nominating ballots Thursday to 555 program submissions , down 7.5% from last year’s 600 as voting runs through June 22. Variety specials (pre-recorded) fell most sharply, to 66 from 89 . In a first, OpenAI’s tech show TBPN entered the variety series category alongside “SNL,” “The Late Show” and “The Daily Show.” Networks’ own marketing teams submitted companion shows — “Stranger Things 5: Stranger Scenes” and “Inside the Pitt” — as stand-alone short-form Emmy entries, a growing brand-building tactic. Drama submissions fell to 110 while comedy rose to 71. Nominations announced July 8 .
Apple TV+ Sets “Slow Horses” Season 6 for September 16
Apple TV+ will launch Season 6 of “Slow Horses” on September 16 , with six weekly episodes dropping every Wednesday through October 21. The season adapts Mick Herron’s novels “Joe Country” and “Slough House,” placing Diana Taverner (Kristin Scott Thomas) at the center of a “fatally high-stakes game of retaliation and revenge” that sends the team on the run. Gary Oldman and Jack Lowden return; BAFTA winner Lenny Rush joins as newcomer. Emmy-winning director Adam Randall returns for the season. The spy thriller has earned multiple BAFTA and Emmy nominations since its Apple TV+ debut in 2022 .
“SNL” Cuts Emmy Submissions to 11 of 20 Hosts as Industry Acting Bids Fall 8%
As Emmy nomination voting opened Thursday, NBC submitted just 11 of 20 “SNL” Season 51 hosts for guest acting — down from all 20 last year. In: Ariana Grande (season-high 5.4 million viewers ), Olivia Rodrigo, Ryan Gosling, Bad Bunny, Melissa McCarthy and Colman Domingo. Out: Sabrina Carpenter, Glen Powell, Matt Damon and Alexander Skarsgård. Across the full ballot, acting submissions fell 8% to 1,573 from 1,706. “The Boys” and “SNL” led all series with 28 performer submissions each . Lead acting races will produce only five nominees this year rather than six. Emmy nominations are announced July 8 .
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