Tech Express | July 12, 2026 Apple Sues OpenAI for Trade Secret Theft, AI Allies Turn Foes

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📰 Apple Sues OpenAI for Trade Secret Theft, Alleges Scheme "At Every Level"

On July 10, Apple filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in federal court in Northern California, accusing the AI company of systematically stealing its trade secrets. Apple claims OpenAI employees and recruits obtained confidential documents, physical components, and details about unreleased technologies to build competing hardware.

The two companies entered a high-profile partnership in 2024, integrating ChatGPT into the iPhone operating system. However, Apple alleges that OpenAI exploited this relationship to access Apple's core technologies, implementing the theft scheme "at every level" of the organization. Apple seeks an injunction preventing OpenAI from possessing, using, or sharing its trade secrets, as well as the return of all intellectual property.

This case marks a dramatic deterioration in relations between two AI industry titans. OpenAI has not yet formally responded to the lawsuit, but industry analysts believe it could spark broader discussions about intellectual property protection among AI companies.

— CNBC

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📰 China's GigaDevice Posts 1,099% Profit Surge, Yet Stock Plunges ¥160 Billion in Value

Chinese memory chip leader GigaDevice (兆易创新) reported its first-half 2026 earnings forecast, projecting net profit of approximately ¥6.9 billion (roughly $950 million), a staggering 1,099% year-over-year increase. The explosive growth was driven by tight supply in the memory chip industry, with both volume and pricing of the company's storage products rising significantly.

Despite the stellar earnings forecast, GigaDevice's stock plunged approximately ¥160 billion in market value over nine trading sessions. Analysts suggest the market fears memory chip prices may be nearing a cyclical peak, and some investors chose to lock in profits after the stock's earlier rally.

Meanwhile, supply chain reports indicate DDR5 profit margins have exceeded 80%, with chipmakers gaining unprecedented bargaining power. Consumer electronics companies without long-term supply agreements may face severe memory chip shortages. This industry dynamic continues to reshape global semiconductor supply chains.

— Sina Finance

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📰 Xiaohongshu's IPO Countdown: VIE Restructuring Sparks Employee Equity Disputes

As Xiaohongshu (also known as RED) prepares for its highly anticipated IPO, the restructuring of its VIE (Variable Interest Entity) structure is causing widespread controversy among employees. According to 36Kr, Xiaohongshu achieved approximately $500 million in net profit in 2023 on revenue of roughly $3.7 billion, with about 350 million monthly active users.

Reuters previously reported that Xiaohongshu's monthly active users have surpassed 400 million, with sources expecting its 2026 profit could reach $3 billion. However, as the company's valuation and business metrics soar, the VIE restructuring may impact some employees' equity holdings.

This case highlights the governance challenges Chinese internet companies face when listing overseas. While the VIE structure resolves foreign ownership restrictions, it creates inherent legal risks for employee stock incentives. Xiaohongshu's experience may serve as an important reference for other Chinese tech companies pursuing overseas IPOs.

— 36Kr

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📰 China's BrainCo Bets on Wearable Brain Tech, Challenging Neuralink's Surgical Approach

Brain-computer interface (BCI) technology is emerging as a new frontier in US-China tech competition. Unlike Elon Musk's Neuralink, which requires surgical implantation of chips into the skull, Chinese startup BrainCo has chosen a fundamentally different approach—wearable, non-invasive BCI devices.

BrainCo's headband-style devices can non-invasively read brain signals to help people with compromised neural abilities. CNBC reports that as global interest in BCI technology rises, the field is attracting significant investment. Neuralink raised funds at a $9 billion valuation last year, while BrainCo aims to win market share through safer, more accessible wearable solutions.

Analysts note that both invasive and non-invasive approaches have distinct trade-offs: Neuralink offers higher signal precision but greater risk, while BrainCo provides easier adoption but lower signal quality. The two approaches may coexist and complement each other across different use cases in the future.

— CNBC

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📰 The AI Race Shifts From Bigger Models to Cheaper, Smarter Systems

The competitive focus of the AI industry is undergoing a fundamental shift. While tech giants previously raced to build AI models with ever-larger parameter counts, investors and developers are now increasingly focused on more economical and efficient systems, CNBC reports.

This trend is driven by cost considerations: training and running massive AI models requires tens of billions of dollars in infrastructure investment, while actual commercial returns remain unproven. More companies are turning to smaller, specialized models that excel at specific tasks at a fraction of the operating cost.

Analysts believe the next phase of the AI race will not be about "who has the biggest model" but rather "who can deliver the most value at the lowest cost." This shift could reshape the entire AI industry landscape, favoring companies with efficient computing capabilities and strong engineering optimization.

— CNBC

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📰 Humanoid Robots Perform World's First Live Surgery on Pigs, Paving Way for Human Trials

A research team at the University of California, San Diego achieved a landmark surgical milestone: humanoid robots, remotely controlled by surgeons, successfully performed surgery on live pigs. Ars Technica reports this is the world's first live surgery using humanoid robots, conducted as part of a preclinical trial.

During the procedure, a team of engineers and surgeons precisely controlled the robot's dual arms via a teleoperation system, executing delicate surgical maneuvers. The humanoid form factor offers greater flexibility and adaptability compared to traditional surgical robots, providing unique advantages in complex surgical environments.

The research team stated this successful trial lays the groundwork for future human clinical trials. While routine use of humanoid robots in hospital operating rooms remains some distance away, this breakthrough demonstrates a new direction in robotic surgery technology that could transform surgical practice within the next decade.

— Ars Technica

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📰 Meta to Build Canada's Largest Data Centre North of Edmonton

Meta has announced plans to build Canada's largest data centre north of Edmonton, Alberta. According to BetaKit, this massive facility will primarily support Meta's growing AI computing demands. The social media giant has already committed to investing $600 billion USD in data centre jobs and infrastructure in the US alone.

The data centre plans to use liquefied natural gas as part of its energy supply, a decision that has drawn attention and commentary from organizations including Amnesty International. Alberta has been actively courting tech giants in recent years, aiming to position itself as Canada's data centre hub.

This move also reflects the ongoing infrastructure arms race among global tech giants. As the demand for computing power for AI model training and inference continues to surge, data centres are becoming one of the most critical strategic assets for technology companies.

— BetaKit

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📰 EU Formally Warns Meta Under DSA: Fix Infinite Scroll and Autoplay or Face Fines

The European Commission issued formal warnings to Meta on July 10, provisionally determining that Instagram and Facebook's platform architecture violates the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA). Regulators are demanding Meta provide opt-out controls for infinite scroll and autoplay features, or face fines of up to 6% of global annual turnover.

Ars Technica reports that the EU considers Meta's "addictive design"—including infinite scrolling, autoplay videos, and algorithmic recommendation systems—as harmful to users, particularly young people. This represents the most impactful enforcement action since the DSA took effect.

For Meta, the fine itself may not be the biggest threat—while 6% of global revenue is substantial, the more critical issue is that compliance requirements could force fundamental changes to core product user experience, potentially impacting advertising revenue and user engagement metrics.

— Ars Technica

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📰 SpaceX Stock Hits Record Low, Musk's Net Worth Down $407 Billion

SpaceX's stock price has plunged to its lowest level this year, wiping approximately $407 billion from CEO Elon Musk's net worth in just a few weeks, Benzinga reports. While Musk remains the world's wealthiest person, his net worth has fallen sharply from its peak above $1 trillion.

Musk's wealth is primarily tied to his ownership stakes in SpaceX (approximately 42%) and Tesla (approximately 20%). The SpaceX stock decline is attributed to multiple factors, including concerns about valuation bubbles in the commercial space industry and investor reassessment of future profitability.

Meanwhile, Musk continues to aggressively push forward with multiple frontier projects, including Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot and Neuralink's brain-computer interface. Market analysts note that while these long-term projects hold tremendous potential, they are unlikely to provide near-term support for SpaceX's stock price.

— Benzinga

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📰 Burnout, Frustration, and Heartbreak: Amazon Layoffs Take Their Toll in Saturated Tech Job Market

A CNBC in-depth report reveals the far-reaching impact of Amazon's massive layoffs. Since late 2025, Amazon has eliminated over 30,000 positions, thrusting former employees into an increasingly saturated labor market. One finance manager who spent nearly six years at Amazon described the struggle: after submitting hundreds of applications, finding a comparable position remains elusive.

In 2026 so far, over 450 tech companies have conducted layoffs, affecting approximately 166,000 people. Major firms including Meta, Oracle, and Cisco are also optimizing their workforces. Many laid-off workers have been forced to accept salary cuts or transition to different industries.

The report also highlights the "survivor effect" on remaining employees—increased workloads and mounting burnout. While Amazon continues to ramp up AI investments, the human cost-cutting shows no signs of stopping. This trend is fundamentally reshaping the employment landscape across the entire tech sector.

— CNBC

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