business

Jon Keegan1/16/25

Anduril building $1 billion factory to churn out autonomous weapons and vehicles

Autonomous-weapons systems startup Anduril announced plans to build a $1 billion “hyperscale” factory in Columbus, Ohio. Named “Arsenal-1,” the sprawling 5 million-square-foot, airport-adjacent factory complex will be optimized for “the mass production of autonomous systems and weapons,” according to the company’s press release. The company said the factory is expected to create 4,000 jobs.

Anduril, founded by Palmer Luckey in 2017 after selling his Oculus VR startup to Facebook (Meta) in 2014, is a big player in the emerging group of “defense technology” companies currently pitching the US government on ways to bring AI to the battlefield. The startup is backed by Peter Thiel, and is currently valued at $14 billion.

Recently a wave of AI companies have leaned into defense. Palantir has partnered with AI startup Anthropic to include its AI models for national-security applications, and OpenAI and Meta have both started pitching their AI platforms for use in defense.

A group of tech companies including Anduril, Palantir, OpenAI, and SpaceX have partnered up in an effort to compete against legacy defense-industry giants Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and RTX.

A.I. Military Start-Up Anduril Plans $1 Billion Factory in Ohio

A.I. Military Start-Up Anduril Plans $1 Billion Factory in Ohio

Anduril, founded by Palmer Luckey in 2017 after selling his Oculus VR startup to Facebook (Meta) in 2014, is a big player in the emerging group of “defense technology” companies currently pitching the US government on ways to bring AI to the battlefield. The startup is backed by Peter Thiel, and is currently valued at $14 billion.

Recently a wave of AI companies have leaned into defense. Palantir has partnered with AI startup Anthropic to include its AI models for national-security applications, and OpenAI and Meta have both started pitching their AI platforms for use in defense.

A group of tech companies including Anduril, Palantir, OpenAI, and SpaceX have partnered up in an effort to compete against legacy defense-industry giants Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and RTX.

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business

Max Knoblauch10/16/25

Uber launches “digital tasks” in the US, paying some drivers to train AI

Beginning later this fall, US Uber drivers will be able to earn money by completing short “digital tasks” like uploading restaurant menus or recording audio samples.

CEO Dara Khosrowshahi teased the new gig income stream back in June at the Bloomberg Tech conference.

At that time, Khosrowshahi said drivers and couriers were “labeling maps, translating language, looking at AI answers, and grading AI answers.” According to Thursday’s announcement, the tasks won’t be so focused on Uber’s business, but instead on connecting workers with “companies that need real people to help improve their technology.”

Per Uber, digital tasks can be done when drivers aren’t on a trip, be it at home or when not driving, and will take only “a few minutes” each.

Uber’s having drivers train its AI while partnering with robotaxi companies that could replace them

Uber’s having drivers train its AI while partnering with robotaxi companies that could replace them

At that time, Khosrowshahi said drivers and couriers were “labeling maps, translating language, looking at AI answers, and grading AI answers.” According to Thursday’s announcement, the tasks won’t be so focused on Uber’s business, but instead on connecting workers with “companies that need real people to help improve their technology.”

Per Uber, digital tasks can be done when drivers aren’t on a trip, be it at home or when not driving, and will take only “a few minutes” each.

United Airlines posts stronger-than-expected profit but weaker sales in its third quarter

United’s full-year profit outlook falls somewhere in between the dual forecasts it issued back in April.

United Airlines Airplanes at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey

Hyunsoo Rim, David Crowther

Pop-Tarts, Doritos, and Uncrustables have joined the protein craze taking over America’s snack aisle

Food giants are catching up with the latest diet obsession.

Pop tarts protein

US-ENTERTAINMENT-ILLUSTRATION-APPLE TV+

Apple TV dropped the “plus” as streamers keep pulling back on originals

After the spray-and-pray approach led to a wave of cancellations, Hollywood is settling into an era of just making fewer shows.

Hyunsoo Rim10/15/25

business

Max Knoblauch10/14/25

The average price of a new vehicle in the US passed $50,000 for the first time ever in September

The average price of a new vehicle in the US surpassed $50,000 in September, according to Cox Automotive’s Kelley Blue Book.

At $50,080, that’s the highest industry average ever, reflecting the price hikes faced by new car buyers in recent years amid pandemic supply shortages, tariff-induced increases, and the high cost of EV production. The figure marks a 3.6% jump from the same month last year.

“Tariffs have introduced new cost pressure to the business, but the pricing story in September was mostly driven by the healthy mix of EVs and higher-end vehicles pushing the new-vehicle ATP into uncharted territory,” Cox executive analyst Erin Keating said. Passing the $50,000 mark was inevitable, Keating said, especially considering that the country’s bestseller is a Ford truck that “routinely costs north of $65,000.”

Year over year, new vehicle prices rose nearly 6% for GM, while Ford’s climbed 2.5%. Volkswagen new prices were up 12.5%.

As prices climb, so do delinquencies on loans to borrowers with lower credit scores. Recent data from Fitch Ratings shows the portion of subprime US auto loans 60 days or more overdue reached 6.43% in August.

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