US limits access to OpenAI's new AI models as Samsung and SK Hynix pledge $518 billion for chips

OpenAI released three new AI systems on June 26, named Sol, Terra, and Luna. At the US government's request, the company limited early access to a few approved partners and said a wider release would come within weeks. About three days later, OpenAI had not set a date for general access, and the same approval process now applies to its rival Anthropic.

A new report from software firm Ramp and workforce data firm Revelio Labs found that heavy AI spenders grew their staff faster. Firms that spent the most early on raised total headcount by 10.2 percent, and entry-level jobs there rose by 12 percent. The report said the gains went mostly to technology firms, while companies that only ran small tests saw no staff growth.

South Korea's two largest chipmakers, Samsung and SK Hynix, said on June 29 they will invest a combined $518 billion to build new chip factories. The companies will each build two plants in the country's southwest to meet rising demand for memory chips used in AI. Samsung and SK Hynix together make about two-thirds of the world's memory chips.

Nvidia's chief executive, Jensen Huang, said the company's share of China's AI chip market has fallen from about 95 percent to zero. US export rules blocked Nvidia's sales there, and China pushed its companies to buy local chips instead. Huawei is now the main supplier, with its AI chip sales expected to reach about $12 billion in 2026, up from $7.5 billion in 2025.

Governor Gavin Newsom announced a deal on June 29 that gives all California state agencies, cities, and counties access to Anthropic's Claude AI at half price. The agreement also includes free training and technical help from Anthropic for state workers. It comes as the US federal government has treated Anthropic as a security risk and signed a defense deal with OpenAI instead.