Our 242nd episode with a summary and discussion of last week's big AI news!

Recorded on 04/22/2026

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In this episode:

OpenAI released a new ChatGPT image model that excels at accurate text and screenshot-like generations, suggesting a transformer-style approach aligned with agentic “computer use” ambitions.
Chinese model activity accelerated with Alibaba’s Qwen 3.6 Max Preview moving to an API-only offering, plus open releases from Moonshot AI (Kimi K2.6, a 1T-parameter MoE) and Minimax (Minimax M 2.7) showing strong benchmark results.
Google expanded Deep Research with a “Max” option built on Gemini 3.1 Pro and MCP support for accessing proprietary data, while Mozilla reported using Anthropic’s Claude to find and fix 271 Firefox bugs.
Business and policy updates include a reported SpaceX–Cursor deal with a $60B buy option, Cerebras filing for an IPO, Amazon adding $5B to Anthropic alongside a $100B AWS spending pledge, and platform responses to synthetic media like AI music spam and YouTube deepfake takedown requests.

Timestamps:

Tools & Apps
(00:09:40) ChatGPT's new Images 2.0 model is surprisingly good at generating text | TechCrunch
(00:16:02) Alibaba Drops Qwen 3.6 Max Preview—Its Most Powerful Model Yet - Decrypt
(00:19:26) Google launches Deep Research and Deep Research Max agents to automate complex research
(00:25:00) Mozilla Used Anthropic’s Mythos to Find and Fix 271 Bugs in Firefox | WIRED
(00:28:35) Ordering with the Starbucks ChatGPT app was a true coffee nightmare | The Verge

#242 - ChatGPT Images 2.0, Qwen 3.6 Max, Kimi-K2.6