The Stack — April 28, 2026

Today's technology briefing highlights significant developments across AI/ML, industry movements, infrastructure, and the developer world.

AI/ML

China's decision to block Meta's acquisition of AI startup Manus underscores the geopolitical tensions affecting tech acquisitions between the US and China. This move reflects broader national security concerns that complicate tech partnerships. Manus, known for its "general AI agent" using Anthropic's Claude 3.7 Sonnet model, was integrated into Meta's services to enhance functionality across its platforms. Additionally, Microsoft and OpenAI have altered their partnership, ending their exclusive and revenue-sharing agreement, which may impact future collaborations.

Industry

Meta's collaboration with Overview Energy to use satellite technology for solar power at night demonstrates innovative strides in sustainable energy solutions for data centers. Moreover, OpenAI is reportedly working with Qualcomm and MediaTek to develop AI-optimized chips for smartphones, potentially revolutionizing how AI is integrated into mobile devices. This aligns with industry trends towards more personalized and AI-driven user experiences.

Infrastructure

A significant cybersecurity incident involved Itron, an energy technology company, which experienced a cyberattack compromising some of its systems. The company has since expelled the hackers and notified law enforcement, highlighting ongoing cybersecurity challenges in the tech infrastructure sector.

Developer World

In software engineering, GitHub Copilot is transitioning to a usage-based billing model, aligning costs with actual usage via AI Credits. This change reflects a broader trend towards more flexible and scalable software pricing models. Additionally, new open-source tools like Utilyze, a GPU monitoring tool, and a terminal spreadsheet editor with Vim keybindings are enhancing developer productivity and system monitoring capabilities.

These developments illustrate the dynamic nature of the tech industry, with continued innovation in AI, strategic industry partnerships, and advancements in developer tools and infrastructure security.