Thiel’s in the news again as a tech/AI provocateur and political donor. Co-founded PayPal, Palantir, Founders Fund; billionaire VC and activist.
Tech billionaire Peter Thiel has held private lectures near the Vatican on the biblical Antichrist, drawing criticism from Catholic scholars and institutions. The event, which explores apocalyptic themes linked to technology and theology, has heightened tensions over the intersection of religion, politics, and AI in Rome.
Senator Chris Murphy was photographed at a protest in California supporting a proposed 5% wealth tax on billionaires, drawing criticism for traveling from Connecticut. The tax aims to fund public programs but faces opposition from Gov. Gavin Newsom and wealthy donors, who warn it could cause capital flight and revenue loss.
The US government has implemented new policies to accelerate research and development of psychedelics, including psilocybin, MDMA, and ibogaine. The move involves FDA fast-tracking and funding for state-level studies, aiming to improve treatments for mental health and addiction. This follows recent political and scientific developments.
California has qualified a proposal for a billionaire wealth tax, which supporters say will fund healthcare and education. Opponents warn it will trigger a mass exodus of the wealthy, leading to significant job and revenue losses. The measure now faces a voter referendum in November 2026.
California’s billionaire wealth tax is facing a strong challenge as Brin and other tech leaders push back. Brin has funded Building a Better California and moved assets out of state, arguing the tax could devastate the economy. The state’s governor opposes the measure, while donors race to influence November ballots.
The inaugural Enhanced Games in Las Vegas has featured track, swimming and weightlifting with athletes allowed to use performance-enhancing drugs under medical supervision. Organisers say the event is safe and innovative, while anti-doping bodies warn it could normalize PED use and harm public health.
Pope Leo XIV has issued a 42,000‑word encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, calling for AI to be "disarmed," urging legal frameworks, independent oversight and protections for workers and children, and declaring that lethal decisions must not be entrusted to algorithms. The Vatican has involved Anthropic co‑founder Chris Olah in the launch, prompting debate about church‑industry ties.
Peter Thiel has been relocating activities abroad, purchasing property in Argentina and engaging with its leadership while his U.S. tax environment faces possible changes. Multiple outlets report the billionaire is exploring Argentina as a potential Plan B amid political and fiscal shifts at home.
OpenRouter and Concentrate AI are expanding AI-model routing, driving demand for cheaper models and cost controls as Anthropic and OpenAI race to go public. The landscape shifts as buyers seek value and governments debate how to share benefits from AI progress.