State of the Race · the week to Sunday 27 September

The week in AI, in one read.

Google DeepMind's Gemini and GLM models entered OpenRouter's top 10 by spend, while Google Gemini dropped to #11 on the US App Store's top free apps. Product updates also stood out: Microsoft added app-building features to Copilot, and OpenAI raised usage limits even as Codex had an outage.

7 stories · published 06:58 UTC
The lede and the "why it matters" lines are written by GPT-6 Luna from the facts below only; everything else is read from the sources.

Vikshy's read

Google DeepMind had the best week: Gemini 3 Flash Preview and Gemini 3.7 Flash entered OpenRouter's top 10 models by spend, and Google is testing shopping through Gemini and AI Mode in India. Anthropic had the worst week: a US appeals court upheld its supply chain risk designation, despite its reportedly signed $11.6 billion cloud deal with Akamai Technologies.

The stories of the week

  1. 1
    MicrosoftFlagship model launch25 Sep

    Microsoft launches new Copilot version with coding and editing features

    Why it matters: Microsoft's Copilot update gives non-technical workers a way to build simple apps from prompts in Microsoft 365.

    Microsoft launched a new version of Copilot in its Microsoft 365 suite. The update adds a Code interface that lets non-technical workers build simple apps from prompts.

  2. 2
    OpenAIMajor outage25 Sep

    OpenAI Codex outage caused by backend key error

    Why it matters: The Codex outage shows a backend key error disrupted access, and OpenAI said it was working toward mitigation.

    OpenAI reported a Codex outage caused by an internal 401 backend key error. The company said it identified the issue and is working toward mitigation.

  3. 3
    AnthropicLaw or ruling25 Sep

    US appeals court upholds Anthropic supply chain risk designation

    Why it matters: The upheld supply chain risk designation is a legal setback for Anthropic.

    A US appeals court upheld the designation of Anthropic as a supply chain risk. The case concerns a Pentagon-related designation reported by CNBC.

  4. 4
    OpenAIUsage limits raised26 Sep

    OpenAI resets Codex and ChatGPT Work usage limits

    Why it matters: More generous Codex and ChatGPT Work usage limits affect how much users can use those tools.

    An OpenAI staff member announced that usage-limit resets for Codex and ChatGPT Work have propagated. The reset makes limits more generous for users.

  5. 5
    AnthropicMajor money news25 Sep

    Anthropic signs $11.6 billion cloud deal with Akamai

    Why it matters: Anthropic has reportedly signed a seven-year, $11.6 billion cloud deal with Akamai Technologies, with a warrant for up to 5 percent of Akamai's shares.

    Anthropic has reportedly signed a seven-year, $11.6 billion cloud deal with Akamai Technologies and will receive a warrant for up to 5 percent of Akamai's shares. Its compute deals have reportedly totaled $517 billion in 11 months.

  6. 6
    Google DeepMindNew product or feature27 SepReported

    Google tests shopping on Flipkart through Gemini and AI Mode in India

    Why it matters: Google is reportedly testing purchases from Walmart-owned Flipkart through Gemini and AI Mode in India, with a broader rollout planned for later in October.

    Google is running a limited test that lets users buy select products from Walmart-owned Flipkart through Gemini and AI Mode in India. A broader rollout is planned for later in October.

  7. 7
    CrusoeMajor money news25 SepReported

    Crusoe drops $1.25B plan for Boom turbines at AI data centers

    Why it matters: Crusoe reportedly abandoned a $1.25 billion plan to use Boom Supersonic turbines at its AI data centers.

    Crusoe abandoned a $1.25 billion plan to use Boom Supersonic turbines at its AI data centers. Boom CEO Blake Scholl said the stationary power plants are no longer in Crusoe's near-term plans.

The Vikshy Score

The close of 27 Sep, 06:00 UTC, against the close a week earlier. The full board.

The numbers

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