OpenAI Acquires TBPN to Influence AI Debate; Anthropic Expands Microsoft 365 Access

OpenAI has acquired TBPN, a Silicon Valley tech show, to enhance its messaging strategy and influence public debate on artificial intelligence. This acquisition, valued in the low hundreds of millions, maintains TBPN's editorial independence while integrating it into OpenAI's global affairs. Meanwhile, Anthropic has launched a Microsoft 365 connector for Claude, providing read-only access to Outlook, SharePoint, and OneDrive, enhancing user capabilities without compromising security. In other news, Indian startup funding has declined by 26% in Q1 2026, with Bengaluru leading the funding rounds. Anthropic also acquired Coefficient Bio for over $400 million, signaling a strategic move into the biology domain. Additionally, Meta has paused work with Mercor following a data breach, and a California jury has found Meta and Google liable for addictive design, sparking regulatory discussions.