What is Grok 4.6 and how does it compare?

Grok 4.6 is SpaceX's new AI model that focuses on long-running agents and ambitious interactive and visual work. It benchmarks right up against Anthropic's latest Fable and Mythos models and OpenAI's GPT 5.6, with OpenAI's Astra next up for comparison.

How much is AT&T spending on AI tokens and where does the cost saving come from?

AT&T runs an average of 45 billion AI tokens every day across more than a thousand internal uses. Switching from closed to open models has already saved 80 to 90% in certain applications, and open models are expected to power 70 to 80% of its AI workload over time.

Why is Apple restructuring its government affairs team now?

The issues ahead—China, chip sourcing, supply chains, tariffs, and hundreds of billions in US-versus-overseas investment—are getting thornier by the day. The restructuring also aligns with John Ternus becoming CEO on September 1, Tim Cook moving to executive chairman while keeping government relationships, and a major Xi-Trump meeting at the White House in September.

Large Language ModelsAI Coding AssistantsOpen-Source AITop Companies' AI MovesTop Companies AIAug 15, 2026Aug 16, 2026, 06:31 JST

SpaceX, AT&T, Apple steer into AI's currents—Grok 4.6, open models, DC lobbying

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3 Key Points

What happened
SpaceX released Grok 4.6, benchmarking against Anthropic's latest models and OpenAI's GPT 5.6; AT&T routes 45 billion daily tokens across open and closed models via a smart router, with open models now powering 25% of use and expected to reach 70–80% over time; Apple hired Nate Gatten, a former American Airlines and JPMorgan government affairs veteran with Republican ties, to lead its global government affairs operation as John Ternus becomes CEO on September 1.
Why it matters
Elon's $60 billion acquisition of Cursor, the AI-native coding company, is validated by Grok 4.6's performance; AT&T's shift demonstrates enterprises are building portfolios of both open and closed models rather than locking into a single vendor, with switching to open models already saving 80–90% in certain applications; Apple's government affairs restructuring—with Tim Cook moving to executive chairman while managing White House relationships—signals Big Tech is treating DC lobbying as a first-team priority ahead of tariffs, chip sourcing, and the September Xi-Trump White House meeting.
What to watch
How the market assesses Grok 4.6's benchmarks in coming days; AT&T's projection that open models will power 70–80% of its AI workload over time; Apple's Pixel 11 phones reducing RAM from last year's 16 gigabytes to 12 despite price increases of $100 on phones and $50 on wearables, signaling that memory pricing pressure is persisting across even the largest tech companies.

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FAQ

What is Grok 4.6 and how does it compare?: Grok 4.6 is SpaceX's new AI model that focuses on long-running agents and ambitious interactive and visual work. It benchmarks right up against Anthropic's latest Fable and Mythos models and OpenAI's GPT 5.6, with OpenAI's Astra next up for comparison.
How much is AT&T spending on AI tokens and where does the cost saving come from?: AT&T runs an average of 45 billion AI tokens every day across more than a thousand internal uses. Switching from closed to open models has already saved 80 to 90% in certain applications, and open models are expected to power 70 to 80% of its AI workload over time.
Why is Apple restructuring its government affairs team now?: The issues ahead—China, chip sourcing, supply chains, tariffs, and hundreds of billions in US-versus-overseas investment—are getting thornier by the day. The restructuring also aligns with John Ternus becoming CEO on September 1, Tim Cook moving to executive chairman while keeping government relationships, and a major Xi-Trump meeting at the White House in September.

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