What company’s past reveals the future of OpenAI?

OpenAI has, in a very short time, catapulted itself from a small operation tinkering in a speculative and math-heavy field to a household name that’s been compared favorably to some of the most lucrative blue-chip companies in the history of American commerce.

This fast trajectory has made the company itself the topic of fascination and speculation, with the ultimate power of its technology, and the ultimate value of its business, the subject of endless discussion and debate. Contemplating the future of AI in general and OpenAI in particular isn’t just a Silicon Valley parlor game but national watercooler chatter. OpenAI is the next Google GOOGL $189.31 (-1.00%), some cry — it’ll change the way we use the internet! Others warn it’s the next FTX, an over-hyped scam led by a charismatic founder that’ll go to zero.

Tesla Cybertruck explosion at Trump hotel

The Tesla Cybertruck explosion and fire at the entrance of the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas Wednesday morning is being investigated as a possible terrorist act, according to a law enforcement official who has been briefed on the investigation.

At a news conference, Las Vegas Sheriff Kevin McMahill said a vehicle fire was reported at the hotel just after 8:40 a.m. Crews arrived to find a 2024 Cybertruck engulfed in flames, he said. “There is one deceased individual inside the Cybertruck and I don’t know whether it is a male or a female at this time,” McMahill said.

Seven other victims sustained what McMahill described as “minor” injuries as a result of the explosion. Video shared on social media appears to show the car engulfed in smoke as it is being hosed down. Jeremy Schwartz, acting special agent in charge of the FBI in Las Vegas, also confirmed that his team is involved in the investigation.

The cybertruck was rented on the car rental company Turo, according to a law enforcement official briefed on the investigation.

Stocks end terrific year on a down note

The S&P 500 fell 0.4% and the Nasdaq 100 lost 0.9% while the Russell 2000 inched 0.1% higher on Tuesday.

The Magnificent 7 continued limping towards the finish line with the group down 1.4% and all constituents declining, as Tesla TSLA $401.93 (-3.30%) once again lead the way lower. The electric vehicle maker and Nvidia NVDA $134.29 (-2.34%) were the two worst-performing S&P 500 stocks on the day. The cohort has only posted three consecutive declines of 1% or more twice in 2024: the first three sessions of August, and the final three trading days of the year.

• The debt ceiling is back on the table for 2025.

• Architecting one of the year’s most ambitious films, The Brutalist.

• These restaurant chains closed locations in 2024.

Disney’s “Inside Out 2” was 2024’s highest-grossing movie.