Meta's Open AI Model Glimmer and a $250M Deal Collapse

Meta has introduced Glimmer, an open-weight AI model available for anyone to download and operate on their own systems, in contrast to its more advanced Muse Spark model, which is restricted to API access. Accompanying this release was a letter from Mark Zuckerberg emphasizing that AI should be accessible "for everyone" instead of being monopolized by a few labs, although the hosts of TechCrunch's Equity podcast pointed out some caveats to this vision. In the latest episode, Kirsten Korosec, Anthony Ha, and Rebecca Bellan examined Glimmer, Zuckerberg's extensive 6,500-word manifesto, and various news items, including the energy costs of the AI sector and a failed $250M acquisition. They also discussed a $300 cocktail robot, Anthropic's controversial watermarking of generated text, Amazon's upcoming Texas data center, and startups like Form Energy, which raised $750M for 100-hour batteries. Additionally, they touched on Joby Aviation's $500M acquisition of a defense contractor, likening it to last year's Blade deal related to the 2028 LA Olympics, and the collapse of a $250M deal between VideoVerse and Minute Media due to alleged document forgery and lawsuits.