Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.
On today's podcast:
1) President Trump endorsed using outside auditors to assess the safety of artificial intelligence systems through an accord with Silicon Valley leaders. The accord, which carries no legal weight, commits AI companies to regularly meet to set best practices for the industry and implement internal controls for risks related to cybersecurity and other threats. The document suggests that AI companies "should" implement four layers of controls and notes that "it may make sense to codify" its recommendations into law or regulation in the future.
2) OpenAI aims to raise at least $30 billion from investors in a new round of funding, according to people familiar with the matter, after pushing back its plans for an initial public offering. The company is seeking a valuation of around $1.4 trillion, not including the money raised, and the fundraising discussions are early and could change. OpenAI has seen strong revenue growth, with its revenue run rate accelerating over the summer and topping $40 billion, and the company's run rate revenue has grown by 70% since July.
3) Crude oil flows from the Middle East are returning toward pre-war levels despite continued risks to shipping, according to JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs. Shipments of crude oil have rebounded to 17.5 million barrels a day, or 98% of pre-war levels, while flows of products such as diesel and gasoline were at 3 million barrels a day, or 58%, according to JPMorgan. The global oil market is roughly balanced in September, according to Goldman Sachs, which estimates that oil exports from the Persian Gulf had recovered to 23.3 million barrels a day over the last week.