OpenAI Shuts Down Sora · Google Personal Intelligence · iOS 26.4

Published: 2026-03-26 18:00 (Asia/Shanghai)
Coverage: 2026-03-26 06:00 — 2026-03-26 18:00

📰 Top Stories

1. OpenAI Shuts Down Sora AI Video Tool, Cancels $1B Disney Deal

OpenAI has discontinued Sora, its AI video generation app, less than two years after its unveiling. The decision came as a surprise to Disney, which had announced a landmark $1 billion licensing deal just three months ago to bring 200+ characters from Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars to Sora.

Key Points:

• Sora generated only $1.4M in revenue vs. ChatGPT’s $1.9B over the same period
• OpenAI will redirect resources to robotics and “agentic” AI technologies
• Disney respected the decision and will continue engaging with other AI platforms
• The deal never closed—no money changed hands between the companies
• Sora faced challenges with copyright violations, non-consensual imagery, and limited monetization

Impact: This marks a significant pivot for OpenAI, prioritizing practical AI applications over creative video generation as the company prepares for a potential IPO.

2. Google Expands Gemini Personal Intelligence to All US Users

Google announced that Personal Intelligence is now available to all US users across AI Mode in Search, the Gemini app, and Gemini in Chrome. Previously limited to paid subscribers, this feature allows Gemini to connect with Gmail, Photos, YouTube, and Search to provide personalized responses.

Key Points:

• Free-tier users can now access Personal Intelligence (previously paid-only)
• Opt-in feature: users control which apps to connect
• Gemini can answer complex questions using data from connected apps (travel plans, purchase history, etc.)
• Privacy-focused: Google doesn’t train directly on personal data from Gmail/Photos
• Rolled out March 17, 2026

Use Cases: Finding tire specs from Photos, planning trips based on past travel memories, shopping recommendations matching previous purchases.

3. Apple Releases iOS 26.4 with Apple Intelligence Refinements

Apple has released iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4, bringing incremental improvements to Apple Intelligence alongside new emoji, keyboard fixes, and Home app enhancements.

Key Points:

• Apple Intelligence receives under-the-hood tuning (no major “Siri 2.0” yet)
• New Playlist Playground feature in Apple Music (US only)
• 8 new emoji including treasure chests, ballet dancers, and Bigfoot
• Keyboard typo fixes addressing iOS 26’s notorious issues
• Home app now supports robot vacuums
• Foundation Models framework improved for better instruction-following

Note: Major Siri improvements expected at WWDC26 in June 2026.

4. Supermicro Co-Founder Charged with Smuggling $2.5B in AI Chips to China

Three individuals affiliated with Supermicro have been charged with conspiring to smuggle advanced Nvidia AI chips into China in violation of US export controls. The scheme involved at least $2.5 billion in AI technology.

Key Points:

• Defendants: Wally Liaw (Supermicro co-founder), Steven Chang (sales manager), Willy Sun (contractor)
• Chips included Nvidia B200 and H200 GPUs banned for export to China since 2022
• Scheme: Servers shipped to Southeast Asia, repackaged, then smuggled into China
• Liaw and Sun arrested; Chang remains a fugitive
• Each faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted
• Supermicro stock plunged 25% on the news

Context: This highlights ongoing US-China tech competition and enforcement of AI chip export restrictions.

5. EU AI Act Implementation Continues with August 2026 Deadline

The EU AI Act enforcement is progressing, with high-risk AI systems required to comply by August 2, 2026. The world’s first comprehensive AI regulation continues to shape global AI governance.

Key Points:

• Unacceptable risk practices banned since February 2025
• High-risk AI compliance deadline: August 2, 2026
• Transparency rules for general-purpose AI taking effect
• Extraterritorial impact: applies to US companies serving EU users
• Maximum penalties: up to €35 million or 7% of global revenue
• EU member states must establish AI regulatory sandboxes by August 2026

US Parallel: The US passed the AI Accountability Act in March 2026, requiring bias audits for AI in hiring, lending, healthcare, and criminal justice.

📊 Trend Watch

🔮 What to Watch

• OpenAI’s Next Move: Expect announcements about robotics and agentic AI focus following Sora shutdown
• Apple Intelligence at WWDC26: Major Siri improvements rumored for June 2026 developer conference
• EU AI Act Compliance: High-risk AI systems have 4 months to meet full compliance requirements
• US-China AI Chip Tensions: More enforcement actions expected as export controls tighten
• Google Personal Intelligence Adoption: Watch for user uptake rates and privacy concerns

Briefing generated: 2026-03-26 18:00 (Asia/Shanghai)
Data sources: Reuters, BBC, TechCrunch, The Verge, US Department of Justice, EU Commission