“Superman” debuts with $122 million domestically, launching James Gunn’s new DC cinematic era and achieving record box office success.

“Superman” debuted in theatres this weekend, earning an estimated $122 million in domestic ticket sales. This film marks the first release from James Gunn and Peter Safran since they became co-heads of Warner Bros. Discovery‘s DC Comics film and TV unit in late 2022. They have established a 10-year plan to revitalize the studio’s franchises, including new interpretations of Superman and Batman.

Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst at Comscore, noted that the success of “Superman” allows DC Studios to reset its strategy and sets the stage for future developments. The domestic box office for “Superman” is the highest for a solo Superman film, surpassing the $116 million debut of “Superman: Man of Steel” in 2013.

Among DC films, only four have had higher openings: “Batman v. Superman” at $166 million, “The Dark Knight Rises” at $160 million, “The Dark Knight” at $158.4 million, and “The Batman” at $134 million.

Shawn Robbins, director of analytics at Fandango, described “Superman” as a significant summer hit and a strong start for Gunn’s leadership at DC Studios. Globally, “Superman” garnered $95 million in international sales, leading to a total opening estimate of $217 million worldwide.

OpenAI to launch an AI-driven web browser, directly competing with Google Chrome and seeking user data access.

OpenAI is preparing to launch an AI-powered web browser aimed at competing with Google Chrome.

Sources indicate this new browser will be released in the coming weeks and intends to transform how consumers navigate the internet.

The browser could provide OpenAI with access to valuable user data, a significant asset for competing against Google, where Chrome plays a crucial role in advertising revenue.

If the browser gains traction among ChatGPT’s 500 million weekly users, it may impact Google’s advertising strategy. The design aims to maintain user interactions within a ChatGPT-like chat interface, streamlining the browsing experience.

This development is part of OpenAI’s broader initiative to integrate its AI services into daily consumer activities.

Forefront of innovation

OpenAI remains tight-lipped about the project, and the sources requested anonymity. CEO Sam Altman has been at the forefront of innovation since the launch of ChatGPT, while OpenAI seeks new growth opportunities amidst fierce competition, notably from Google and others.

The browser will harness the same open-source technology that underpins Chrome and other browsers, while OpenAI has also brought on board key talent from Google’s original Chrome development team.

In a strategic move, OpenAI opted for developing its browser over creating a plug-in, prioritising control over data collection. Google currently maintains more than two-thirds of the global browser market, posing a significant challenge for OpenAI in this new venture.

Linda Yaccarino resigns as CEO of X following merger with xAI and internal financial conflicts.

Linda Yaccarino has announced her resignation as CEO of X, following the merger with xAI. Her tenure has faced challenges, particularly after the integration of the chatbot company into X, which shifted focus towards artificial intelligence over traditional social media growth.

Investor interest has increasingly gravitated towards AI potential. Tensions arose between Yaccarino and new CFO Reza Banki, who was hired to address financial issues and originally replaced Yaccarino’s finance head.

Banki reportedly pressured her regarding spending on celebrity content. Yaccarino viewed the return of some advertisers and the revenue changes resulting from the merger as an appropriate time to step down.

Broader platform

In her post about her departure, she expressed gratitude to Elon Musk for the opportunity to lead and transform X into a broader service platform. Musk acknowledged her contributions through a social media post.

Yaccarino, who took over in 2023, dealt with initial advertiser concerns related to content moderation and Musk’s management style. Despite challenges, including threatening brands to encourage them back to the platform, she made strides in rebuilding ad relationships and fostering new advertising opportunities.

Financial improvements have been noted, with X reporting adjusted earnings growth and revenue recovery efforts reflecting progress. However, the platform continues to deal with content moderation issues, especially after recent controversial comments from the chatbot, highlighting ongoing operational challenges.