The Download: OpenAI's latest AI breakthrough in solving a 90-year-old math problem has been overshadowed by accusations of failing to credit other researchers. This could mark a turning point, as AI models might become essential for advancing mathematics, but only if powerful companies can afford the necessary resources.

Batteries are booming in the US, with installations breaking records in the second quarter of 2026. The surge is driven by cheaper batteries and a growing need for energy storage as renewables are added to the grid. However, the market is divided between grid-scale and residential batteries.

Danijar Hafner, a 31-year-old AI researcher, is developing agents that can navigate and plan in real-world environments. His work could change how AI interacts with the physical world, but his venture remains under wraps.

The US has accused six Chinese AI firms of industrial-scale theft, including DeepSeek, Moonshot AI, Alibaba, and Z.AI. They are accused of stealing America's AI trade secrets using model distillation, targeting systems like Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, and Grok.

The Pentagon is asking OpenAI for an AI model that rarely says no, aiming for minimal refusal rates. This could lead to AI firms training on classified military data, raising concerns about data security and privacy.