OpenAI builds a fuel station for the AI age

☕ Good morning,

After weeks of waiting, the very first cup of Tech Barista is finally here. Some of you have been on the waitlist for months, and I can’t thank you enough for the patience and curiosity you’ve shown.

This is just the beginning. If today’s issue feels a little raw or incomplete, take it as a promise we’ll brew it stronger with you, day by day.

^{Starting tomorrow, we’ll add a feedback section so you can help shape what comes next.}

_{—Here’s to the first sip.}

STOCK BAR

TOOL BAR

1. MindPal: Get started with AI multi-agent workflow templates

2. Gallabox: Go from leads to deals on WhatsApp

3. MGX: Chat with the AI team leader, product manager, architect, engineer, and data analyst 24/7 to create websites, blogs, shops, analytics, games, or anything else you want to try.

4. CodeFast: Everything you need to build your SaaS or any online business—even as a complete beginner.

5. Waxwing: AI can only give you output, Human + AI gives you outcome

TODAY IN AI
OpenAI plans a massive data center in India

OpenAI is planning a huge data centre in India, possibly a 1-gigawatt facility that would rank among the country’s biggest. Sam Altman may announce it during his visit, though nothing is confirmed yet.

The move fits into OpenAI’s $500 billion Stargate expansion and aligns with India’s $1.2 billion IndiaAI Mission. It also gives OpenAI a way to grow in its second-largest user market while avoiding export restrictions that complicate projects in places like the UAE.

Beyond infrastructure, OpenAI launched the low-cost ChatGPT Go plan last month at ₹399/month ($4.5) to attract more users in India. A local data centre would help power that growth, support custom AI models for the region, and keep data within the country.

 FAST BARISTA

● Taco Bell is rethinking its AI drive-through experiment after rolling it out to 500 locations. Viral fails like a customer ordering 18,000 water cups exposed the system’s flaws. The tech chief admits AI sometimes impresses but often disappoints. For now, Taco Bell is letting franchisees decide when to lean on AI or stick with humans.

● Goldman Sachs says M&A momentum is building after a slow start to the year. Big deals like Union Pacific’s $80B Norfolk Southern buyout are setting the tone. AI infrastructure is expected to fuel massive financing, with trillions needed for data centers and power. By late 2025, Goldman sees dealmaking accelerating into 2026.

● OpenAI is rolling out new parental controls for ChatGPT within a month. Parents can link accounts, disable history, and get alerts if a teen shows signs of distress. Controls also shape responses with age-appropriate rules set by default. The move follows a teen’s death and a lawsuit against OpenAI and Sam Altman.

TECH BARISTA
Google updates Play Games with new profiles

Google is giving Play Games profiles a big refresh. Starting late September, Android users will see stats, achievements, and social features directly on their profiles, starting September 23rd in most regions and October 1st in the EU and UK. The idea is simple, showcase your progress, connect with other players, and manage it all without bouncing between apps.

The update will drop straight into the Play Store itself, so your profile becomes part of the hub where you already download games. Think of it as Google trying to make Play Games feel more like Steam, where your gaming history and milestones live in one place.

MORE TO KNOW

● Amazon has launched AWS cloud services in New Zealand with a $4.4B data center plan. The project will add over 1,000 jobs annually and boost GDP by NZ$10.8B. Customers like Xero and Kiwibank gain faster local cloud options. The move marks a major foreign investment to revive New Zealand’s sluggish economy.

● Spotify released a new Messages feature last month, turning song shares into a social feed. But users are realising that old music shares can now expose their real names and profiles. That’s because Spotify’s tracking links connect past sends with current identities. If you’re wary, you can block, opt out, or strip the tracking codes from links.

GADGETS BARISTA
Vivo X300 Pro to feature custom 200MP camera

Vivo’s next flagship, the X300 Pro, is shaping up to be all about the camera. It’s set to debut Sony’s upgraded LYT-828 sensor for the main camera and a custom 200MP telephoto sensor from Samsung, nicknamed the ISOCELL HPB “Thanos”. Vivo has exclusive rights to it, which is insane in the smartphone race.

The telephoto setup isn’t just about raw megapixels. It comes with a new 85mm periscope lens, improved optics, and CIPA 5.5-level stabilization, meaning sharper shots even with slower shutter speeds. Pair that with ZEISS-coated fluorite glass to cut distortion, and Vivo’s clearly aiming for DSLR-like stability and clarity in a pocket device.

And this isn’t just about the cameras. Rumors point to a flat 6.8-inch 1.5K display, Dimensity 9500 under the hood, and a massive 7,000mAh battery.

FAST FLASH

● Realme has launched the 15T in India under Rs 25,000 with a 7,000mAh battery and 50MP front and rear cameras. The phone sports a compact 6.57-inch AMOLED 120Hz display and slim 7.79mm design. It packs the Dimensity 6400 Max chip, 60W fast charging, and IP69 water resistance. Aimed at users who want big battery and durability in a smaller form factor.

● Google is rumored to launch the Pixel 10a next year with the older Tensor G4 chip. The phone may stick to UFS 3.1 storage and a dual-camera setup without telephoto. Upgrades could include a brighter 2,000 nits display but no new AI features like Magic Cue. Overall the 10a looks like a cost-cutting move compared to the Pixel 10 lineup.

STARTUP BAR
LayerX secures $100M for AI back-office automation

Japan’s offices still run on paper and Excel, and LayerX wants to change that. Its flagship Bakuraku platform automates expenses, invoices, and compliance for over 15,000 companies, including MUFG and Mitsui.

The startup just raised $100 million in Series B led by TCV, bringing total funding to $192.2 million. That’s one of the largest Series B rounds for a Japanese startup of its age.

With products like AI Workforce and a team stacked with ex-CTOs, LayerX is scaling fast, aiming for $68 million in revenue this year. By 2030, it’s targeting $680 million, with AI agents expected to drive half of that growth.