Ayar Labs, which is developing a way to link AI chips directly with optical connections, raised $150M, an extension of its $500M Series E in March 2026 (Stephen Nellis/Reuters)

Ayar Labs secured an additional $150 million, extending its $500 million Series E round announced in March 2026, to advance optical interconnects that link AI processors directly. Anthropic released a threat-intelligence report detailing how it disrupted multiple plots that attempted to misuse its Claude model for cyberattacks, influence campaigns, surveillance, biological-weapon research, scams and other illicit activities, shutting down ambiguous research despite being unable to verify its intent.