The Download: climate tech goes public and the AI Hype Index returns

- The Download: Climate tech IPOs surge, AI Hype Index returns. Solv Energy, X-energy, Fervo Energy hit billions. Grid demand driven by AI data centers is fueling this boom. AI Hype Index: Reality vs fiction. 1. Illinois passes strict AI safety audits. 2. Google engineer charged with insider trading on Polymarket using search data. 3. ByteDance develops custom CPUs amid chip squeeze; Google/Amazon/Microsoft follow. 4. Big Tech backs clean energy for AI infra. 5. Nvidia CEO joins Tsinghua board amidst export struggles. 6. Trump admin funds drone firms (Trump Jr. shareholder). 7. London tops European tech hubs. 8. OpenAI vs Anthropic on job impacts. 9. Quantum chips achieve perfect randomness for crypto security. 10. Embryo organoids improve IVF. Quote: "How can we be happy about Google coming? We’ll all be scattered." — Pyla Kondamma, India. VC critique: Software-focused VC fails to build essential infrastructure. Block confirmed — everyone panic responsibly.