Steam is Popping OFF Right Now

Steam has achieved a new record of over 41.6 million concurrent players, while various AI-related controversies and tech product changes highlight ongoing industry shifts.

• Steam hit a record 41.6 million concurrent players, driven by pandemic growth and sequels.

• AI controversies surround OpenAI's MLK Jr. videos and Facebook's unauthorized photo editing, prompting calls for regulation.

• Apple and Samsung are cutting production of underperforming new phone models.

Steam recently broke its concurrent player record, surpassing 41.6 million users, with growth likely accelerated by pandemic lockdowns and the success of sequels. Meanwhile, OpenAI faced backlash for enabling fake Martin Luther King Jr. videos, and Facebook introduced an AI photo editing feature without explicit user consent, prompting calls for AI regulation. Additionally, Apple and Samsung are cutting production on underperforming phone models, and Uber is expanding into AI model training by offering microtasks to its drivers.

Steam Player Records & Backlog

• 00:00:15 Steam has set a new record with over 41.6 million concurrent users, more than double its player count from five years ago, a surge likely influenced by the pandemic and the success of popular sequels like 'Battlefield 6' and 'Hades 2'. Despite the overall increase in users, a disproportionate number of people are spending more time looking at their game backlogs than actively playing, suggesting a need for users to tackle their unplayed games before acquiring new ones.

AI Content & Regulation Concerns

• 00:01:20 OpenAI stopped users from generating fake videos of Martin Luther King Jr. at the request of his estate, following disrespectful depictions, marking another feature rollback for the company. Facebook also rolled out a controversial AI feature that edits user photos in local storage without explicit permission, leading to calls for global cooperation in regulating AI technology, with Pope Leo XIV emphasizing AI as a tool that requires careful use to prevent users from 'acting like tools' themselves.

Mobile Phone Production Cuts

• 00:04:14 Apple is cutting production of the new iPhone Air by up to one million units due to lower-than-expected sales, even as its iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models are performing well. Similarly, Samsung has reportedly halted development on the Galaxy S26 Edge, discontinuing the product line after the S25 Edge failed to sell well, indicating a potential struggle for 'slim phones' in the market.

Uber & Google Business Strategies

• 00:05:49 Uber is launching a new program that allows its contractor drivers to earn additional cash by completing microtasks for AI model training, such as voice recordings, image uploads, and document submissions for variable rewards. Concurrently, Google Workspace is targeting Microsoft's business customers by promoting its cost-effective plans, directly challenging Microsoft 365's 'architectural brittleness' and emphasizing Google's 'Business Continuity' and 'Work Transformation Set' offerings.