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Tech Pulse Daily - December 18, 2025

Dillip Chowdary

Dillip Chowdary

Tech Entrepreneur & Innovator

December 18, 2025 | 7 min read

Today's Top Highlights

  • SECURITY: Node.js releases critical security patches for v25.x, v24.x, v22.x, and v20.x
  • FUNDING: OpenAI discusses funding at $750 billion valuation according to The Information
  • TALENT: Tencent hires former OpenAI researcher Yao Shunyu as chief AI scientist
  • LAUNCH: OpenAI announces Academy for News Organizations with journalism partners
  • REMINDER: React2Shell CISA deadline in 8 days (December 26)

Node.js Critical Security Releases Now Available

Node.js has released critical security updates for all active release lines today, addressing multiple high-severity vulnerabilities. The release was postponed from December 15 due to a particularly challenging patch.

  • v25.x: 3 high severity issues + 1 low severity issue
  • v24.x (Active LTS): 3 high + 1 medium + 1 low severity issues
  • v22.x (Maintenance LTS): 3 high + 1 medium + 1 low severity issues
  • v20.x (Maintenance LTS): 3 high + 1 medium + 1 low severity issues

Read Node.js security advisory and download patches →

OpenAI Discusses Funding at $750 Billion Valuation

OpenAI has held preliminary funding discussions with investors to raise tens of billions of dollars at a valuation of $750 billion, according to a report in The Information. This would nearly triple its last reported valuation.

  • Reported Valuation: $750 billion (up from ~$157B in October 2024)
  • Status: Preliminary discussions - details could still change
  • Parallel Talks: Amazon also in discussions for $10B+ investment
  • Context: Comes amid aggressive AI race with Google's Gemini 3 launch

Read Bloomberg's coverage of OpenAI valuation talks →

Tencent Poaches OpenAI Researcher as Chief AI Scientist

Chinese tech giant Tencent has hired former OpenAI researcher Yao Shunyu as its chief AI scientist, signaling an intensifying global competition for AI talent between US and Chinese companies.

  • New Role: Chief AI Scientist at Tencent
  • Reports to: Tencent President Martin Lau directly
  • Responsibilities: Head of newly formed AI Infrastructure Department
  • Industry Trend: Part of broader AI talent reshuffling across major tech companies

Read about Tencent's AI talent acquisition →

OpenAI Launches Academy for News Organizations

OpenAI has announced the launch of a new learning hub for journalists and publishers, partnering with the American Journalism Project and The Lenfest Institute to help news organizations integrate AI responsibly.

  • Partners: American Journalism Project + The Lenfest Institute
  • Focus: Training journalists and publishers on AI tools
  • Goal: Support responsible AI integration in newsrooms
  • Timing: Launches as AI-generated content concerns grow

Read OpenAI's Academy announcement →

This Week's Funding Highlights

As the year winds down, investor conviction remains focused on mission-critical AI platforms, cybersecurity, and clean energy infrastructure.

  • Databricks ($134B): $4B+ Series L, $4.8B annual revenue run rate
  • Cyera ($9B): $400M Series E for AI-driven cybersecurity
  • Radiant Nuclear ($300M+): Portable 1MW nuclear microreactors for data centers
  • Chai Discovery ($1.3B): $130M Series B for OpenAI-backed drug discovery

See Crunchbase's biggest funding rounds this week →

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