Skyrocket

• US layoffs reached their highest May level since 2020, with technology giants citing artificial intelligence as the cause for 40% of the cuts. • The trend highlights a growing shift toward automation, particularly in roles involving repetitive, pattern-based tasks. • Chris Hutchins of Hutchins Data Strategy Consultants warns that AI may be used as a convenient excuse for layoffs driven by other underlying economic factors.

• South Korea's foreign tourist arrivals are projected to surpass 10 million in 2026, marking a historic surge in international travel to the country. • The growth is primarily driven by global demand for "K-Wave" culture and high visitor activity in Seoul's Myeongdong, Hongdae, and Gangnam districts, as well as Jeju Island. • This trend solidifies Seoul's status as a top global destination by leveraging its unique blend of modern entertainment, shopping, and historic landmarks.

• Shares of Lam Research and Applied Materials surged during the afternoon trading session following news of geopolitical easing. • The stock jump occurred after President Trump canceled planned military strikes on Iran and indicated that a peace deal could be reached over the weekend. • While Applied Materials saw a significant spike, analysts note the company's high volatility, with 27 moves exceeding 5% over the past year.

• Dimension Market Research reports that the Agentic AI security market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 36.2%, reaching USD 888 billion by 2035. • This surge is driven by the proliferation of multi-agent systems and non-human identities, which are creating a new cybersecurity category as traditional security measures fail to keep pace. • The United States is expected to be a primary driver of this growth, with its domestic market alone forecasted to reach USD 247.5 billion by 2035.

• Waymo achieved skyrocketing ridership in its autonomous ride-hailing service, as charted in recent data highlighted March 31, 2026. • Expansion in US cities drives surge, with millions of miles logged safely. • This breakthrough validates robotaxi scalability amid regulatory progress.