Coders & Pixels

Sameh El-Masry

Columnist

Sameh El-Masry is the 'Perspectives' columnist at Coders & Pixels, where he dissects the capital flows and policy shifts shaping the deep tech landscape. With over two decades of experience covering the semiconductor industry and venture capital, Sameh brings a critical eye to the hype cycles of Silicon Valley. Before joining Coders & Pixels, he was a senior technology correspondent for The Financial Times and a contributing editor at TechCrunch. His work focuses on demystifying complex technologies and revealing the economic and geopolitical forces that drive them forward.

Expertise

Venture CapitalTech PolicySemiconductor IndustryDeep Tech Commercialization

Coverage Areas

Venture & Funding
Perspectives
Deep Tech

Latest Articles

Abstract visualization of 4-state memory technology, showing four distinct data states represented by glowing nodes and intricate data pathways, symbolizing the future of data storage.
Deep Tech

What is 4-state memory technology and its applications?

By distinguishing between four distinct physical states instead of two, a new generation of memory chips could pack twice the data into the same physical space, fundamentally altering the economics of

Jul 5, 2026 · 5 min read

Diverse professionals collaborating around a holographic quantum computing display in a futuristic cityscape, symbolizing the future of tech careers.
Deep Tech

What quantum computing skills will you need for 2026 careers?

In 2023, the number of university-level quantum computing courses globally surged by 40% compared to the previous year, according to the Quantum Education Report 2024.

Jul 4, 2026 · 4 min read

A person intently observing a dewdrop on a leaf, symbolizing a reconnection with the physical world and the rejection of excessive convenience.
SaaS & The Cloud

Bogost's 'The Small Stuff' reclaims lives from convenience.

Ian Bogost's new book, 'The Small Stuff,' posits a provocative solution to modern malaise: widespread disconnection and dissatisfaction stem not from grand societal failures, but from our neglect of t

Jun 29, 2026 · 2 min read

A symbolic representation of Apple Vision Pro executive Paul Meade transitioning from Apple's ecosystem to OpenAI's hardware group, highlighting the competition in AI and spatial computing.
SaaS & The Cloud

Apple Vision Pro Exec Paul Meade to Join OpenAI in 2026

Paul Meade, the Apple vice president reportedly leading Vision Pro hardware engineering and smart-glasses work, is departing for OpenAI’s hardware group in late June 2026, according to windowsforum .

Jun 28, 2026 · 3 min read

A glowing Xbox controller intertwined with AI neural network patterns against a backdrop of digital cloud data streams, symbolizing Microsoft's AI-driven strategy.
SaaS & The Cloud

Xbox Price Increase Driven by AI Strategy

Starting October 3rd, the Xbox Series S 512GB will jump from $400 to $500, a significant price increase across Microsoft's console lineup affecting all current Xbox models in the United States.

Jun 26, 2026 · 2 min read

Abstract visualization of AI code merging with a human silhouette in a modern, digitally lit office.
Venture & Funding

Superhuman acquires AI detection startup GPTZero

Founded just last year, AI detection startup GPTZero amassed over 19 million registered users and $30 million in annual recurring revenue before its acquisition by Superhuman, as reported by Business

Jun 24, 2026 · 3 min read

A sophisticated AI-powered robot named Poseidon on a fishing boat, designed for humane fish processing, symbolizing ethical advancements in the seafood industry.
AI & Machine Learning

Founders Fund Invests in Shinkei Systems' Humane Fish Killing Tech

At Erewhon grocery stores, 'ceremony grade' Miso Black Cod, sold under the Seremoni brand, owes its premium quality to a refrigerator-sized robot named Poseidon that humanely kills fish on commercial

Jun 21, 2026 · 3 min read

Abstract representation of artificial intelligence and site reliability engineering merging, with glowing data streams and server infrastructure.
Venture & Funding

Elastic acquires AI SRE startup DeductiveAI for up to $85 million

DeductiveAI, an AI site reliability engineering startup, is being acquired by Elastic for up to $85 million, despite its modest $1 million in annual recurring revenue, according to Startup Fortune .

Jun 19, 2026 · 2 min read

Futuristic cityscape with AI circuit patterns and a holographic stock ticker showing rapid growth, symbolizing the AI public offering frenzy.
SaaS & The Cloud

SpaceX IPO Raises $75 Billion, Sparking AI Public Offering Frenzy

Just weeks after SpaceX debuted with a near-$2 trillion valuation, making Elon Musk the world's first trillionaire, AI giants OpenAI and Anthropic have filed to go public, each seeking valuations nort

Jun 15, 2026 · 3 min read

AI agents and diverse frontline workers collaborating in a modern, automated workplace, showcasing efficient hiring and onboarding processes.
Venture & Funding

Orbio raises $21M to automate frontline worker hiring and onboarding

At The Stepping Stones Group, Orbio's AI agents now run the company's full US operation, leading to a 20% increase in candidates hired.

Jun 15, 2026 · 2 min read

Digital divide separating users from AI access, with India's flag integrated into a futuristic cityscape, symbolizing the nation's engagement with AI's future.
SaaS & The Cloud

India Debates AI Future as Anthropic Halts Model Access

On June 12, 2026, Anthropic abruptly suspended global access to its Fable 5 and Mythos 5 AI models for all foreign nationals, following a direct order from the U.

Jun 14, 2026 · 2 min read

Advanced AI robots and sophisticated machinery in a high-tech manufacturing facility, symbolizing the future of physical world engineering powered by artificial intelligence.
SaaS & The Cloud

Jeff Bezos's Prometheus AI raises $12 billion for physical world engineering

Jeff Bezos's AI startup Prometheus, co-founded with Vik Bajaj, just secured a staggering $12 billion in new funding, catapulting its valuation to $41 billion, according to TechCrunch .

Jun 12, 2026 · 3 min read

Futuristic Indian cityscape showcasing AI-generated video, symbolizing Avataar.ai's Varya model making video creation accessible and culturally relevant.
AI & Machine Learning

Avataar.ai Launches Varya, Indigenous Video AI for India

An Indian startup's new video AI model, Varya, generates a second of video for just ₹0.

Jun 12, 2026 · 2 min read

Smartphone screen displaying Equal AI's interface blocking spam calls amidst a blurred backdrop of a busy Indian city street.
AI & Machine Learning

Equal AI raises $30 million to fight India's spam call deluge

Over a million Indian Android users have already adopted Equal AI's mobile assistant, which answers their incoming calls and explains their purpose, just a year after its launch.

Jun 12, 2026 · 3 min read

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei in his office, with a single person, his chief of staff, visible in a focused spotlight.
AI & Machine Learning

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei Has Just One Direct Report

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, leading a multi-billion dollar AI company, directly supervises only one individual: his chief of staff, Avital Balwit, according to TechCrunch .

Jun 11, 2026 · 3 min read

A visual representation of Sequoia Capital's alleged dual-pricing valuation scheme, showing a $1 billion reported valuation versus a $400 million actual investment valuation.
SaaS & The Cloud

Brendan Foody Accuses Sequoia of Dual-Pricing Valuation Tricks

AI-driven IT startup Serval announced a $75 million Series B at a $1 billion valuation.

Jun 9, 2026 · 2 min read

Digital shield protecting an AI core from malicious code fragments, representing OpenAI's Lockdown Mode against prompt injection attacks.
SaaS & The Cloud

OpenAI's Lockdown Mode Shields Against Prompt Injection Attacks

OpenAI has rolled out an optional 'Lockdown Mode' for personal ChatGPT accounts in 2026, designed to limit the AI's ability to connect to the web or external services, according to PCMag UK .

Jun 7, 2026 · 4 min read

A futuristic quantum computer simulating molecular spectra, with glowing circuits and abstract molecular and light wave visualizations, representing a 2026 scientific breakthrough.
Deep Tech

How Quantum Computing Breakthroughs Model Molecular Spectra for 2026

Researchers performed a quantum simulation of chemical dynamics with real molecules for the first time, simulating light interacting with allene (C3H4), butatriene (C4H4) and pyrazine (C4N2H4), accord

Jun 7, 2026 · 3 min read

Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn, leaving Microsoft's corporate environment to embrace the future of AI drug discovery startups.
Venture & Funding

Reid Hoffman to leave Microsoft board for AI startup

After years advising one of the world's most powerful tech companies, Reid Hoffman plans to leave Microsoft's board.

Jun 6, 2026 · 2 min read

Startup founder presenting a complex AI pitch to a disengaged venture capitalist who appears to be falling asleep in a modern boardroom.
AI & Machine Learning

Founders Share VC Horror Stories Naming Names on Viral X Thread

A senior partner at a prestigious venture firm once fell asleep for 30 minutes during a founder's pitch, yet still offered investment, according to Zamin Uz .

Jun 6, 2026 · 2 min read