Danny Lewis

We exclusively report that AI training startup Mercore is offering to pay contractors for prior work materials, raising intellectual property concerns.

The $10 billion startup pays contractors to give feedback on the output of AI models.

Its clients have included OpenAI and other AI companies.

In recent weeks, Mercor has approached professionals in industries like entertainment with such offers, even though those being approached often don't have the right to sell the intellectual property.

A Mercor spokeswoman says the company licenses content directly from individuals and only when they own it.

And in another exclusive from the Journal, a group of former Grubhub executives are building a new app to challenge roadside assistance giant AAA.

Their company, Curbside SOS, was recently purchased by roadside assistance platform Honk Technologies.

The combined company will use the two brands to service both individual drivers and businesses, like fleet managers or insurance companies, by channeling Grubhubs model for food delivery into roadside repair.

Similar to other service apps, the curbside app lets users see prices in advance, track providers and make payments.

And the company is training gig workers to do quick vehicle fixes that don't require a tow truck or advanced equipment.

And that's a wrap on your TNB Tech Minutes.

For a deeper dive into what's happening in tech, check out our Tech News Briefing Podcast on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Here's your morning TNB Tech Minute for Friday, April 3rd.

I'm Danny Lewis for The Wall Street Journal.

Microsoft says it plans to invest $10 billion in Japan to develop artificial intelligence infrastructure and strengthen cybersecurity initiatives.

The tech giant says it will invest the money over the next four years and will partner with Internet service providers, including SoftBank and Sakura Internet, to support the development of domestic large language models and other applications.

Microsoft says it will also strengthen its ties with Japan's cybersecurity office to help the government and businesses detect cyberattacks early or preempt them.

As the Iran war enters its second month, Amazon is imposing a 3.5% fuel surcharge on independent merchants who use its warehouses and delivery systems to store inventory and ship orders.

Starting April 17th, the temporary fee will apply to U.S.

and Canadian sellers using the e-commerce giant's Fulfillment by Amazon option.