Why You Might Already Own SpaceX Shares, Siri’s AI Makeover, and Knicks Owner’s Surveillance Machine
In this edition of Uncanny Valley, we explore three compelling technology and business stories shaping 2026: the surprising ways everyday investors may already be exposed to SpaceX’s upcoming IPO, Apple’s long-awaited generative AI overhaul of Siri, and troubling revelations about New York Knicks owner James Dolan’s sophisticated surveillance apparatus.
The SpaceX IPO: You Might Already Be an Investor
SpaceX’s initial public offering—expected by late 2026—has generated extraordinary excitement, with the company now valued at over $200 billion. However, as we explain in the latest podcast episode, you may already own a piece of SpaceX without realizing it. Many large institutional investors, including mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track the broader market, hold shares in private companies like SpaceX through special purpose vehicles. Check your retirement account: if you own an ETF that includes positions in venture capital firms or private equity funds, SpaceX could be part of your portfolio. This passive exposure means that millions of Americans—especially those with target-date retirement funds or broad-market index funds—may have a tiny slice of Elon Musk’s rocket company. As the IPO approaches, these holdings could either unlock significant gains or introduce new volatility, depending on market reception.
Siri Finally Gets an AI Makeover
Apple’s long-rumored artificial intelligence overhaul of Siri is finally materializing in 2026. The company has integrated a large language model (LLM) into the digital assistant, enabling more natural, contextual conversations and the ability to perform complex, multi-step tasks across apps. Unlike earlier versions that relied on rigid commands, the new Siri can understand vague requests like “Plan a dinner for four this Friday with my favorite Italian restaurant” and automatically check availability, draft a message, and add the event to your calendar. Apple has emphasized privacy-focused on-device processing for most requests, but the upgrade still faces stiff competition from Amazon’s Alexa+, Google’s Gemini Assistant, and emerging AI-native startups. Whether this is enough to reverse Siri’s reputation as a laggard remains to be seen, but early reviews suggest a meaningful leap forward.
Knicks Owner’s Surveillance Machine Exposed
An investigation has revealed that Madison Square Garden Entertainment, led by Knicks owner James Dolan, has deployed an extensive, AI-powered surveillance system across its venues—including Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, and the Beacon Theatre. The system uses facial recognition, license plate readers, and data from ticket purchases to create detailed profiles of attendees. Critics warn that the technology goes far beyond typical security, effectively blacklisting lawyers involved in litigation against the company and tracking individuals across multiple events. Dolan’s team defends the system as a safety measure, but civil liberties advocates argue it represents a troubling expansion of corporate surveillance in public entertainment spaces. The controversy has spurred calls for new regulations in New York state, but no legislative action has been taken as of mid-2026.
Listen to the full conversation on Uncanny Valley, available now on your preferred podcast platform.
via Wired AI