News/Partnerships
And they’re off! Baidu eyes Lyft partnership to challenge Waymo in global robotaxi race
Tu Le, founder and managing director of Sino Auto Insights, a China-focused automotive research firm, believes Lyft and Baidu could form an ideal partnership in the robotaxi market. Baidu, China's largest search engine company, is using autonomous vehicles as a key component of its transformation into an AI-focused company. Why this matters: Baidu views robotaxis as central to its broader pivot toward becoming recognized as an artificial intelligence company rather than just a search engine.• The Chinese tech giant is leveraging autonomous vehicle technology as a flagship demonstration of its AI capabilities.• This shift represents a significant strategic repositioning for...
read Aug 4, 2025Amphenol acquires CommScope’s fiber unit for $10.5B as AI drives connectivity demand
Amphenol has agreed to acquire CommScope's Connectivity and Cable Solutions (CCS) business for $10.5 billion, marking the second major CommScope unit the company has purchased in under a year. The deal significantly strengthens Amphenol's position in fiber optic interconnects and data center infrastructure, particularly as AI-driven demand for high-speed connectivity continues to surge. What you should know: This acquisition builds on Amphenol's previous $2.1 billion purchase of CommScope's Andrew connectivity business in July 2024. The Andrew deal included CommScope's Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) and Outdoor Wireless Networks units, which have been consolidated under the revived Andrew brand. Amphenol's experience with...
read Aug 4, 2025Google and Goodwill launch free AI training for 200K workers
Artificial intelligence has rapidly evolved from a futuristic concept to an essential workplace skill, yet many professionals remain uncertain about how to develop AI literacy. A new partnership between Google and Goodwill Industries offers a compelling solution: a comprehensive, free AI training program designed to bridge this knowledge gap for working professionals. The Google AI Essentials course, delivered through Coursera, represents a strategic collaboration between Google.org (Google's philanthropic arm) and Goodwill Industries—better known for thrift stores but actually the largest nonprofit workforce development provider in the United States, helping over 350 people find jobs daily. This partnership aims to deliver...
read Aug 4, 2025Utilities partner with Google to reduce AI power during peak demand
Google has signed agreements with two U.S. electric utilities to reduce power consumption at its AI data centers during peak demand periods, marking the tech giant's first formal participation in demand-response programs for machine learning workloads. The move addresses growing concerns about AI's massive energy requirements straining the electrical grid and potentially driving up costs for consumers while risking blackouts. What you should know: Google's partnerships with Indiana Michigan Power and Tennessee Power Authority represent the first time the company has formally agreed to scale back its AI operations to help stabilize the electrical grid. The agreements allow utilities to...
read Aug 1, 2025Samsung unfolds free 6-month Google AI Pro subscriptions with purchase of foldable phones
Samsung's latest foldable phones are breaking preorder records, and the company is sweetening the deal with a valuable bonus that many buyers might overlook. Galaxy Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7, and Z Flip 7 FE purchasers can claim six months of Google AI Pro absolutely free—a $120 value that unlocks advanced artificial intelligence tools, expanded cloud storage, and premium features designed to enhance productivity. This promotion arrives as Samsung celebrates record-breaking demand for its newest foldables. According to the company, preorders have surged nearly 60% compared to last year's models, with carrier partners reporting unprecedented interest in the lighter,...
read Aug 1, 2025onsemi transforms customer support pipeline with AI, hits 90% accuracy
Semiconductor company onsemi has successfully transformed its operations using AI-driven digital transformation, achieving remarkable improvements in customer support accuracy and setting ambitious sales targets. Under CEO Hassane El-Khoury's leadership since 2020, the company shifted from being a fast follower to a leader in power and sensing technologies by implementing seven comprehensive "digital threads" that integrate AI and automation across all business processes. What you should know: onsemi developed a systematic approach to AI transformation by creating interconnected digital workflows spanning the entire organization. The company established seven "digital threads" covering Idea to Market, Lead to Order, Plan to Fulfill, Source...
read Jul 30, 2025Foxconn and TECO team up to build modular AI data centers
Foxconn and TECO Electric & Machinery have announced a strategic share-swap alliance to jointly develop modular AI data center infrastructure, combining Foxconn's AI server manufacturing expertise with TECO's electromechanical systems and green energy capabilities. The partnership positions both Taiwanese companies to compete more effectively in the rapidly growing global AI data center market, targeting key regions including Taiwan, Asia, the Middle East, and the United States. The big picture: This alliance represents a significant consolidation in the AI infrastructure supply chain, as hyperscalers and cloud service providers increasingly demand comprehensive, turnkey data center solutions rather than piecemeal components. Key details:...
read Jul 30, 2025Retail replication: Nestlé builds 4,000 AI digital twins for 30% faster marketing content
NVIDIA, Microsoft, and Accenture Song are collaborating with Nestlé to deploy AI-powered digital twins for large-scale marketing content creation, using virtual 3D replicas of products to generate personalized campaigns without constant reshooting. This partnership positions Nestlé at the forefront of retail's digital transformation, where AI marketing revenue is projected to reach $47 billion this year and brands using digital twins report 30% faster content production cycles. What you should know: Nestlé has built a library of 4,000 3D digital products and plans to convert 10,000 products into digital twins within two years. More than 250 Nestlé global digital specialists are...
read Jul 30, 2025Amazon backs Fable’s AI platform that turns text into TV episodes
Amazon has invested in Fable, a San Francisco AI startup launching Showrunner, which the company bills as the "Netflix of AI" for creating user-directed TV episodes through text prompts. The platform allows users to generate animated scenes or full episodes either from scratch or within existing story worlds, representing Amazon's bet on interactive AI entertainment as a new medium rather than just a cost-cutting tool. What you should know: Showrunner launches publicly this week after months in closed alpha testing with 10,000 users, initially free but eventually charging creators $10-$20 monthly for credits to generate hundreds of TV scenes. Users...
read Jul 29, 2025California launches first AI policy academy for state lawmakers
The California Council on Science and Technology has launched the CCST Legislative Academy on AI, an educational program designed to help state lawmakers and their staff navigate AI policy decisions. The initiative comes as California grapples with over 50 AI-related bills in the 2025 legislative session alone, highlighting the urgent need for informed policymaking in this rapidly evolving field. What you should know: The academy represents California's first comprehensive effort to educate legislators specifically about artificial intelligence and its policy implications. The program is open exclusively to Legislature members and staff at no cost, with initial programming launching this fall....
read Jul 29, 2025Sparsely populated Wyoming’s planned 10-gigawatt AI data center would double state’s power use
Cheyenne, Wyoming officials announced plans for a massive AI data center that would consume more electricity than all of the state's homes combined, with initial power demands of 1.8 gigawatts scaling to 10 gigawatts at full capacity. The project, a joint venture between energy infrastructure company Tallgrass and AI data center developer Crusoe, would fundamentally transform Wyoming from a net energy exporter to a major consumer, requiring dedicated power generation to meet its unprecedented electricity demands. The scale is staggering: The initial 1.8-gigawatt phase alone would consume 15.8 terawatt-hours (TWh) annually—more than five times the electricity used by every household...
read Jul 29, 2025Positron raises $51.6M to challenge Nvidia with 5x more efficient AI chips
Positron, a private AI chip startup, has raised $51.6 million in Series A funding to challenge Nvidia's dominance in AI inference chips with its Atlas hardware platform. The company claims its specialized inference accelerators deliver 2x to 5x better performance per watt and dollar compared to Nvidia's solutions, targeting enterprises seeking more efficient AI deployment without requiring liquid cooling or extreme power densities. What you should know: Positron's Atlas chip is already shipping and in production just 15 months after the company's founding, with confirmed deployments at major enterprises including Cloudflare, a security and cloud content networking provider, and across...
read Jul 29, 2025Malaysia builds $2.36B green-powered AI infrastructure with Nvidia
Malaysia has partnered with Nvidia and YTL Power International in a RM10 billion ($2.36 billion) initiative to establish green-powered AI infrastructure and develop the nation's own sovereign large language model. The collaboration positions Malaysia as a strategic AI hub in Southeast Asia while advancing the country's digital sovereignty ambitions through sustainable technology deployment. What you should know: The partnership will create AI data centers powered entirely by renewable energy sources and deploy Nvidia's high-performance GPU technology across Malaysia. Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz confirmed the initiative includes developing Malaysia's own sovereign LLM to strengthen...
read Jul 29, 2025Bell Canada partners with Cohere for sovereign AI solutions
Bell Canada, the country's largest telecommunications provider, has formed a strategic partnership with Cohere, a Toronto-based enterprise AI company, to deliver sovereign artificial intelligence solutions specifically designed for Canadian government and business clients. This collaboration addresses growing concerns about data security and regulatory compliance by ensuring that sensitive information remains within Canadian borders while accessing cutting-edge AI capabilities. The partnership represents a significant development in Canada's AI infrastructure landscape, combining Bell's extensive telecommunications network with Cohere's advanced language models to create what the companies describe as a "full-stack" AI platform. Unlike cloud-based AI services that may store data internationally, this...
read Jul 29, 2025AI on the big, big screen as films make theatrical debut at 10 IMAX locations
Runway AI has partnered with IMAX to screen finalist films from its 2025 AI Film Festival at 10 IMAX theaters across the U.S. between August 17-20. This marks a significant milestone for AI-generated cinema, elevating these typically social media-bound creations to premium theatrical experiences and legitimizing AI filmmaking as a serious creative medium. What you should know: The partnership brings AI-generated films to IMAX's premium format for the first time, with 40 total screenings planned across major U.S. cities.• Ten finalist films, lasting 2-10 minutes each, will screen at locations including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, New York...
read Jul 29, 2025ChatGPT’s new study mode transforms AI from answer machine to tutor offering mere guidance
OpenAI has launched study mode for ChatGPT, a new feature designed to guide students through learning processes rather than simply providing answers. The tool uses Socratic questioning and step-by-step guidance to encourage deeper understanding, addressing longstanding concerns about AI tools undermining educational development by doing students' homework for them. What you should know: Study mode transforms ChatGPT from an answer machine into an interactive tutor that works through problems with students. The feature is available to all logged-in ChatGPT Free, Plus, Pro, and Team users, with ChatGPT Edu access coming in the next few weeks. Students can access it by...
read Jul 29, 2025Samsung invests $150M in Rebellions as South Korea targets AI chip market
South Korean AI chip startup Rebellions has secured investment from Samsung as part of a $150-200 million funding round ahead of its planned IPO. The startup, which merged with Sapeon last year to create a potential Nvidia rival, is collaborating with Samsung to manufacture its AI inference chips using cutting-edge 4-nanometer technology. What you should know: Rebellions has raised $220 million since its 2020 founding and was last valued at $1 billion, with the current round expected to push that valuation higher. Major investors include SK Hynix (a South Korean memory chip giant), SK Telecom, Korea Telecom, and Saudi Aramco,...
read Jul 28, 2025Energy Department selects 4 sites to fast-track AI infrastructure
The US Department of Energy has selected four federal sites for a groundbreaking initiative to accelerate artificial intelligence infrastructure development across the country. This marks the first concrete step in a broader federal strategy to leverage government-owned land and existing energy resources for AI data center construction. The initiative addresses a critical bottleneck in AI development: the massive power and infrastructure requirements of modern data centers. Unlike traditional computing facilities, AI data centers consume enormous amounts of electricity—often requiring hundreds of megawatts of continuous power—while demanding ultra-reliable connections and specialized cooling systems. By opening federal sites with existing power infrastructure,...
read Jul 28, 2025E2B raises $21M as 88% of Fortune 100 companies adopt its AI agent platform
E2B, a startup building cloud infrastructure specifically for artificial intelligence agents, has raised $21 million in Series A funding led by Insight Partners, a global software investor managing over $90 billion in assets. The round included participation from existing investors Decibel, Sunflower Capital, and Kaya, along with Scott Johnston, former CEO of Docker. The funding comes as E2B reports that 88% of Fortune 100 companies have signed up to use its platform—a remarkable adoption rate that highlights how quickly large enterprises are embracing AI automation tools. The company has also added seven figures in new business just in the past...
read Jul 28, 2025Premier League transforms fan experience with new AI assistant for 900M fans
The Premier League has launched an expansive AI-powered transformation in partnership with Microsoft, introducing new digital tools to enhance fan engagement and modernize its operations. The five-year strategic partnership, announced in July, represents one of the most significant technology transformations in the League's 33-year history as it seeks to better serve its global audience of 900 million homes across 189 countries. What's driving the change: The Premier League is fundamentally reshaping its role from primarily selling media rights to directly engaging with fans through digital products and services. "Historically, the mandate of the Premier League and the role has been...
read Jul 28, 2025Oracle partners with Bloom Energy to power AI data centers in 90 days
Oracle has partnered with Bloom Energy to deploy fuel cell systems across select Oracle Cloud Infrastructure data centers in the U.S., targeting the growing power demands of AI workloads. The collaboration offers Oracle a rapid deployment solution—fuel cells can power entire data centers within just 90 days—while providing clean, scalable electricity with minimal environmental impact and no water consumption. What you should know: Bloom Energy will supply on-site fuel cell systems designed to provide reliable, low-emission electricity for Oracle's expanding AI infrastructure needs.• The fuel cells deliver power with almost zero air pollution and no water consumption, aligning with Oracle's...
read Jul 28, 2025Samsung lands $16.5B Tesla AI chip deal through 2033
Samsung has secured a $16.5 billion contract to manufacture Tesla's AI chips through 2033, with production set to take place at Samsung's new Texas fabrication facility. The deal represents a strategic partnership that will see Samsung produce Tesla's next-generation AI6 chips specifically designed for the company's self-driving vehicle technology. What you should know: This massive chip manufacturing agreement solidifies Samsung's role as Tesla's primary AI processor supplier for nearly a decade. The contract was initially spotted in regulatory filings on July 27 for an unnamed consumer tech company before Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, confirmed Tesla as the client on X....
read Jul 28, 2025Google’s Gemini AI hits 450M users as India strategy accelerates
Google's Gemini AI assistant has crossed a significant milestone, surpassing 450 million monthly active users while daily usage surged more than 50 percent compared to the previous quarter. This growth comes as Google deepens its artificial intelligence investments in India through a series of strategic initiatives targeting students, farmers, and developers. The user growth represents a major validation of Google's AI strategy, particularly as the company faces intensifying competition from OpenAI's ChatGPT and other AI assistants. Shekar Khosla, Vice President of Marketing and Site Lead at Google India, announced the milestone on LinkedIn, noting the "growing momentum" behind the Gemini...
read Jul 25, 2025Hyundai Glovis deploys world’s first AI-controlled car carrier ships
Hyundai Glovis is deploying the world's first AI-controlled autonomous navigation systems on car carrier ships, partnering with Avikus to retrofit seven vessels with Level-2 Maritime Autonomous Surface Ship platforms by mid-2026. This $6.5 billion initiative represents the first commercial deployment of integrated AI decision-making systems across multiple car carriers, potentially transforming maritime logistics where full AI autonomy has remained largely theoretical. What you should know: The AI system, branded as HiNAS (HD Hyundai Intelligent Navigation Assistant System), enables partial remote control and real-time route optimization rather than full autonomy. Glovis plans to install the technology on vessels including the 229.9-meter-long...
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