News/Partnerships
Microsoft and OpenAI locked in $40B partnership negotiations
Microsoft and OpenAI are locked in high-stakes negotiations over their partnership terms, with OpenAI seeking greater independence from Microsoft's control over its products and technology. The outcome could determine the fate of Microsoft's $14 billion investment and OpenAI's ability to secure an additional $40 billion in funding before year-end, making these talks "the most important thing that's happening right now in AI," according to analysts. What's at stake: The current contract through 2030 gives Microsoft significant control over OpenAI's operations and 20% of its revenue, but both companies want different terms for the future. OpenAI needs Microsoft's permission to convert...
read Jul 25, 2025SoftBank deploys world’s largest AI system with 4,000 Nvidia GPUs
SoftBank has deployed what it claims is the world's largest artificial intelligence computing system, installing more than 4,000 of Nvidia's most advanced Blackwell graphics processing units (GPUs) in a massive infrastructure expansion that signals Japan's aggressive push into the global AI race. The Japanese telecommunications giant's new system delivers 13.7 exaflops of computing power—roughly equivalent to performing 13.7 quintillion calculations per second. To put that in perspective, this represents more raw computational horsepower than most national supercomputing centers, positioning SoftBank as a major player in the infrastructure arms race powering today's AI revolution. This deployment isn't just about impressive numbers....
read Jul 24, 2025Answer.AI enables 70B model training on consumer gaming GPUs
Answer.AI has released an open-source system that enables training 70-billion parameter language models on consumer gaming GPUs for the first time. The breakthrough combines FSDP (Fully Sharded Data Parallel) and QLoRA techniques, making it possible to train massive AI models on two 24GB RTX 3090 or 4090 graphics cards—hardware costing under $10,000 compared to hundreds of thousands for data center equipment. The big picture: This development democratizes large language model training by making it accessible to individual researchers, small labs, and the broader open-source community rather than limiting it to well-funded tech companies with expensive data center hardware. Why this...
read Jul 24, 2025TXShare connects 77 vetted AI vendors with Texas cities lacking tech expertise
The North Central Texas Council of Governments has launched TXShare, a curated marketplace featuring 77 vetted AI vendors serving over 70 use cases for Texas cities and local governments nationwide. The platform eliminates the need for cities to draft complex RFPs in areas where they lack technical expertise, streamlining AI procurement while ensuring vendor quality through rigorous vetting processes. What you should know: TXShare addresses a critical gap in local government AI adoption by providing pre-vetted suppliers and eliminating procurement complexity. The marketplace includes 42 awardees for AI technology solutions in areas like cybersecurity, and 35 awardees for AI consultancy...
read Jul 24, 2025Canvas integrates OpenAI’s AI assignment-building tutors directly into classrooms
Instructure has partnered with OpenAI to integrate AI-powered tools into Canvas, one of the most widely used learning management platforms in education. The collaboration introduces IgniteAI, a suite of generative AI features that will roll out to Canvas users over the coming year, positioning AI directly within classroom workflows rather than as an external add-on. What you should know: IgniteAI centers around an assignment builder that lets educators create AI-guided tasks with customizable chatbot interactions. Teachers can write learning goals, set up how the AI will interact with students, and define evaluation criteria while maintaining full control over AI behavior...
read Jul 24, 2025Microsoft’s $1.7B waste-to-carbon deal targets 4.9M tons over 12 years
Microsoft has entered a multi-year agreement with Vaulted Deep to inject human and animal waste underground as a carbon offset strategy, targeting 4.9 million metric tons of waste disposal over 12 years. This unconventional approach reflects the tech giant's urgent need to address the mounting carbon emissions from AI workloads and data centers, as traditional offset methods struggle to keep pace with the industry's environmental impact. What you should know: The waste-to-carbon-offset method involves converting organic material into slurry and pumping it more than 5,000 feet underground to prevent decomposition. Vaulted Deep reportedly charges around $350 per ton for carbon...
read Jul 24, 2025Chan Zuckerberg Initiative unveils GREmLN AI to accelerate cancer research
The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, the philanthropic organization founded by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and pediatrician Priscilla Chan, has unveiled a groundbreaking artificial intelligence system that could accelerate breakthroughs in cancer research and disease treatment. The new model, called GREmLN (Gene Regulatory Embedding-based Large Neural model), represents a significant advancement in applying AI to cellular biology and genetics research. This development builds on the growing momentum of AI in healthcare, following notable successes like DeepMind's AlphaFold pparrotein-folding system, which earned its creators a Nobel Prize in Chemistry. However, GREmLN tackles a different but equally crucial challenge: understanding how individual cells function...
read Jul 23, 2025OpenAI and Oracle expand Stargate to 5 gigawatts in $30B deal
OpenAI and Oracle have announced a partnership to develop an additional 4.5 gigawatts of data center capacity for OpenAI's Stargate AI infrastructure platform in Texas, bringing the total planned capacity to over 5 gigawatts. This massive expansion, reportedly part of a $30 billion annual deal, represents one of the largest AI infrastructure projects ever undertaken and signals OpenAI's commitment to scaling beyond its initial $500 billion investment pledge. What you should know: The new data center facility is taking shape in Abilene, Texas, a city of 127,000 people located 150 miles west of Fort Worth. The location offers existing tech...
read Jul 23, 2025OpenAI and Oracle expand Stargate project with 4.5 GW capacity boost
OpenAI and Oracle are expanding the Stargate AI infrastructure project with an additional 4.5 GW of data center capacity, bringing the total U.S. development to over 5 GW. This massive buildout advances OpenAI's commitment to invest $500 billion in 10 GW of AI infrastructure over four years, while creating over 100,000 jobs across construction, operations, and related industries. What you should know: The expansion represents a significant leap in AI infrastructure development, with real operations already underway. The combined capacity will power over 2 million chips across Stargate facilities, designed specifically for AI workloads that traditional data centers can't handle....
read Jul 23, 2025NSF unveils 4 major AI initiatives to boost U.S. research leadership
The National Science Foundation has announced a series of major AI initiatives that align with the White House's AI Action Plan, signaling a coordinated federal push to maintain U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence. The initiatives span foundational AI research, infrastructure development, and real-world testing capabilities, positioning NSF as a key player in America's AI competitiveness strategy. What you should know: NSF Chief of Staff Brian Stone, performing the duties of the NSF Director, outlined four major initiatives the foundation will unveil in the coming weeks. New NSF AI Research Institutes will accelerate breakthroughs in foundational AI and applications across health,...
read Jul 22, 2025Concrete results: Meta uses AI to create 35% lower-carbon concrete for data centers
Meta and Amrize have developed an AI-optimized concrete mix specifically designed for Meta's data center construction in Rosemount, Minnesota. The collaboration, which includes the University of Illinois, produced a concrete formulation that reduces carbon emissions by 35% while meeting the structural requirements for data center infrastructure. What you should know: The partnership combines Amrize's materials science expertise with Meta's open-source AI models to create high-performance, low-carbon concrete. The AI-designed ECOPact mix delivers high strength, controlled set time, and a reduced carbon footprint compared to traditional concrete formulations. University of Illinois researchers contributed critical lab-generated data to train the AI models...
read Jul 22, 2025Open Philanthropy shifts university AI safety funding to Kairos
Open Philanthropy has ended its university AI safety group funding program and transferred financial support for most university AI safety groups to Kairos, an AI safety field-building organization. The move reflects Open Philanthropy's broader strategy of transitioning small grants programs to specialized organizations better positioned to provide active support and guidance. What you should know: Open Philanthropy's GCR Capacity Building team announced the immediate closure of their university group funding program as of the publication date. Kairos will now handle monetary support for most university AI safety groups, leveraging what Open Philanthropy describes as "a strong team and a substantive...
read Jul 22, 2025OpenAI and Oracle expand Stargate AI project to 5+ gigawatts
OpenAI and Oracle announced they will develop an additional 4.5 gigawatts of data center capacity, expanding their Stargate initiative that aims to maintain U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence infrastructure. The expansion brings the total Stargate project to over 5 gigawatts of capacity, running on more than 2 million chips, though OpenAI has not disclosed specific locations or funding details for the new facilities. What you should know: The Stargate initiative represents one of the largest AI infrastructure investments in U.S. history, originally announced as an up to $500 billion, 10-gigawatt project. The partnership includes SoftBank Group, a Japanese technology investor,...
read Jul 22, 2025UK government partners with OpenAI to deploy AI across public services
OpenAI has signed a memorandum of understanding with the UK government to deploy artificial intelligence across public services, including education, defense, security, and the justice system. The deal could give OpenAI access to government data while positioning AI as a cornerstone of the Labour government's strategy to revive the UK's stagnant economy, which grew just 0.1% to 0.2% in the second quarter. What you should know: The agreement establishes a framework for AI integration across critical government functions while promising safeguards for public protection. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle emphasized that "AI will be fundamental in driving change" in the UK...
read Jul 18, 2025xAI explores Gulf data center partnerships for cheaper AI infrastructure
Elon Musk's xAI is in talks with data center companies in Saudi Arabia and the UAE to lease computing capacity, as the billionaire seeks to expand his AI startup in regions with cheaper energy and more favorable regulations. The move reflects the growing global competition for AI infrastructure, with Gulf nations positioning themselves as key players in the artificial intelligence race through strategic investments and partnerships. What you should know: xAI is exploring multiple partnerships across the Gulf region to support its AI operations and Grok chatbot development. In Saudi Arabia, xAI is considering two potential partners: Public Investment Fund-backed...
read Jul 17, 2025Google teams with Westinghouse on nuclear power plants for AI data centers
Westinghouse has partnered with Google AI Cloud to design a series of new nuclear reactors specifically engineered to power AI data centers and digital infrastructure. The collaboration leverages Westinghouse's proprietary AI models—Hive and Bertha—to create "repeatable" nuclear plant designs that can be scaled efficiently across the United States, addressing the massive energy demands of modern neural networks while supporting climate goals. What you should know: This partnership represents a strategic move to address the growing energy crisis facing AI infrastructure development. Westinghouse currently powers 56 reactors across the U.S., representing about 60% of the 94 operating reactors nationwide. The company's...
read Jul 16, 2025Voltage Park donates 1M GPU hours to boost US AI research
The U.S. National Science Foundation has announced a new partnership with Voltage Park to expand the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) pilot, a public-private initiative designed to boost American AI innovation and competitiveness. Voltage Park, a company focused on broadening access to AI infrastructure, will contribute one million NVIDIA H100 GPU hours to help researchers nationwide pursue breakthrough AI innovations across science, engineering, health, climate, and other fields. What you should know: The NAIRR pilot is a two-year proof-of-concept launched in 2024 to inform the development of a full-scale national AI research infrastructure. The pilot connects researchers to computational,...
read Jul 15, 2025Google expands NotebookLM with content from The Economist and The Atlantic
Google has expanded NotebookLM to include featured notebooks from major publishers including The Economist and The Atlantic, along with content from scientists, nonprofits, and authors covering topics from Shakespeare to parenting advice. The collaboration arrives amid deep divisions in the publishing industry over AI partnerships, with some publishers choosing licensing deals while others pursue litigation against AI companies. What you should know: The new featured notebooks offer curated content from established publishers and experts across multiple domains. The Economist's notebook features articles from "The World Ahead 2025," their annual special issue examining key trends and events shaping the year. The...
read Jul 15, 2025Mattel partners with OpenAI to bring AI-powered toys to children amid safety concerns
Mattel, the toymaker behind Barbie and Hot Wheels, has partnered with OpenAI to integrate AI capabilities into its children's products. The collaboration will also see Mattel implement OpenAI's tools, including ChatGPT Enterprise, across its business operations to enhance product development and drive innovation, with the first AI-powered toy expected to be announced later this year. What you should know: The partnership spans both physical products and digital experiences, though specific details remain undisclosed. Josh Silverman, Mattel's chief franchise officer, said the collaboration will "enable us to leverage new technologies to solidify our leadership in innovation and reimagine new forms of...
read Jul 14, 2025Pentagon awards Anthropic $200M for national security AI
The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded Anthropic a two-year, $200 million prototype agreement to develop frontier AI capabilities for national security applications. This partnership marks a significant expansion of Anthropic's government work, building on existing deployments across defense and intelligence agencies while positioning the company as a key AI provider for sensitive federal operations. What you should know: The agreement with the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) will focus on creating AI prototypes tailored specifically for defense missions. Anthropic will work directly with the DOD to identify high-impact applications for frontier AI and develop working prototypes fine-tuned...
read Jul 11, 2025Indonesia launches AI Center of Excellence with NVIDIA and Cisco to build sovereign capabilities
Indonesia has launched an AI Center of Excellence in partnership with NVIDIA, Cisco, and telecommunications leader Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison to advance the nation's sovereign AI capabilities. The initiative, led by the Ministry of Communications and Digital Affairs, aims to foster local AI research, develop indigenous talent, and drive innovation through collaboration with startups as part of Indonesia's "Golden 2045 Vision" for digital transformation. What you should know: The AI Center of Excellence will feature comprehensive infrastructure and training programs designed to make Indonesia an AI creator rather than just a consumer. A new NVIDIA AI Technology Center will provide research...
read Jul 10, 2025Google Cloud partners with Additive Catchments for AI-powered river monitoring across UK
Additive Catchments and Google Cloud have announced a strategic partnership to scale AI-powered infrastructure for monitoring and improving river health across the U.K. The collaboration, revealed at the Google Cloud Summit London, centers on Additive's Catchment Monitoring as a Service platform, which provides real-time environmental data and early warnings for regulators, utilities and investors. What you should know: The partnership combines Additive Catchments' environmental expertise with Google Cloud's technical infrastructure to create a comprehensive river monitoring system. The platform leverages Google Cloud technologies, including BigQuery (a data analysis tool), Vertex AI (machine learning software), Earth Engine (satellite data processing), and...
read Jul 7, 2025Chic meets geek as L’Oréal partners with Nvidia to scale AI across beauty operations
L'Oréal has announced a major partnership with Nvidia to supercharge its generative AI capabilities across its business operations, joining Nvidia's AI Enterprise microservices ecosystem. This collaboration positions the world's largest cosmetics company to leverage AI for everything from 3D product visualizations to personalized marketing, potentially reshaping how beauty brands design, market, and sell their products. What you should know: L'Oréal's partnership with Nvidia will scale its CreAItech Generative AI platform, which creates visualizations and assets from product models to reduce creative team workload. The collaboration enables automated design and rendering of images and 3D models for marketing and research purposes,...
read Jul 7, 2025OpenAI’s $30B Oracle deal fuels Project Stargate AI buildout
OpenAI has been revealed as the customer behind Oracle's massive $30 billion annual cloud computing contract, with the AI company leasing approximately 4.5 gigawatts of data center power to support its expanding artificial intelligence workloads. The deal represents one of the largest cloud computing contracts to date and directly supports OpenAI's ambitious "Project Stargate" initiative to scale AI infrastructure across the United States. What you should know: Oracle will develop multiple data centers across the U.S. as part of this unprecedented cloud computing agreement. Sites under consideration include Texas, Michigan, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Georgia, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wyoming. Oracle will...
read