News/Partnerships
Telstra invests 700M in AI partnership with Accenture
Australian telecom giant Telstra has announced a AUD700 million joint venture with Accenture to accelerate its artificial intelligence capabilities and modernize its data platforms. The core partnership: Telstra and Accenture are forming a seven-year joint venture to transform Telstra's AI and data infrastructure, with Accenture holding 60% ownership and Telstra controlling 40%. Telstra will invest AUD100 million (US$62 million) annually in the venture The partnership aims to consolidate Telstra's vendor relationships from 18 data and AI providers down to just two Current Telstra data and AI teams in Australia and India will be offered positions within the joint venture Strategic...
read Jan 16, 2025Microsoft and Pearson are launching an AI upskilling initiative
Microsoft and Pearson have announced a partnership to develop AI-powered learning tools and certifications aimed at helping workers adapt to an AI-driven workplace. Partnership Overview: Microsoft and Pearson's collaboration focuses on creating AI-powered learning solutions while expanding access to existing certification programs through 2029. The partnership will leverage Microsoft Azure Cloud to scale Pearson's AI capabilities New offerings will include copilots, agents, and AI tools designed specifically for skill development Pearson employees worldwide will gain access to Microsoft 365 Copilot Strategic Goals: The initiative aims to address the growing demand for AI-related skills in the professional workforce while expanding educational...
read Jan 16, 2025Cerebras and Mayo partner on AI to treat rheumatoid arthritis
Cerebras Systems and Mayo Clinic have partnered to develop a genomics-focused AI model aimed at predicting patient responses to rheumatoid arthritis treatments, marking a significant step toward personalized medicine. Project overview: This initiative combines Cerebras' AI expertise with Mayo Clinic's medical data to create what the partners describe as the "ChatGPT of healthcare." The foundation model utilizes one billion parameters to analyze genomic data, making it ten times larger than Google's AlphaFold protein folding model The system was pre-trained on a trillion tokens of data, incorporating both open-source genomic information and Mayo Clinic's proprietary patient database called Tapestry Instead of...
read Jan 16, 2025Google partners with AP to power Gemini AI with real-time news
Google and The Associated Press have formed a groundbreaking partnership that will integrate AP's news content into Google's Gemini AI chatbot, marking Google's first such agreement with a news publisher. Key details of the partnership: The collaboration enables Google's Gemini to access AP's real-time news feed, enhancing the AI chatbot's ability to provide current information to users. While financial terms remain undisclosed, the agreement builds upon AP's existing relationship with Google Google has not yet specified how AP's content will be presented within Gemini or whether it will include credits or links to original articles This deal represents Google's first...
read Jan 16, 2025Adobe, General Assembly announce AI skills program to train millions in India
Adobe and General Assembly have announced the launch of their Creative Skills Academy in India, starting February 25, 2025, as part of a global initiative to train 30 million learners in AI skills by 2030. Program Overview: The Creative Skills Academy in India represents a significant expansion of Adobe Digital Academy's global training initiatives, offering free virtual training in AI-powered marketing skills. The program will provide hands-on experience with tools like Adobe Express Participants will receive career coaching, personal branding guidance, and portfolio development support through General Assembly Training is fully sponsored by Adobe and offered at no cost to...
read Jan 15, 2025Macquarie to invest $5B in Applied Digital AI data centers
Macquarie Asset Management has committed up to $5 billion in funding to Applied Digital Corporation to accelerate the development of high-performance computing data centers, with a primary focus on the 400 MW Ellendale HPC Campus. Deal structure and immediate impact: The financing agreement centers on a strategic partnership between Applied Digital and Macquarie Asset Management (MAM) that could reshape the high-performance computing landscape. MAM will invest $2.25 million per megawatt of leased capacity through Applied Digital's subsidiary APLD HPC Holdings LLC The initial funding could provide up to $900 million for the Ellendale project's complete build-out The agreement includes provisions...
read Jan 14, 2025Mississippi looks to modernize its tech with AI and cloud services
Mississippi recently launched an AI Innovation Hub and announced plans for a Cloud Center of Excellence as part of a comprehensive technology modernization initiative across state agencies. Strategic priorities for 2025: The Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services (ITS) has identified five key technology priorities for the year, with procurement modernization leading the agenda. A new Procurement Advisory Council with 30 state agency representatives will work to streamline procurement processes The state is creating an AI Innovation Hub through partnerships with Amazon Web Services and the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network Plans are underway to establish a Cloud Center of Excellence...
read Jan 14, 2025Building Colossus: Inside the AI supercomputer Supermicro is building for xAI
A cutting-edge AI supercomputer, claimed to be the world's largest liquid-cooled GPU cluster, is being built through a partnership between xAI, Supermicro, and NVIDIA in Memphis, Tennessee. Project scale and specifications: The supercomputer installation represents an unprecedented deployment of computing power in terms of both size and speed. The system incorporates over 100,000 NVIDIA HGX H100 GPUs across four compute halls, with each hall housing approximately 25,000 GPUs The facility includes exabytes of storage capacity (an exabyte is equivalent to one billion gigabytes) The entire system was transformed from an empty building to a functioning AI supercomputer in just 122...
read Jan 14, 2025Apple just joined a consortium of Big Tech companies to challenge Nvidia’s closed AI hardware ecosystem
Apple has joined the Ultra Accelerator Link Consortium as a board member, marking its formal entry into an industry-wide effort to develop next-generation AI accelerator connectivity standards. Key development: Apple has secured a board position in the Ultra Accelerator Link (UALink) Consortium, a group of over 65 members working to establish open standards for AI hardware connectivity. Becky Loop, Apple's Director of Platform Architecture, emphasized the company's commitment to addressing connectivity challenges and expanding AI capabilities through this collaboration The consortium includes major tech players such as AWS, Google, Meta, Microsoft, AMD, and Intel Apple's involvement will enable the company...
read Jan 14, 2025UAE’s Sheikh Tahnoun who controls $1.5 trillion sovereign wealth to expand AI investments and U.S. partnerships
UAE's Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed al Nahyan, who controls approximately $1.5 trillion in sovereign wealth, is rapidly expanding his artificial intelligence investments and partnerships with U.S. technology companies. Key background and influence: Sheikh Tahnoun serves as the UAE's national security adviser and intelligence chief, overseeing the nation's technology conglomerate G42 while wielding significant control over sovereign wealth funds. His early interest in technology emerged through sponsorship of the Hydra chess computer project in the mid-2000s As part of a succession agreement with his brother, the UAE's president, Tahnoun gained extensive control over the country's sovereign wealth G42, under his leadership,...
read Jan 13, 2025Honda’s AI partner Helm.AI aims to surpass Tesla in self-driving tech
Honda announced at CES that its future electric vehicles will feature Level 3 autonomous driving capabilities through a partnership with AI company Helm.AI, marking a significant step in the automaker's self-driving ambitions. Current state of play: Honda's bold Level 3 autonomous driving announcement comes despite the company not currently offering even Level 2 systems in the US market. Mercedes-Benz is currently the only automaker with legal clearance to operate Level 3 systems in the US, limited to Nevada and California Honda previously launched Level 3 capabilities in Japan in 2021, demonstrating early leadership in autonomous technology The Helm.AI partnership: Honda's collaboration...
read Jan 13, 2025Mercedes-Benz to add AI assistant powered by Google’s automotive AI agent platform into next-gen vehicles
Mercedes-Benz is integrating Google's conversational AI system into its next-generation vehicle assistant, marking a significant upgrade to its in-car interface technology. Core announcement: Mercedes-Benz has revealed that its new MBUX Virtual Assistant, debuting in the new CLA model, will be powered by Google Cloud's Automotive AI Agent platform. The system promises to maintain ongoing conversations and reference information throughout drives This integration represents a significant upgrade from the current "Hey Mercedes" system, which is limited to about 20 commands The new assistant will include four key personality traits: natural, predictive, personal, and empathetic Technical capabilities: Google's automotive-specific AI agent leverages...
read Jan 12, 2025Novo Nordisk and Valo expand AI partnership to 20 drug programs targeting chronic diseases
Novo Nordisk and Valo Health have significantly expanded their AI-driven drug discovery partnership, increasing their program scope from 11 to 20 potential new treatments for obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Partnership expansion details: The collaboration now represents a potential USD 4.6 billion opportunity for Valo Health through milestone payments, upfront fees, and royalties. Valo Health will receive an immediate upfront payment of USD 190 million plus equity investments The partnership scope has increased by 9 new programs, bringing the total to 20 drug development initiatives The focus remains on developing treatments for obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease Technical...
read Jan 10, 2025Microsoft expands partnerships to advance AI infrastructure in India
Microsoft has announced significant AI partnerships with major Indian organizations and government entities, backed by a $3 billion investment in cloud and AI infrastructure over the next two years. The big picture: Microsoft's strategic partnerships aim to accelerate AI adoption across India's public sector, healthcare, financial services, automotive, and education industries, responding to the country's rapidly growing AI utilization rate of 72% in 2024. The initiative involves collaborations with RailTel, Apollo Hospitals, Bajaj Finserv, Mahindra Group, and upGrad These partnerships focus on developing AI solutions, establishing centers of excellence, and implementing workforce training programs Microsoft plans to establish new data...
read Jan 9, 2025AMD is investing in Absci to accelerate AI drug discovery
AMD and Absci Corporation have formed a strategic partnership worth $20 million to accelerate AI-driven drug discovery, with AMD providing advanced computing technology and making a significant investment in Absci. Key partnership details: AMD will integrate its Instinct accelerators and ROCm software into Absci's AI drug discovery platform to enhance the development of new therapeutic antibodies and biological drugs. The collaboration includes a $20 million private investment in public equity (PIPE) from AMD to Absci Absci will utilize AMD's high-performance computing solutions to power its de novo antibody design models The partnership aims to reduce infrastructure costs and accelerate innovation...
read Jan 8, 2025Delta CES announcements include Uber partnership and new AI travel assistant
Delta Air Lines unveiled a suite of technological innovations at CES 2025, including an AI-powered travel assistant and new partnerships with Uber and Joby Aviation, marking its centennial celebration. Core announcement: Delta introduced Delta Concierge, a generative AI-powered digital assistant integrated into the Fly Delta app that aims to provide seamless multi-modal transportation solutions. The AI assistant anticipates customer needs, offering real-time guidance on passport requirements, visa updates, and weather conditions The system helps travelers navigate airports by providing directions to bag drop locations, Delta Sky Clubs, and departure gates SkyMiles members can now link their Uber accounts to earn...
read Jan 8, 2025This web3 startup compensates creators for data used to train AI models
Blockchain platform Story has partnered with Stability AI to enable fair compensation for creators contributing to AI development, backed by $140 million in funding. Core mission: Story aims to solve the challenge of tracking and monetizing creative work generated through AI by implementing blockchain technology for attribution and compensation. The platform addresses the gap between rapid AI advancement and proper compensation for intellectual property creators Story will integrate Stability AI's foundational image models across its ecosystem applications The system enables tracking of contributions throughout the AI development lifecycle Key partnerships and applications: Two initial applications demonstrate Story's practical implementation of...
read Jan 7, 2025AI-powered virtual cohosts to manage production are set to transform live streaming
Core announcement: Inworld AI, Streamlabs, and Nvidia are collaborating to launch an AI-powered streaming assistant that can serve as both a technical producer and interactive cohost for content creators. The AI assistant can provide real-time commentary during gaming sessions, particularly for games like Fortnite, offering remarks about gameplay moments and audience interactions The system is designed to acknowledge viewer tips and recognize significant gaming achievements, such as Victory Royales Streamers will have the ability to select from various AI personalities to match their channel's tone and style Technical capabilities: The assistant combines production management with interactive features to create a...
read Jan 7, 2025Nvidia announces new tech to power autonomous vehicle fleets for major automakers
Nvidia has secured partnerships with Toyota, Aurora, and Continental to power next-generation autonomous and automated vehicle fleets with its AI computing technology. Key developments; Nvidia's automotive partnerships represent a significant expansion of its presence in the autonomous vehicle market, with CEO Jensen Huang announcing these developments at CES 2025. Toyota, the world's largest automaker, will integrate Nvidia's Drive AGX Orin system-on-chip and DriveOS operating system into its next-generation vehicles Aurora and Continental have formed a strategic partnership with Nvidia to develop driverless trucks, with mass production planned for 2027 The partnership includes integration of Nvidia's computing technology into Aurora Driver,...
read Jan 6, 2025Microsoft Copilot to expand to Samsung and LG smart TVs
Samsung and Microsoft have announced plans to integrate Microsoft's Copilot AI assistant into LG and Samsung television sets, expanding AI capabilities in home entertainment devices. Key Announcement: LG and Samsung will incorporate Microsoft's Copilot into their 2025 TV lineups, marking a significant expansion of AI-powered features in consumer electronics. LG's 2025 OLED evo lineup will feature AI-driven personalization, including user recognition and personalized content suggestions Samsung plans to integrate Copilot as part of its Vision AI suite, alongside features like 8K AI upscaling and adaptive sound Initial rollout of AI search features will begin in the United States and South...
read Jan 6, 2025Will.i.am and LG partner on new AI audio line at CES
LG has partnered with musician and tech entrepreneur will.i.am to launch a new AI-enabled audio product line called "xboom by will.i.am" at CES 2025. Product Launch Details: LG unveiled its new audio brand during its CES press conference, featuring Bluetooth speakers and wireless earbuds developed in collaboration with will.i.am, who serves as the brand's "experiential architect." The product line includes smart Bluetooth speakers with AI-powered sound optimization Speakers automatically adjust audio settings based on content analysis to enhance melody, rhythm, and voice Products feature AI-enabled multicolored lighting that syncs with music for ambient effects AI calibration technology allows speakers to...
read Jan 6, 2025Cerence and Nvidia partner to advance automotive AI models
Cerence AI and Nvidia are expanding their partnership to enhance automotive language models for both cloud-based and embedded in-car AI systems. Partnership Overview: Cerence AI is leveraging Nvidia's technology platforms to improve its CaLLM (Cerence Automotive Large Language Model) family of products, aiming to advance generative AI applications in vehicles. The collaboration utilizes Nvidia AI Enterprise for cloud solutions and Nvidia DRIVE AGX Orin for embedded systems CaLLM Edge, Cerence's embedded small language model, benefits from optimizations through Nvidia's hardware expertise The partnership focuses on enhancing performance, speed, and security of automotive AI systems Technical Implementation: The development process incorporates...
read Jan 4, 2025Google and Synaptics partner to boost Edge AI in IoT devices
Synaptics and Google have entered a pivotal collaboration to advance edge AI computing for Internet of Things (IoT) devices, combining their respective strengths in hardware and machine learning capabilities. The core partnership: Synaptics and Google announced a strategic collaboration aimed at optimizing multimodal processing for context-aware computing in IoT devices. The initiative combines Google's MLIR-compliant machine learning core with Synaptics' Astra AI-Native compute platform This integration leverages open-source software and tools to accelerate AI device development The partnership focuses on supporting multiple input types including vision, image, voice, and sound processing Technical implementation: The collaboration centers on Synaptics' Astra platform,...
read Jan 4, 2025Samsung’s AI fridge will automate grocery orders via Instacart
Samsung and Instacart are partnering to enable AI-powered grocery ordering directly from Samsung Bespoke refrigerators, using internal cameras to track inventory and automatically create shopping lists for same-day delivery. Core functionality: Samsung's AI Vision Inside technology uses cameras to monitor refrigerator contents and interfaces with Instacart's product-matching system to create intelligent shopping lists. The system can detect when items like milk are running low and automatically add them to a shopping list Users can review and modify suggested items directly on the refrigerator's touchscreen The feature will be available in new Bespoke models and added to existing units through a...
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