News/Partnerships
TELUS launches Canada’s first sovereign AI factory in $1.5B push
Canada has positioned itself as a leader in sovereign AI development, with NVIDIA joining government officials and industry leaders at the All In Canada AI Ecosystem event in Montreal this week. The gathering highlights Canada's commitment to building domestic AI capabilities while TELUS launches the country's first fully sovereign AI factory and RBC Capital Markets develops AI agents for financial services, underscoring the nation's push for digital independence in the age of artificial intelligence. What you should know: Canada's AI Minister Evan Solomon emphasized digital sovereignty as the most pressing policy issue of our time, declaring that nations must develop...
read Sep 24, 2025Microsoft adds Anthropic’s Claude models to Office 365 Copilot
Microsoft has added Anthropic's Claude Sonnet 4 and Claude Opus 4.1 AI models to Microsoft 365 Copilot, marking the first time the company has expanded beyond OpenAI's models for its flagship productivity suite. This strategic shift reflects Microsoft's growing confidence in Anthropic's capabilities and signals a broader diversification strategy as the company seeks to offer customers the best AI models regardless of their origin. What you should know: Microsoft is integrating Anthropic's models into specific areas of Microsoft 365 Copilot while maintaining OpenAI as the primary foundation. Claude models are now available in Microsoft's Researcher agent and Copilot Studio, the...
read Sep 24, 2025Unreal steel: Finnish sorting company orders 7 more AI robots after successful trial
ZenRobotics, a Finnish AI-powered robotic sorting company, and US Conveyor, a specialist in custom scrap metal recycling systems, have secured a repeat order for seven Heavy Picker robots from one of the largest steel recyclers in the United States. This follows the successful installation of three units for the same customer in 2024, demonstrating growing confidence in robotic solutions as the industry faces increasing demand for high-purity recycled metals and safer working conditions. What you should know: The Heavy Picker robots use AI and advanced robotics to separate ferrous and non-ferrous metals with high precision, addressing critical industry challenges. The...
read Sep 23, 2025Meta expands Llama AI access to US allies in strategic move
Meta is expanding access to its Llama AI system to U.S. allies in Europe and Asia, including France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and South Korea, as well as NATO and EU institutions. This move comes just one day after the U.S. government approved Llama for use by federal agencies, marking a significant strategic deployment of American AI technology to strengthen democratic partnerships. What you should know: Meta's Llama is a large language model—an AI system trained on vast amounts of text that can understand and generate human-like responses across multiple data types including text, video, images, and audio. The expansion follows...
read Sep 23, 2025OpenAI and partners add 5 new data centers to $500B Stargate project
OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank announced plans to build five new AI data centers across the United States as part of their $500 billion Stargate project, expanding the initiative launched by President Trump in January. The new facilities will bring the project's total data center capacity to nearly 7 gigawatts with over $400 billion in investment over the next three years, positioning the partnership to capture a significant portion of the rapidly expanding AI infrastructure market. What you should know: The five new data centers will be strategically distributed across multiple states to support the growing demand for AI computing power....
read Sep 23, 2025Tom Brady rubs shoulders with AI massage company Aescape as new innovation chief
Tom Brady is joining forces with Aescape, the world's first robotic massage technology company, in what sources describe as a merger that will make him Chief Innovation Officer. The partnership aims to expand Aescape's reach from luxury hotels and gyms into professional sports facilities and potentially the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, while democratizing access to high-quality massage therapy through AI-powered robotics. What you should know: Brady will share his longevity and recovery protocols with Aescape while his business partner Alex Spiro, a prominent attorney who has represented Jay-Z and Elon Musk, joins as a strategic advisor in exchange for equity.•...
read Sep 23, 2025Boeing taps Palantir for AI-powered defense manufacturing upgrade
Boeing's defense and space division has partnered with Palantir Technologies to integrate the software company's AI platform across its military production operations. The collaboration will standardize data analytics across Boeing's defense manufacturing lines and provide AI tools for classified military projects, positioning both companies to capitalize on the growing intersection of artificial intelligence and defense contracting. What you should know: Boeing Defense Systems will use Palantir's AI solutions to enhance operations across its diverse military manufacturing portfolio. The unit produces military aircraft, helicopters, satellites, spacecraft, missiles, and weapons systems. Palantir will supply AI tools specifically designed for classified projects supporting...
read Sep 23, 2025Perplexity launches $200 monthly AI email assistant for Gmail and Outlook
Perplexity has launched Email Assistant, an AI-powered tool that integrates with Gmail and Outlook to manage emails, draft responses, and schedule meetings. However, the service comes with a steep price tag of $200 monthly, as it's exclusively available to Perplexity Max subscribers, making it one of the more expensive AI email solutions on the market. What you should know: Email Assistant offers comprehensive inbox management capabilities but requires users to interact through a specific email address. Users must either email [email protected] or CC the address in email threads to activate the AI assistant. The tool can draft replies in the...
read Sep 23, 2025Google.org funds $240K “AI in the D” training program for Detroit seniors
The Chapman Family Foundation, Google.org, and the City of Detroit have launched "AI in the D," a groundbreaking artificial intelligence literacy program specifically designed for senior citizens. The initiative represents the first program of its kind focused on teaching older adults practical AI applications, building on a successful summer workshop that introduced Detroit high school students to AI entrepreneurship. What you should know: More than 70 Detroit seniors will participate in a half-day workshop on September 23, 2025, at Kemeny Recreation Center, receiving hands-on AI training tailored to their daily needs. Attendees will learn how to use AI for spotting...
read Sep 22, 2025Serve Robotics acquires teleoperation tech for $5.75M to scale delivery robots
Serve Robotics has acquired key assets from Phantom Auto and its subsidiary Voysys AB for $5.75 million in cash, integrating ultra-low latency video streaming and teleoperation capabilities into its autonomous delivery robot fleet. The acquisition strengthens Serve's ability to scale its Level 4 autonomy platform in urban environments, where human operators can remotely intervene when robots encounter unexpected obstacles like pedestrians or construction zones. What you should know: The deal brings critical remote operation technology that allows human oversight of autonomous delivery robots with minimal delay. Voysys contributes proprietary bandwidth regulation and video compression achieving glass-to-glass latency as low as...
read Sep 22, 2025Meta offers free Llama AI models to federal agencies through General Services Administration deal
Meta is providing its Llama artificial intelligence models to federal agencies at no cost through a new deal with the General Services Administration. The open-source nature of these models allows government agencies to maintain full control over data processing and storage while delivering significant value to taxpayers through reduced implementation costs. What you should know: The GSA announced Monday that Meta will offer its open-source AI models and tools to federal agencies for free, emphasizing cost savings and data control benefits. Federal agencies can build, deploy, and scale AI applications at lower costs since the models are publicly available. The...
read Sep 22, 2025Ex-Stripe executives raise $19.2M for AI agent payment protocol ATXP
Two former Stripe executives have raised $19.2 million to develop ATXP, a protocol designed to enable AI agents to make autonomous payments across the internet. Louis Amira, Stripe's former head of crypto & AI partnerships, and David Noël-Romas, the company's former head of crypto engineering, launched Circuit & Chisel to address what they see as a critical infrastructure gap preventing widespread AI agent adoption. The big picture: ATXP aims to become the foundational protocol for agentic payments, similar to how HTTP enabled modern web browsing, potentially unlocking a new era of microtransactions powered by AI agents. Why this matters: The...
read Sep 22, 2025Castle built on sand: Nvidia and Abu Dhabi launch Middle East’s first AI robotics lab
Nvidia and Abu Dhabi's Technology Innovation Institute have launched the Middle East's first joint AI and robotics research lab, marking a significant milestone for the region's technological development. The collaboration establishes a dedicated hub for developing next-generation AI models, robotics platforms, and humanoid technologies that will accelerate innovation across multiple industries. What you should know: The TII-NVAITC Joint Lab combines Nvidia's accelerated computing platforms with TII's multidisciplinary research capabilities across AI, robotics, autonomous systems, and high-performance computing. This represents the first NVAITC lab established in the Middle East, positioning the region as a strategic hub for advanced AI and robotics...
read Sep 19, 2025Go, Figure! Company secures deal to deploy 100K humanoid robots in 4 years
Figure AI has secured a major partnership to manufacture and deploy up to 100,000 humanoid robots over the next four years, marking one of the largest commercial robotics deals in U.S. history. The agreement positions the American company to compete directly with Chinese robotics manufacturers like Zhiyuan Robotics in the rapidly expanding humanoid robotics market. What you should know: Figure AI's CEO Brett Adcock announced the partnership with "one of the largest companies in the United States," though specific details remain confidential. The deal will focus on cost reduction and AI data collection while targeting both commercial operations and household...
read Sep 19, 2025Walmart deploys AI “super agents” across $815B retail empire
Walmart is implementing a comprehensive "super agents" strategy built on agentic AI, deploying autonomous systems across operations for associates, developers, customers, and suppliers. The $815 billion retail giant's unified framework represents a significant evolution from its existing AI infrastructure, positioning the company to maintain its dominance as the world's largest retailer through advanced automation and personalized experiences. What you should know: Walmart's agentic AI strategy centers on four specialized "super agents" designed to operate with minimal human intervention across key business areas. The Associate Agent handles HR inquiries and workforce management, while the Developer Agent assists software teams with coding,...
read Sep 19, 2025Oracle stock surges on reports of $20B AI deal with Meta
Oracle shares surged on reports that the company is in discussions with Meta about a potential $20 billion AI computing deal. The reported partnership would represent one of the largest enterprise AI infrastructure agreements to date, positioning Oracle as a major player in the rapidly expanding AI cloud services market. What you should know: The market responded enthusiastically to news of the potential mega-deal between Oracle and Meta.• Oracle's stock price spiked following reports of the $20 billion AI computing partnership discussions with Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram.• The deal would involve Oracle providing AI computing infrastructure and...
read Sep 19, 2025OpenAI poaches 24+ Apple engineers for consumer AI hardware launch
OpenAI and former Apple design chief Jony Ive have recruited over two dozen Apple employees for their hardware venture, io, and secured partnerships with key Apple suppliers including Luxshare and Goertek. The talent acquisition represents a significant brain drain from Apple's hardware teams, as OpenAI targets a late 2026 or early 2027 launch for its first consumer AI devices. What you should know: The io venture is developing multiple AI-powered consumer products with help from Apple's established supply chain.• Luxshare, which assembles iPhones and AirPods, has already secured a contract to manufacture at least one OpenAI device.• OpenAI has approached...
read Sep 19, 2025UAE’s e& enterprise triples Serbia’s data center capacity to 40MW
UAE technology group e& enterprise has signed a deal with Serbia to triple the Balkan country's data center capacity to 40 megawatts, marking the latest expansion in the Emirates' global AI infrastructure push. The agreement represents part of a broader strategy by UAE-backed firms to establish digital infrastructure across Europe as growth slows in their domestic markets. The big picture: The UAE is systematically building a global network of data centers and AI infrastructure through state-backed investment vehicles, with Serbia joining a growing list of European partnerships. Key details: The Serbian deal builds on a series of recent European expansions...
read Sep 18, 2025Nvidia, Microsoft, and OpenAI back UK AI startup with $700M
Nvidia, Microsoft, and OpenAI have collectively backed London-based AI infrastructure company Nscale with $700 million to dramatically expand the UK's AI computing capacity. The partnership positions the UK as a major player in the global AI infrastructure race, with plans to deploy up to 58,640 Nvidia GPUs across the country and potentially scale to 300,000 globally. What you should know: The investment transforms Nscale from a crypto mining spinoff into a cornerstone of Britain's AI ambitions. Nscale emerged from Arkon Energy, a cryptocurrency mining company, and only exited stealth mode last year. The company didn't exist when OpenAI launched ChatGPT...
read Sep 18, 2025Google brings Gemini AI to all Chrome users with cross-tab features
Google is expanding Gemini AI integration to all Chrome desktop users in the US on Windows and Mac, bringing cross-tab functionality, YouTube video navigation, and Google app integration directly into the browser. This move positions Chrome to compete directly with AI-first browsers like Perplexity's Comet and signals the mainstream arrival of AI-powered browsing experiences for billions of users. What you should know: Gemini in Chrome was previously limited to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers but is now rolling out widely with enhanced capabilities. Users can access Gemini through a new sparkle icon in the top-right corner of the tab...
read Sep 18, 2025NVIDIA buys $5B Intel stake to forge chip manufacturing partnership
NVIDIA has agreed to purchase $5 billion worth of Intel stock at $23.28 per share, making it a major shareholder in the struggling chipmaker just weeks after the U.S. government acquired a 10% stake. The strategic investment will create a new partnership where Intel manufactures NVIDIA chips while incorporating NVIDIA's RTX GPU chiplets into its own PC processors, potentially reshaping the competitive dynamics in both AI infrastructure and consumer computing markets. What you should know: The deal creates a mutually beneficial manufacturing and technology partnership between the two chip giants. Intel will build NVIDIA-custom x86 CPUs that NVIDIA will integrate...
read Sep 18, 2025Trump openly confused by AI amid US-UK tech deal that includes 120K Nvidia chips
U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged on Thursday that artificial intelligence is "taking over the world" during a state visit to Britain, candidly admitting his limited understanding of the technology while addressing tech leaders including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. The comments came as Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed a major "Tech Prosperity Deal" that includes AI healthcare development, quantum computing expansion, and civil nuclear projects—highlighting how world leaders are grappling with AI's rapid advancement while relying heavily on tech executives to guide policy decisions. What they're saying: Trump's remarks to the assembled business and tech leaders were notably...
read Sep 17, 2025Moody’s flags risks in Oracle’s massive $300B AI infrastructure bet
Moody's Ratings has flagged several potential risks in Oracle's recently signed $300 billion in AI contracts, primarily with OpenAI, though the credit rating agency stopped short of taking ratings action against the software giant. The warning highlights concerns about Oracle's heavy reliance on a small number of AI companies to fund its massive data center expansion, which Moody's considers "effectively one of, if not the world's largest, project financing." What you should know: Oracle's $300 billion contract windfall comes primarily from a five-year deal with OpenAI for computing power, representing one of the biggest cloud contracts ever signed. Oracle said...
read Sep 17, 2025Two top San Francisco art schools embrace AI with new leadership roles
Two San Francisco art universities have appointed new leadership roles focused on artificial intelligence, signaling a decisive embrace of AI technology in creative education. The Academy of Art University named its creative director as "chief AI evangelist," while the California College of the Arts launched an AI incubator partnership with Nvidia, marking a significant shift as mainstream art schools grapple with AI's controversial role in creative fields. What you should know: Both institutions are integrating AI directly into their core academic programs despite ongoing industry debates about AI-generated art. The Academy of Art University appointed Ross Patrick as "chief AI...
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