News/Business
India partners with ITU to advance AI and digital twin technologies
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and India's Department of Telecommunications (DoT) have formalized a partnership to advance digital innovation and telecommunications standards globally. This Letter of Intent (LoI) marks a significant shift in telecommunications infrastructure, moving from traditional connectivity models toward intelligent, data-driven planning systems. Partnership overview: The collaboration between ITU and DoT establishes a framework for developing next-generation technologies including digital twins, artificial intelligence solutions, and IMT-2030 capabilities. The agreement prioritizes knowledge sharing and capacity building initiatives between India and ITU member states A key focus is creating sandbox environments to test and validate digital twin technologies before deployment...
read Feb 22, 2025DeepL CEO disputes Microsoft and OpenAI’s $100B AGI criteria
The race to achieve Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) has sparked intense debate within the tech industry, particularly after Microsoft and OpenAI defined AGI achievement through a $100 billion annual profit metric in their partnership agreement. DeepL CEO Jarek Kutylowski offers a critical perspective on this definition, emphasizing the complexity of true machine intelligence beyond financial measures. Current state of AGI development: The tech industry remains divided on both the definition of AGI and realistic timelines for its achievement, with varying perspectives from leading figures and organizations. OpenAI's Sam Altman describes AGI as achieving human-level workplace competence, while Stanford's Fei-Fei Li...
read Feb 21, 2025AI-powered agents poised to upend US auto industry in customers’ favor
The automotive industry is undergoing significant changes as artificial intelligence (AI) agents emerge as potential solutions for longstanding customer pain points. A recent survey of over 1,000 US car owners reveals strong consumer interest in AI-powered solutions for vehicle purchasing, maintenance, and ownership experiences. Market context and trends: Investment firm ARK projects that AI-mediated shopping will represent 25% of global online sales by 2030, with digital wallets facilitated by AI purchasing agents expected to handle 72% of e-commerce transactions. AI agents embedded in operating systems will streamline product discovery and research processes These advances could facilitate nearly $9 trillion in...
read Feb 21, 2025Eaton’s AI data center stock dips on the arrival of DeepSeek
The Investing Club, led by Jim Cramer, is making strategic moves in response to market fluctuations affecting AI infrastructure stocks. Eaton Corporation, a manufacturer of electrical components and power management systems for AI data centers, has recently experienced a significant price dip following news from Chinese AI startup DeepSeek. Market context and timing: The broader market is experiencing a downturn, with momentum stocks declining and cyclical stocks responding to weakening economic indicators. The Atlanta Fed GDPNow forecast shows first-quarter economic growth dropping to 2.3% from 3.9% in early February Consumer discretionary and industrial sectors are among the worst-performing this month...
read Feb 21, 2025Long story short: Top AI summarizers for articles and documents in 2025
In 2025, AI-powered document summarization tools have become essential productivity solutions for businesses and individuals dealing with information overload. The landscape of AI summarizers spans from simple web article condensers to sophisticated enterprise platforms that can handle complex document analysis and team collaboration. Market Overview: The current AI summarization market offers solutions ranging from free basic tools to comprehensive enterprise platforms integrating with broader productivity suites. ClickUp leads the market by combining document summarization with work management capabilities, including meeting summaries and project thread condensation Specialized tools like Get Digest and Scribbr target specific use cases such as academic research...
read Feb 21, 2025AI to reshape and broaden access to wealth management, Microsoft exec predicts
The wealth management industry is experiencing rapid technological change as artificial intelligence capabilities expand beyond basic automation, according to Martin Moeller, the company's head of AI and GenAI for financial services in EMEA. Microsoft's leadership in enterprise AI positions them to offer unique insights into how AI will reshape financial services, particularly in wealth management. Current state of AI in finance: AI technologies are already making significant impacts in the financial sector, with companies like Klarna demonstrating substantial efficiency gains through automation. Swedish payment firm Klarna has automated work equivalent to 700 employees using OpenAI's technology Major institutions like UBS...
read Feb 21, 2025Can AI-powered coaching transform leadership in the fourth Industrial Revolution?
The emergence of Industry 4.0, marked by significant advances in artificial intelligence and digital technologies, is fundamentally changing how executives lead and support their teams. Leadership 4.0, a new management paradigm emphasizing agility, emotional intelligence, and networked thinking, has emerged as organizations adapt to this technological transformation. The evolution of leadership: The fourth Industrial Revolution - that which comes after the mere Information Age - is pushing executives to develop new competencies and approaches to effectively guide their organizations through digital transformation. Traditional leadership models are being challenged by the need for greater adaptability and emotional intelligence in managing increasingly digital...
read Feb 21, 2025Niantic plans $3.5B ‘Pokemon Go’ sale as HP acquires AI Pin
Whatever the "name of the game," it's going to have AR and VR written all throughout it. Here are some big happenings in that space... The virtual and augmented reality gaming landscape continues to evolve, with several major acquisitions and product launches reshaping the industry in early 2025. Notable developments include Niantic's potential sale of Pokémon Go and HP's acquisition of Humane's AI technology assets. Major industry shifts: Niantic is in negotiations to sell Pokémon Go to Scopely Inc. for approximately $3.5 billion, marking a significant change in the AR gaming space. The deal reflects challenges in AR gaming profitability, as...
read Feb 21, 2025AI search startup Genspark secures $100M to challenge Google
The rapid evolution of AI-powered search engines has sparked intense competition in a market long dominated by Google. Genspark, a Palo Alto-based startup led by former Baidu executive Eric Jing, is the latest contender to secure significant funding in this space. The funding details: Genspark has secured $100 million in Series A funding, achieving a valuation of $530 million as it aims to challenge Google's search engine dominance. The funding round was led by investors from the United States and Singapore This follows a $60 million seed round raised in June 2024 The company has already attracted over 2 million...
read Feb 21, 2025Advanced degrees, STEM backgrounds and sales experience boosted as AI reshapes labor market
On-the-job training and service roles are losing ground as employers seek those who already possess high skill and experience. The rise of artificial intelligence in workplaces has prompted Harvard economists to examine its actual impact on employment patterns and hiring practices. A new study by David Deming and Lawrence H. Summers reveals that AI is reshaping the labor market in ways that differ from initial fears about widespread job displacement. Key findings: Harvard's research into occupational churn demonstrates that AI is driving companies to seek more highly skilled and trained employees. Data shows an increase in hiring of workers with...
read Feb 21, 2025AI readiness takes center stage at Dubai CIO summit
School counselors aren't sure what to tell students to pursue anymore, as the pace of change in the employment landscape is changing so fast. And executives are feeling the heat too. The rapid adoption of AI technologies in the Middle East is creating urgent demands for new IT skillsets and capabilities. At the 18th IDC Middle East CIO Summit in Dubai, leading technology executives gathered to address the critical challenge of building AI-ready IT teams. The core challenge: Organizations face a fundamental mismatch between the pace of AI advancement and their teams' ability to adapt and implement these technologies effectively....
read Feb 21, 2025RingCentral unveils AI receptionist for automated call handling
RingCentral's new AI Receptionist (AIR) represents a significant advancement in automated business phone systems, moving beyond traditional virtual agents to offer comprehensive call handling capabilities. The solution aims to transform how businesses manage incoming calls by leveraging generative AI to handle customer inquiries and route calls effectively. Key Innovation: RingCentral's AIR platform distinguishes itself from conventional contact center solutions by providing an accessible, ready-to-use AI phone system that requires minimal technical setup. The system can autonomously handle common customer questions, share business information, and direct calls to appropriate departments Businesses can deploy AIR across multiple locations while maintaining consistent service...
read Feb 21, 2025Lambda garners $480M to grow AI cloud infrastructure
In just two years, Lambda has emerged as a significant player in AI cloud infrastructure, providing developers with tools for training and deploying AI models. The company's rapid growth and latest funding round signal increasing demand for specialized AI computing resources and development platforms. Investment Details and Strategic Impact: Lambda has secured $480 million in Series D funding, bringing its total equity capital to $863 million. The funding round was co-led by Andra Capital and SGW, with participation from notable investors including Andrej Karpathy, ARK Invest, and Nvidia Strategic investments came from hardware manufacturers Pegatron, Supermicro, Wistron, and Wiwynn JPMorgan...
read Feb 20, 2025The Last Human Job: New book delves into the pitfalls of automation and the future of work
Allison J. Pugh, a sociologist at Johns Hopkins University, examines how artificial intelligence is impacting human interaction in professional settings through her concept of "connective labor" - the uniquely human ability to understand and reflect understanding back to others. In her new book "The Last Human Job," Pugh analyzes how AI automation, while sometimes beneficial, risks degrading meaningful human connections across numerous industries. The scope of impact: AI has permeated virtually every workplace and profession, from basic automated functions like document editing to complex applications in healthcare and customer service. The effects of automation are being felt across diverse sectors...
read Feb 20, 2025AI startup Together raises $102M at $3.3B valuation
The artificial intelligence infrastructure market has seen rapid growth in cloud platforms that enable AI model development and deployment. Together AI, founded in 2022, has emerged as a key player by providing developers access to powerful GPU resources and supporting hundreds of open-source AI models. Latest funding milestone: Together AI has secured $305 million in a new funding round led by General Catalyst, valuing the company at $3.3 billion. The funding round included participation from Salesforce Ventures, Nvidia, Coatue, and Prosperity7 (Aramco Ventures' venture capital fund) This valuation represents more than a doubling from the company's previous $1.25 billion valuation...
read Feb 20, 2025ChatGPT reaches 400M weekly users
Artificial intelligence company OpenAI has expanded its reach significantly since 2024, with its ChatGPT product now serving 400 million weekly active users and over 2 million business customers. The company is preparing major model upgrades while facing increased competition from rivals like xAI and DeepSeek. Key metrics and growth: OpenAI has achieved substantial user and business adoption while expanding its technical capabilities through new model releases. ChatGPT's weekly active user base has reached 400 million globally Business customers have doubled to 2 million since September 2024 Usage of OpenAI's reasoning model API has grown 5x since launching the o3 Mini...
read Feb 20, 2025The practical and hidden costs of mass AI deployment in 2025
The rapid growth of corporate AI investment, estimated by PwC to add $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, has created an urgent need for businesses to understand both obvious and hidden costs associated with AI implementation. Companies are now moving from planning to active deployment phases, making cost considerations more critical than ever. AI Deployment Models: The choice between AI-as-a-service and on-premise solutions represents a fundamental cost decision for businesses entering the AI space. Cloud-based AI services offer flexible scaling with pay-per-token pricing models, such as IBM's Granite 3.0 models at twenty cents per million tokens On-premise deployments...
read Feb 20, 2025Software symbiosis: AI sparks an evolutionary development for human coders
The integration of AI tools into software development has sparked significant changes in how programmers work, with companies like Microsoft leading the charge in AI-assisted coding. Software developers, who are often the first to experience new technological disruptions, are finding that AI is augmenting rather than replacing their roles in the workplace. Current State of AI in Programming: AI coding assistants are transforming daily workflows for software developers, offering features from code completion to bug detection and testing capabilities. John Giorgi, a 29-year-old computer scientist, reports saving up to an hour per day using AI tools while developing healthcare software...
read Feb 20, 2025AI production studio Asteria hires VFX veteran and ‘Star Wars’ alum Benjamin Lock
For animation studio Asteria, the hiring of a top visual effects master is now a lock. The emergence of artificial intelligence in film production is taking concrete form with Asteria, a generative AI film and animation studio founded in fall 2024 by Bryn Mooser. The studio combines traditional film expertise with AI technology development, aiming to reshape how movies and TV shows are produced. Latest Development: Visual effects veteran Benjamin Lock joins Asteria to spearhead AI-driven workflow development and contribute to the company's proprietary AI model development. Lock brings over two decades of experience from prestigious studios including Framestore, Aardman,...
read Feb 20, 2025Nearly half of knowledge workers would use AI even if bosses forbade it, survey finds
The rapid adoption of generative AI (GenAI) tools by knowledge workers is creating tension between corporate policies and employee practices. A recent Software AG study of 6,000 employees reveals a significant shift in workplace technology adoption, with three-quarters of knowledge workers already embracing GenAI despite potential corporate restrictions. Key findings: Software AG's research shows that 75% of knowledge workers are using GenAI tools, and 46% would continue using them even if explicitly prohibited by their employers. The high adoption rate demonstrates a fundamental shift in how knowledge workers approach their daily tasks This resistance to potential corporate bans presents significant...
read Feb 20, 2025HP acquisition gives failed AI wearable startup a humane death
The Humane AI Pin, a screenless wearable AI computing device launched in November 2023, represented an ambitious attempt to reimagine human-computer interaction through voice commands, gestures, and projected displays. HP's acquisition of Humane AI for $116 million marks the end of this experimental hardware while securing valuable AI intellectual property and talent. The acquisition details: HP will acquire Humane's AI platform Cosmos, technical talent, and over 300 patents and patent applications, while discontinuing the AI Pin hardware product. The $116 million deal focuses primarily on Humane's AI capabilities rather than its hardware offerings HP plans to integrate Humane's AI technology...
read Feb 20, 2025Jack Ma returns, a new man, as Beijing tightens grip on tech giants
Jack Ma has had a change of heart. Tech magnate Jack Ma's re-emergence into public life comes after years of regulatory pressure on Alibaba, the e-commerce empire he founded. His return coincides with significant changes in both Alibaba's strategic direction and China's approach to its tech sector. The shifting landscape: Alibaba has undergone a dramatic transformation from its roots as China's leading e-commerce platform to become a critical player in the nation's artificial intelligence and cloud computing aspirations. The company's cloud division has emerged as a cornerstone of China's technological ambitions, particularly in scaling AI capabilities across the country A...
read Feb 20, 2025How brands are navigating the rules of the road for AI product recommendations
The rise of AI language models as product recommenders has created a new frontier for brand perception and marketing. Companies are discovering that artificial intelligence systems can significantly influence consumer choices through their product recommendations and interpretations of brand messaging. The big picture: AI models are increasingly being used to recommend products to consumers, with 28% of people already using AI for product recommendations in areas like cosmetics. Companies like JellyFish are developing tools to analyze how different AI models perceive and describe brands Brand perception by AI can vary significantly between different models, such as Meta's Llama and OpenAI's...
read Feb 20, 2025CEO swap at Clearview AI as firm shifts focus to Trump-era prospects
In 2020, Clearview AI sparked controversy by scraping billions of social media images without consent to build a facial recognition database. The company's technology allows law enforcement and government agencies to identify individuals from surveillance images within seconds. Leadership shake-up and strategic pivot: Clearview AI is undergoing significant changes in leadership as it positions itself to capitalize on potential opportunities under a possible Trump administration. Co-founder Hoan Ton-That resigned as CEO following a Forbes inquiry, transitioning to a board member role after stepping back to president in December Early investor and former Trump fundraiser Hal Lambert has taken over as...
read