Germany and France are collaborating on a Franco-German AI center to bolster European autonomy and national security, responding to US restrictions on AI model access. The initiative aims to foster homegrown AI capabilities and compete with global players.
Brazil's top foreign policy adviser, Celso Amorim, stated that the AI race is a two-power contest between the US and China, with Latin America and Europe sidelined. He proposed Brazil should draw capital and technology from both sides, utilizing BRICS and the Global South to maintain balance.
A Public First poll of 18,000 people across 15 countries reveals a widespread belief in China's AI leadership, even in US allies like Canada, Britain, and France. However, China ranks low in trust for its AI models, placing 10th globally.
Alibaba Group Holding has launched its first AI models for robots, the Qwen Robot Suite, developed by Tongyi Lab. This suite aims to enable machines to perceive, reason, and interact with physical environments, marking a significant step into "embodied AI."
Meta is launching new AI features on Facebook, including an "AI Mode" for searching public posts and AI-powered photo editing tools. These updates aim to boost engagement and change how users find information and create content on the platform.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella argues that the true AI advantage lies not in selecting the best frontier model, but in building a proprietary 'learning loop' around it. This system, trained on a company's unique data and judgment, creates defensible intellectual property, contrasting with the subscription-based model of frontier models alone. Nadella warns against ceding all value to a few AI models, drawing parallels to the economic consequences of early globalization.
US lawmakers and witnesses warned at a congressional hearing that the US must lead the next phase of responsible AI innovation, not China. Concerns were raised about national security and China's rapid advancements in AI, with calls to maintain American technological superiority.
Apple unveils a major Siri AI upgrade, aiming to compete with rivals like ChatGPT and Gemini. While emphasizing privacy and practical integration, analysts express cautious optimism, noting potential privacy concerns and the need to convince consumers that advanced AI won't compromise privacy. Siri AI will initially be unavailable in the EU and China due to regulatory and privacy concerns.
Tencent's Chief AI Scientist Yao Shunyu argues the AI race is in its early stages, with vast opportunities in coding agents, embodied intelligence, and multimodal AI, despite current setbacks.
TechCrunch and VivaTech 2026 are collaborating to spotlight AI strategies, contrasting Europe's focus on industrial competitiveness and regulation with Silicon Valley's emphasis on scale and speed. The event in Paris will feature discussions on AI governance and its application in sectors like manufacturing and healthcare.
At VivaTech 2026, Europe will champion a distinct AI model focused on industrial competitiveness and technological sovereignty, contrasting with the US and China's race for scale and dominance. The continent aims to leverage its strengths in regulated industries like manufacturing, healthcare, and energy.
AI lab Anthropic has confidentially filed for an IPO with the SEC, less than a week after raising $65 billion at a $965 billion valuation. The move sets the stage for a potential IPO showdown with rival OpenAI.
AI firm Anthropic, creator of the Claude chatbot, has confidentially filed for an IPO on the US stock market. The company announced a $65bn funding round valuing it at $965bn post-money, making it the world's most valuable AI startup, surpassing OpenAI.
France is attracting record foreign investment for data centers, crucial for the global AI race. SoftBank, Brookfield, and others are investing billions, drawn by competitive, low-carbon nuclear energy and streamlined regulations.
China imposes travel restrictions on top AI researchers and entrepreneurs, requiring government approval for foreign travel, amid a widening effort to retain AI talent and secure the sector as a national security priority, as the global AI race narrows with the U.S.
President Trump reversed course on an executive order mandating AI safety reviews before model release, citing competition with China. Tech leaders, including Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, lobbied against the order, which was seen as a victory for the industry's push for rapid advancement.
Sam Altman has emerged victorious in a legal dispute with Elon Musk, though Musk has vowed to appeal. The trial has shed light on the dynamics of big tech and the global AI race.
Thousands of tech workers are facing job losses due to AI investments and cost-cutting measures. Many are struggling with career resets, seeking community, and facing uncertainty about the future of work in the rapidly evolving tech industry.
Arthur Hayes, chief investment officer of Maelstrom, predicts Bitcoin will reach $126,000 due to increased money printing driven by the war in Iran and the AI sector race
When Trump last visited China in 2017, artificial intelligence was not yet the centre of global power. Now it is.
When Trump last visited China in 2017, artificial intelligence was not yet the centre of global power. Now it is.
Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, is known for his calm leadership, a style that proved crucial during the AI race. Despite criticism following ChatGPT's viral success, Pichai maintained a steady approach, focusing on internal quality. This strategic patience, cultivated over a decade, has positioned Google's diverse projects for a future centered on AI.
Apple’s R&D spending has crossed 10% of revenue for the first time in at least 30 years, and increased twice as fast as sales in the latest quarter.
As China’s AI competition intensifies, SenseTime is shifting toward multimodal AI, lower-cost models and overseas expansion to remain competitive, co-founder Lin Dahua said.
