ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ROBOTICS
ByteDance prepares Meta's Muse-like agent in push to close AI gap
ByteDance is preparing to release an AI assistant similar to Muse by Meta Platforms soon. Co-founder Zhang Yiming has shared his vision of competing with companies like Anthropic and OpenAI by 2030. The company intends to invest up to $70 billion in developing the Seedance video AI platform.
China's Singles Day shopping festival puts AI selling power to the test
If you are looking for evidence of how enthusiastically China is adopting AI, look no further than the country's premier month-long Singles Day shopping festival.
Chipmakers warn AI demand is creating bottlenecks in automotive supply chain
Nexperia says it is heavily oversubscribed as chipmakers redirect capacity towards higher-margin AI data-centre products, creating shortages of mature semiconductors used in vehicles and industrial equipment. Industry executives warn that the AI investment boom is worsening bottlenecks across automotive and industrial supply chains.
ICSE Class 10 & ISC Class 12 board examination datesheet announced; exams to begin on February 15, 2027
CISCE ICSE Date Sheet 2027: CISCE has released the timetable for the ICSE and ISC Year 2027 examinations, which will commence in February. A total of 379,980 candidates are expected to take these examinations across various subjects. The ICSE exams are set to begin on February 15, while the ISC exams will begin on February 9. Examination centers will be established in India and overseas for the convenience of candidates.
AI is entering the boardroom, warehouse, and checkout. Are businesses ready?
The AI Business Transformation Masterclass & Awards 2026 at IIM Bangalore will focus on integrating AI into businesses on 19 November. The program features sessions on enterprise AI frameworks, real-world use cases, and discussions on Agentic AI in finance, physical AI applications, and contextual commerce, culminating in the ET Most Innovative AI Product Awards.
Jensen Huang's influence over Nvidia raises questions about AI industry's dependence
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's influence extends beyond the chipmaker, shaping AI investment, chip supply and industry sentiment. His central role has also raised questions about succession planning and the risks of relying on one executive, as the company investigates whether he was targeted by a foreign intelligence effort involving China.
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When AI starts operating machines, the network becomes industrial infrastructure
As manufacturing and automation expand together, networks built to serve billions of people will increasingly serve tens of billions of machines and AI agents as well. Treating those connections as industrial infrastructure, and planning them for that scale, will determine how well physical AI works once deployments move from individual use cases to whole industrial environments.
Who could replace Jensen Huang at Nvidia? Affair with Alice Huang and her alleged China spy links raise questions over CEO’s future
Nvidia’s investigation into an alleged foreign intelligence effort involving CEO Jensen Huang has raised fresh questions about the company’s leadership future. With no publicly identified successor and around 60 executives reporting directly to Huang, investors are facing the possibility that the chipmaker may struggle to replace its most influential leader.
The US, Singapore and Taiwan have all looked at Alice Huang or her company Megaspeed; here’s what each investigation covers
One Chinese businesswoman, three countries and a growing national security controversy. Alice Huang has drawn scrutiny in the US, Singapore and Taiwan over her alleged links to Beijing and her former company, Megaspeed. But each country's role is different. While US authorities have examined suspected Chinese intelligence links, Singapore is investigating Megaspeed, and Taiwan's reported inquiry centres on her alleged connections to China.
China dismisses 'Chinese spy' narrative in Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang probe; calls it 'unsubstantiated'
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is being investigated for possible ties to a Chinese intelligence operation. China dismissed the claims as unsubstantiated during a recent foreign ministry briefing. The investigation follows allegations that Huang shared information with a suspected Chinese intelligence asset. Nvidia is working with an independent committee to assess the situation. The firm's board remains confident that national security and company secrets are not compromised.
SoftBank to face scrutiny of AI strategy at second-quarter earnings after selloff
SoftBank Group is on the brink of unveiling its quarterly earnings, navigating a turbulent landscape marked by challenges in the artificial intelligence sector and looming regulatory issues. The company's heavy investments in AI, alongside setbacks like a thwarted acquisition, have sparked skepticism among investors. Predictions indicate earnings could be highly unpredictable, with net profit estimates varying significantly, highlighting ongoing financial instability.
Nvidia board probes whether CEO Jensen Huang was targeted in Chinese intelligence operation
Nvidia's board has launched an independent investigation into allegations that CEO Jensen Huang may have been targeted by a Chinese intelligence operation through former Megaspeed executive Alice Huang. The probe will assess potential exposure of confidential information and national security risks amid escalating US-China technology tensions. Nvidia says it has found no evidence of compromised secrets.
Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan’s 10-year-old daughter vibe-codes several creations, including a messaging app, apps similar to GeoCities and a game inspired by FarmVille, with each project also featuring its own marketing and sales plan
Maxima Zuckerberg, daughter of Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan, is interested in artificial intelligence and software development. She is currently experimenting with vibe-coding, which uses natural language to create software with AI tools. While her parents support her enthusiasm, they have imposed restrictions on developing online projects. Priscilla Chan specifically did not allow Maxima to create a dating website due to safety concerns.
AI to boost industrial robotics growth, but manufacturers may benefit less than customers: S&P Global
Artificial intelligence is anticipated to significantly enhance the long-term prospects of industrial robotics and automation. Manufacturers may experience reduced benefits compared to their customers, as equipment utilization increases. Global industrial robot installations have increased markedly, driven by labour shortages and productivity needs. AI improvements are projected to further expand automation capabilities before achieving full autonomy. However, the overall impact on manufacturers' profits remains uncertain due to competitive market dynamics.
ETtech Deals Digest: Eloelo leads as weekly funding rises to $142 million, down 35% on-year
Eloelo led deal activity with $80 million, followed by Peppermint Robotics at $10.6 million, altM at $10.3 million, Two Point O Capital at $10 million, and PowerUp Money at $10 million. Crane Venture Partners was among the most active investors, backing Peppermint Robotics and Armatrix. Omnivore invested in altM and Two Point O Capital, while Flourish Ventures backed PowerUp Money.
A billionaire couple donated $50 million to UC Davis for agricultural research; in 2026, a 34,000-square-foot center opened in California
At the forefront of agri-tech innovation, the Resnick Center at the University of California, Davis, drives agricultural advancement with a strong focus on sustainability and research. Fueled by generous donations, it strives to elevate farming practices and enhance crop resilience. Current projects aim at transforming agricultural waste into valuable resources, thereby reducing ecological footprints.
China blocks SoftBank's $5.4 billion acquisition of ABB Robotics
China has blocked SoftBank’s $5.4 billion acquisition of ABB’s robotics business, disrupting the Japanese group’s AI-powered robotics expansion. The intervention highlights Beijing’s growing scrutiny of cross-border deals involving strategically important technologies.
China blocks SoftBank's $5.4 billion takeover of ABB's robotics division: FT
Softbank had agreed to buy ABB's robotics business in October last year, as CEO Masayoshi Son sought to establish SoftBank as a core player in the development of artificial intelligence.
China blocks SoftBank's $5.4 billion takeover of ABB's robotics division: Report
China has informed Japanese investor SoftBank that it will block the $5.4 billion acquisition of ABB's robotics segment. This decision is driven by concerns about data transfer overseas for artificial intelligence training. SoftBank had hoped for approval after reaching an agreement last October. ABB's robotics business significantly relies on the Chinese market, contributing about 30% of its total operations.
Ripik.ai in talks to raise Rs 150 crore from Gaja Capital
The startup deploys its hardware and software systems at large manufacturing and industrial units, including cement and steel plants, using cameras, sensors and proprietary AI models to monitor equipment, materials and production processes. It counts Accel and Venture Highway (now merged with General Catalyst) among its existing investors.
Karnataka invites Japanese firms to scale manufacturing, tech alliances
Karnataka seeks collaboration with Japanese companies for manufacturing and innovation in various high-tech sectors. The state presents dedicated incentive packages to support electronics manufacturing and other industries. More than 200 Japanese companies currently operate in Karnataka, enhancing bilateral business relations. Agreements have been signed for Japanese language training to better equip local students.
Uttar Pradesh to launch state Quantum Mission, steps up push for AI and robotics
The state of Uttar Pradesh is gearing up to launch a transformative Quantum Mission, poised to bolster its technology framework. By focusing on quantum technology within a broader digital transformation agenda, the initiative aims to ignite innovation. At the ETGovernment AI Vision Conclave, leading industry figures explored the adoption of AI, investment avenues, and workforce readiness.
Elon Musk says saving for retirement may become pointless. How AI and robots could change the future of money
Elon Musk envisions a future where breakthroughs in artificial intelligence lead to a surplus of goods and services. He suggests that, as a result, the concept of money could diminish in importance. Musk points out that saving for retirement may become obsolete as automation in production decreases costs and enhances availability, indicating that traditional retirement plans might soon be outdated.
Get $20 an hour to walk robot dogs, no work experience needed: San Francisco startup has an unusual job offer, but there is a catch
A San Francisco startup is offering $20 an hour to people willing to walk robot dogs through city streets. The job requires no previous experience and includes paid training, but workers must be prepared to carry the 33-pound machines back if they overheat or stop working. The unusual hiring exercise is part of Dimensional's effort to train AI systems to control robots and navigate real-world environments independently.
AI firm Kyvex founder Pearl Kapur joins BJP ahead of Punjab elections
Pearl Kapur has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party as the Punjab elections approach. He aims to integrate artificial intelligence and data analytics into the party's digital outreach strategies. This move highlights the increasing importance of digital platforms in modern political campaigns.
India’s Arrakis problem: The price of what low-skilled workers know
Indian workers contribute valuable data for training AI systems, which is transforming how tasks are automated. As technology advances, low-cost labour is becoming a significant resource for AI development globally. Companies are increasingly relying on Indian workers for video data that demonstrates various physical tasks. This trend poses challenges regarding data ownership and the economic benefits for India.
Global Market: China stocks fall as tech selloff deepens despite Fed rate pause
Chinese stocks declined as a sharp selloff in technology and AI-related shares outweighed the US Federal Reserve’s decision to keep interest rates unchanged. The Shanghai Composite fell 0.9%, while the CSI300 dropped 1.2% and the STAR50 tumbled 4.2%.
Global Market: China, Hong Kong stocks rebound as SK Hynix earnings lift AI optimism
Chinese and Hong Kong stocks rebounded after two sessions of losses, led by technology shares amid renewed optimism over artificial intelligence demand following SK Hynix’s stronger-than-expected earnings. However, weak consumption and disappointing results from liquor maker Wuliangye continued to weigh on sentiment.
Physical AI needs strict safety boundaries and interpretability: TorqueAGI founder Ashutosh Saxena
The Palo Alto based physical AI startup counts Rackhouse Venture Capital and Trucks Venture Capital as early backers and has active collaborations with firms like Nvidia. According to Saxena, the challenge is to make robots reason through their decisions while ensuring that mistakes do not cause physical harm.
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