Russia has the potential to improve its global AI standing by 2030, bolstered by local talent and the development of its own generative AI models, according to Alexander Vedyakhin, the first deputy CEO of Sberbank. Speaking at the bank’s AI Journey conference, Vedyakhin highlighted the resilience of Russian developers in navigating Western sanctions, which aimed to limit the country’s computing resources. He emphasised the importance of fostering experimentation to maintain progress in AI.
Although Russia currently trails the US and China in AI innovation by six to nine months, Vedyakhin is optimistic about closing the gap. Instead of building massive data centres, Russia is focusing on smart AI models tailored to its market, similar to Meta’s Llama. These efforts, he said, will ensure technological sovereignty, especially as generative AI gains global importance. For example, Russian language models address local cultural contexts better than English-trained systems, avoiding misunderstandings like misinterpreting cultural dishes.
President Vladimir Putin also underscored the strategic significance of AI, announcing plans to collaborate with BRICS countries to challenge US dominance. Vedyakhin added that while Europe and China face setbacks due to overregulation, Russia’s supportive regulatory environment could be a competitive advantage. Encouraging investment in AI startups and allowing for innovation without severe penalties for mistakes are key to advancing the sector.
Despite a broader decline in venture capital investment in Russia, funding for AI startups continues to grow, hinting at a more diversified market. Vedyakhin also suggested that decentralised autonomous organizations (DAOs), powered by blockchain, could address labour shortages, paving the way for Russia to strengthen its AI ecosystem in the years ahead.
Nvidia has added around 200 employees in China this year, boosting its research capabilities and focusing on autonomous driving technologies, Bloomberg News reports. The company now employs nearly 600 people in Beijing, with a recently opened office in the Zhongguancun tech hub, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Despite its expansion, Nvidia faces headwinds in China, including an ongoing investigation into alleged violations of the country’s anti-monopoly laws. This probe is widely interpreted as a response to US restrictions on China’s chip sector. Nvidia declined to comment on the situation.
China contributed about 17% of Nvidia’s revenue in the year ending January, down from 26% two years earlier. Globally, Nvidia employs around 29,600 people across 36 countries, as detailed in its February 2024 filing.
A revolutionary AI-powered robot named SwagBot is changing the face of cattle farming. Developed by researchers at the University of Sydney, it offers an innovative way to manage livestock while tackling environmental challenges like soil degradation. SwagBot, first launched in 2016, has evolved from a basic herding machine to a sophisticated tool equipped with sensors, AI, and machine learning.
The autonomous robot can assess pasture health, type, and density while monitoring livestock well-being. By guiding cattle to the most nutritious grazing areas, SwagBot reduces the risk of overgrazing and ensures optimal pasture use. Salah Sukkarieh, a University of Sydney professor, highlighted its ability to manage cattle movement fluidly without relying on traditional fences.
Australia’s vast cattle farms, home to about 30 million animals, often face dry conditions and poor-quality pastures. SwagBot offers a game-changing solution by feeding real-time data to farmers, enabling more efficient grazing decisions. Part-time farmer Erin O’Neill noted the robot’s potential to support pregnant cattle by identifying the best-quality pastures for their needs.
SwagBot is still in development but represents a significant step towards integrating robotics in agriculture. As farms increasingly adopt such technologies, they aim to boost productivity, reduce environmental impact, and address challenges in hiring workers for remote locations.
Google has announced a $20 billion partnership with Intersect Power and TPG Rise Climate to build renewable energy projects, battery storage, and grid upgrades for its data centres. The initiative includes wind, solar, and battery storage facilities, each paired with 1-gigawatt-scale data centres to meet growing energy demands for AI technology. The first phase is expected to be operational by 2026.
The plan aims to address grid bottlenecks, with Google funding required upgrades to accelerate connectivity. This strategy highlights renewables’ speed over nuclear options, which have longer timelines for implementation.
Industry experts predict a shortfall in energy for AI-focused data centres by 2027, underscoring the urgency for alternative power sources. While Google also invests in nuclear energy projects, renewables are expected to dominate in the near term.
Stainless, a New York-based startup, is transforming software development with its AI-driven platform that automatically generates software development kits (SDKs) from APIs. Founded by former Stripe engineer Alex Rattray, Stainless addresses the inefficiency developers face in creating SDKs manually, providing support for multiple programming languages like Python, Kotlin, and TypeScript. Its platform also ensures APIs remain updated, simplifying versioning and changelogs.
Attracting major clients such as OpenAI and Meta, Stainless claims its SDKs are downloaded millions of times weekly. Backed by $35 million in funding, including a recent $25 million Series A led by a16z, the company aims to expand its 20-person team and solidify its position in the API development space. Most of its revenue comes from enterprise customers paying for tailored services, driving its annual recurring revenue to $1 million and nearing profitability.
Rattray envisions Stainless as more than an SDK generator. The company plans to build a comprehensive developer platform addressing every aspect of API interaction, setting it apart from competitors like OpenAPI Generator and LibLab.
Alphabet, the parent company of Google, is doubling down on AI to reshape its core search business, which generates the majority of its $300 billion annual revenue. At the Reuters NEXT conference in New York, Alphabet President Ruth Porat described AI as a ‘generational opportunity’ for the company, with tools like AI-generated query overviews aiming to make search more intuitive. However, challenges such as AI ‘hallucinations,’ where incorrect information is generated, remain a key hurdle.
Beyond search, Alphabet is channeling its AI expertise into healthcare advancements. Porat highlighted innovations like AlphaFold, which predicts protein structures to aid drug discovery, and AI tools that could prevent blindness or enhance the doctor-patient relationship by reducing screen time for medical professionals. These efforts reflect the company’s broader commitment to applying technology for societal benefits.
Alphabet’s financial investments in AI are substantial, with $50 billion projected in capital expenditures for 2024, including data centres and chips. Porat emphasised the need for these investments to yield tangible returns while shaping the future of both technology and human connection.
OpenAI Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar sees President-elect Donald Trump as potentially becoming ‘the president of this AI generation,’ arriving at a pivotal moment in the development of artificial general intelligence (AGI). Speaking at the Reuters NEXT conference in New York, Friar highlighted that Trump will be in office as critical infrastructure for AGI, such as autonomous systems, begins to take shape. While acknowledging Elon Musk’s public opposition to OpenAI’s corporate restructuring, Friar expressed confidence that Musk, a close advisor to Trump, would prioritise national interests in his competitive efforts.
Friar also discussed OpenAI’s recent advancements, including the release of its video generation tool, Sora, which has seen overwhelming demand. Account creation has been paused, but she emphasised the company’s careful approach to ensure safety. She predicted significant progress in AI agent products in the coming year, with more autonomous software expected to assist with everyday tasks. Friar further noted the growing collaboration with Microsoft, OpenAI’s largest investor, while also advocating for diversification within the industry.
Despite governance controversies and recent executive departures, Friar reported that OpenAI continues to expand rapidly, with ChatGPT’s weekly active users growing from 200 million to 300 million since August. This surge, she said, is driven by new reasoning models like o1, indicating that the company’s innovation trajectory is accelerating.
In a forest clearing in Normandy, France, Maiaspace is preparing to test a reusable rocket aimed at strengthening Europe’s space competitiveness. The subsidiary of ArianeGroup plans to launch its first partially reusable rocket by 2026, catering primarily to small commercial satellites. The project follows criticism of Europe’s earlier focus on non-reusable launchers, which some say put it at a disadvantage against SpaceX‘s cutting-edge technology.
The rocket, designed to carry up to four tonnes, features a reusable first stage capable of being recovered at sea. Engineers face challenges in adapting to reusable technology, particularly in managing atmospheric disturbances during stage separation. Testing is underway to address these technical hurdles.
Maiaspace‘s development budget of several hundred million euros has so far secured €125 million from ArianeGroup, with further funding discussions expected next year. As competition intensifies, including from Germany‘s Rocket Factory Augsburg, Europe seeks to close the gap with industry leader SpaceX.
Congressman Jay Obernolte has called on federal energy regulators to prioritise co-located data centres directly connected to power plants. The move, he argues, is essential for advancing US AI capabilities while addressing energy demands and grid resilience.
The proposal comes amid debates over co-location’s potential impact on grid reliability. A recent Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) decision rejected an Amazon-Talen Energy project in Pennsylvania, citing grid concerns. Obernolte urged FERC to expedite decisions on such projects to support US AI innovation.
Energy firms Talen and Constellation have challenged FERC’s recent rulings, highlighting the growing importance of energy policies in AI expansion.
Jack Ma, co-founder of Alibaba, made a rare public appearance on Sunday, expressing optimism about the future of Ant Group, the fintech affiliate he also helped establish. Speaking at Ant’s 20th-anniversary celebration, Ma highlighted the transformative potential of AI, stating that the changes driven by AI in the next two decades will surpass current expectations. His remarks, reported by Chinese media outlet 36kr, marked a notable return to the spotlight following his retreat from public life amid regulatory challenges.
Reflecting on Ant Group’s turbulent journey, Ma acknowledged the value of criticism and encouragement in fostering the company’s growth. Ant, the operator of China’s leading mobile payment app Alipay, faced a regulatory crackdown after Ma’s public critique of Chinese regulators in 2020. This led to the cancellation of Ant’s $300 billion IPO, followed by a stringent overhaul of its operations to align with financial regulations. The reforms included Ma relinquishing control of the company in 2023.
Despite these challenges, Ant is charting a path forward, underscored by a leadership transition announced Sunday. President Cyril Han will succeed Eric Jing as CEO starting March 1, 2024. Ma’s renewed confidence in Ant’s potential, especially in the AI era, signals a fresh chapter for the fintech giant as it emerges from years of regulatory scrutiny.
