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DeepSeek launches V3 to challenge OpenAI

Chinese AI startup DeepSeek has unveiled a major upgrade to its V3 large language model, intensifying the competition with US tech giants like OpenAI and Anthropic.

The new model, DeepSeek-V3-0324, is available via the AI development platform Hugging Face, showcasing significant advancements in reasoning and coding capabilities.

Benchmark tests have highlighted notable improvements in technical performance instead of its predecessor. DeepSeek, which has quickly gained recognition in the AI industry, continues to release competitive models, offering lower operational costs than many Western counterparts.

Following the V3 launch in December, DeepSeek also introduced its R1 model in January, further establishing its presence in the global AI market.

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Ask detailed location questions in Google Maps with Gemini

Google is rolling out a new Gemini feature that directly integrates with Google Maps, offering a more intuitive way to ask questions about specific locations.

The addition introduces an ‘Ask about place’ chip that appears when users access Gemini within the Maps app. By tapping it, users can query information about restaurants, shops, and tourist attractions—ranging from what’s on the menu to what products are in stock.

Early tests show that the feature works best when asking about individual places rather than broader areas.

While Gemini can handle common queries like directions or nearby points of interest, it may revert to standard Google Search for more nuanced questions. Users have reported that the assistant can accurately describe restaurant menus or specific offerings at businesses.

The feature is still in its early rollout stage, and not all users will see it yet. It does not appear to require a Gemini Advanced subscription, though compatible versions of the Google, Gemini, and Maps apps are necessary.

As development continues, the integration holds strong potential for making location-based inquiries more seamless and conversational.

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Former Cruise CEO Vogt’s Bot Company secures $150 million

Kyle Vogt’s new robotics startup, The Bot Company, has raised $150 million in a funding round led by Greenoaks, according to Reuters. Vogt, co-founder and former CEO of Cruise launched the company with Paril Jain, ex-Tesla AI tech leader, and former Cruise software engineer Luke Holoubek.

The startup, which aims to produce robots for household chores, raised its initial $150 million in May from notable investors including former GitHub CEO Nat Friedman and Stripe executives Patrick and John Collison.

The latest funding round comes less than a year after Vogt founded The Bot Company, following his resignation as CEO of Cruise in October. Vogt left Cruise after an incident in which one of its autonomous vehicles hit a pedestrian.

The Bot Company’s focus on robotics for everyday tasks signals Vogt’s continued drive to innovate in the tech space following his departure from Cruise.

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India’s Gen AI market to drive data centre growth

India’s Generative AI sector is poised for rapid growth over the next five years, driving an increased demand for data centres, according to a report by ANAROCK.

The market size of Gen AI in India is projected to rise from USD 1.1 billion in 2025 to USD 6.4 billion by 2030, expanding at a compound annual growth rate of 42 per cent.

The surge will require advanced infrastructure, with data centres playing a key role in managing computing power, storage, and data processing needs.

As AI-driven applications become more sophisticated, data centre operators are adapting their strategies to accommodate rising infrastructure demands.

The push for real-time AI applications will also drive the need for edge data centres, particularly in Tier-II cities like Jaipur, Ahmedabad, and Visakhapatnam, bringing computing closer to users and improving efficiency.

With the expansion of India’s data centre industry, there is a growing focus on sustainability and energy efficiency. Operators are increasingly relying on renewable energy sources and adopting energy-efficient solutions to meet rising power demands while aligning with India’s sustainability goals.

Over the past decade, the sector has attracted over USD 6.5 billion in investments, benefiting from infrastructure status that facilitates easier project financing.

With continued interest from global investors, India’s data centre industry is set for exponential growth, playing a crucial role in the country’s digital transformation.

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Apple launches major renewable energy initiative in China

Apple has announced the creation of a new clean energy fund in China worth 720 million yuan ($99.22 million).

The initiative coincides with a visit to Beijing by CEO Tim Cook and aims to support Apple’s broader goal of transitioning its supply chain to 100% renewable energy by 2030.

The company stated that the fund will help expand clean energy capacity in China, a key manufacturing hub for Apple products.

Investments in renewable energy have been a priority for the tech giant, which has already made significant commitments to reducing its environmental footprint worldwide.

Apple’s latest move underscores its long-term sustainability strategy and commitment to clean energy adoption within its supply chain.

The initiative aligns with China’s push for greener technologies and reinforces Apple’s role in advancing global environmental goals.

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MetaAI rolls out in Europe after regulatory hurdles

MetaAI, Meta’s AI chat function, is set to launch across Europe after delays caused by regulatory scrutiny regarding the use of personal data to train its models.

The European Commission is reviewing a risk assessment from Meta to ensure that the new feature complies with the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). However, this regulation mandates companies to submit risk assessments in advance of deploying new functions.

MetaAI was first launched in the US in September 2023, followed by India in June 2024, and the UK in October.

However, its European rollout was delayed last summer after the Irish Data Protection Commission raised concerns about using data from Facebook and Instagram users for AI training.

Meta faced criticism over Europe’s regulatory approach, with company officials, including CEO Mark Zuckerberg, expressing frustration with the delays.

Despite the regulatory hurdles, Meta is now moving forward with its plans to bring MetaAI to the EU, with the company noting that the process has taken longer than expected due to Europe’s complex regulatory landscape.

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FuriosaAI rejects $800m acquisition offer from Meta

FuriosaAI, a South Korean startup specialising in AI chips, has reportedly turned down an $800 million acquisition offer from Meta.

Instead of selling, FuriosaAI plans to continue developing its AI chips. Disagreements over post-acquisition business strategy and organisational structure were reportedly the cause of the breakdown in negotiations, rather than issues over price.

Meta, which has been trying to reduce its reliance on Nvidia for chips specialised in training large language models (LLMs), unveiled its custom AI chips last year. The company also announced plans to invest up to $65 billion this year to support its AI initiatives.

FuriosaAI, founded in 2017 by June Paik, who previously worked at Samsung Electronics and AMD, has developed two AI chips—Warboy and Renegade (RNGD).

The startup is also in talks to raise approximately $48 million and is planning to launch the RNGD chips later this year, with LG AI Research already testing them for use in its AI infrastructure.

FuriosaAI’s decision to focus on expanding its chip production signals its confidence in competing with giants like Nvidia and AMD in the rapidly growing AI hardware market.

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Apple plans to add cameras to future Apple Watch

Apple is reportedly planning to introduce cameras to its Apple Watch lineup within the next two years, integrating advanced AI-powered features like Visual Intelligence.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the standard Apple Watch Series will have a camera embedded within the display, while the Apple Watch Ultra will feature one on the side near the digital crown.

These cameras will allow the smartwatch to observe its surroundings and use AI to provide real-time, useful information to users.

Apple is also exploring similar camera technology for future AirPods, aiming to enhance their functionality with AI-driven capabilities.

The concept builds on the Visual Intelligence feature introduced with the iPhone 16, which allows users to extract details from flyers, identify locations, and more using the phone’s camera.

While the current system relies on external AI models, Apple is working on its in-house AI technology, and it is expected to power these features by 2027, when the camera-equipped Apple Watch and AirPods are likely to be released.

The move is part of Apple’s broader push into AI, led by Mike Rockwell, who previously spearheaded the Vision Pro project.

Rockwell is now overseeing the upgrade of Siri’s language model, which has faced delays, and contributing to visionOS, the operating system expected to support AI-enhanced AR glasses in the future. Apple’s increasing focus on AI suggests a shift towards more intelligent, context-aware wearable devices.

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Google expands Gemini with real-time AI features

Google has begun rolling out real-time AI features for its Gemini system, allowing it to analyse smartphone screens and camera feeds instantly. These capabilities, which will be available to select Google One AI Premium subscribers, build on the company’s earlier ‘Project Astra’ demonstration.

The live video feature will enable Gemini to interpret smartphone camera feeds in real time, providing users with instant answers and insights.

The new functionality also allows users to engage in back-and-forth conversations with Gemini based on their screen’s content. A Reddit user recently demonstrated the ‘Share screen with Live’ feature, accessible via the Gemini overlay, showcasing its ability to process and respond to information directly from a device’s display.

Google has confirmed that these updates will first roll out to Gemini Advanced subscribers under the Google One AI Premium Plan, with Pixel and Galaxy S25 owners among the first to gain access.

In addition to real-time AI video capabilities, Google has introduced ‘Canvas,’ a tool designed to help users refine documents and code seamlessly. Canvas allows for real-time edits and streamlines the process of developing prototypes for web apps, Python scripts, and other digital projects.

Another notable addition is ‘Audio Overview,’ which transforms written documents, slides, and research reports into podcast-style discussions between two AI-generated hosts.

An innovation like this aims to make complex information more engaging and accessible by delivering content in a conversational format. Google continues to expand Gemini’s capabilities, reinforcing its position at the forefront of AI-driven user experiences.

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Satellite messaging comes to Xfinity and Spectrum

Comcast and Charter introduced satellite-based emergency messaging for their mobile customers, following Verizon’s lead a day earlier. The new feature is available to Xfinity Mobile and Spectrum Mobile users but only on Samsung Galaxy S25 and Google Pixel 9 devices.

The service is powered by Skylo, a non-terrestrial network provider that also helped launch Google’s Satellite SOS feature on the Pixel 9. The function is currently limited to sending emergency messages when users are outside Wi-Fi or cellular coverage.

Both companies plan to expand the feature soon, allowing users to send and receive regular SMS texts via satellite. This move places Comcast and Charter among many carriers exploring satellite connectivity.

Other telecom giants are also advancing in this space. T-Mobile is working with Starlink to offer direct-to-cell satellite messaging, while AT&T is developing capabilities similar to AST SpaceMobile, signalling a broader shift in how mobile networks handle connectivity in remote areas.

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