Actor and filmmaker Ben Affleck has weighed in on the ongoing debate over AI in the entertainment industry, arguing that AI poses little immediate threat to actors and screenwriters. Speaking to CNBC, Affleck stated that while AI can replicate certain styles, it lacks the creative depth required to craft meaningful narratives or performances, likening it to a poor substitute for human ingenuity.
Affleck, co-founder of a film studio with fellow actor Matt Damon, expressed optimism about AI’s role in Hollywood, suggesting it might even generate new opportunities for creative professionals. However, he raised concerns about its potential impact on the visual effects industry, which could face significant disruptions as AI technologies advance.
Strikes by Hollywood unions last year highlighted fears that AI could replace creative talent. Affleck remains sceptical of such a scenario, maintaining that storytelling and human performance remain uniquely human domains that AI is unlikely to master soon.
Goldman Sachs is considering spinning out its technology platform within its digital assets business, signalling a potential shift in its blockchain and cryptocurrency strategy. The platform, which has played a significant role in advancing blockchain technology and crypto-linked products, is expected to become an independent entity within 12 to 18 months, according to Mathew McDermott, Goldman’s global head of digital assets.
The bank’s plans come as the cryptocurrency market experiences a resurgence, with Bitcoin more than doubling its value in 2024 following the approval of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission earlier this year. The proposed spin-out would likely provide greater operational focus for the platform while aligning with market trends.
Although the project is in its early stages, Goldman Sachs‘ move highlights its commitment to adapting its digital asset strategies amid evolving regulatory and market conditions.
Donald Trump’s potential return to the White House is viewed as a positive development for India‘s IT services sector, according to Wipro Executive Chairman Rishad Premji. Speaking at an event in Bengaluru, Premji noted that Trump’s ‘pro-business and pro-growth’ policies, including lower taxes and fewer regulations, could encourage greater spending by corporate clients. This comes after challenging quarters for Indian IT firms, with clients cutting back on discretionary projects due to global economic uncertainty.
Premji also highlighted the need for caution regarding inflation, tariffs, and potential changes in United States immigration policies, particularly H-1B visas, which are crucial for Indian IT workers. The US account for a significant portion of the sector’s revenue. Stricter outsourcing rules could pose challenges, but analysts remain optimistic about overall growth.
JPMorgan analysts echoed this sentiment, stating that extended US corporate tax benefits could boost technology spending, further benefiting Indian IT companies. The sector will monitor Trump’s policies closely for long-term impact.
Super Micro Computer witnessed a 23% surge in its share value after revealing steps to address its delayed financial filings and avoid a potential Nasdaq delisting. The company has appointed BDO USA as its new independent auditor, replacing Ernst & Young, which resigned due to concerns over governance, transparency, and internal control issues. The new appointment comes just ahead of Nasdaq’s compliance deadline, allowing Super Micro to submit a filing plan for review. If accepted, the company could secure an extension until February 2025 to resolve its reporting challenges.
Despite the financial turbulence, optimism remains surrounding Super Micro’s AI server segment, which has shown strong demand. Analysts have highlighted the significant role of the compliance plan in maintaining investor confidence, while past challenges—including a prior delisting from Nasdaq in 2019 over missed reporting deadlines—serve as reminders of the stakes. Shares of the company have fallen by 24% year-to-date, with their current value standing far below the record highs achieved earlier this year.
If the compliance plan fails to gain approval, Super Micro can appeal the decision to Nasdaq’s Hearings Panel, triggering a 15-day stay of delisting, with the possibility of an additional 180-day extension. Industry observers are keenly watching how the company navigates its financial and regulatory hurdles, given its importance in the growing AI server market.
Super Micro’s history of regulatory and financial scrutiny adds complexity to its current situation, but its leadership remains optimistic about overcoming these challenges and capitalising on the booming AI technology demand.
Google has announced a $20 million fund, with an additional $2 million in cloud credits, to support researchers using AI to tackle complex scientific challenges. The initiative, unveiled by Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis at the AI for Science Forum in London, is part of Google’s broader strategy to foster innovation and collaboration with academic and non-profit organisations globally.
The funding will prioritise interdisciplinary projects addressing challenges in fields such as rare disease research, experimental biology, sustainability, and materials science. Google plans to distribute the funding to approximately 15 organisations by 2026, ensuring each grant is substantial enough to drive impactful breakthroughs. The programme reflects Google’s aim to position itself as a key partner in advancing science through AI, building on successes like AlphaFold, which recently earned DeepMind leaders a Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
The move aligns with a growing trend among Big Tech firms investing heavily in AI-driven research. Amazon’s AWS recently committed $110 million to similar grants, underscoring the race to attract leading scientists and researchers into their ecosystems. Hassabis expressed hope that the initiative would inspire greater collaboration between the private and public sectors and further demonstrate AI’s transformative potential in science.
A chapel in Lucerne, Switzerland, has introduced an AI-powered confessional, featuring an avatar named ‘AI Jesus’ to offer spiritual advice. Parishioners communicate with the AI by voicing concerns and receiving machine-generated guidance. The experiment, developed at a local university, aims to spark debate about technology’s role in religion.
Theologians involved highlight AI’s 24/7 availability as a key advantage, contrasting it with human pastors‘ limited schedules. Parishioners have expressed mixed reactions, with some praising its convenience and others criticising its generic responses as superficial.
Despite the novelty, the AI advises users not to disclose personal data, underscoring privacy concerns. Traditional clergy remain essential, as many see the AI as a supplementary tool rather than a replacement for spiritual leaders.
California-based AI startup Enfabrica has raised $115M in a funding round to tackle one of the field’s most pressing challenges, enabling vast networks of AI chips to work seamlessly at scale. The company, founded by former engineers from Broadcom and Alphabet, plans to release its new networking chip early next year. This chip aims to enhance efficiency by addressing bottlenecks in how AI computing chips interact with networks, a problem that slows down data processing and wastes resources.
The startup claims its technology can scale AI networks to connect up to 500,000 chips, significantly surpassing the current limit of around 100,000. This breakthrough could speed up the training of larger AI models, reducing time and costs associated with unreliable or inaccurate outcomes. “The attributes of the network, like bandwidth and resiliency, are critical for scaling AI efficiently,” said Enfabrica CEO Rochan Sankar.
Investors in the funding round included Spark Capital, Maverick Silicon, and corporate backers like Arm Holdings and Samsung Ventures. Nvidia, an industry leader in AI chips, also participated, signaling strong support for Enfabrica’s mission to optimise AI infrastructure.
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) is reportedly pushing for Alphabet’s Google to divest its Chrome browser, escalating efforts to curb the company’s alleged monopolistic practices in digital markets. This follows a prior ruling that Google illegally dominated the search market. The DOJ also plans to address Google’s control over AI and the Android operating system.
Google, which commands two-thirds of the global browser market, denies the claims, arguing that its success stems from user preference and robust competition. It also criticises the DOJ’s proposals as extreme and potentially harmful to consumers. Prosecutors have suggested a range of remedies, including ending exclusive search agreements with companies like Apple or enforcing Chrome’s divestiture if market competition does not improve.
A trial to finalise the remedies is set for April, with a ruling expected by August 2025. Google intends to appeal any decision to divest Chrome, citing the browser’s integral role in its ad revenue and user experience.
Bitcoin has surged 5.8% in the past 24 hours, reaching a new all-time high (ATH) of $97,750. Its market cap now stands at $1.93 trillion, holding a dominant 57.9% share of the crypto market. Trading volume has also exceeded $85 billion, reflecting the strong bullish momentum.
A poll on Polymarket suggests Bitcoin has an 83% chance of hitting $100,000 before December, further fuelling optimism. This price surge has contributed to the global crypto market reaching an ATH of $3.33 trillion. Additionally, pro-crypto figures in the US government raise expectations of crypto-friendly regulations under a potential second term for Donald Trump.
CryptoQuant CEO Ki Young Ju likened this year’s momentum to the 2020 bull run, citing strong whale accumulation and significant over-the-counter deals as major factors. He also pointed to the Bitcoin halving in April, which reduced miner rewards and pushed prices higher to ensure miner profitability.
The recent launch of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) options in the US has further boosted Bitcoin’s price, with BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust receiving approval from the SEC. The introduction of these ETFs is expected to increase demand, allowing investors to better manage risk while participating in the Bitcoin market.
Santander has introduced its digital bank, Openbank, in Mexico, marking a significant move into the country’s fast-growing fintech market. The launch includes a website and mobile app, offering a fully digital banking experience. Customers on the pre-registered waiting list are the first to gain access.
Openbank, already operational in Spain, Germany, Portugal, and the Netherlands, is Europe’s largest digital bank by deposits. The Mexican rollout capitalises on a growing demand for digital financial services, particularly among the unbanked population and dissatisfied traditional banking clients.
The service includes a savings account offering a competitive 12.5% annual return, aligning with local fintech trends led by rivals like Nubank. Openbank’s head, Petri Nikkila, emphasised the potential for digital banking in Mexico, aiming to attract customers seeking competitive financial products.
