MIPS, a long-established Silicon Valley company, has revealed a shift in its strategy to focus on designing chips for AI-driven robots.
Once known for competing with Arm Holdings in computing architecture, MIPS now aims to create specialised chips for sensing, decision-making, and controlling robot movements.
However, move like this one comes as the demand for robotics technology, particularly in areas like autonomous vehicles, grows rapidly.
MIPS’ decision marks a major transition from licensing its technology to designing its own chips. Chief Executive Sameer Wasson stated that the company would initially target the automotive industry, with plans to have technology integrated into cars by 2027.
Despite focusing on chip design, MIPS intends to continue licensing its technology to other firms.
This strategic pivot is expected to position MIPS as a key player in the robotics sector, particularly as AI continues to revolutionise industries.
Although MIPS is not transitioning into a full-fledged silicon company, its decision to develop tangible, working chips is aimed at providing greater confidence to potential customers and partners.
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Malaysian authorities are investigating whether local laws were breached in the shipment of servers that may have contained advanced AI chips subject to U export controls.
The case is linked to a fraud investigation in Singapore, where three men were recently charged over transactions involving servers supplied by US firms. The equipment was allegedly transferred to Malaysia and may have included Nvidia’s artificial intelligence chips.
The Malaysian government confirmed it is working closely with the United States and Singapore to determine whether US-sanctioned chips were involved. Authorities aim to find effective measures to prevent such transactions from violating trade regulations.
Singapore has not specified whether the chips in question fall under US export restrictions but acknowledged they were used in servers that passed through Malaysia.
US officials are also examining whether DeepSeek, a Chinese AI firm whose technology gained attention in January, has been using restricted US chips.
Washington has tightened controls on AI chip exports to China, and any unauthorised shipments could lead to further scrutiny of supply chains in the region.
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Microsoft’s UK boss has warned that many companies are ‘stuck in neutral’ when it comes to AI, with a significant number of private and public sector organisations lacking any formal AI strategy. According to a Microsoft survey of nearly 1,500 senior leaders and 1,440 employees in the UK, more than half of executives report that their organisations have no official AI plan. Additionally, many recognise a growing productivity gap between employees using AI and those who are not.
Darren Hardman, Microsoft’s UK chief executive, stated that some companies are caught in the experimentation phase rather than fully deploying AI. Microsoft, a major backer of OpenAI, has been promoting AI deployment in workplaces through autonomous AI agents designed to perform tasks without human intervention. Early adopters, like consulting giant McKinsey, are already using AI agents for tasks such as scheduling meetings.
Hardman also discussed AI’s potential impact on jobs, with the Tony Blair Institute estimating that AI could displace up to 3 million UK jobs, though the net job loss will likely be much lower as new roles are created. He compared AI’s transformative impact on the workplace to how the internet revolutionised retail, creating roles like data analysts and social media managers. Hardman also backed proposed UK copyright law reforms, which would allow tech companies to use copyright-protected work for training AI models, arguing that the changes could drive economic growth and support AI development.
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South Korea has announced the creation of a $34 billion policy fund to support companies in key industries such as semiconductors, automotive, and advanced technologies, in response to growing global competition and protectionist policies.
The state-run Korea Development Bank will manage the fund by providing low-interest loans and other financial support over the next five years to businesses involved in national strategic industries.
The government stressed that maintaining competitiveness in these strategic sectors has become crucial to the country’s economic security, particularly amid the uncertainties caused by the new US administration.
South Korea has identified 12 industries, including semiconductors, AI, and biopharmaceuticals, as critical for its future economic stability and will offer targeted financial support to strengthen these sectors.
In addition to the fund, South Korea also unveiled new policies to attract skilled global talent in cutting-edge fields. These measures include offering top-tier visas and permanent residency to professionals with experience at major international firms, aiming to enhance the country’s workforce in strategic industries.
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US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that Musk did not meet the high standards required to block the move. However, the judge indicated that she would expedite a trial on the matter, which is expected to take place later this year.
Musk, who co-founded OpenAI in 2015 but left before its major success, argued that OpenAI had initially sought his charitable funding to create AI for the public good, but has since shifted its focus towards making profits.
His lawyer, Marc Toberoff, expressed satisfaction that the judge had agreed to a swift trial, claiming that the case involves urgent public interest concerns.
OpenAI, which is seeking to become a for-profit entity to attract the necessary capital for its AI projects, welcomed the court’s decision.
The company emphasised that its goal is to develop advanced AI models to benefit society. Musk’s legal action, which also includes antitrust claims, stems from his frustration with OpenAI’s shift in direction since he departed from the organisation.
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Nvidia and Broadcom are conducting manufacturing tests with Intel’s advanced 18A chip-making process, signalling potential confidence in the struggling company’s technology.
Sources indicate that the tests, though preliminary, could lead to major contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is also evaluating Intel’s capabilities, though it is unclear if it has sent test chips for validation.
Despite the interest, Intel’s foundry business has faced repeated delays, with its 18A process now pushed back another six months due to challenges in qualifying essential intellectual property.
The company has struggled to secure major external clients, with most of its foundry revenue still coming from its own chip production.
The US government sees Intel as critical to restoring domestic semiconductor manufacturing and has explored deals to strengthen its position, including potential partnerships with TSMC.
Intel has signed agreements with Microsoft and Amazon for chip production, though details remain vague. Industry experts suggest that many chip designers are waiting to see if Intel can reliably deliver on its foundry promises before committing to large-scale production.
Financial setbacks have placed additional pressure on Intel, with its foundry revenue declining 60% last year and break-even projections now delayed until at least 2027.
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Vietnam‘s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has instructed officials to fast-track approval for Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service under a pilot programme.
Speaking to US business representatives in Hanoi, Chinh highlighted the country’s commitment to attracting foreign investment while maintaining control over key sectors. Vietnam recently adjusted its regulations to allow satellite internet providers to operate locally under strict government oversight.
Alongside discussions on Starlink, Chinh addressed Vietnam’s growing trade surplus with the United States.
The Southeast Asian nation, which recorded a record trade surplus last year, is under pressure to increase imports of American goods such as aircraft, arms, liquefied natural gas, and pharmaceuticals. By doing so, Vietnam hopes to avoid potential tariffs threatened by President Donald Trump.
Vietnamese officials are engaging in talks with US businesses and foreign investors to ease concerns over trade tensions and their impact on the country’s export-driven economy.
Further meetings with international companies are planned as the government works to strengthen economic ties while managing geopolitical challenges.
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CoreWeave, backed by Nvidia, announced on Tuesday that it is acquiring AI developer platform Weights & Biases as part of its efforts to expand its cloud platform ahead of its upcoming IPO. The deal will merge CoreWeave’s infrastructure and managed cloud services with Weights & Biases’ AI model training and monitoring tools, which are used by major tech companies such as OpenAI and Meta.
While the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, technology news site The Information reported that it could be valued at approximately $1.7 billion. CoreWeave, based in Roseland, New Jersey, has seen significant growth, with an eight-fold increase in revenue forecast for 2024.
CoreWeave, whose customers include companies like Meta, Microsoft, and hedge fund Jane Street, is aiming for a valuation exceeding $35 billion in its IPO later this year. The acquisition is seen as a move to strengthen CoreWeave’s position in the competitive AI market ahead of its New York listing.
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Britain’s competition regulator has approved Synopsys’ $35 billion acquisition of Ansys after the companies addressed concerns about the potential negative impact on innovation and pricing.
In December, the regulator raised alarms that the deal could reduce competition in the chip design software market, possibly leading to higher prices and less innovation.
However, following negotiations and the companies’ offer of remedies to mitigate these concerns, the regulator decided not to refer the deal for an in-depth phase-2 investigation.
Synopsys, a major player in the chip design software industry, announced the acquisition in January. The deal, which will be a mix of cash and stock, aims to strengthen Synopsys’ portfolio and expand its offerings in the design and development of complex products.
Ansys, a well-established provider of simulation software, is used by a range of industries, from aerospace to sports equipment, to design and optimise products like aeroplanes and tennis rackets.
The acquisition marks a significant move for Synopsys, enhancing its capabilities in the design and development of advanced technology.
The deal is expected to bring together the strengths of both companies, allowing them to offer a broader set of solutions to customers in various sectors, from semiconductor manufacturing to engineering and consumer goods.
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General Motors has appointed Barak Turovsky as its first chief AI officer, signalling a stronger focus on AI integration across its business.
Turovsky, a former AI leader at Cisco and Google, will report to Dave Richardson, GM’s senior vice president of software and services engineering. His team will work on expanding AI capabilities within GM’s vehicle lineup and broader operations.
GM has already implemented AI for tasks such as selecting locations for EV chargers, streamlining vehicle order processes, and optimising manufacturing.
Richardson stated that AI is central to the company’s strategy for electric, internal combustion, and autonomous vehicles, with Turovsky’s expertise expected to accelerate these efforts.
The hiring comes as GM continues to build its software-focused leadership team, having recently promoted former Apple executives to key positions. AI is set to play a crucial role in enhancing customer experience, improving operations, and driving innovation in the automaker’s future technologies.
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