Elon Musk has revealed that Tesla will start using humanoid robots next year. These robots will initially serve Tesla internally, with plans to begin sales by 2026. However, announcement aligns with Musk’s broader strategy to cut costs amid decreasing demand for Tesla vehicles.
Tesla’s recent financial update reported a significant drop in profits for the second quarter, from $2.7bn to less than $1.5bn. Despite various price cuts, automotive revenue decreased by 7% year-on-year, though a rise in the energy storage business led to a modest 2% increase in overall revenue. Consequently, Tesla’s shares fell by almost 8% in after-hours trading.
Musk has been increasingly focusing on advanced technologies such as AI and autonomous driving. He announced that the Optimus robot would be ready for internal use at Tesla by the end of this year, with mass production expected by 2026. Optimus is designed to perform tasks that are unsafe, repetitive, or boring for humans.
Mr Musk’s ambitious timelines have often been missed, including previous predictions about self-driving taxis. Tesla remains committed to developing robo-taxis, but their launch depends on regulatory approval. Other companies like Honda and Boston Dynamics are also developing humanoid robots, highlighting the competitive nature of this emerging field.
Samsung is reportedly exploring new phone designs tailored for generative AI applications. Roh Tae-moon, president of Samsung’s Mobile Experience unit, stated that upcoming ‘AI phones’ will look ‘radically different’ from current models. These new devices are expected to be more mobile, incorporating additional sensors and larger screens.
Roh revealed that a significant portion of Samsung’s mobile phone research and development is now focused on these AI-driven phones. Although specific designs were not disclosed, the goal is to move beyond the traditional slim rectangular form that has dominated the market since the iPhone’s debut.
The shift towards AI integration in phones follows Samsung’s introduction of the ‘Galaxy AI’ system, enhancing existing features and adding new tools for users. This move is part of a broader industry trend, with major players like Apple and Google also incorporating AI into their devices.
Competitors have tried to launch AI-specific devices with unique designs, but these have not gained mainstream success. Products like the Rabbit R1 and Humane AI were criticised for poor performance and battery life, highlighting the challenges in creating functional AI-driven smartphones.
In a pioneering move, a technology company, Google, contracts with a broadcasting company to cover the Olympic and the Paralympic Games. NBC Universal, the official broadcast agency of the Olympic Games in the US, collaborates with the tech giant and Sports Committees to attract younger audiences and those who have grown accustomed to viewing short clips online.
How it is intended to work is sports commentators will use Google’s Gemini AI to narrate competitions, generate recaps, as an assistant to anchors, answer questions posed online and equip them with the content of informed research, and even entertain audiences.
Currently, Google’s AI overviews are used to provide synopses to queries posed in Google searches. These give ready-made short responses to questions posed by users without directing them to third-party websites via links.
A recent survey conducted by Nikkei Research for Reuters shows a significant divide among Japanese companies regarding AI adoption. Of the 250 firms that responded, 24% have integrated AI into their operations, while 35% plan to do so. However, 41% have no plans to implement the technology, highlighting varying levels of enthusiasm for AI across corporate Japan. Key motivations for adopting AI include addressing workforce shortages, reducing labour costs, and accelerating research and development.
Despite Japan’s initially laid back approach to AI regulation, several obstacles hinder AI adoption, including employee anxiety over potential job losses, lack of technological expertise, high capital expenditure, and concerns about AI’s reliability. Cybersecurity also emerged as a critical issue, with 15% of respondents experiencing cyberattacks in the past year and 9% reporting attacks on their business partners. To enhance cybersecurity, 47% of firms outsource their defence, while 38% rely on in-house specialists.
The survey also touched on the controversial topic of Japan’s surname law, which mandates that spouses use the same surname. Half of the respondents support changing the law, a move prompted by the Keidanren business lobby’s recent appeal to the government. Supporters argue that the current system undermines individual dignity and freedom, particularly for women, while opponents believe separate surnames could weaken family bonds. Only 14% of firms believe the change would boost employee morale, and 10% think it would aid hiring efforts, with the majority expecting no significant impact on business.
Kernel, a New York City startup founded by Chipotle Mexican Grill’s Steve Ells, features a unique dining experience using robotic technology to prepare plant-based meals. A robotic arm flips burger patties while a conveyor belt moves dishes along the assembly line. Human staff then add finishing touches and package the meals for customer pick-up.
Initially, Kernel’s industrial look and robotic processes confused diners, leading Ells to temporarily close the restaurant in early July for a brief redesign. The goal was to make the space more inviting by adding seating, pictures, warmer colours, and softer lighting to better signal that it serves food.
The revamped Kernel now aims to blend advanced technology with a welcoming atmosphere, ensuring that diners feel comfortable and clearly understand the innovative dining experience on offer. This approach combines efficiency with a human touch, setting a new standard for the future of food service.
Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) is set to bolster its AI sovereignty with the launch of the AI Bridging Cloud Infrastructure 3.0 (ABCI 3.0) supercomputer. This state-of-the-art system, featuring thousands of NVIDIA H200 Tensor Core GPUs and Quantum-2 InfiniBand networking by HPE Cray XD, aims to propel Japan’s research and development capabilities in artificial intelligence.
ABCI 3.0 builds on Japan’s pioneering efforts in AI infrastructure, following the world’s first ABCI launch in 2018. AIST Executive Officer Yoshio Tanaka highlighted the upgrade’s strategic importance, aiming to advance research in generative AI and strengthen domestic technological independence.
The project, supported by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), is part of a broader $1 billion initiative to enhance computing resources and cloud AI capabilities. NVIDIA, pivotal in this collaboration, is committed to advancing AI research and education in Japan, as articulated by founder and CEO Jensen Huang during his recent visit.
Huang underscored the transformative potential of AI factories, which are critical for processing vast data sets efficiently. ABCI 3.0, located near Tokyo, promises unmatched computing performance with 6 AI exaflops and 410 double-precision petaflops, setting new standards in AI-specific and general computing capabilities.
The integration of NVIDIA’s advanced H200 GPUs with Quantum-2 InfiniBand technology enhances computational efficiency, making ABCI 3.0 a cornerstone for accelerating AI research and development in Japan and beyond.
Residents of Akishima city in western Tokyo are petitioning to block the construction of a large logistics and data centre by Singaporean developer GLP. Over 220 residents have expressed concerns that the centre would harm local wildlife, cause pollution, increase electricity usage, and deplete the city’s groundwater supply.
The group has filed a petition to review the urban planning process that approved GLP’s 3.63-million-megawatt data centre, which is estimated to emit around 1.8 million tons of carbon dioxide annually. They also worry that the project would require cutting down 3,000 of the 4,800 trees on the site, threatening the habitat of Eurasian goshawks and badgers.
The residents are considering arbitration to force GLP to reconsider its plans, with construction set to begin in February and completion expected by early 2029. The opposition comes amidst growing demand for data centres in Japan, where the market is projected to grow significantly over the next few years. GLP has declined to comment on the matter.
Slack, the pioneering workplace communication app, marks a decade of evolution with significant advancements in AI. Originally renowned for transforming business communication away from traditional emails, Slack now integrates AI tools aimed at enhancing productivity. Under new CEO Denise Dresser, who took the helm in 2023, Slack has intensified its focus on AI as a pivotal element for future workplace dynamics.
The introduction of Slack AI earlier this year represents a major shift, offering features like AI-powered search, channel recaps, and thread summaries. These tools are designed to streamline workflow efficiency and improve collaboration among users. Despite challenges such as slowing growth and stiff competition from Microsoft Teams, Slack continues to innovate by embedding AI into everyday operations.
Dresser emphasises the importance of trust and transparency in AI development, addressing concerns about data privacy and algorithmic accuracy. Slack’s approach includes providing clear citations for AI-generated summaries to enhance user confidence. The company remains committed to integrating AI deeper into its platform, aiming to position itself as a leader in workplace productivity tools.
Why does this matter?
As Slack navigates through its next chapter, integrating with Salesforce and expanding its AI capabilities remain key priorities. With ongoing enhancements and a growing emphasis on tailored solutions for various industries, Slack is poised to sustain its relevance in the evolving landscape of digital workspaces.
According to industry estimates, India‘s technology sector will need over 1 million engineers with advanced AI and other tech skills in the next 2-3 years. The demand highlights a considerable skills gap that current education and training systems must address. Sangeeta Gupta of the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) stressed the need for continuous reskilling, as new college graduates can only fill a quarter of these advanced roles.
The sector, employing around 5.4 million people and contributing significantly to India’s GDP, faces a critical challenge in matching workforce skills to job requirements. Major IT firms like Tata Consultancy Services and Larsen and Toubro are already struggling to fill thousands of positions due to this mismatch, which could disadvantage them against global competitors.
Why does this matter?
The issue’s root lies in India’s education system, which needs more practical skill development. NASSCOM predicts the digital talent gap will widen from 25% to 29% by 2028, exacerbating the problem. Prominent economists, including former central bank Governor Raghuram Rajan, warn that poor schooling could hinder the country’s growth prospects, especially with a predominantly young population.
Intuit, the parent company of TurboTax, has announced plans to reduce its workforce by 10%, affecting approximately 1,800 jobs. This move comes as Intuit shifts its focus towards enhancing its AI-powered tax preparation software and other financial tools.
The company intends to close two sites in Edmonton, Canada and Boise, Idaho, while aiming to rehire for new positions primarily in engineering, product development, and customer-facing roles.
CEO Sasan Goodarzi outlined that while 300 roles will be eliminated to streamline operations, another 80 technology positions will be consolidated across locations such as Atlanta, Bengaluru, and Tel Aviv.
This restructuring effort is expected to incur costs between $250 million and $260 million, with significant charges anticipated in the fourth quarter of this year.
Despite the layoffs, Intuit plans to ramp up its investments in generative AI and expand its market presence, targeting regions including Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Goodarzi expressed confidence in growing the company’s headcount beyond fiscal 2025, following recent positive financial performance and increased demand for its AI-integrated products.
