President Donald Trump dismissed criticism from Elon Musk regarding a $500 billion artificial intelligence project announced earlier this week. The venture, named Stargate, involves OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle, with plans to construct data centres and create over 100,000 US jobs. Key leaders, including Masayoshi Son of SoftBank, Sam Altman of OpenAI, and Larry Ellison of Oracle, joined Trump at the White House for the announcement.
Musk, who has served as a close adviser to Trump, expressed doubts on social media about the project’s financial backing, claiming SoftBank lacks the necessary funds. The Tesla CEO and world’s richest man has a long-standing rivalry with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, a central figure in the initiative. Musk questioned whether the collaboration could secure adequate investment for the ambitious venture.
In response, Trump dismissed the concerns, suggesting Musk’s comments stemmed from personal animosity toward Altman. Trump highlighted that the project would not rely on government funding, emphasising that the private entities involved are financially capable. He downplayed any potential fallout with Musk, stating that disagreements are natural in such high-stakes partnerships.
A Trump adviser hinted that tensions between the two could escalate, potentially jeopardising their working relationship. Musk currently leads Trump’s government efficiency initiative, raising questions about how this dispute might affect their collaboration.
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at solidifying the country’s dominance in artificial intelligence. The directive includes creating an Artificial Intelligence Action Plan within 180 days to promote economic competitiveness, national security, and human well-being. The White House confirmed this initiative as part of efforts to position the nation as a global AI leader.
Trump has also instructed his AI and national security advisers to dismantle policies implemented by former President Joe Biden. Among these is a 2023 order requiring AI developers to submit safety test results to the government for systems with potential risks to national security, public safety, or the economy.
Biden’s policies aimed to regulate AI development under the Defence Production Act to minimise risks posed by advanced technologies. Critics argue the approach imposed unnecessary constraints, while supporters viewed it as a safeguard against potential misuse of AI.
The latest move reflects Trump’s broader strategy to reshape the nation’s AI framework, focusing on economic growth and innovation while rolling back measures seen as restrictive.
The Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, India, has embraced cutting-edge technology to better manage the world’s largest gathering of humanity. Facial recognition software, AI, and advanced crowd-monitoring systems ensure a safer and more organised festival for the expected 400 million visitors. Sarita Singh’s experience highlights the impact of these advancements. Separated from her son and mother-in-law, she was reunited with them within hours thanks to facial recognition software linked to over 2,700 CCTV cameras.
Authorities use AI-powered tools to count crowds, detect surges, and prevent stampedes at the sprawling 4,000-hectare site. Nearly 93 million visitors were recorded in the festival’s first nine days alone. The AI systems also monitor for fire hazards and trespassing, providing real-time alerts to on-ground personnel. Underwater drones add another layer of safety, sending alerts if accidents occur during the ritual dips in the holy rivers. Multilingual chatbots on the official Kumbh app further assist visitors from diverse regions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised technology integration, describing the event as a ‘union of data and technology.’ The digital tools being deployed reflect the changing era of the Maha Kumbh, which not only honours ancient traditions but also embraces modern innovations to enhance the experience for millions of devotees.
Pope Francis has called on global leaders to exercise caution in the development of AI, warning it could deepen a ‘crisis of truth’ in society. In a statement read at the World Economic Forum in Davos by Cardinal Peter Turkson, the pontiff acknowledged the potential of AI but emphasised its ethical implications and the risks it poses to humanity’s future. The remarks come as AI becomes a key focus at this year’s summit.
Francis highlighted concerns about AI’s ability to produce outputs nearly indistinguishable from human work, raising questions about its impact on public trust and truth. He urged governments and businesses to maintain strict oversight of AI development to address these challenges effectively. The pope has been vocal on ethical issues surrounding AI in recent years, addressing its implications at high-profile events like the Group of Seven summit in Italy.
The leader of the Catholic Church has personal experience with AI-related controversies. In early 2024, a deepfake image of him wearing a white puffer coat went viral, underscoring the risks associated with the misuse of such technologies. Francis has consistently warned against relying on algorithms to shape human destiny, advocating for a more responsible and ethical approach to technological innovation.
Oracle has introduced a suite of AI agents designed to streamline tasks for sales professionals. Unlike consumer-focused virtual assistants, these agents specialise in specific functions, such as updating records after customer meetings and compiling detailed reports to assist with deal negotiations. The agents can integrate data from across Oracle’s business software ecosystem, even translating information from different languages to offer sales teams a comprehensive view of customer interactions.
A notable feature of the new system is its ability to highlight critical insights, such as delays in shipments affecting repeat customers in other regions, which can help sales teams navigate negotiations more effectively. Rob Pinkerton, Oracle’s senior vice president, emphasised the global relevance of the technology, especially for companies operating in multiple markets. The tools are particularly tailored for industries like manufacturing and logistics, where accurate and timely data is crucial.
The AI agents are available to customers starting this week at no additional cost, reflecting Oracle’s commitment to enhancing its software offerings. The move aligns with broader industry trends, as competitors like Microsoft and Google also focus on deploying specialised AI to increase productivity and tackle complex challenges in enterprise environments.
SandboxAQ, a quantum technology startup spun off from Alphabet in 2022, has announced its large quantitative models (LQMs) will be available on Google Cloud. These models, which handle vast numerical datasets and perform complex calculations, are designed for applications such as financial modelling, trading automation, and statistical analysis. The partnership will enable enterprises to develop and deploy LQMs more efficiently, broadening SandboxAQ‘s customer base.
CEO Jack Hidary emphasised the significance of quantitative AI, highlighting its role in industries like life sciences, financial services, and navigation. The company, headquartered in Palo Alto, recently secured $300 million in funding, raising its valuation to $5.6 billion. This is the first time SandboxAQ’s models will be accessible on a third-party platform, marking a significant milestone in its growth.
Google’s growing focus on quantum computing complements its collaboration with SandboxAQ. The tech giant announced progress in quantum chip development last December, aiming to address key challenges in the field. Rivals like Microsoft and Nvidia have also been advancing quantum computing initiatives, signalling intensified competition in the emerging technology.
The UK‘s Competition and Markets Authority has appointed former Amazon executive Doug Gurr as its interim chairman, signalling the government’s push to boost economic growth and support the tech sector. Gurr, who brings extensive experience at Amazon, including leading the company’s UK and China operations, will guide the CMA as it fosters competition in industries such as cloud services and AI. The move aligns with the UK’s broader strategy to streamline regulations and position itself as a pro-business nation.
Gurr’s appointment comes amid a critical phase in the CMA’s investigation into the domestic cloud services market, which has been scrutinising Amazon’s dominant position. While Gurr will serve in an interim role, the government hopes his commercial background will help drive pro-business decisions that stimulate growth. This marks a shift from the previous chair, Marcus Bokkerink, whose tenure was shorter than expected, possibly due to dissatisfaction among government officials.
Industry experts note that Gurr’s appointment is timely, as the CMA is stepping up its oversight of Big Tech, particularly with the expanded powers under the Digital Markets, Competition, and Consumers Act. Critics and lobby groups like the Open Cloud Coalition closely watch how the CMA will handle its regulatory responsibilities, particularly in the cloud services sector, where Amazon holds a significant market share. They urge the CMA to maintain a strong stance on promoting fairness and competition.
As the CMA navigates its investigations and enforces new rules, stakeholders are keen to see how Gurr’s leadership will shape the future of competition regulation in the UK. The outcome could have far-reaching implications for businesses and consumers, particularly in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Meta Platforms has joined a $10 billion investment round for Databricks, a data analytics firm specialising in AI applications. The funding, which closed on Wednesday, values the San Francisco-based company at $62 billion. This round also included a $5.25 billion credit facility led by major financial institutions such as JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs, aimed at boosting Databricks’ expansion and product development efforts.
Founded in 2013, Databricks provides tools to help businesses process, analyse, and apply artificial intelligence to complex datasets. The firm has benefited from the increasing corporate demand for AI technology, catalysed by the rapid adoption of platforms like OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Meta’s investment strengthens an existing partnership between the two, particularly in leveraging Meta’s Llama, a family of open-source large language models.
With over 10,000 organisations, including Shell and Comcast, already utilising its platform, Databricks is at the forefront of enterprise AI applications. According to CEO Ali Ghodsi, this deepened collaboration with Meta will help Databricks better serve enterprise clients using Llama, further solidifying its position in the AI race.
Samsung Electronics has introduced its latest Galaxy S25 smartphones, powered by Qualcomm’s chips and Google’s AI model. With a competitive pricing strategy, the Galaxy S25 series remains in the range of $799 to $1,299, aiming to boost sales amidst fierce competition from Apple and other Chinese manufacturers. The release, which includes a preview of a slimmer Galaxy S25 Edge model, comes as Samsung seeks to regain market share after losing ground in the premium smartphone sector last year.
While Samsung boasts advanced AI features, analysts note that distinguishing its in-house voice assistant, Bixby, could prove challenging. Industry expert Thomas Husson remarked that without a standout application that leverages AI capabilities effectively, convincing consumers to choose an AI-based smartphone might be difficult. Despite this, the new Galaxy S25 is designed to provide a more personalised user experience, including features like the ‘Now Brief’ service, which offers tailored recommendations based on stored data and enhances user convenience.
In a notable shift, Samsung opted for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform for the entire Galaxy S25 lineup, moving away from its own Exynos chips. However this change may impact Samsung’s chip business, as the mobile division has been a significant customer for its semiconductor products. Following the announcement, Samsung shares dipped by 1.1%, trailing the overall market performance. The company’s sell-through of the new series is crucial, particularly as sales of its foldable phones have stagnated amid stiff competition from Chinese rivals.
Preliminary fourth-quarter results from Samsung indicated profits fell short of expectations due to high chip development costs and increasing competition in the smartphone market. Moving forward, Samsung plans to use its Exynos chips in upcoming foldable devices, highlighting the ongoing strategic shifts to adapt to rapidly changing market conditions.
ByteDance, the Chinese tech giant behind TikTok, has allocated over 150 billion yuan ($20.64 billion) for capital expenditure this year, with a significant focus on AI, according to sources familiar with the matter. About half of the investment will support overseas AI infrastructure, including data centres and networking equipment. Beneficiaries of this spending are expected to include chipmakers Huawei, Cambricon, and US supplier Nvidia, although ByteDance has denied the accuracy of the claims.
The investment aims to solidify ByteDance’s AI leadership in China, where it has launched over 15 standalone AI applications, such as the popular chatbot Doubao, which boasts 75 million monthly active users. Its international counterparts include apps like Cici and Dreamina, reflecting ByteDance’s strategy to adapt its AI offerings globally. The company also recently updated its flagship AI model, Doubao, to rival reasoning models like those developed by Microsoft-backed OpenAI.
ByteDance’s international spending aligns with its efforts to expand AI capabilities abroad amid challenges like the uncertain future of TikTok in the United States. While ByteDance’s $20 billion plan is substantial, it remains modest compared to the AI investments of US tech giants like Google and Microsoft, which spent $50 billion and $55.7 billion respectively on AI infrastructure in the past year. The spending will also bolster ByteDance’s partnerships with suppliers such as Nvidia, from which it has procured custom AI chips tailored to China despite US export restrictions.
