AI chip startup Positron has raised $23.5 million in a bid to compete with industry leader Nvidia. The Reno-based company, which manufactures its chips in Arizona, claims its processors consume less than a third of the power of Nvidia’s high-performance H100 chips while maintaining similar capabilities. Investors in the funding round included Valor Equity Partners, Atreides Management, and Flume Ventures.
Positron’s chips are designed for AI inference, the stage where trained AI models are used rather than developed. While demand is currently higher for training chips, analysts predict that inference chips could soon become the more sought-after option as AI applications expand. This shift has led major players such as OpenAI, Google, and Meta to invest heavily in AI infrastructure, with spending expected to reach tens of billions of dollars this year.
Although Nvidia dominates roughly 80% of the AI chip market, rising costs and concerns over reliance on a single supplier have pushed major tech firms to seek alternatives. With its latest funding, Positron positions itself as a strong contender in the growing US and global AI chip industry, offering a more energy-efficient option for future AI applications.
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Google has expanded its AI-powered note-taking tool, NotebookLM Plus, to individual users subscribed to the Google One AI Premium plan. Initially launched for enterprises, the paid version offers significantly higher usage limits, allowing users to create up to 500 notebooks and process 300 sources per notebook. It also supports 500 chat queries and 20 AI-generated audio summaries daily.
Priced at $20 per month, the subscription also includes access to Google’s Gemini AI across Gmail, Docs, and 2TB of cloud storage. Students in the US over 18 years old can get a 50% discount, bringing the price down to $9.99 per month. Google has yet to reveal the number of users for NotebookLM but reports suggest millions of visits in recent months.
Google is also working on expanding NotebookLM’s features, including support for more languages in its AI-generated audio summaries and the launch of a dedicated mobile app. The company emphasised that both free and premium users would continue receiving a high-quality experience as it refines the service.
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Amazon has removed references to ‘inclusion and diversity‘ from its latest annual report, signalling a shift away from diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The change follows an internal memo from December, in which Amazon announced it was winding down certain DEI programmes by the end of 2024. Instead of maintaining separate initiatives, the company plans to integrate DEI efforts into broader corporate processes.
Tech giants such as Meta and Google have also been scaling back diversity programmes, facing pressure from conservative groups threatening legal action. Disney has similarly adjusted its DEI approach, removing mentions of its ‘Reimagine Tomorrow‘ programme while introducing an initiative to hire US military veterans. The trend reflects a broader corporate retreat from diversity-focused policies that gained traction after the 2020 protests against racial injustice.
Political opposition to DEI has grown, with President Donald Trump’s administration vowing to eliminate diversity policies in the private sector. In response, attorneys general from twelve US states, including New York and California, have reaffirmed their commitment to enforcing civil rights protections against workplace discrimination. The debate over DEI’s future remains contentious as businesses and lawmakers continue to clash over its role in corporate America.
When DeepSeek first emerged in late 2023, it seemed like another ambitious startup in the crowded AI landscape. Founded by Chinese hedge fund manager Liang Wenfeng, DeepSeek began with modest attention, releasing AI models that showed promise but were overshadowed by industry giants like OpenAI, Meta, and Google. However, in December 2024, the company catapulted into the global spotlight with the launch of DeepSeek R1, an AI model that shook the foundations of the tech world. This development was not just a technological marvel but a geopolitical wake-up call.
DeepSeek R1 stunned the industry with its ability to rival the capabilities of market leaders, achieving near-parity with models like GPT-4 and Gemini. What set it apart, however, was its shockingly low cost. While US companies like Meta and OpenAI pour billions into AI research and infrastructure, DeepSeek reportedly developed its model for just $5.6 million, leveraging less advanced chips that bypassed US export restrictions. The revelation underscored a significant shift in the AI arms race: resourcefulness could rival raw financial power. The app quickly became the most downloaded on Apple’s App Store, disrupting markets and causing US tech stocks to shed nearly $1 trillion in value within days.
The conversation shifted to national security as the US government scrambled to respond. DeepSeek’s emergence directly challenged US dominance in AI and called into question the effectiveness of export restrictions imposed by the Biden administration. Returning for his second term, President Donald Trump convened a high-stakes meeting with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang to discuss tightening chip export policies. Nvidia, whose shares dropped 17% after DeepSeek’s success, found itself at the centre of the geopolitical battle, with its cutting-edge AI chips both coveted and restricted.
The Trump administration is now contemplating additional measures to curb China’s access to advanced technology, including halting Nvidia’s H20 chip exports, initially designed to comply with export controls. Lawmakers from both parties are urging a thorough review of US export policies in light of DeepSeek’s achievements. Reports have even suggested that DeepSeek may have illegally obtained US-restricted chips, prompting investigations by the Commerce Department.
For its part, DeepSeek has embraced the controversy. Liang Wenfeng has framed the company’s success as a triumph of innovation over-dependence on Western technology. However, questions about the company’s transparency linger. Critics argue that DeepSeek’s low-cost claims omit the broader expenses of research and development, while concerns about its alignment with the Chinese government’s strategic goals have fueled scepticism in the West. The fact that DeepSeek’s earlier models censored politically sensitive content only deepens fears about its role in state-led narratives.
DeepSeek’s rise has challenged assumptions about the cost and accessibility of cutting-edge technology, prompting both excitement and unease. While the US tightens its policies and grapples with its response, DeepSeek’s trajectory is proof that the race for AI dominance is no longer confined to Silicon Valley; it’s now a high-stakes game of global power and influence.
US President Donald Trump and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang discussed the challenges posed by China’s advancements in AI, particularly focusing on the impact of Chinese AI company DeepSeek.
Chinese investors are flocking to AI-related stocks, betting that the success of home-grown startup DeepSeek will propel China to the forefront of the AI race amid the escalating Sino-US technology conflict.
Security concerns lead to Australian ban on DeepSeek
Concern over potential security threats has prompted Australia to ban Chinese AI startup DeepSeek from all government devices, joining a growing list of nations restricting its use.
A recent investigation has revealed that dozens of WhatsApp users across the globe were targeted by advanced spyware designed to infiltrate their devices without any action on their part.
Imagine 100,000 people standing in utmost silence for 15 minutes, with their phone flashlights pointed at the sky. They pay tribute to the 15 innocent people who died under the rubble of the collapsed, newly reconstructed eave of the railway station in the city of Novi Sad, Serbia. 100,000 students and supporting citizens, standing still and united in palpable silence, in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Those present witnessed a moment that sent a chill up their spine.
In this digitally porous media world, information spreads faster than ever, empowering creativity but also unleashing avalanches of misinformation and deepfakes that blur reality. High-profile clashes, from Novak Djokovic boycotting…
Part 2 examines the UN’s funding paradox: 128 nations contributing 2.2% of the budget can outvote major donors. Can China replace US leadership? Is Security Council reform urgent? Explore power shifts, moral authority, and the future of multilateralism.
DeepSeek’s open-source approach promotes accountability and allows developing countries to leverage AI solutions, potentially levelling the playing field. The shift towards open-source models may also encourage smaller players to create tailored AI systems, fostering a collaborative environment rather than a competitive race. Consequently, trade and technological diffusion can significantly enhance global economic growth and innovation.
Google has scrapped its diversity-based hiring goals and is reviewing its inclusion initiatives, aligning with other US businesses scaling back such efforts. Chief People Officer Fiona Cicconi confirmed the company would no longer set aspirational diversity targets, marking a shift from commitments made in 2020 to improve representation across leadership roles.
A goal set by CEO Sundar Pichai in 2020 aimed for 30% of leadership hires to come from underrepresented groups by 2025. Reports indicate Google had reached 60% of its five-year objectives by early 2024. However, recent regulatory filings show that the company removed previous statements about making diversity a core focus, reflecting its broader reassessment of DEI programmes.
Alphabet Workers Union criticised the move, calling it part of a larger trend against workplace diversity in the tech sector. As a federal contractor, Google also cited the need to comply with changing regulations and executive orders affecting DEI initiatives. Internal employee groups such as “Black Googler Network” and ‘Trans at Google’ will remain in place, continuing to inform company policies.
Other major technology firms, including Meta and Amazon, have also reduced their DEI commitments. Conservative groups have challenged corporate diversity policies following a 2023 US Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action in university admissions, increasing pressure on businesses to revise their approaches.
Google plans to introduce real-world quantum computing applications within five years, according to its head of quantum research, Hartmut Neven. The company’s prediction challenges Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang‘s estimate that practical quantum computing remains at least 15 to 30 years away. Google has been developing quantum technology since 2012 and recently announced a breakthrough that could accelerate the field.
Potential applications for quantum computing include advancements in materials science, drug discovery, and energy solutions. Google has already demonstrated quantum processors capable of solving complex problems far beyond the reach of traditional computers. A recent study published in Nature highlights new progress in quantum simulation, bringing the company closer to commercial viability.
The timeline for practical quantum computing remains uncertain, with predictions varying widely among experts. Nvidia’s scepticism caused a sharp drop in quantum-related stocks, but Google remains optimistic about achieving its goal. Governments and businesses continue to monitor quantum developments closely due to their potential impact on cybersecurity, finance, and healthcare.
Google has introduced new versions of its Gemini AI models, including the budget-friendly “Flash-Lite,” to compete with lower-cost rivals such as China‘s DeepSeek. The updates include the public release of Gemini 2.0 Flash and the testing of a new ‘Pro’ model. Flash-Lite was developed following positive feedback on the previous Flash 1.5 version, with the goal of making AI more affordable.
Investor scrutiny has increased over the rising costs of AI model development. DeepSeek recently claimed to have spent under $6 million on training a model, significantly less than what US AI firms are believed to invest. The emergence of cheaper alternatives has influenced discussions at Alphabet, Microsoft, and Meta, with all three companies reaffirming their commitment to high AI investment.
Alphabet’s stock declined on Tuesday amid concerns over a planned increase in capital expenditure, which exceeded Wall Street expectations by 29%. Google’s pricing strategy for Gemini Flash-Lite sets its cost at $0.019 per million tokens, placing it between OpenAI’s cost-efficient model at $0.075 and DeepSeek’s current rate of $0.014, which is set to increase soon.
Google has removed a key passage from its AI principles that previously committed to steering clear of potentially harmful applications, including weapons. The now-missing section, titled ‘AI applications we will not pursue,’ explicitly stated that the company would not develop technologies likely to cause harm, as seen in archived versions of the page reviewed by Bloomberg.
The change has sparked concern among AI ethics experts. Margaret Mitchell, former co-lead of Google’s ethical AI team and now chief ethics scientist at Hugging Face, criticised the move. ‘Having that removed is erasing the work that so many people in the ethical AI space and the activist space as well had done at Google, and more problematically, it means Google will probably now work on deploying technology directly that can kill people,’ she said.
With ethics guardrails shifting, questions remain about how Google will navigate the evolving AI landscape—and whether its revised stance signals a broader industry trend toward prioritising market dominance over ethical considerations.
China’s antitrust regulator is reportedly preparing to investigate Apple’s App Store policies and fees, including its 30% commission on in-app purchases and restrictions on external payment services. The move follows recent measures targeting US businesses, including Google and fashion brand Calvin Klein, just as new US tariffs on Chinese goods emerged. Apple’s shares fell 2.6% in premarket trading following the news.
The investigation, led by the State Administration for Market Regulation, comes after ongoing discussions between Chinese regulators, Apple executives, and app developers over the past year. While neither Apple nor the Chinese antitrust regulator has commented on the matter, the move is seen as part of broader scrutiny of US companies operating in China.
In a separate development, Google was also accused of violating China’s anti-monopoly laws, with experts speculating the probe could be linked to Google’s Android operating system and its influence over Chinese mobile manufacturers. Additionally, China’s Commerce Ministry added PVH Corp, the owner of brands like Calvin Klein, to its “unreliable entity” list.
Google is set to transform its Search engine into a more advanced AI-driven assistant, CEO Sundar Pichai revealed during an earnings call. The company’s ongoing AI evolution began with controversial “AI overviews” and is now expanding to include new capabilities developed by its research division, DeepMind. Google’s goal is to allow Search to browse the web, analyse information, and deliver direct answers, reducing reliance on traditional search results.
Among the upcoming innovations is Project Astra, a multimodal AI system capable of interpreting live video and responding to real-time questions. Another key development is Gemini Deep Research, an AI agent designed to generate in-depth reports, effectively automating research tasks that users previously conducted themselves. Additionally, Project Mariner could enable AI to interact with websites on behalf of users, potentially reshaping how people navigate the internet.
The shift towards AI-powered Search has sparked debate, particularly among businesses that depend on Google’s traffic and advertising. Google’s first attempt at AI integration resulted in embarrassing errors, such as incorrect and bizarre search responses. Despite initial setbacks, the company is pushing ahead, believing AI-enhanced Search will redefine how people find and interact with information online.
