Latest AI News

The U.S. government is considering acquiring a 10% equity stake in Intel by converting CHIPS Act grants into ownership, which would make it the largest stakeholder. Meanwhile, SoftBank has invested $2 billion in the company. Intel, with its integrated design and manufacturing capabilities, is viewed as critical for U.S. competition against global rivals like TSMC. The company appointed Lip Bu Tan as CEO in March 2025 to lead its turnaround. These developments highlight the growing intersection of technology, national security, and industrial policy as America seeks to secure its semiconductor supply chain.

The US government is planning a significant investment in Intel to stabilize the semiconductor company following years of challenges from international competitors and technological delays, according to Tory Bessent of Prime Partners. This investment represents part of a broader strategy to strengthen America's domestic chip manufacturing capabilities and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers. The funding aims to support advanced manufacturing facilities, research for next-generation chips, and supply chain resilience. The initiative addresses national security concerns about semiconductor supply vulnerabilities amid geopolitical tensions. As other regions like the EU and China increase investments in their chip sectors, Intel's potential recovery is viewed as crucial for maintaining US technological leadership and competitiveness in electronics and AI.

Databricks has secured new funding that values the AI company at over $100 billion, up from $62 billion last year. The Series K round includes investors like Thrive Capital and Andreessen Horowitz, with CEO Ali Ghodsi noting extraordinary investor interest. The funding will accelerate AI initiatives including Agent Bricks (for building AI agents), Lakebase (an operational database for AI workloads), and strategic acquisitions. Databricks has formed partnerships with companies like Palantir and SAP while planning to add 3,000 employees this year. The company aims to help enterprises transform data into actionable AI applications amid growing demand for advanced AI solutions.

XPeng reported exceptional growth with Q2 2025 deliveries reaching 103,181 vehicles, a 241.6% year-over-year increase. Revenue soared to RMB 18.27 billion (US$2.55 billion), up 125.3% from the previous year, while vehicle sales revenue increased 147.6% to RMB 16.88 billion. The company's gross margin improved to 17.3%, supported by an expanded network of 677 stores and 2,348 charging stations. XPeng forecasts continued strong performance, projecting Q3 deliveries of 113,000-118,000 vehicles and revenue between RMB 19.6-21.0 billion, representing over 140% year-over-year growth.