OpenAI has secured a record-breaking $40 billion funding round led by SoftBank, valuing the company at $300 billion. The funding comes as AI technology continues to gain traction in various industries. In related news, GlobalFoundries and Taiwanese chipmaker UMC are considering a merger, while Chinese stocks have surged amid an AI frenzy. Meanwhile, Meta's Asia-Pacific chief has quit after a decade-long growth spurt, and Singapore's mobile data price war is heating up, with one carrier warning that customers who don't switch will lose out.
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/telcos-media-tech/ultragreen-ai-said-mull-s400-million-ipo-singaporeSoftBank plans to invest $1 trillion in AI infrastructure projects in the US, with a focus on robots to help American employers address labor shortages. The investment is contingent on OpenAI restructuring into an independent for-profit company by year's end; if not met, funding would be reduced to $20 billion or $10 billion, according to reports from Nikkei and the Wall Street Journal.
https://www.pymnts.com/artificial-intelligence-2/2025/softbank-reportedly-aims-to-borrow-16-billion-for-ai-stargate/Ajay Anand, Senior Vice President at Johnson & Johnson, has been named as the inaugural Executive in Residence at the Wharton AI & Analytics Initiative (WAIAI). He will work alongside faculty and students to bridge the gap between cutting-edge AI research and real-world industry challenges. Anand brings over 26 years of transformational leadership experience to the role, having led global initiatives in consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and telecommunications. As Executive in Residence, he will advise the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton faculty, mentor students, and guide future AI innovators on projects such as the Wharton AI & Analytics Accelerator.
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/indian-american-executive-ajay-anand-named-to-leadership-role-at-wharton-8051138Apple is planning to introduce an "AI doctor" feature in its iPhone's Health app. The AI-powered tool will provide personalized health advice and recommendations based on users' medical history and lifestyle. The exact release date for this feature has not been announced yet, but it is expected to be part of the upcoming iOS update.
https://www.livemint.com/technology/tech-news/apple-plans-to-add-ai-doctor-to-iphone-s-health-app-here-s-what-it-could-do-apple-intelligence-ios-19-wwdc-2025-11743387750830.htmlArm, a UK-headquartered company owned by Japan's SoftBank Group, has seen its technology gain popularity in the data center market due to lower power consumption compared to rival processors from Intel and AMD. Arm's chips are used in advanced AI systems by companies like Nvidia, which utilize two Blackwell chips, and have become increasingly popular among cloud computing companies such as Amazon.com, Alphabet's Google, and Microsoft. According to Mohamed Awad, Arm's infrastructure chief, the company generates revenue through licensing fees and royalty payments for each chip sold, with data center chips often using more of its intellectual property.
https://www.thestar.com.my/tech/tech-news/2025/03/31/exclusive-arm-expects-its-share-of-data-center-cpu-market-sales-to-rocket-to-50-this-yearThe article emphasizes the need for businesses to prioritize their needs and return to a tried-and-true approach when it comes to innovation, rather than rushing to adopt AI technology. This includes ensuring that AI solutions add real value to customers and are adapted to specific business environments. The author cites examples of failed AI implementations, such as Watsonville Chevy's chatbot that sold cars for $1 and Spotify's Wrapped feature, which removed popular features in favor of an AI-generated podcast. These failures highlight the importance of putting guardrails in place and using AI to enhance user experience rather than diminishing existing features.
https://www.techradar.com/pro/the-paradox-of-ai-problem-vs-opportunity-in-web-innovationChina is increasing its investment in quantum computing, AI, and other emerging technologies as part of President Xi Jinping's push to boost economic growth and national security. The government aims to strengthen private sector confidence through regulatory reforms, including a proposed Private Economy Promotion Law that will protect property rights and ensure fair competition. To support innovation, China plans to launch a science and technology bond market and increase funding for tech-driven enterprises, following the US' $2.7 billion National Quantum Initiative.
https://asiatechdaily.com/china-unveils-138-billion-venture-fund-to-boost-quantum-ai-and-clean-energy/An animation legend, Glen Keane, has expressed his unease with a new digital tool used to create characters and environments in animated films. The tool, which uses artificial intelligence, allows for more realistic and detailed animations but also raises concerns about the potential loss of traditional craftsmanship and the homogenization of style.
https://www.smh.com.au/culture/movies/an-animation-legend-once-called-this-tool-creepy-his-fears-have-come-true-20250331-p5lnv0.htmlGoogle's algorithm update may be aimed at promoting competition among advertisers, potentially safeguarding both user experience and the company's long-term revenue by preventing larger players from dominating smaller competitors.
https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-updates-unfair-advantage-policy-advertisers-react/543210/